Congress acknowledged the tribe in 1956, but stopped short of giving the now 55,000-member tribe federal recognition.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ President Donald Trump took a big step toward federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, a distinction that would unlock access to federal funds.ย
The Lumbee Tribe is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River with 55,000 members, according to the White House. Trump signed a memo Thursday directing his administration to help advance full federal recognition. This would grant the tribe access to federal benefits, including health care and land protections. It also fulfills one of Trump’s campaign promises.ย
The Lumbee Tribe, primarily located in eastern North Carolina’s Robeson, Hoke, and Scotland counties, has sought these benefits since first requesting federal recognition in 1888. While the tribe was federally acknowledged in 1956, Congress did not include federal benefits in that legislation.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation in December that would finally grant federal benefits to the Lumbee Tribe. It was the seventh time the House approved such legislation since 1988, according to Rep. Richard Hudson.ย
“House passage of this critical legislation brings us one step closer to securing full federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe,” Hudson (NC-9) said. “I will continue to fight until the Lumbee people get the recognition they rightfully deserve.”
Trump’s memo directs the Department of Interior to provide a plan to get the Lumbee Tribe federal recognition within 90 days “through legislation or other available mechanisms.”ย
North Carolina has recognized the Lumbee Tribe since 1885.ย
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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