Trump Moves to Grant Federal Recognition to Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
President Donald Trump has taken a significant step toward granting federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, a move the tribe has sought for over a century. On January 23, 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing the Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan within 90 days to assist the Lumbee Tribe in obtaining full federal recognition through legislation or other mechanisms. This recognition would allow the tribe to access federal benefits, including funding for housing, schools, and healthcare, which they have been denied since their partial recognition under the 1956 Lumbee Act.
The Lumbee Tribe, with approximately 55,000 members primarily located in Robeson County, North Carolina, is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River. Despite being recognized by the state of North Carolina since 1885, the tribe has faced repeated obstacles in achieving federal recognition. Trump’s executive order marks a pivotal moment in their long-standing struggle, fulfilling a campaign promise he made during the 2024 election.
The order requires the Interior Department to review all applicable authorities and consult with Lumbee leadership to determine the best path forward, whether through Congress, the courts, or the Office of Federal Acknowledgment. This move comes after the House of Representatives passed the Lumbee Fairness Act in December 2024, which would have granted the tribe full recognition, but the bill stalled in the Senate.
While the Lumbee Tribe has celebrated the executive order as a significant step forward, the move has faced opposition from other tribes, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee leaders argue that the Lumbee’s claims to ancestry and historical ties lack sufficient evidence and that federal recognition should be granted only through the rigorous standards of the Office of Federal Acknowledgment. They warn that bypassing this process could undermine the integrity of tribal sovereignty.
The Lumbee Tribe traces its roots to survivors of multiple eastern tribal nations who settled in North Carolina. Over generations, they intermarried with both white and Black North Carolinians, adopting English as their common language. In the 1950s, they formally adopted the name Lumbee and established a tribal constitution in 2000.
Trump’s executive order has reignited hope for the Lumbee Tribe, with tribal leaders and North Carolina lawmakers expressing gratitude for the administration’s support. However, the path to full recognition remains uncertain, as it will require congressional action or further administrative steps. The Lumbee Fairness Act, reintroduced in both the House and Senate earlier in January 2025, could provide the legislative framework needed to codify their recognition.
The Lumbee Tribe’s fight for federal recognition is not just a matter of historical justice but also a critical step toward securing resources and support for their community. As the Interior Department works to develop a plan, the tribe and its supporters remain hopeful that this long-overdue recognition will soon become a reality.
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