BIA delays decision on Pamunkey Tribe recognition petition

Wednesday, September 11, 2013  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has delayed a decision on federal recognition for the Pamunkey Tribe.

The tribe was supposed to received an answer on August 20, Chief Kevin Brown told The Tidewater Review. But the BIA recently asked for a 90-day extension, he said.

"There's not a lot we can do about it," Brown told the paper. "We've waited 20 years so what's another 90 days?"

The tribe filed its letter of intent in June 2009, according to the BIA's Office of Federal Acknowledgment. The petition was placed on the "ready" list in July 2012

Get the Story:
Pamunkey Tribe still awaiting federal recognition (The Tidewater Review 9/11)

Federal Register Notice:
Procedures for Establishing That an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe (June 26, 2013)

Relevant Documents:
Dear Tribal Leaders Letter
Present Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe
Red Lined Proposed Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe

Connecticut politicians want BIA to drop recognition reform (08/30)
Connecticut leads opposition to federal recognition reforms (8/26)
BIA extends comment period on federal recognition proposal (08/13)