Vice President Kamala Harris, right, with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) during a briefing on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in October 2024. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Juan Paz / U.S. Air National Guard
On Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris voiced support for full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe, which is comprised of more than 50,000 people in North Carolina.
It’s a significant announcement, as the tribe has been pursuing federal recognition since 1888. The Lumbee Act of 1956 recognized members as an American Indian tribe, but prevented the tribe from receiving services and benefits provided to members of federally recognized tribes.
Today, Harris announced that if Congress fails to act in granting federal recognition, she will partner with the Lumbee Tribe to explore administrative options that would give the Lumbee people the recognition they have tirelessly fought for.
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton, left, poses with Lumbee Tribe Chairman John L. Lowery at the Museum of the Southeast American Indian at UNC Pembroke in Pembroke, North Carolina, on October 18, 2024. Photo: Lumbee Tribe
The campaign said the Vice President Harris will always be a champion for Tribal Nations—upholding tribal sovereignty, supporting self-determination, and ensuring the federal government lives up to its trust and treaty responsibilities.
“Her vision is one where every Native person can fully realize their aspirations, where tribal governments are empowered, and where the federal government honors its trust and treaty responsibilities to Native communities,” said a campaign spokesperson.
This is not a new issue for Harris, she endorsed the Lumbee Recognition Act when then-Congressman G.K. Butterfield introduced the legislation in the 117th Congress.
While the House of Representatives passed that legislation, it was left out of a Senate spending bill, despite having the support of North Carolina Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr.
Last year, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Resolution 499, the Support Lumbee Fairness Act, urging Congress to take up the recognition issue again.
Great to meet with Lumbee leaders in Pembroke this week. I’m proud to be in North Carolina to campaign for @KamalaHarris, who will fight for long overdue federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe as President. pic.twitter.com/FpYGuaB0Aa
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) October 20, 2024
Just last month, President Bill Clinton met with Lumbee leaders in Pembroke where he reiterated that Vice President Harris will fight for long overdue federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe as President.
Former President Donald Trump told supporters in Wilmington this fall if elected “we’re gonna take care of it.”
For her part, Harris has said she hopes to pave a new way forward for all Native Americans, where their voices are heard, respected, and reflected in national policies.
The Lumbee people with an estimated 55,000 members make up the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River. Members of the tribe reside primarily in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland and Scotland counties.
Harris will be in North Carolina once again. Just days after a large rally in Raleigh, the vice president will headline a celebrity-studded event in Charlotte to continue her closing appeal to North Carolina voters.
This story originally appeared on NC Newsline on November 2, 2024. It is published under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
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