Six newly recognized tribes added to Bureau of Indian Affairs list

Monday, July 23, 2018  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has published a new list of federally recognized tribes, adding six from Virginia to the list.

The Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Tribe - Eastern Division, the Monacan Nation, the Nansemond Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe and the Upper Mattaponi Tribe all gained federal recognition through an act of Congress in January. But that was after the BIA had published the list so the document had to be updated.

"The listed Indian entities are acknowledged to have the immunities and privileges available to federally recognized Indian tribes by virtue of their government-to-government relationship with the United States as well as the responsibilities, powers, limitations, and obligations of such tribes," a notice published in the Federal Register on Monday reads.

Chickahominy Chief Stephen R. Adkin & 1st Assistant Chief Wayne Adkins presented the tribe's flags to PDAS Tahsuda. The Chickahominy Indian Tribe is 1 of 6 tribes that gained federal recognition through legislation signed into law by @POTUS on 01/29/18.https://t.co/Zu3nyryrSx pic.twitter.com/K0ZuJ8XSXS

— Indian Affairs (@USIndianAffairs) February 26, 2018

The BIA is required by law to publish the list "annually on or before every January 30," according to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994. The last update had 567 entries -- the most recent was the Pamunkey Tribe, also based in Virginia.

The list now boasts 573 tribes.

Federal Register Notice:
Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible To Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (July 23, 2018)

Prior Federal Register Notice:
Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (January 30, 2018)

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