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SEPTEMBER 19, 2000

Armed with t-shirts proclaiming "Virginia Indians: First to Welcome . . . Last to Be Recognized," tribal leaders of the state's eight non-federally recognized tribes came to Washington, DC, on Monday to say yes to recognition but no to casinos.

The eight tribes are the subject of a bill that would grant federal recognition to them. Tribes in the state were among the first to have reservations and land placed into trust for them by another government.

Leaders vowed to fight to get the bill passed, even though members of the state's Congressional delegation, including Republican Frank Wolf, as well as Governor James Gilmore III, oppose it.

The tribes are the Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Nansemond, and Monacan. Representative James Moran introduced the bill in July.

Get the Bill:
To extend Federal recognition to the Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe- Eastern Division, the Mattaponi Tribe, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe,the Pamunkey Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Tribe, and the Nansemond Tribe. (HR 5073)

Get the Story:
Va. Tribes Promise No Casinos (The Washington Post 9/19)

Related Stories:
Virginia tribes seek recognition (Tribal Law 07/28)