A bill to recognize six Virginia tribes is on the agenda for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee business meeting on Thursday.

S.1178, the Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009, extends recognition to the Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Tribe-Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, the Monacan Nation, and the Nansemond Tribe. The tribes were the first to greet the European settlers at Jamestown in 1607 and signed treaties with the Queen of England in 1677.

"This legislation is a simple matter of fairness,” said Sen. Jim Webb. "Federal recognition of Virginia’s Indians enjoys strong, bipartisan support in Virginia. It is time to get this bill passed in Congress and signed into law."

The House passed H.R.1385 in June.

Committee Notice:
BUSINESS MEETING on pending committee issues (Thursday, October 15, 2009)

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