Michell Hicks. Photo from Facebook

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians remains opposed to federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

The Eastern Cherokees are the only federally recognized tribe in the state. Chief Michell Hicks said the Lumbees are not legitimate.

“The Lumbee have failed to meet the criteria to prove their claim of being a legitimate Native Nation and are relying on the sympathy of legislators to gain federal recognition," Hicks told The Cherokee One Feather, the tribe's newspaper.

H.R.184, the Lumbee Recognition Act, was introduced last Wednesday. It rescinds a termination-era law that identified the Lumbees as "Indians" while denying them the benefits associated with federal status.

Lumbee Chairman Paul Brooks has said he is not optimistic that the bill will clear the 114th Congress.

Get the Story:
EBCI stands firmly against Lumbee recognition (The Cherokee One Feather 1/12)

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