The headquarters of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Photo from Facebook
Sen. Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) introduced a bill to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The tribe's first documented request for recognition dates to 1885. After decades of lobbying, leaders and members thought they secured federal status with the passage of the Lumbee Act in 1956. The tribe quickly discovered otherwise. The law, which came during the height of the termination era, defined the Lumbees as "Indians" but denied them any benefits that would come with federal recognition. “The Lumbee tribe has been seeking federal recognition for more than a century,” Burr said in a press release. “I am proud to reintroduce this legislation so that 55,000 members of the Lumbee community in North Carolina receive the same rights and benefits as members of other federally recognized tribes. Federal recognition for the Lumbee tribe is long-overdue and I will continue my efforts to ensure the Lumbee tribe finally gets the recognition they deserve.” The bill comes as tribal members vote in an election today. Chairman Paul Brooks is seeking re-election. Get the Story:
Lumbee elections today (The Laurinburg Exchange 11/17)
Lumbee voters to choose chairman The Fayetteville Observer 11/17)
Related Stories
Lumbee Tribe remains in
long quest to gain federal recognition (04/16) Eastern Cherokees oppose Lumbee Tribe federal recognition bill (01/12)
Leader of Lumbee Tribe not optimistic on federal recognition bill (1/8)
Column: Lumbee Tribe should include casino in bid for recognition (1/7)
Editorial: Lumbee Tribe's road to recognition gets steeper (11/12)
Supporter of Lumbee Tribe's recognition loses re-election bid (11/7)
Tribes in North Carolina back Democrat Sen. Hagan in tight race (10/30)
Republican blames Sen. Reid for holding Lumbee recognition bill (08/15)
Senate candidates support federal recognition for Lumbee Tribe (06/25)
Join the Conversation
