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Editorial: Continue fight for Lumbee recognition
Wednesday, October 4, 2006

"The largest Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River will remain in governmental limbo. The Lumbees who live in Robeson and adjoining counties are a tribe, but they’re not a tribe. And Congress once again is walking away from granting the tribe full federal recognition.

For 50 years, the law has declared Lumbees American Indians. But the Lumbee Act of 1956 also denied the tribe most federal services and funding that go to other recognized tribes.

North Carolina federal lawmakers have tried for decades to right that injustice, and failed. A bill filed in this session by Sen. Elizabeth Dole and co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr once again sought full recognition. It won approval from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and was sent to the full Senate for action. But when Congress departed for its fall recess Friday, the bill was stalled. As many as five senators put a “hold” on the recognition bill, a parliamentary maneuver unlikely to be overturned in this session. It means that the quest for recognition must restart from scratch in the next session."

Get the Story:
Our View: Another Lumbee recognition effort looks doomed. The battle must continue. (The Fayetteville Observer 10/4)

Hearing Info:
LEGISLATIVE HEARING on S. 660, the Lumbee Recognition Act (July 12, 2006)

Lumbee Recognition Bills:
S.660 | H.R.21 | H.R.4171

Relevant Links:
Official Lumbee Tribe website - http://www.lumbeetribe.com
Lumbee Regional Development Association - http://www.lumbee.org

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