The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, March 18, on two federal recognition bills.

The first bill is H.R.31, to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. A rival measure to require the tribe to seek recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs is not on the agenda.

The second bill is H.R.1385, to recognize six Virginia tribes. They are the Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Tribe-Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, the Monacan Nation, and the Nansemond Tribe.

The hearing takes place at 10am in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building.

Committee Notice:
Full Committee Legislative Hearing On H.R. 31 And H.R. 1385 (March 18, 2009)

Views on Lumbee Recognition:
Lumbees' story stirs emotions (The Fayetteville Observer 3/15)

Related Stories:
Column: Virginia tribes deserve federal recognition (3/12)
Road to Recognition: Rival Lumbee bill introduced (3/11)
Bill to recognize Virginia tribes introduced in House (3/10)
Road to Recognition: Lumbee Tribe seeks housing (3/10)
Road to Recognition: Lumbee Tribe continues push (3/9)
Indian inmates fight over Lumbee recognition (2/24)
Lumbee Tribe recognition bill introduced again (01/15)