Sen. Brian Schatz Defends Lumbee Tribe Federal Recognition Against Accusations

Concerns Over Federal Recognition Process

• 💡 Senator Brian Schatz criticizes the "concerning series of accusations" and "bad faith" arguments against the Lumbee Tribe's federal recognition.
• 🎯 He suggests that historical rejections by the Department of Interior were based on concerns about the cost of services rather than the tribe's legitimacy.
• ⚠️ Schatz draws a parallel to the challenges faced by Native Hawaiians seeking recognition, highlighting similar arguments about cost and population size.

Historical Context and Lumbee Identity

• 📌 The Lumbee people were given the name "Croatan" in 1885 by a Mr. McMillan, who assisted in establishing an independent school system for tribal children.
• 🏫 This unique history allowed the Lumbee to control their own schools until the 1970s, when a federal court mandated desegregation, impacting their status due to lack of federal recognition.
• 🗣️ Regarding language, Schatz notes that federal recognition regulations do not mandate the presence of a language, and historical loss of language is often a consequence of U.S. federal government policy.

Rebutting Opponent Claims

• 📜 Professor Leler addresses three key assertions by opponents: that the Lumbee have used different names, lack a language, and do not descend from a historic tribe.
• 💬 Leler emphasizes that historical circumstances, including U.S. policy, led to the loss of land and language, and using past Department of Interior rejections as proof against recognition is not compelling.
• 🔍 Vine Deloria's testimony in 1988 is mentioned, noting his aunt's linguistic work in 1940 on the remnants of Lumbee tribal languages, indicating their existence despite challenges in documentation.
• 🏛️ Schatz asserts that while an administrative process may exist, the Constitution and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hold the authority to consider Lumbee recognition, making the administrative process a non-meaningful obstacle.