Federal Recognition for Virginia’s Pamunkey Tribe ‘a Long Time Coming'

Correspondent Vincent Schilling visited the Pamunkey Reservation
to get tribal members' reactions to being the latest federally recognized tribe.
Image Courtesy of Indian Country Today.

July, 7, 2015.

Vincent Schilling, of Indian Country Today, has written a brief article about the recent federal recognition of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe.

" “Finally we are going to be recognized for the separate nation that we are and have been by other entities such as the state (of Virginia) and England. Now the United States government recognizes that. We are looking forward to establishing and having that relationship,” said Atkins Spivey. "

-Vincent Schilling, Indian Country Today.

To read the full article, click here.

"What is a federally recognized tribe?

A federally recognized tribe is an American Indian or Alaska Native tribal entity that is recognized as having a government-to-government relationship with the United States, with the responsibilities, powers, limitations, and obligations attached to that designation, and is eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Furthermore, federally recognized tribes are recognized as possessing certain inherent rights of self-government (i.e., tribal sovereignty) and are entitled to receive certain federal benefits, services, and protections because of their special relationship with the United States. At present, there are 566 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages."

-U.S. Department of the Interior: Indian Affairs Bureau, Frequently Asked Questions.

For more information,

Visit:

• Pamunkey Indian Tribe
• U.S. Department of the Interior: Indian Affairs Bureau
• Frequently Asked Questions
• What is a federally recognized tribe?
• How is federal recognition status confirmed?
• What is the relationship between the tribes and the United States?
• What is the relationship between the tribes and the individual states?
• What are inherent powers of tribal self-government?
• What is meant by tribal self-determination and self-governance?
• Final Determination for Federal Acknowledgement of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe
• A Notice by the Indian Affairs Bureau on 7-8-2015, Federal Register
• DOI Issues Determination: Pamunkey becomes No. 567; First Federally Recognized Tribe in Va.
• Indian Country Today, July 2, 2015.