RALEIGH President-elect Donald Trump is one step closer to keeping a campaign pledge he made in September and throughout the 2020 campaign after the US House of Representatives passed legislation last Monday to recognize the Lumbee Indian Tribe in North Carolina.
Earlier this year, Congressman David Rouzer (N.C.-7) introduced the Lumbee Fairness Act. In both chambers of Congress, the North Carolina congressional delegation is in favor of the idea.
In a press release, Rouzer said, “The Lumbee people are an essential part of our southeastern North Carolina community.” They are our friends and neighbors. Together, we go to church. Our kids go to school together. However, the Lumbee Tribe has been denied tribal power and full federal recognition for years.
Rouzer was pleased that his bill, which guarantees the Lumbee people the same rights and benefits as other federally recognized tribes nationwide, was passed by the House.
Rouzer and the co-sponsors were commended by Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery for passing the measure ahead of the Christmas break.
According to Lowery, this is a crucial step in Congress’ efforts to amend the 1956 Lumbee Act and guarantee that the remnants of the Indian Termination Era policy are continued to be demolished.
To our congressional and Indian Country allies, keep up the good work and let’s see this bill pass the Senate so we can complete the task our forefathers started about 140 years ago.
The state of North Carolina recognized the Lumbee Tribe in 1885, and since 1888, they have been pursuing federal recognition.
The Lumbee were acknowledged as an Indian Tribe by Congress in 1956 when it passed the Lumbee Act, but they were also excluded from receiving federal benefits and services.
The 1956 recognition is extended by the new law to include all federally recognized Indian tribes’ access to federally funded services and benefits.
There are 55,000 people of the tribe in the counties of Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland.
Over 30 bills have been presented by Congress to recognize the tribe, and six of those bills have been adopted by the House. Most recently, Rep.
In 2020 and 2021, Richard Hudson (N.C.-9th) introduced legislation recognizing the tribe. Neither received a Senate vote, but both passed the House.
Senators from North Carolina. The Lumbee Recognition Act was unsuccessfully reintroduced in 2021 by Thom Tillis and Ted Budd.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.