PEMBROKE — The Lumbee Recognition Bill has little chance of being passed this year in the U.S. Congress, according to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s former Washington federal recognition representative. But the tribe’s chairman insists he is optimistic.
Attorney Arlinda Locklear, who represented the tribe in Washington for more than 20 years, said Tuesday that the committee makeups in both the House and Senate, as well as the general atmosphere in Washington, are not conducive to the bill’s passage.
Locklear said that even if the bill is introduced and referred to the House Natural Resources Committee, it is unlikely that Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, a Republican from Washington state, would allow the bill to be heard in the committee. She also said that although the bill might be heard in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs — chaired by Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington state — it is unlikely that the bill would make it out of committee to the Senate floor.
“I follow the issue closely because I represent two other tribes seeking recognition,” Locklear said. “It’s early in the (congressional) session, but there’s been no commitment to the bill. I don’t see any movement.”
Locklear’s opinion varies sharply with that of Lumbee Tribal Chairman Paul Brooks, who told The Robesonian recently that he is “optimistic” that the bill could pass during this session of the Congress. Brooks said that he has been in Washington working with North Carolina’s senators and House representatives to create a recognition bill that both Democrats and Republicans can accept.
“We’re trying to make this a bipartisan bill,” Brooks said.
Mike McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton who at the start of the past two congressional sessions immediately submitted a Lumbee Recognition Bill, said he is working with Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from Concord, to develop a strategy for moving a new bill through the House.
“I am very pleased that the U.S. House has twice passed this measure, and I’ll do all I can to help the Lumbee people and the Lumbee Tribe,” McIntyre said. “The timing, introduction, and best strategy depends on several circumstances, which we are currently discussing with Congressman Hudson. These circumstances include the best way to deal with the congressional committee of jurisdiction and the floor schedule of the new congress.”
Hudson, a freshman representative whose 8th District includes most of Robeson County, has pledged to help the Lumbee Tribe receive the recognition he says it “deserves.”
“I had the pleasure of sitting down and meeting with many of the Lumbee leaders on my recent Listening Tour in Robeson County,” Hudson said. “After a very informative meeting, I assured them that I will continue the conversation started on their behalf in Congress and will work hard to help their tribe receive the federal recognition it deserves.
“I am currently working with the appropriate stakeholders and my North Carolina colleagues from the House and Senate, most notably Congressman McIntyre, to figure out the best path forward so that any legislation we introduce will have the highest chance of success,” Hudson said.
Sen. Richard Burr, a Republican from Winston-Salem, said he plans to introduce a Lumbee Recognition Bill in the Senate during this session of Congress.
“The Lumbee Tribe deserves federal recognition, but currently this can only happen through an act of Congress,” Burr said. “I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to see this issue resolved once and for all.”
Passage of the Lumbee Recognition Bill would provide the tribe hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for housing, health care, education and economic development. As a means of moving the board forward, tribal leaders have agreed not to pursue gaming as a way of generating revenue.
The Lumbee Tribe is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River. Most of its 55,000 members live in Robeson and surrounding counties.
North Carolina formally recognized the Lumbee Tribe in 1885. Three years later, in 1888, the tribe began its quest for federal recognition.
In 1956, Congress passed legislation recognizing the tribe. The Lumbees, however, were denied the federal benefits that other federally recognized tribes receive.
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
Washington, January 7, 1889.
Hon. J. W. POWELL,
Director Bureau of Ethnology, City.
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of a communication signed with 54 names of persons who claim to be "Croatan Indians" and descendants of "White's lost colony," in Robeson County, N. C.
the claimants that signed were ...
We in 1889, Swear Descent from the Lost Colony of Roanoke"
signed by James Oxendine, Ashbury Oxendine, Zackriors Oxendine, J.J. Oxendine, Billy Locklear, Malakiah Locklear, Preston Locklear, John Ballard, Crolly Locklear, G.W. Locklear, Patrick Locklear, Luther Deas, Marcus Dial, Joseph Loclear, Alex Locklear, Solomon Oxendine, A.J. Lowry, John A. Locklear, Silas Deas, James Lowry, Olline Oxendine, George Brayboy, William Sampson, Steven Carter, Peter Dial, Willy Jacobs, Quinn Gordan, Murdock Chavis."
Lumbee ancestors
swore before congress to be the lost colony Not saura cheraw or siouan but "The lost Colony"
GUESS ITS HARD TO KEEP THE LIES STRAIGHT OVER GENERATIONS !!!! SHOULD REFER TO THESE LUMBEES AS SERIOUS WANNABEES NOT NATIVES
Thats why they flocked there.It wasn't until then"I realized that it was all a FACADE".It has all been coming to light since census records have become easily accessible online.
now,that folks can search for themselves.With that said,I can say the Lumbee Recognition is for identity for a large segment of people who dont identify as black or white,they confused.It is hard to turn back the clock when you have identified your yourself as a native for so long to hide the true African American origins of the lumbee people who really beleive they indian that lie was passed down and politicians helped us cover up NEGRO heritage to get our votes and stuff Lumbee we aint Indians really I admit were are Black not Indians really but old habits die hard it makes sense no indian customs or language either. 2 2=Black common sense
a Robeson county lady
I'll never speak fondly of any group based club, but I will for individuals who make a difference.
Ross, individual.
The Lumbees aren't....Indigenous!!!
