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MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2003

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina would have to obtain recognition from the Bureau of Indian Affairs under a bill introduced last week.

Reps. Charles Taylor (R-N.C.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), and Brad Carson (D-Okla.) are supporting the measure. It competes two different bills, backed by other members of the state's Congressional delegation, that would recognize the Lumbee Tribe outright.

Federal law currently prohibits the tribe from going through the BIA's administrative process.

Taylor and Carson are members of the Congressional Native American Caucus. Taylor's district includes the Eastern Band of Cherokees, the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina. Carson is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, which is also federally recognized.

A text of the competing bill is not yet available online.

Get the Story:
Bill gives Lumbee decision to Indian Bureau (The Fayetteville Observer 3/23)

Get Lumbee Bills:
S.420 | H.R.898

Relevant Links:
Official Lumbee Tribe website - http://www.lumbeetribe.com
Lumbee Regional Development Association - http://www.lumbee.org

Related Stories:
Lumbee Tribe hopes for resolution of status (3/19)
Lumbee tribal members debate extent of territory (3/7)
Opinion: Approve recognition of Lumbee Tribe (2/27)
Group says Lumbee recognition means casino (2/26)
Sen. Dole backs Lumbee recognition bill (02/19)
Lumbee Tribe seeks support fot federal status (2/18)
Lumbee recognition bill to be delayed (01/09)
Lumbee Tribe hopes for recognition (11/27)