Editorial: Virginia tribes deserve recognition

Tuesday, May 1, 2007  

"Nearly 400 years to the day that English settlers landed in Virginia, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee finally recognized that people were here long before the tall ships crossed the Atlantic -- and, of modern-day importance, that Native American tribes still exist within the commonwealth's boundaries.

The recognition is long overdue, and the full Congress should agree. However, it would not have been granted if the tribes' chiefs hadn't relinquished future gambling rights. That provision unfairly demands of Virginia's indigenous people concessions to their sovereignty that no other tribes have been asked to bargain away.

Virginia's tribes repeatedly said they are not interested in gambling and have proved that by declining to host bingo games, even though they have had that right since the 1980s, when the commonwealth finally recognized their existence.

What the tribes desire is acknowledgment, so they can access the federal health and education benefits that should have been their birthright. For far too long, Virginia's Indians were stripped of any rights."

Get the Story:
Grant state's natives their rightful place (The Roanoke Times 4/30)

Committee Notice:
Full Committee Legislative Hearing: H.R. 1294 and H.R. 65 (April 18, 2007)

Recognition Bill:
Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act

Related Stories:
Virginia recognition bill clears House committee (4/26)
Virginia tribes make case for recognition bill (4/19)
Adkins: Virginia tribes deserve federal recognition (4/18)
House hearing on Lumbee, Virginia recognition (4/18)
Virginia tribe optimistic on recognition in 2007 (12/06)
Letter: Indians are the Palestinians of Virginia (10/16)
Editorial: No recognition for Virginia's tribes (10/10)
Virginia tribal recognition bill remains in limbo (09/07)
Virginia Indians set to return from trip to England (07/20)
Senate panel to consider Virginia recognition bill (07/19)
Virginia Indians enjoy historic week in England (07/18)
Virginia tribes make historic trip to England (07/13)
Virginia tribes head to England to share history (07/10)
House, Senate panels take up recognition bills (06/22)
Virginia tribes press for recognition measure (06/22)
Virginia tribes make case for recognition bill (6/2)
Virginia tribes jockey for federal recognition (5/26)
Bill introduced to recognize Rappahannock Tribe (04/07)
Virginia tribe won't boycott Jamestown events (01/20)
Book Review: Virginia Indians not friendly to settlers (10/25)
Virginia tribal leaders visit grave of Pocahontas (07/28)
Virginia tribal delegation heads off for England (07/15)
Virginia tribal leaders on historic trip to England (7/11)
Groups call for changes to Virginia recognition bill (7/6)
Editorial: Federal recognition a matter of justice (05/24)
Virginia tribes to mark Jamestown in England (05/09)
Six Virginia tribes to gather for annual powwow (03/25)
Editorial: Virginia tribes in need of recognition (03/14)
Virginia tribe not optimistic on recognition bid (02/11)
Virginia tribes fight for federal recognition (10/12)
Bill seeks to speed recognition process for tribes (2/7)
Virginia tribes fight for federal recognition (10/12)
Rep. Moran: Virginia tribes deserve recognition (06/24)
Virginia tribes press case for federal recognition (06/17)
Senate panel backs recognition of Virginia tribes (05/10)
Virginia tribes press case for federal recognition (04/19)
Virginia tribes seeks support for recognition bill (03/15)
Va. tribes seek recognition for Jamestown 2007 (2/16)
Senate bill to recognize six Va. tribes advances (10/30)
GOP Editorial: Say no to Virginia's tribes (05/19)
BIA opposes Va. recognition bill (09/27)
Va. tribes rally for sovereignty (4/30)
Recognition of Va. tribes opposed (1/26)
Recognition bills crowd Congress (11/29)
Virginia tribes: Recognition Yes, Casinos No (09/19)