President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to explore federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has reignited long-standing concerns among other Native American tribes regarding the potential implications of bypassing standard recognition processes. Trump’s order, issued early in his second term, directs the Department of the Interior to develop a recognition pathway for the Lumbee, who have a historical presence since 1725 and currently number over 55,000 members. Although the Lumbees have state recognition, they have been denied federal acknowledgment under the Lumbee Act of 1956, which restricts access to essential services like healthcare and education.
The Lumbee Tribe claims to be an amalgamation of several Indigenous groups and has pursued recognition through various congressional means, often facing opposition from established tribes. Critics, including Chief Michell Hicks of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Chief Brad KillsCrow of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, express concern that shortcutting established processes could undermine the legitimacy of tribal recognition. They argue that proper criteria must be met, as established by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA), to ensure clarity regarding a tribe’s sovereignty and historic roots.
KillCrow also highlights potential financial impacts, estimating that Lumbee recognition could cost taxpayers over $350 million, diverting funds from smaller tribes. The political motivations behind this move are particularly worrisome to various tribal leaders, who fear that making recognition a partisan issue could dilute Native voices in future electoral cycles. They advocate for adherence to the OFA process, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity in tribal recognition.
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