Tribes in Virginia are hoping President Barack Obama will support their bid for federal recognition.

During the 111th Congress, the House passed a bill to recognize the eight tribes. The Senate never acted so the tribes have to start the process all over again in the 111th Congress.

"Getting the support of the president is vital," Wayne Adkins, the second assistant chief of the Chickahominy Tribe, told The Hampton Roads Daily Press. "We have support from the governor, support in Congress and Senate in Senators Webb and Warner. We also have a fair amount of support in the House."

Obama supports a bill to extend the policy of self-determination to Native Hawaiians but his administration has not publicly stated its views on other recognition matters.

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Virginia's eight tribes lack federal recognition, right to stimulus funds (The Hampton Roads Daily Press 2/18)