Leaders of six Virginia tribes made a plea for federal recognition as the 400th commemoration of the Jamestown settlement approaches.

The tribes appeared at a press conference to greet the Godspeed, a replica of one of the ships used by the Jamestown settlers. Backed by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Virginia), they said recognition will bring education, health and other benefits to the people who helped the first Europeans survive.

H.R.3349 would recognize the Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Tribe Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, the Monacan Tribe and the Nansemond Tribe. The bill contains no language on gaming rights.

A separate bill, H.R.5130, would recognize just the Rappahannock Tribe. The bill outright bars gaming, which the tribe says it doesn't want.

Get the Story:
The Recognition Gamble (The Connection Newspapers 6/2)

Rappahannock Recognition Bill:
To extend Federal recognition to the Rappahannock Tribe (H.R.5130

Virginia Recognition Bill:
Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act (H.R.3349)

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