Federal Recognition | National

African-American lawmakers seek probe into Pamunkey Tribe

Friday, November 28, 2014

The Pamunkey Tribe and the Mattaponi Tribe presented an annual tribute to the state of Virginia on Wednesday, a tradition that dates back to 1677. Photo from Gov. Terry McAuliffe / Facebook

Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus want the Department of Justice to determine whether the Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia has engaged in discriminatory practices.

The lawmakers say the tribe has banned marriages between its members and African-Americans. They want the Bureau of Indian Affairs to delay a decision on the tribe's federal recognition petition until DOJ investigates.

But Kevin Brown, the tribe's chief, said the law in question was repealed in 2012. He told the CBC that the tribe was trying to protect its status from racist policies in Virginia that treated Indian people as "colored."

“We have members on our rolls who are married to African-Americans,” Brown said in the letter, the Associated Press reported.

The BIA issued a proposed finding in favor of the tribe in January. The comment period closed July 22 and the tribe had until September 22 to respond to any comments.

The BIA could issue a final determination within the next few months -- the AP said the agency had a March 30, 2015, deadline to meet. If that happens, the Pamnkeys will be the first tribe in Virginia to gain federal recognition.

The Pamunkey Tribe and other tribes in Virginia were among the first Indian nations to sign treaties with European governments. Yet they have never been recognized by the federal government.

The Pamunkey Tribe and the Mattaponi Tribe continue to abide by a 1677 treaty that requires them to present "tax" tributes to Virginia. They gave a Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and the First Lady a pair of handmade earrings, a traditional dancing stick with a turkey claw at the tip, an eight point buck deer, a handmade necklace and a second deer.

“Virginia is home to the some of the richest historical beginnings of our nation, and the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Indian Tribes exemplify what it means to be Virginians,” McAuliffe said in a press release.

Get the Story:
Black lawmakers against recognition of Va. tribe (AP 11/28)
Virginia Indian Tribes present Governor McAuliffe with jewelry, dancing stick and eight-point buck (WTVR 11/26)
Governor, Tribal Leaders Hold Annual Tribute Ceremony (WVIR 11/26)
Governor McAuliffe Accepts Tax Tribute from Virginia Indian Tribes (WSET 11/26)

Federal Register Notice:
Proposed Finding for Federal Acknowledgment of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe (January 23, 2014)