January 23, 2025<\/p>\n
We understand President Trump\u2019s desire to conduct due diligence in exploring federal recognition for the Lumbee. That instinct is correct\u2014facts relating to tribal history and the existence of Indian ancestry must be at the heart of any federal recognition decision. Recognition is a profound act with far-reaching consequences, and it must be based on objective evaluations of provable historical and genealogical evidence to protect the integrity of tribal nationhood.<\/p>\n
While the President directs the Department of the Interior to develop a plan for exploring pathways to recognition\u2014through legislative, judicial, or administrative processes\u2014it does not grant federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe. Nor does it override or bypass the established Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA) process. Instead, it signals the need for a thoughtful and structured review of Lumbee\u2019s claims, which we believe must be conducted under the rigorous standards of the OFA.<\/p>\n
The Lumbees have a history of shifting claims, including claiming Cherokee ancestry and other historical tribes. Experts have repeatedly found that their claims cannot be verified through historical or genealogical evidence. Any process for evaluating Lumbee\u2019s claims must be rooted in objective standards and a thorough, evidence-based review. Self-identification and sincere belief in Indian ancestry, while meaningful on a personal level, cannot mean tribal nationhood and sovereignty.<\/p>\n
We continue to believe that the OFA process is the proper venue to consider recognition for the Lumbee and any other group claiming to be a tribe. This process was established to provide a fair, transparent, and rigorous mechanism for determining whether a group comprised of Indian ancestry from historical tribes. By grounding decisions in demonstrable facts rather than shifting narratives or political considerations, the OFA protects the integrity of all tribes.<\/p>\n
Federal recognition must be approached with seriousness and respect for facts and evidence. Anything less risks reducing recognition to a political tool, undermining the sovereignty of tribes with treaty and trust relations with the United States and the trust of the American people.<\/p>\n
We urge the Department of the Interior to ensure that due diligence and factual analysis guide their recommendations to President Trump. Protecting the integrity of federal recognition is critical\u2014not just for the American people but also for the hundreds of tribal nations whose sovereignty must not be put at risk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“Federal recognition must be approached with seriousness and respect for facts and evidence,” said Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks.<\/p>\n