Key Takeaways
- The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is likely to become a federally recognized tribal nation after the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act.
- The tribe has been seeking federal recognition for generations, and the effort gained momentum after President Donald Trump endorsed the tribe on the campaign trail.
- Federal recognition will provide the tribe with access to new streams of federal dollars and grants, resources like the Indian Health Service, and the ability to put land into trust.
- The tribe’s recognition has been met with opposition from some tribal leaders, historians, and genealogists who argue that the Lumbee’s claims are unverifiable.
- The Lumbee Tribe has received bipartisan support, but federal recognition became a campaign promise for both Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris during the most recent presidential race.
Introduction to the Lumbee Tribe’s Journey
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is on the verge of becoming a federally recognized tribal nation after the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act. The state-recognized tribe has been seeking federal recognition for generations, and the effort gained momentum after President Donald Trump endorsed the tribe on the campaign trail. The tribe’s members are ecstatic about the news, with one member, Charles Graham, saying, "It’s going to be a very, very emotional time for us. It’s going to be a time to rejoice and a time to be happy." With federal recognition comes a range of benefits, including access to new streams of federal dollars and grants, resources like the Indian Health Service, and the ability to put land into trust.
The Journey to Recognition
The Lumbee Tribe’s journey to recognition began in the 1980s, when the tribe sought recognition through the Office of Federal Acknowledgement within the Interior Department. However, the office declined to accept the application, citing a 1956 act of Congress that acknowledged the Lumbee Tribe but withheld the benefits of federal recognition. The decision was reversed in 2016, allowing the Lumbee to pursue recognition through the federal administrative process. Instead, the tribe continued to seek recognition through an act of Congress. There are currently 574 federally recognized tribal nations, with 18 being approved by the Office of Federal Acknowledgement and about two dozen gaining recognition through congressional legislation. The Lumbee Tribe would become one of the largest tribal nations in the country, with approximately 60,000 members, if recognized.
Controversy Surrounding the Lumbee Tribe’s Claims
Not everyone is celebrating the Lumbee Tribe’s impending recognition. Some tribal leaders, historians, and genealogists argue that the Lumbee’s claims are unverifiable and that Congress should require the tribe to complete the formal recognition process. Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes, an opponent of Lumbee recognition, testified before the Senate, warning against replacing historical documentation with political considerations. Critics have noted that the Lumbee have a history of shifting claims and previously used different names, including Cherokee Indians of Robeson County, and say the tribe lacks a documented historical language. The Lumbee Tribe counters that it descends from a mixture of ancestors "from the Algonquian, Iroquoian and Siouan language families," according to its website, and notes it has been recognized by North Carolina since 1885.
Politics and Tribal Recognition
The Lumbee Tribe’s recognition has become a political issue, with both Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris making it a campaign promise during the most recent presidential race. Trump traveled to Robeson County, where most Lumbee members live, and pledged to get federal recognition done. The county has shifted politically in recent years, with the socially conservative area trending Republican. The Lumbee Tribe’s approximately 60,000 members in North Carolina are an important voting block in the swing state, which Trump won by more than three points. In January, Trump issued an executive order directing the Interior Department to develop a plan for Lumbee recognition, which was submitted to the White House in April. Since then, Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery has worked closely with members of Congress, particularly North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, and appealed directly to Trump.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The Lumbee Tribe’s impending recognition has significant implications for the tribe and its members. With federal recognition comes a range of benefits, including access to new streams of federal dollars and grants, resources like the Indian Health Service, and the ability to put land into trust. However, the tribe’s recognition has also been met with opposition from some tribal leaders, historians, and genealogists who argue that the Lumbee’s claims are unverifiable. The controversy surrounding the Lumbee Tribe’s claims highlights the complexities and challenges of the federal recognition process. As the tribe moves forward with its recognition, it will be important to consider the potential impacts on the tribe and its members, as well as the broader implications for tribal recognition and federal policy.
