Lumbee Tribe's Fight for Full Federal Recognition

The Lumbee Tribe's Long Road to Recognition

• 💡 The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has been waiting for over 100 years for full federal recognition, a status that would grant them rights and monetary benefits.
• ⚠️ Despite being formally recognized by Congress in 1956, the tribe remains in a legal limbo, often referred to as a "second-class tribe."

Historical Identity and State Recognition

• 📜 North Carolina first recognized the people as "Croatan Indians" in 1885, later changing their name to Cherokee, which caused confusion and identity issues.
• 💧 The tribe ultimately chose the name Lumbee, derived from the Blackwater River, meaning "people of the dark water."

Political Support and Opposition

• 🚀 President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum supporting full federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe.
• ❌ The Eastern Band of Cherokee, a formidable opponent, is actively working to prevent the Lumbee's recognition through the congressional route.
• ⚖️ The Eastern Band of Cherokee suggests the Lumbee should pursue their claim through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Federal Acknowledgement.

Historical BIA Scrutiny

• 🔬 The Lumbee Tribe has faced invasive scrutiny in the past, including a eugenics test in the 1930s by the BIA that measured physical characteristics to determine their Native American ancestry.
• 😔 Elders are tired of passing away as "second-class natives," and there is a strong desire for the tribe to be fully recognized and have a seat at the table.