North Carolina's Lumbee Tribe receives federal recognition after 137-year effort

December 22, 2025

Photo: John Lowery, chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and a state representative (center) is comforted, as he cries tears of joy. Lowery and other members of the tribe gathered in Washington, D.C., to mark the passage of a bill granting full federal recognition on Wednesday.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

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North Carolina's Lumbee Tribe receives full federal recognition after 137-year effort

See more at Lumbee Tribe.com