Tribal Sovereignty

Federal Recognition grants the one thing that all Native American tribes strive to obtain,Tribal Sovereignty. Tribal Sovereignty grants Native American tribes the right to govern themselves. Which means that they have the right to form their own government, adjudicate legal cases and levy taxes within its borders, form its own membership, and decided on decisions about the future of the tribe. The federal governments responsibility for federally recognized tribes is to protect their tribal lands, resources, funds and treaty rights. There are currently more than 550 federally recognized tribes in the United States, including some 200 village groups in Alaska. All though for many centuries Native American tribes are still fighting for their rights to be a sovereign nation.
Since the beginning of Western Expansion the government has forced tribes to follow the governments way of life, taking away the very essence of some tribes. Many tribes lost their traditional ways of life; turning from Bows and arrows to guns and knives. Native American tribes began to lose their history by intermarrying, dressing in the "white mans clothes" and speaking English, forgetting their native tongue (language). All of these factors have aided in the governments decision to deny some tribes the right to federal recognition. I feel that this is one of the reasons behind the Lumbee tribe being denied their rights because of a sense of lost history. The interaction that the Lumbee tribe had with white people in the early 1700s and still today is something that has changed some of the traditional aspects of the tribe.

Each and every Native American tribe in my opinion should not be denied rights to be a sovereign nation. How can someone take something or withhold something that belongs to a tribe?

Why are Indians often referred to as Native Americans?

When referring to American Indians or Alaska Natives, it is appropriate to use the terms American Indians and Alaska Natives. These terms denote the cultural distinction between the indigenous people of the continental United States and those of Alaska. While the term "Native Americans" came into usage in the 1960s out of respect to American Indians and Alaska Natives, usage of the term has expanded to include all Native people of the United States and its territories, including Native Hawaiians and American Samoans.

Often times people are confused about what to refer to Native Americans as; "American Indian", "Native American" or "Indian." A lot times I hear people use all of the names listed above. With the statement above I agree that the term Native American or American Indian is usually what tribes prefer to be called such as the Eastern band of Cherokee or the Navajo.

The different sides to federal recognition...

The Lumbee tribe of North Carolina have been fighting for Federal recognition since 1956. The tribe have supporters such as U.S Representative Mike McIntyre, Senator Elizabeth Dole and Senator Richard Burr in Congress but there are many Congressmen who are against federal recognition, stating they there is no real evidence documented about the existence of the Lumbees. Anyone who knows anything about North Carolina's history know that the Lumbee people has been around since the 17oos.

The Eastern band of Cherokee and the Tuscarora tribes of North Carolina are against the federal recognition of the Lumbee tribe. Congressman Jones, has argued and spoken his opinions that show his support for the defense of the Cherokee. Jones expresses his opinion on the benefit of a casino, if the tribe is federally recognized, stating that it would take away from the Cherokees casino. The Lumbee tribe has agree to continue the process of federal recognition with out a casino. Both of these tribes state that they believe that the Lumbee tribe has stolen their history when all the tribes were centered around the Lumber river. History has been interchanged between these tribes around the time period around the 1700s and 18oos. I believe these tribes do not want the Lumbee tribe to get recognized because they believe that it will take away from the funding that they have been awarded from the government.

Continuously bills have been created and attempted to be passed in Congress but always seems to be vetoed. The H.R.898, a bill to extend full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe has been passed in the House and currently in the Senate. ( to see the actual bill click here) The bill that has been proposed as an extension of H.R 334 which is composed of a lot of historical and political information concerning the tribe. The H.R.898 would grant the tribe a reservation, educational and health-care benefits. The funding of the Lumbee tribe would be increased allowing the tribe to increase the knowledge of the tribe to both members and non-members. It would also help bring Robeson county out of its poor economic status.

Federal Recognition of the Lumbee tribe has many supporters while at the same time people who feel that the Lumbee does not deserve it. However, I support the bill for recognition it would ultimately change the communities in Robeson County.

To learn more about the lumbee tribe( Click Here)

What am I if im not Lumbee???

"My father and mother are Indians, my father's father and mother's mother were Indians and their parents and grandparents were Indians. What else could I be?" -- Adolph L. Dial

Recently I have been researching the history of the Lumbee tribe. I came across a site that discussed the political history of the tribe. (To view website click here) I was appalled at the actions of the Bureau of Indian affairs. The Bureau of Indian Affairs had anthropologists "sent to determine the racial ancestry and degree of "Indian blood" of Robeson's Indians." The anthropologist that was sent, Carl Seltizer, used the so-called "pencil test" to determine if people were "Indian" or not. He placed a pencil in a person's head, if when shaking there head it fell out then they were not considered "Indian." "Out of 209 Lumbee individuals tested , only 22 were considered Lumbee." I do not understand how the consistency of someones hair determines ones ethnicity.

The BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) was designed to be the mediator between the government and the different Native American tribes. I do not understand how they would deny a tribe there rights when the BIA is suppose to be wanting to support the Native American community.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has really hindered the progress of the Lumbee tribe. If I am not Native American than what am I??

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?

The Lumbee people

Who are the Lumbee people of North Carolina? The Lumbee tribe is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River, with over 50, 000 members. Many centuries ago the tribe was awarded state recognition but failed to be recognized federally. The tribe did not get benefits such as a reservation, health care benefits or a casino that would help bring in funding for the tribe.

As a member of the Lumbee Tribe out of Robeson County, federal recognition of my people is very important to me. For many years, we have rallied together to fight for the right to receive benefits that other Native American tribes have obtain in the United States. Being recognized would enable others to learn about, not only the struggles of the Lumbee people but their achievements.