The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is holding a hearing today on a bill to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

The Lumbees are currently subject to a termination-era law that refers to them as "Indians" but blocks their treatment as a recognized tribe. S.660, sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina) would grant them status as a full tribe. A similar measure has been introduced in the House.

The tribe has some big political supporters but faces opposition from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina. The Cherokees question the legitimacy of the Lumbees.

The witness list follows:

THE HONORABLE ELIZABETH DOLE
United States Senate

THE HONORABLE MIKE McINTYRE
United States House of Representatives

Panel 1
MR. LEE FLEMING
Director Office of Federal Acknowledgment, U.S. Department of Interior

Panel 2
THE HONORABLE JIMMY GOINS
Tribal Chairman Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Accompanied by: MS. ARLINDA F. LOCKLEAR, Esquire, Attorney for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Jefferson, Maryland

DR. JACK CAMPISI
Anthropologist Consultant Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

THE HONORABLE MICHELL HICKS
Principal Chief Eastern Band of Cherokees

The hearing will be broadcast online at http://indian.senate.gov/public.

Hearing Info:
LEGISLATIVE HEARING on S. 660, the Lumbee Recognition Act (July 12, 2006)

Lumbee Recognition Bills:
S.660 | H.R.21 | H.R.4171

Relevant Links:
Official Lumbee Tribe website - http://www.lumbeetribe.com
Lumbee Regional Development Association - http://www.lumbee.org

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Lumbee Tribe to make case for recognition again (7/10)
Lumbee recognition bill to get July 12 hearing (6/29)
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HUD to look into Lumbee housing complaints (03/23)
Lumbee chairman confident on federal recognition (10/25)
Hearing set on Lumbee Tribe housing dispute (01/21)
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Column: Eastern Cherokees give money to enemies (09/07)
Lumbee recognition bill stalled in House and Senate (07/06)
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Group accuses Lumbee Tribe of stealing heritage (04/15)
Editorial: Other tribes 'selfish' for opposing Lumbees (04/06)
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Clash over Lumbee recognition at House hearing (4/2)
House committee tackles Lumbee recognition bill (4/2)
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