Kevin Brown, the chief of the Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia. Photo from American Nativity
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has delayed a final decision on federal recognition for the Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia. A ruling was expected by the end of this month. But Chief Kevin Brown told The Washington Post that the Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn, the head of the BIA, needs four more months to finalize an answer. The tribe resides on a 1,200-acre reservation that was one of the first set aside in the Colonial era. The tribe also was one of the first to sign a treaty with a European nation. Like other tribes in Virginia, the Pamunkeys nearly had their existence erased from official records due to a racist state law that barred people from identifying themselves as Indian. Get the Story:
Decision delayed on federal recognition for Virginia Indian tribe (The Washington Post 3/28) Federal Register Notice:
Proposed Finding for Federal Acknowledgment of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe (January 23, 2014)
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