WASHINGTON – It appears the Lumbee Tribe’s long wait for federal recognition will continue.
After political movement this fall, including the support of President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden as well as passage of a recognition bill in the U.S. House, it seemed like the North Carolina Lumbee might finally get the federal recognition it has sought for more than 130 years.
But the tribe’s chairman, Harvey Godwin Jr,. posted Sunday on Facebook that federal recognition would not be included in Congress’ year-end, must-pass spending bill, despite previous optimism.