South Asheville News

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, advocating for upholding the merit-based process when recognizing federal tribes, including the Lumbee community.

Edwards stated, "I rise today to express my deep opposition to any circumvention of the merit-based process set out in law, which would grant federal recognition to the Lumbee community through political means."

He emphasized his pride in representing North Carolina’s 11th District, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He highlighted their rich culture and history, noting that some Cherokee made a forced journey and then returned to their traditional homelands.

"It must be noted that the Lumbee community has no standing treaties with the federal government, no reservation land, and no common language," Edwards remarked.

He stressed that Congress has a duty to ensure laws are drafted and implemented objectively. For over 40 years, the Department of the Interior has used a merit-based process through the Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA) to determine federal recognition of tribes.

"If the administration or Congress allows the Lumbee to bypass the OFA, it sends a clear message that other groups with dubious claims for tribal recognition can also avoid the deliberation and scrutiny that the OFA petition process is designed to provide," he said.

Edwards expressed concerns about verifying Native American descent within petitioning groups and mentioned potential strains on federal budgets if large numbers gain access to benefits without proper verification.

"As a member of the Interior & Environment Subcommittee on House Appropriations, I’m proud that we funded the needs of the Indian Health Service and other critical priorities for our nation’s tribes in the FY25 bill recently approved in the House," he added. However, he worried about budget feasibility if tribal populations increased significantly without verified ancestry.

He urged colleagues to consider these concerns and adhere to established processes for federal tribal recognition. Additionally, Edwards called for moving H.R. 7227 forward to create a commission addressing wrongs done to Native American children in federally run boarding schools.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Michell Hicks supported Edwards' stance: "We commend Congressman Edwards for his leadership in defending Indigenous sovereignty from those seeking to undermine the OFA process."

Hicks criticized efforts by Lumbees who have not met standards for federal recognition but seek political avenues instead. He also mentioned financial impacts on other tribes due to funding allocations influenced by these tactics.

"We will continue to fight these political tactics and will continue to fight to protect the sovereignty of Indigenous communities and uphold the integrity of our nation’s processes," Hicks concluded.