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The Lumbee have finally won federal recognition from the House of Representatives. Pila huk oca hok ne de wa ha, pila huk Oho!
It is truly good news, and about time.
Thank you Linda Carter for bringing this to our attention.
Now for the rest of the story….
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1369439/
looks like it’s not settled yet, unfortunately.
Federal Recognition for the Lumbee
——————————————————————————–
Oops. I hope I didn’t celebrate too soon. The MAJOR hurdle was crossed when the House Committee on Natural Resources approved H. R. 65, an act extending federal recognition to the Lumbee by a vote of 24 to 7. However, it must still pass the U. S. House of Representatives as a whole and also, the U. S. Senate as a whole. And then, President Bush must sign it into law.
Congratulations also to six different Virginia Indian Tribes for their bill (H. R. 1294) being passed by the same committee; the Chickahominy, East Chickahominy, Monacan, Nansemond, Rappahannock, and the Upper Mattaponi.
Mousini78 wrote: Now for the rest of the story….
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1369439/
looks like it’s not settled yet, unfortunately.
I’m not surprised by this challenge from some Tuscarora people considering that all of the Tuscarora groups in North Carolina have been denied and come close to being called fruads by some of the 6 Nations Tuscarora. I wonder if the Lumbee council person on the state recognition board denied this ladies Tuscarora Tribe’s recognition?
It would be interesting to see where the circle of strife goes round.
I will never understand the infighting part of all this in regards to peoples recognition process. I would think it would be in everyones best interests to help one another in what ever way they could especially considering that most of the tribes in North Carolina and the surrounding areas share ancestory with many of each others members. I have also heard it said by some Saponi that all these tirbes/groups are using Saponi ancestry and history to bolster their claims for recognition.
I don’t think the Lumbee will get much opposition this time around in the House because I think they did a good job of chopping off the casino option. I think that is the major concern of most politicians; or so it would seem.
Solution to Federal Recognition:
Here is a good place to start thinking about what are more simple solutions to the problem of federal recognition.
1. One idea would be to have all the federally recognized tribes pick one member from each and establish a process where not only groups/tribes could gain recognition from their fellow Natives, but also set it up to recognize individuals. Maybe then these struggles for government recognition wouldn’t be as abrasive and disheartening. Take the big money aspect away and then we would all see were the real motivations come from and which people would remain. Perhaps they could call it First Nations Rememberance Council; FNRC for short.
2. Those tribes/bands/groups seeking federal or state recognition could set up descendency organizations among their families so that geography isn’t such an issue as well as enabling those that wouldn’t fit in under the fed. regs./criteria could help keep the culture alive within the family unit through the three main keepers; language, art, and religon.
3. Creating Ghost rolls; that is rolls that list those descendents of a tribe/band that may not fit fed. reg. criterion based on geography and continous contact. This would fit in with my second suggestion.
This is a start on some food for thought. When you get down to it, I would bet that most of the infighting or disagreements come down to inclusion of blood relations and their disinfranchisement. If a person can not even claim their rightful descendency and express that in the arts then that kills culture and or keeps it in the grave.
Coharie Roy wrote: Federal Recognition for the Lumbee
——————————————————————————–
Oops. I hope I didn’t celebrate too soon. The MAJOR hurdle was crossed when the House Committee on Natural Resources approved H. R. 65, an act extending federal recognition to the Lumbee by a vote of 24 to 7. However, it must still pass the U. S. House of Representatives as a whole and also, the U. S. Senate as a whole. And then, President Bush must sign it into law.
Congratulations also to six different Virginia Indian Tribes for their bill (H. R. 1294) being passed by the same committee; the Chickahominy, East Chickahominy, Monacan, Nansemond, Rappahannock, and the Upper Mattaponi.
This what I love about Saponitown. We have such educated people on the board that know more of the story and the process. I agree that the Lumbee still have to get through the full House and Senate as well Bush, however I think that this time may well be one of the best tries I’ve heard of or seen on behalf of the Lumbee in a very long time. I think they enjoy more support now than they ever have in the past. The articles I have found on this topic pretty much piont to this conclusion and I agree.
To all those out there seeking federal or state recognition I say more power to ya and I support your efforts.
collins wrote: I’m not surprised by this challenge from some Tuscarora people considering that all of the Tuscarora groups in North Carolina have been denied and come close to being called fruads by some of the 6 Nations Tuscarora. I wonder if the Lumbee council person on the state recognition board denied this ladies Tuscarora Tribe’s recognition?
It would be interesting to see where the circle of strife goes round.
I will never understand the infighting part of all this in regards to peoples recognition process. I would think it would be in everyones best interests to help one another in what ever way they could especially considering that most of the tribes in North Carolina and the surrounding areas share ancestory with many of each others members. I have also heard it said by some Saponi that all these tirbes/groups are using Saponi ancestry and history to bolster their claims for recognition.
I don’t think the Lumbee will get much opposition this time around in the House because I think they did a good job of chopping off the casino option. I think that is the major concern of most politicians; or so it would seem.
Solution to Federal Recognition:
Here is a good place to start thinking about what are more simple solutions to the problem of federal recognition.
1. One idea would be to have all the federally recognized tribes pick one member from each and establish a process where not only groups/tribes could gain recognition from their fellow Natives, but also set it up to recognize individuals. Maybe then these struggles for government recognition wouldn’t be as abrasive and disheartening. Take the big money aspect away and then we would all see were the real motivations come from and which people would remain. Perhaps they could call it First Nations Rememberance Council; FNRC for short.
2. Those tribes/bands/groups seeking federal or state recognition could set up descendency organizations among their families so that geography isn’t such an issue as well as enabling those that wouldn’t fit in under the fed. regs./criteria could help keep the culture alive within the family unit through the three main keepers; language, art, and religon.
3. Creating Ghost rolls; that is rolls that list those descendents of a tribe/band that may not fit fed. reg. criterion based on geography and continous contact. This would fit in with my second suggestion.
This is a start on some food for thought. When you get down to it, I would bet that most of the infighting or disagreements come down to inclusion of blood relations and their disinfranchisement. If a person can not even claim their rightful descendency and express that in the arts then that kills culture and or keeps it in the grave.
Scott,
I think you put this all very well. It is sad to see this struggle for federal/state recognition tear families apart and stifle the rebuilding of a culture.
Shirley
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