Lumbee Tribe Achieves Full Federal Recognition After 137-Year Fight
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After more than a century of struggle, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has secured full federal recognition from the U.S. government, unlocking access to vital resources and solidifying its sovereign status. The historic milestone, reached this week with President Trump’s signature on the Lumbee Fairness Act, was met with tears of joy and relief from tribal members who have long advocated for acknowledgment.
A Century-Long Pursuit of Sovereignty
The Lumbee Tribe first petitioned Congress for federal recognition in 1888, initiating a protracted battle for acknowledgment that spanned generations. Despite receiving partial recognition in 1956, full federal status remained elusive until now. “I’m so thankful today for everyone who has helped us along this way — everyone from our ancestors from the late 1880s all the way up to present day,” said tribal Chairman John L. Lowery in a statement posted to the tribe’s social media accounts. “So many people have been a part of this fight.”
Landmark Legislation and Federal Benefits
The Lumbee Fairness Act was included in the $900 billion annual military spending package, demonstrating bipartisan support for the tribe’s long-held aspirations. Federal recognition opens the door to a wide range of federal resources, including funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for crucial services like housing, education, and healthcare. A key benefit, according to Lowery, will be access to Indian Health Services, providing healthcare options for tribal members who are uninsured or underinsured.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated in 2022 that the federal government would spend nearly $250 million over four years providing health benefits to Lumbee Tribe members through the Indian Health Service. Furthermore, the designation grants the tribe greater control over economic development, allowing the BIA to take land into trust for the tribe’s benefit.
A Tribe of 55,000 and a Geographic Footprint
The Lumbee Tribe boasts a membership of 55,000 individuals, with its territory encompassing Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties in southeastern North Carolina. This recognition not only impacts the tribe’s internal affairs but also promises economic opportunities for the surrounding communities.
Opposition and the Path Forward
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians previously opposed the Lumbee’s pursuit of full federal recognition, alleging that the Lumbee circumvented established federal eligibility procedures requiring historical evidence of Native heritage. Despite this opposition, the Lumbee now stands as the 575th federally recognized tribe in the United States.
Reactions and Future Outlook
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein lauded the milestone, stating that full federal recognition will provide Lumbee members with access to federal benefits enjoyed by other federally recognized tribes. Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., sponsored the bipartisan Lumbee Fairness Act and credited Trump with correcting a “historic injustice.”
“I know with every fiber of my being that our ancestors are smiling down on us today,” Lowery said, as the bill awaited the President’s signature. “After decades of waiting, praying, and fighting, our Tribe has finally crossed a barrier that once seemed impossible to overcome.”
More than a dozen tribes across the nation are currently petitioning the Interior Department for federal acknowledgment, a process that can take decades and requires extensive anthropological, genealogical, and historical research. The Office of Federal Acknowledgement assesses petitions based on seven criteria, including demonstrating the existence of a distinct community since 1900.