Publication

Trump Moves to Advance Federal Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe

Jan 30, 2025

In a historic move, President Donald J. Trump has signed a presidential memorandum directing the Secretary of the Interior to submit a plan to secure full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. This memorandum establishes a clear policy of the United States to support the Lumbee’s recognition and access to full federal benefits.

Known as the People of the Dark Water, a name holding deep cultural significance, the Lumbee Tribe has a rich history tracing back to several tribal nations, including the Hatteras, the Tuscarora, and the Cheraw. The Lumbee people have lived along the Lumbee River in North Carolina for centuries, enduring challenges such as war, disease, and displacement while maintaining their cultural identity.

North Carolina officially recognized the Lumbee as an Indian tribe in 1885. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Lumbee Act, which acknowledged the tribe, but withheld the full federal benefits typically granted to federally recognized tribes. Today, the Lumbee Tribe is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River, with over 55,000 members.

The Lumbee Tribe has sought full federal recognition for decades, a journey fraught with challenges and disappointments. Despite numerous legislative efforts, including multiple bills passed by the House of Representatives, the Senate has yet to act decisively. Most recently, the Lumbee Fairness Act (H.R. 1101) passed the House in 2024 with strong bipartisan support, but failed to advance in the Senate.

President Trump’s memorandum directs the Department of the Interior to review all applicable legal pathways for full recognition. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with exploring potential routes for full recognition, such as an act of Congress, the Department of the Interior’s Office of Federal Acknowledgement process, or a federal court decision. The Department of the Interior must submit a comprehensive plan within 90 days. This review ensures that all possible avenues are considered, providing a clear and informed path to recognition.

Gaining full federal recognition would grant the Lumbee Tribe the same rights and privileges as other federally recognized tribes. It also opens other opportunities including sovereign governmental authority, land protections, and eligibility for critical federal programs and services, such as healthcare through the Indian Health Service and economic development support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, among others. The directive now places responsibility on the Department of the Interior to act swiftly in crafting a recognition plan.

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