"With untold millions of dollars waiting in the wings it should go without saying that many groups of people identifying themselves as “Indian” are filing for federal recognition as Indian tribes. It’s getting kind of scary out there.

There is no doubt that some of these groups have legitimate reasons to file. Others have sought out financial backers with deep pockets willing to take a chance on them with the knowledge that if successful, the financial returns would more than make up for any outlay when the new tribe builds a casino.

Most Indians know that tribes such as the Lumbee of North Carolina have been seeking federal recognition for more than 30 years. They believe they have qualified according to the required criteria, but they still have not been allowed to enter that magic door. Why not?"

Get the Story:
Tim Giago: Where were these 'wannabe tribes' 20 years ago? (The Native American Times 5/16)

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