Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris says she firmly supports the Lumbee Tribe’s pursuit of the full rights, protections, and opportunities that federal recognition brings. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Just days after holding a campaign rally in Raleigh, Vice President Kamala Harris returns Charlotte Saturday to make her closing appeal to North Carolina voters.
Harris is expected to use the occasion to also voice 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 will announce 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.
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.
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.