In the lead-up to the 2024 election, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigned in North Carolina, reaching out to the Lumbee Tribe, a state-recognized group of 55,000 members. The Lumbee’s support could be pivotal in the state, and Trump made a campaign promise to push for their federal recognition. This recognition would grant the tribe access to federal resources such as healthcare and land rights. Trump’s backing helped him win North Carolina by more than 3 percentage points in 2020, and now, as he prepares to return to office, the Lumbee hope that momentum from his victory will lead to action on their cause.
However, the road to federal recognition for the Lumbee remains complicated. For decades, the tribe has attempted to bypass the usual federal acknowledgment process through the Department of the Interior, which they see as overly complicated and slow. Instead, they are lobbying for Congress to address what they consider a historical oversight. Chairman John Lowery has expressed frustration with the long struggle for recognition, calling it “crazy” in 2024 that they are still fighting for justice.
Trump’s intentions regarding the Lumbee’s recognition remain unclear, though there is significant opposition from other tribal nations. Some tribal leaders argue that the Lumbee should follow the formal process through the Interior Department, not through a special act of Congress. A source close to Trump’s team indicated that he would likely require the Lumbee to pursue the formal process, rather than signing a bill for their recognition. Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, stated that no official policy would be confirmed until it comes directly from the president.
Federal recognition is crucial because it provides access to resources like Indian Health Services and the ability to establish reservations through the land-to-trust process. The Lumbee Tribe was blocked from applying for federal recognition in 1987 under a congressional act, which acknowledged them but stopped short of offering full recognition. The Interior Department reversed this decision in 2016, allowing them to apply, but the tribe prefers the legislative route.
The Lumbee have found bipartisan support, with Republican lawmakers such as Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina backing their recognition. Tillis, in particular, has been vocal about his support for the tribe and introduced the Lumbee Fairness Act. However, he has also used his influence to block other bills in Congress, particularly those supported by other tribal nations, unless they support the Lumbee’s recognition.
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For example, Tillis has reportedly blocked a bill that would allow the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to reclaim 70 acres of land in Tennessee. Principal Chief of the Eastern Band, Michell Hicks, has criticized Tillis, accusing him of leveraging his power to force other tribes to back the Lumbee. The Cherokee tribes have long contested the Lumbee’s historical ties to their people, and many tribal leaders have voiced opposition to federal recognition for the Lumbee.
Tillis’s tactics have drawn sharp criticism, with some accusing him of using unethical pressure to achieve his goals. Meanwhile, Lowery has expressed frustration, acknowledging that Tillis has held up legislation but clarifying that the Lumbee are not the ones preventing progress. The ongoing debate about the Lumbee’s federal recognition is not only a political issue but also a question of Indigenous identity and the right to self-determination.
The outcome of this dispute remains uncertain, with tribal nations across the country closely watching the developments. As the Lumbee continue to fight for recognition, their future status and the broader implications for other tribes will depend on the outcome of the legislative and political battles ahead.