Guest opinion. As a tribal leader, I deeply understand the meaning of sovereignty, culture and history to indigenous peoples. Designated as Native American Heritage Month, November is a time to honor these values and reflect on the resilience of federally recognized tribes who have fought tirelessly to protect their identities. It is also an opportunity to stand firm against efforts that threaten these principles through political maneuvering and financial incentives.
Recent actions by Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), including blocking the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, to promote legal recognition of the Lumbee group, pose a direct threat to tribal sovereignty. Senator Tillis has accused the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) of spreading misinformation about the Lumbee; however, no facts from the expert analysis have been challenged for accuracy. The problem lies not with those who defend sovereignty, but with Lumbee’s claims, which lack even minimal historical and genealogical evidence.
In every tribal culture, respect for history and truth is paramount. We honor those who came before us and strive to protect their legacy. Unfortunately, the Lumbee group has shown a lack of such respect. Their claims have changed over time and they now seek recognition without accountability or evidence.
Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to receive our reporting directly to your inbox every weekday morning.
The Lumbee refuse to continue the process established by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA), which, while imperfect, is the only evidence-based method for federal recognition. They have no treaties, intertribal histories, removal records, military conflicts with the United States, or a distinct language and culture. They cannot even specify which historical tribe or tribes they are descended from. These are not minor details; they are fundamental elements that are completely missing.
In contrast, each of the tribes wrongly vilified by Senator Tillis bears the scars of history. Whether they ceded millions of acres for westward expansion, suffered removal, or survived genocidal campaigns in the West, every tribe has earned its stories and continues to live with the trauma and consequences of our darkest days. Our concerns about the Lumbee stem from our obligation to protect the cultures for which we have paid such a high price.
Granting legal recognition to the Lumbee would set a dangerous precedent. It would allow political interests to override the integrity of tribal sovereignty, potentially opening the floodgates for other groups with unverifiable claims to exploit federal resources and erode the hard-won rights of federally recognized tribes.
Federal recognition of unincorporated groups would have significant financial implications for federally recognized tribes. In 2012, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the Lumbee Recognition Act would cost $846 million over five years. Adjusted for inflation and taking into account the addition of 6,000 new “members,” the cost of Lumbee recognition alone could rise to $1.75 billion between 2025 and 2030. This figure is in addition to the hundreds of millions of federal dollars already spent on state-recognized groups like the Lumbee in the form of grants and contracts, with every cent coming at the expense of federally recognized tribes.
As tribal leaders, we understand that politicians do not grant sovereignty; it is inherent in our governments and has existed for thousands of years. Recognition is not a favor to be granted by lawmakers, or a financing mechanism for those seeking financial gain. It solemnly recognizes sovereignty rooted in history, culture and truth. That is why the OFA process exists.
As stewards of our respective nations’ history and future, tribal leaders must unite and urge Senator Tillis to respect the processes that protect all tribes and stop using intimidation and political maneuvering to shield the Lumbee from criticism. Tribal sovereignty is not a bargaining chip; recognition must be based on truth, not politics or financial incentives.
The identity and future of Indian country depend on it.
Ben Barnes is chief of the Shawnee Tribe and chairman of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma.
About the Author: “Levi \”Calm Before the Storm\” Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded the Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print category\/ online by the Native American Journalists Association. He is a member of the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net.
Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
