The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina: A Historic Journey to Full Federal Recognition
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has achieved full federal recognition after a long struggle lasting 137 years. The historic milestone was reached in Washington, D.C., with President Trump signing the bill that extended acknowledgment to the tribe at the White House. The Lumbee Fairness Act was included in the annual military spending package, granting the tribe access to federal resources. With 55,000 members, the Lumbee Tribe's territory is located in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties in southeastern North Carolina. Federal recognition allows tribes to receive federal funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, providing support for housing, education, and health care services.
The biggest benefit for the Lumbee Tribe is expected to be access to Indian Health Services, which will provide health care services to members who do not have insurance or have high health care costs. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the federal government would spend nearly $250 million over four years to provide health benefits to Lumbee Tribe members through the Indian Health Service. Federally recognized tribes also gain rights to self-governance, expanding tribal control over economic development by allowing the Bureau of Indian Affairs to take land into trust for the tribe's benefit.
The Lumbee Tribe's journey for federal recognition began in 1888, with partial recognition granted in 1956. The recent full federal recognition has been praised by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, who highlighted the benefits it will bring to the tribe and the surrounding community. Senator Thom Tillis sponsored the bipartisan Lumbee Fairness Act and credited President Trump for correcting a historic injustice and granting the Lumbee people the federal benefits they deserve. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opposed the recognition, citing concerns about the Lumbee's eligibility procedures, but the Lumbee Tribe is now the 575th federally recognized tribe in the United States.
The Lumbee Tribe's achievement of full federal recognition marks a significant milestone in their history, providing access to vital federal resources and benefits. The long-awaited recognition has opened doors to economic opportunities and self-governance for the tribe, paving the way for a brighter future.