The Enduring Spirit of the Lumbee: A Quest for Full Recognition
In the heart of North Carolina, amidst the longleaf pine forests and fertile farmlands of Robeson County, resides the Lumbee Tribe, a vibrant and resilient Indigenous nation whose history is as deeply rooted in the American South as the ancient cypress trees that line its rivers. With an estimated 60,000 members, the Lumbee are the largest American Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River and the largest in North Carolina, yet they stand in a unique and often frustrating position: recognized by the state, but still fighting for full federal recognition from the U.S. government. Their story is one of tenacious identity, fierce independence, and an enduring quest for justice.
For centuries, the Lumbee people have called this land home. Their origins are shrouded in some historical mystery, with theories linking them to the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke and other Indigenous groups who merged in the aftermath of colonial expansion. What is undeniable, however, is their continuous presence in the region, maintaining a distinct cultural and social identity even as surrounding societies sought to define and confine them. Unlike many tribes forcibly removed from their ancestral lands, the Lumbee remained, carving out a self-sufficient existence in the swamps and pine barrens of what would become Robeson County.
A History Forged in Resilience
The Lumbee’s historical narrative is one of profound resilience in the face of immense pressure. During the Jim Crow era, they occupied a unique, often precarious, space in the rigid racial hierarchy of the South. Not classified as white or Black, they established their own institutions – churches, schools, and businesses – to serve their community and preserve their heritage. This self-determination was critical to their survival and the maintenance of their distinct identity.
One of the most defining moments in Lumbee history, a testament to their unwavering spirit, occurred on January 18, 1958, in what became known as the “Battle of Hayes Pond” or the “Maxton Incident.” That night, members of the Ku Klux Klan, led by Grand Dragon James W. “Catfish” Cole, gathered near Maxton, North Carolina, aiming to intimidate the Lumbee community and reassert white supremacy. Cole had been vocal in his racist rhetoric against the Lumbee, accusing them of racial mixing and challenging their Indian identity.
What the Klan did not anticipate was the Lumbee’s readiness to defend themselves. Hundreds of Lumbee men, armed with shotguns, rifles, and hunting knives, ambushed the Klansmen as they attempted to hold their rally. In a chaotic scene, the Lumbee fired warning shots, overturned Klan vehicles, and scattered the white supremacists, seizing their Klan regalia and burning it in a triumphant bonfire. Cole himself fled into the swamp, leaving behind his microphone and a record player still blaring a sermon.
The Battle of Hayes Pond was a symbolic victory, not just for the Lumbee but for civil rights in the South. It demonstrated that Indigenous communities would not passively accept racial intimidation. "That night, we stood up for ourselves," recalled an elder, his voice firm with pride. "We showed them that we were not afraid, and we would not be pushed around on our own land. It wasn’t just about the Klan; it was about our dignity." The event garnered national attention, painting the Lumbee as a proud and courageous people.
The Long Road to Federal Recognition
Despite their deep historical roots and demonstrated sovereignty, the Lumbee’s quest for full federal recognition has been a protracted and often frustrating journey. Federal recognition is more than just a symbolic gesture; it grants tribes a government-to-government relationship with the United States, providing access to essential federal services, funding for healthcare, education, housing, and economic development, and, most importantly, the ability to place land into trust, thereby strengthening tribal sovereignty.
The current hurdle for the Lumbee dates back to the "Lumbee Act of 1956." This act, while acknowledging the Lumbee as "Indians" and prohibiting the Bureau of Indian Affairs from having jurisdiction over them, specifically denied them federal benefits and services provided to other federally recognized tribes. It was a partial recognition, a legislative anomaly that has haunted the tribe for decades. "The 1956 Act was a double-edged sword," explains Tribal Chairman John Lowery. "It affirmed our identity but simultaneously denied us the resources and full sovereignty that come with federal recognition. It’s like being invited to the party but told you can’t eat the food."
Since then, the Lumbee have tirelessly lobbied Congress, presenting extensive genealogical, historical, and anthropological evidence to support their claims. Bills for full recognition have been introduced in nearly every session of Congress for the past 40 years, only to face various obstacles: political gridlock, concerns from other federally recognized tribes about potential competition for resources, and, at times, a lack of understanding of the Lumbee’s unique historical context.
The Lumbee’s case is further complicated by the fact that they do not fit the typical pattern of tribes seeking federal recognition, many of whom were displaced or had their governance structures dismantled. The Lumbee, by contrast, maintained their community, their land base, and their social institutions through centuries of adversity. This continuity, while a testament to their strength, sometimes presents a challenge within the federal recognition framework, which often looks for evidence of unbroken historical tribal governance in a specific, narrow way.
Culture, Community, and Education
Despite the ongoing fight, the Lumbee have built a strong and vibrant community. Pembroke, North Carolina, often referred to as the "Lumbee capital," is home to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), which was founded in 1887 as the Croatan Normal School to train American Indian teachers. UNCP remains a cornerstone of the Lumbee community, educating generations of Lumbee students and serving as a hub for cultural preservation and academic excellence.
Cultural traditions are deeply cherished. Annual powwows draw thousands, celebrating Lumbee dance, music, and art. Efforts are underway to revitalize the Lumbee dialect, though it is not a distinct language but rather a unique dialect of English peppered with archaic words and Indigenous influences. Storytelling remains a vital part of intergenerational knowledge transfer, connecting the youth to their ancestors and the land.
"Our culture is our bedrock," says an elder, her eyes twinkling. "It’s what holds us together, what reminds us who we are, even when the government doesn’t see us fully. The dances, the stories, the food – it’s all part of our identity, passed down from our grandmothers and grandfathers."
Economically, the Lumbee community faces challenges common to many rural areas, exacerbated by the lack of federal resources available to fully recognized tribes. However, they are actively pursuing economic development initiatives, including the establishment of tribal businesses and partnerships to create jobs and improve infrastructure within Robeson County. Their growing political influence in North Carolina is also noteworthy, with Lumbee individuals holding significant positions in state and local government.
Looking to the Future
The fight for full federal recognition continues with renewed vigor. In recent years, bipartisan legislation, the Lumbee Recognition Act, has gained significant traction in Congress, reflecting a growing understanding of the historical injustice. Supporters argue that it is a matter of fairness and rectifying a historical oversight, while opponents, often other tribes, express concerns about the precedent it might set or the impact on existing federal resources.
For the Lumbee people, however, the stakes are profoundly personal. Full recognition would not only unlock vital resources but would also validate their identity on a national scale, affirming their inherent sovereignty and right to self-determination. It would allow them to better address pressing issues like healthcare disparities, educational opportunities, and environmental protection in their ancestral lands.
"Full federal recognition is not about a handout; it’s about justice and the inherent right to self-governance that every other recognized tribe possesses," Chairman Lowery asserts. "It’s about being able to provide for our people, to protect our land, and to ensure that future generations of Lumbee can thrive with all the opportunities they deserve."
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina stands as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples. Their history, marked by both struggle and triumph, reflects a deep connection to their land, an unyielding commitment to their identity, and a profound sense of community. As they continue their tireless pursuit of full federal recognition, the Lumbee serve as a living reminder that the fight for justice and self-determination is a continuous journey, one rooted in the past but always looking towards a brighter, more equitable future. Their story is not just a chapter in American Indian history; it is a vital and ongoing narrative of resilience, pride, and the unwavering pursuit of recognition for a people who have always known who they are.
