The Nansemond Tribe of Virginia has all but given hope on its bid for federal recognition.

The tribe was one of the first to greet European ancestors and signed treaties with the British. But after 400 years, council member Lee Lockamy says, "It just goes on and on."

The tribe applied for recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2000. At the rate the agency is working, it would take decades to reduce the backlog.

The tribe has asked Congress for help. A bill to recognize the Nansemonds and seven other Virginia tribes was introduced last session but didn't get a floor vote.

Get the Story:
Backlog denies recognition for Nansemond tribe for years (The Virginian-Pilot 2/11)
Decision remains far off on Wampanoag petition (The Cape Cod Times 2/11)

Get the Bill:
Senate Committee Report | The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2003 (S.1423)

Related Stories:
Bill seeks to speed recognition process for tribes (2/7)
Virginia tribes fight for federal recognition (10/12)
Rep. Moran: Virginia tribes deserve recognition (06/24)
Virginia tribes press case for federal recognition (06/17)
Senate panel backs recognition of Virginia tribes (05/10)
Virginia tribes press case for federal recognition (04/19)
Virginia tribes seeks support for recognition bill (03/15)
Va. tribes seek recognition for Jamestown 2007 (2/16)
Senate bill to recognize six Va. tribes advances (10/30)
GOP Editorial: Say no to Virginia's tribes (05/19)
BIA opposes Va. recognition bill (09/27)
Va. tribes rally for sovereignty (4/30)
Recognition of Va. tribes opposed (1/26)
Recognition bills crowd Congress (11/29)
Virginia tribes: Recognition Yes, Casinos No (09/19)