Paul Brooks, we don't want the federal money let alone you getting your grimpy hands in it and you already a millionaire over and over.
Leave the Lumbees alone. Quit wasting money when you could be fixing homes!
Some of these post are funny but unfortunately, there is also some truth to some of them.
I found it interesting that one comment went the direction of naming PRIDE as one characteristics of the Lumbee poeple. It's true that the Lumbee use this term in a lot of slogans and just about 100% of the people like to say that they are proud to be Lumbee but the cold hard truth is that we talk it more than we walk it!
I agree that the roadsides in our county are terrible! ALL races are responsible!
How can we expect new industry to come into our area feeling good about making investments when they see how we take care of God's creation?
There are a lot of problems that need to be dealt with but there seems to be no leadership in our county. Someone needs to take the lead and make drastic changes! I think that we, as Robesonians, have a lot ot offer but its covered up by all the poilitics and infighting.
I surely would like to see that change one day for the sake of all county residents!
This is America, just because you are a certain race doesn't give you any more rights than anyone else. You don't get to say things and then call another person a racsit if they are not the same race as you, how pathetic and racsit is that comment....
Ever wonder why very few have respect for you? It's idiotic statements such as this...
ps. And anyone born in America is a "native American"
BTW "uncpalumni2009" I think you have a great post.
The problem with federal recognition of the Lumbee Indian is the Lumbee Indian. They do not have the fortitude, resources, organization nor the political connections to bring that recognition anytime soon. The Tribe, based on reports, has too many issues within its own group to effectively lead and force the political will that the group needs to achieve its goal(s). I continue to think of how interesting that every other group in the world has come to the United States, force their political will and gained passage of political support and laws that we as Indians cannot obtain considering, we have been here the longest of all people. The recognition begins with its people, the tribe, its leaders and more than anything else, educating ourselves to force political will/might.
No one wants what Brooks has to offer other than his resignation.
I hope if they create this bill that they say Senator Burr is going to introduce to the Senate that it has an OPT OUT CLUSE for all members of the Lumbee tribe. ALOT OF US WILL OPT OUT RATHER THAN TO BE UNDER THE THUMB OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T GIVE A FLYING FLIP!
You're falling into following Ross's problem. Think before you start making stuff up. Remember, some people can research what you say.
Again very well said...
And, the only tribe to be placed in a similar legal limbo as the Lumbee is the Tewa of Texas.
I really think we could target an arguement to ask the court to simply take a look at the termination language of the last phrase of the Lumbee Act.
If I'm not mistaken, most if not all the terminattion era tribes have regained their recognition. If we were in fact judged to be terminated, then why should the Lumbee be any different from these other rerecognized tribes? The 1957 Lumbee Act is in fact a law. But would we be really losing anything if in the worse case scenario the whole law would be considered unconstitutional.
The small benefits the Lumbee do receive are due to our state recognition. And, there are strong rumblings that the little benefits state tribes enjoy are going to be restricted in the very near future to only federally recognized tribes. Now is the time to act!
Strong healing culture (12 herbs no other tribe used), "clannish" and "intervisiting", vibrant arts and crafts culture (PINE NEEDLE BASKETS, pottery, etc.), identification of the Lumbee River basin as home. Oh, I forgot the support from the National Congress of American Indians (320-16 says hi). How's that for well "thoughtout" "R" (is that a word?)Are you hungry for more "thirst?" I have so many more examples. Don't believe everything you research on the net, it will leave you with a hunger and a thirst for truth!
With the government facing sequester and major budget cutbacks, I agree with Ms. Lockllear.
But why don't we take the judicial route? We had meager success in the 1957 Lumbee Act. However, the solicitor of the BIA stated that it both recognized and terminated the Lumbee within the same bill. A bill cannot enact and repeal within the same act. The "fatal flaw" of the bill is the last statement of the Lumbee Act which makes the bill unconstitutional. Remove the last statement of the act and Hoila, federal recognition!
Yes the judicial route is possibly an option for the Lumbee government.
Only one problem, the judicial system wasn't set-up to operate in the grey area of the law. Congress works in a way that they can pass a law this year and "un"pass it next year. The judicial branch only works in black or white and when an outside party brings an issue to them to decide wither its black or white.
If the Lumbee take the 1956 Lumbee Act to the judges they may vote yea or nay. But that vote will be final. If they vote to uphold the termination of rights "real or perceived" then the Lumbee have no recourse. If they say NO, then no monies, no rights, no benefits, and forever the Lumbee will have no options.
So yes the judicial route is possible but a very final one. Congress, the Lumbee can go to every 2-years and "ask" for Recognition, or maybe one-day the Lumbee may go and demand recognition. and get it.
But if the judge says NO, then never another option.
it is true that the small amount of benefit the Lumbee do receive is as a result of our state recognition. It is also true that to be "recognized" you have to receive federal funds from the BIA. And, we have been deemed ineligible to go through the BAR/OFA process as a result of the last statement of the Lumbee Act.We are however, acknowledged and, unfortunately terminated! In the 1950's over 200 tribes federal rights were terminated. The judicial system did not bar any of those tribes from attempts in congress to regain their recognition. So, what would we lose by pursuing our rights in court, a fatally flawed law which has no benefit to the Lumbee. I really think it's worth the risk. As a tribal member, I kind of like those odds 1/200 . It sure trumps beating our head against a congressional wall for another 127 years.