Virginia tribes hope 2007 is year for recognition

Monday, May 7, 2007  

Virginia tribes hope they will finally win federal recognition in 2007, 400 years after Europeans established the Jamestown settlement.

The tribes have tied recognition to the Jamestown 2007 commemoration. After decades of work, they are closer to their goal.

"I'm optimistic that we're going to get it," Gene Adkins, the chief of the Eastern Chickahominy Tribe, told the Associated Press. "I just don't know when it's going to happen."

The House Natural Resources Committee approved H.R.1294, a bill to recognize six Virginia tribes. It passed only after a prohibition on gambling was put in the bill. A vote on the House floor could come this week.

Get the Story:
Tribes tie Jamestown to federal recognition (AP 5/7)

Committee Hearing:
Full Committee Legislative Hearing: H.R. 1294 and H.R. 65 (April 18, 2007)

Recognition Bill:
Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act

Related Stories:
Opinion: Virginia Indians advocate 'mythology' (5/4)
Rep. Moran expects vote on Virginia recognition (5/3)
Editorial: Virginia tribes deserve recognition (5/1)
Virginia recognition bill clears House committee (4/26)
Virginia tribes make case for recognition bill (4/19)
Adkins: Virginia tribes deserve federal recognition (4/18)
House hearing on Lumbee, Virginia recognition (4/18)
Virginia tribe optimistic on recognition in 2007 (12/06)
Letter: Indians are the Palestinians of Virginia (10/16)
Editorial: No recognition for Virginia's tribes (10/10)
Virginia tribal recognition bill remains in limbo (09/07)
Virginia Indians set to return from trip to England (07/20)
Senate panel to consider Virginia recognition bill (07/19)
Virginia Indians enjoy historic week in England (07/18)
Virginia tribes make historic trip to England (07/13)
Virginia tribes head to England to share history (07/10)
House, Senate panels take up recognition bills (06/22)
Virginia tribes press for recognition measure (06/22)
Virginia tribes make case for recognition bill (6/2)
Virginia tribes jockey for federal recognition (5/26)
Bill introduced to recognize Rappahannock Tribe (04/07)
Virginia tribe won't boycott Jamestown events (01/20)
Book Review: Virginia Indians not friendly to settlers (10/25)
Virginia tribal leaders visit grave of Pocahontas (07/28)
Virginia tribal delegation heads off for England (07/15)
Virginia tribal leaders on historic trip to England (7/11)
Groups call for changes to Virginia recognition bill (7/6)
Editorial: Federal recognition a matter of justice (05/24)
Virginia tribes to mark Jamestown in England (05/09)
Six Virginia tribes to gather for annual powwow (03/25)
Editorial: Virginia tribes in need of recognition (03/14)
Virginia tribe not optimistic on recognition bid (02/11)
Virginia tribes fight for federal recognition (10/12)
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)