The Pamunkey Indian Museum and Cultural Center is located on the Pamunkey Reservation in Virginia. Photo from Facebook
The Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia is looking toward a brighter future now that its federal recognition is on solid ground. Columnist Roger Chelsey has more from Chief Bob Gray:
Bob Gray, chief of the Pamunkey Indians, knows tribal members should’ve worked ages ago to navigate the bureaucratic hurdles leading to federal designation. “Looking back, we wished we had done it earlier,” Gray told me Wednesday. He noted the Virginia tribe didn’t begin seeking federal status, in earnest, until around the early 1980s. “The bar keeps getting raised as each tribe is recognized,” Gray said. Plus, “The Bureau of Indian Affairs is just slow.” The U.S. Department of the Interior Board of Indian Appeals recently rejected a challenge from an anti-gaming group on the West Coast. The board said the nonprofit Stand Up for California had no standing in the case – no pun intended.Get the Story:
Roger Chesley: The Pamunkey leap another barrier (The Virginian-Pilot 2/4) Also Today:
Pamunkey Indians become first Virginia tribe given federal recognition (WTVR 2/2) Interior Board of Indian Appeals Decision:
In Re Federal Acknowledgment of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe (January 28, 2016) Relevant Documents:
Letter to Chief Brown | Notice of Final Determination Federal Register Notices:
Final Determination for Federal Acknowledgment of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe (July 8, 2015)
Proposed Finding for Federal Acknowledgment of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe (January 23, 2014)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Group concedes defeat in Pamunkey Tribe federal
recognition case (2/2) Pamunkey Tribe wins IBIA decision in favor of federal recognition (2/1)
Virginia tribes continue to pay tribute required by 1677 treaty (11/25)
Pamunkey Tribe faces challenge to federal recognition decision (10/09)
DOI finalizes new rule for appeals in federal recognition cases (08/13)
Pamunkey Tribe enters federal recognition era with new chief (08/04)
Pamunkey Tribe faces big hurdle in placing reservation into trust (07/13)
Editorial: Long overdue federal recognition for Pamunkey Tribe (7/10)
Editorial: Other tribes in Virginia deserve federal recognition too (07/03)
Pamunkey Tribe wins final federal recognition decision from BIA (07/02)
Virginia tribes hindered by racist policies created by one man (7/1)
Editorial: Pamunkey Tribe deserves federal status despite past (04/08)
Editorial: Right a historical wrong and recognize Pamunkey Tribe (4/2)
Pamunkey Tribe refutes criticism of federal recognition petition (4/1)
BIA delays ruling on Pamunkey Tribe federal recognition petition (3/30)
Editorial: Opposition to Pamunkey Tribe recognition 'revolting' (3/27)
Pamunkey Tribe awaits final ruling on federal recognition bid (3/23)
MGM on track to complete $1.2B casino near US Capitol next year (03/02)
Cedric Sunray: BIA played role in tribe's racist marriage policy (02/17)
Gaming company fights federal recognition for Pamunkey Tribe (12/01)
African-American lawmakers seek probe into Pamunkey Tribe (11/28)
African-American lawmakers accuse Pamunkey Tribe of racism (10/01)
Opinion: Pocahontas and one tribe's bid for federal recognition (06/23)
Pamunkey Tribe observes anniversary of Pocahontas wedding (04/08)
Pamunkey Tribe went to England to document recognition bid (02/04)
Pamunkey Tribe awaits final answer on federal recognition (1/27)
BIA issues preliminary decision in favor of Pamunkey Tribe (1/20)
First female leader of Pamunkey Tribe selected for memorial (12/10)
Pamunkey Tribe told to wait longer for decision on recognition (11/20)
BIA delays decision on Pamunkey Tribe recognition petition (09/11)
