Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Achieves Federal Recognition with Passage of Lumbee Fairness Act

The Lumbee Tribe has received federal recognition following the passage of the Lumbee Fairness Act. The measure marks a significant milestone for the tribe and Indigenous communities across North Carolina, according to the Office of Governor Josh Stein.

Following decades of persistence, the enactment of this legislation signifies a pivotal shift in the Lumbee Tribe's quest for parity, landmark recognition that was championed by Governor Stein himself, who sent a letter to the Senate's majority and minority leaders and celebrated as long-delayed recognition that promises to create economic opportunities, not only for the Lumbee but also for the surrounding communities—bringing them health care, education, housing and disaster relief benefits akin those received by other federally acknowledged tribes.

This policy shift, sealed by President Trump's approval and Congress' affirmative vote, is a cause for jubilation for over 56,000 Lumbee members, who proudly stand as North Carolina's largest tribe and the most populous east of the Mississippi, making up a significant portion of the state's 130,000 American Indians.

Under the new federal status, the Lumbee Tribe is poised to directly apply for grants and tap into a wealth of resources from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian Health Service, leading to enhancements in natural resource management, housing, healthcare, transportation, and broadband internet access; these benefits extend beyond the tribe and are anticipated to bolster the entire state's wellbeing.

Officials, including Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza and NC Commission of Indian Affairs Chair Greg Bryant, have acknowledged the generational impact of this federal recognition, with Bryant sharing with Governor Stein, "Generations of Lumbee have been waiting decades for this day," underscoring the profound and enduring significance of this move. Similarly, Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell, with her own roots in the Lumbee heritage, anticipates a bolstered economic landscape and a solidified legacy for a tribe with deep contributions to the state and the nation, as mentioned on the Governor's official website.