Looking back on the past.....

The previous blog introduced the importance of federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe to me.
In order for a person to understand why the lumbee should be recognized, we must learn about the history of the Lumbee:

• 1790 - Locklears, Chavises, Oxendines, Hammonds, Brooks, Cumbos, Revels, Carters, and Kerseys (people with predominant Lumbee surnames) are listed on the 1790 Census of Robeson County as "All other free persons".

• 1864-1874 - Henry Berry Lowrie, legendary Lumbee outlaw/folk hero, led guerilla war against violent and oppressive Confederate officials, and later, US Military officials

• 1885 - NC General Assembly recognized the Indians of Robeson County as Croatan and established a separate school system for Indians.

• 1888 - Leaders of the Croatan (Lumbee) petitioned the US government for federal recognition and educational aid.

• 1895 - NC General Assembly passed a resolution urging its US Congressional delegation to support the Croatan (Lumbee) Indians.

• 1900 - Congressman Bellamy spoke before the US House Committee on Indian Affairs and reported on origins, history, and needs of the Croatan (Lumbee).

• 1909 - NC General Assembly appropriated $3,000 to the Croatan Indian of Robeson County for educational aid.

• 1911 - NC General Assembly changed name of tribe to "Indians of Robeson County" (Lumbee)

• 1952 - Lumbee leaders held community referendum to get approval of tribal members to change name of tribe to "Lumbee Tribe"

• 1956 - US Congress passed the Lumbee Act which provides federal recognition of the tribe as "Lumbee", but denied federal Indian services to members of the Lumbee tribe.

• 1974 - Bill introduced in US Congress to amend Lumbee Act of 1956 to provide full federal recognition to Lumbee Tribe.

• 1988 - Bill introduced in US Senate and House of Representatives for recognition of the Lumbee.

• 1991 - Bill introduced in US Congress for recognition of the Lumbee Tribe. Bill passed in House of Representatives, but died in Senate.

• 1993 - Lumbee Recognition Bill passed in the US House of Representatives.

• May 2007: The House passes its bill to recognize the Lumbee.

From the 1700s to the year of 2007, the Lumbee people have evolved into the tribe that they are today. For many years, the Lumbee tribe has struggled to obtain the recognition that they so long have deserved. Will congress ever truly accept the Lumbee tribe and allow them to receive the benefits of other federally recognized tribes?