South Carolina H 5196: Lumbee Tribe of NC

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5196 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 18, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5196

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE THE LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH CAROLINA 
ON BEING FORMALLY ADDED TO THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS' LIST OF FEDERALLY 
RECOGNIZED TRIBES, THUS ENDING A STRUGGLE OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS.

Whereas, on January 30, 
2026, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina was officially added to the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs' list of federally recognized tribes, following the passage of 
the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, signed by President Trump on 
December 18, 2025; and

Whereas, these actions 
ended a struggle that began in 1888 and continued for 137 years. The Lumbee 
Tribe's successful effort to achieve full recognition makes the tribe the 575th 
group to be so recognized and grants Lumbee Tribe members access to federal 
services and benefits; and

Whereas, the tribe is 
currently in the first phase of implementing this recognition, with a 
transition team working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tribe members plan 
to hold a year-long celebration in 2026 to mark this historic achievement; and

Whereas, the 
recognition provides access to federal funding for housing, healthcare, 
education, and other benefits, reversing a restrictive 1956 act that previously 
had recognized the tribe but denied them services. The new 2026 benefits also 
will create economic opportunities for the tribe and the surrounding community; 
and

Whereas, with more than 
56,000 members, the Lumbee is the largest tribe in the state of North Carolina 
and the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River; and

Whereas, with great 
pleasure, the South Carolina House adds its collective voice to the chorus of 
congratulations flowing in to the members of the Lumbee Tribe at this 
successful conclusion of long years of effort and anticipation. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, congratulate the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina on being 
formally added to the Bureau of Indian Affairs' list of federally recognized 
tribes, thus ending a struggle of one hundred thirty-seven years.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. 
Lowery on behalf of the Lumbee Tribe.

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This web page was last updated on February 18, 2026 at 01:08 PM