Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) signed an executive order to recognize the Piscataway Conoy Tribe and the Piscataway Indian Nation.

The tribes are the first to be recognized under a new law. But they have been pushing for formal acknowledgment as Indian for decades.

"We have waited more than 200 years to get our identity back," Mervin Savoy, the chairwoman of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe told The Baltimore Sun.

The executive order for the Piscataway Conoy Tribe includes recognition for subgroups and bands of the tribe. Copies of the orders can be found at www.governor.maryland.gov/blog/?p=3393.

Get the Story:
O'Malley formally recognizes Piscataway tribe (The Baltimore Sun 1/10)
O’Malley signs order formally recognizing 2 American Indian groups native to Maryland (AP 1/9)
O’Malley gives Piscataways state recognition (The Gaithersburg Gazette 1/9)

Related Stories:
Maryland governor to recognize two tribes in executive order (1/9)