List of State Recognized American Indian Tribal Entities
Encyclopedia
"State recognized tribes" are Native American Indian Tribe
s and Heritage Groups that are recognized by individual state
s for their various internal government purposes. "State recognition" confers limited benefits under federal law and is not the same as federal recognition, which is the federal government's acknowledgment of a tribe as a sovereign nation. However, in some states, state recognition has offered some protection of autonomy for tribes not recognized by the federal government. For example, in Connecticut, state law protects reservations and limited self-government rights for state-recognized tribes.
In legal parlance, an Indian tribe is a group of Indians with self-government authority. Of the tribes recognized by states which recognize tribes, some tribes have sought and been denied federal recognition.
All legitimate state recognized tribes require proof of Native American ancestry for enrollment. Those that do not are not require proof of Native American ancestry are questionable, a fact which contributes to the controversy over state recognition of tribes. For example, the Cherokee Nation
's Fraudulent Indians Task Force criticizes state recognized tribes on the basis of such "tribes" as the Cherokee of Georgia Tribal Council, a state recognized "tribe" which does not require any proof of Native American ancestry.
A right conferred to members of state-recognized tribes is the right to exhibit as Native American artists under the United States federal law, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.
. An attempt is made to note which tribes have been denied federal recognition.
None
In addition Wampanoags unaffiliated with the Mashpee or Aquinnah and tribal members from Maine tribes [formerly under Massachusetts jurisdiction till statehood in 1820] are represented by the State Commission on Indian Affairs
In addition, New Jersey recognizes the Inter-Tribal American Indians of New Jersey, an organization created circa 1980 to meet the needs of American Indians from across North and South America who are now living in New Jersey. The organization provides social activities and support to those Indians living in New Jersey and is dedicated to educating the public about American Indian culture and history. It is to be noted that the Jatibonicu Taino Tribe of Puerto Rico is part of the Inter-Tribal Indians of New Jersey.
State-recognized Tribes:
State-recognized tribal Groups:
State-recognized tribal Special Interest Organization:
On 19 June 2010, 11 days prior to its termination, the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs
violated its adopted procedures, adopted a new standing rule procedure and approved state recognition of six groups within the state. However, the state Attorney General
, the Commission's attorney, determined that the Commission committed six violations of the state's Open Meeting Act, Open Record Act and Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, and declared that recognition "void and of no effect" on 3 September 2010.
As of May 3, 2006, Vermont law 1 V.S.A §§ 851–853 recognizes Abenakis as Native American Indians, not the tribes or bands. Update: On April 22, 2011 Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed legislative bills officially recognizing two Abenaki Bands; the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation and the El Nu Abenaki Tribe.
Indian tribe
In the United States, a Native American tribe is any extant or historical tribe, band, nation, or other group or community of Indigenous peoples in the United States...
s and Heritage Groups that are recognized by individual state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s for their various internal government purposes. "State recognition" confers limited benefits under federal law and is not the same as federal recognition, which is the federal government's acknowledgment of a tribe as a sovereign nation. However, in some states, state recognition has offered some protection of autonomy for tribes not recognized by the federal government. For example, in Connecticut, state law protects reservations and limited self-government rights for state-recognized tribes.
Description
The legitimacy of state recognized tribes is contested. The United States Constitution explicitly states that only the United States Congress has power over Indian affairs. However, about 20 states have recognized Native American tribes outside of federal processes. Typically, recognition is undertaken by the state legislature or by state agencies involved in cultural or Native American affairs. Three states have processes by which Native American groups can seek to become state recognized, but have not yet recognized any groups.In legal parlance, an Indian tribe is a group of Indians with self-government authority. Of the tribes recognized by states which recognize tribes, some tribes have sought and been denied federal recognition.
All legitimate state recognized tribes require proof of Native American ancestry for enrollment. Those that do not are not require proof of Native American ancestry are questionable, a fact which contributes to the controversy over state recognition of tribes. For example, the Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation is the largest of three Cherokee federally recognized tribes in the United States. It was established in the 20th century, and includes people descended from members of the old Cherokee Nation who relocated voluntarily from the Southeast to Indian Territory and Cherokees who...
's Fraudulent Indians Task Force criticizes state recognized tribes on the basis of such "tribes" as the Cherokee of Georgia Tribal Council, a state recognized "tribe" which does not require any proof of Native American ancestry.
A right conferred to members of state-recognized tribes is the right to exhibit as Native American artists under the United States federal law, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.
List of state-recognized tribes
The following is a list of tribes recognized by various states, but not by the U.S. Bureau of Indian AffairsBureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
. An attempt is made to note which tribes have been denied federal recognition.
Alabama
- Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians
- Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama (formerly Cherokees of Jackson County, Alabama) Letter of Intent to Petition 09/23/1981; certified letter returned "not known" 11/19/1997.
- Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama
- MaChis Lower Alabama Creek Indian Tribe Letter of Intent to Petition 06/27/1983. Declined to Acknowledge 08/18/1988 52 FR 34319, Denied federal recognition
- MOWA Band of Choctaw IndiansMOWA Band of Choctaw IndiansThe MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians are a state-recognized Native American tribe located in southern Alabama, primarily in Washington and Mobile counties. The MOWA Choctaw Reservation is located along the banks of the Mobile and Tombigbee rivers, on 300 acres near the small southwestern Alabama...
Letter of Intent to Petition 05/27/1983. Final Determination to Decline to Acknowledge published 12/24/1997 62FR247:67398-67400; petitioner requested reconsideration from IBIA 3/23/1998, denied federal recognition; decision effective 11/26/1999. - Piqua Shawnee Tribe
- Star Clan of Muskogee Creek Tribe of Pike County (a.k.a. Yufala Star Clan of Lower Muscogee Creeks)
- United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation(formerly United Cherokee Intertribal). Letter of Intent to Petition 11/08/2001.
California
California has no formal policy with regard to the State Recognition of tribes. Some tribes listed below have found sympathetic legislators to sponsor Assembly Joint Resolutions to urge the President to recognize their status as tribes; however, those tribes do not enjoy any benefits of this "recognition," nor do they receive any additional aid from State Agencies that is not also afforded to the State's other non-recognized tribes.None
Connecticut
- Eastern Pequot Tribal NationEastern Pequot Tribal NationThe Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation is a Native American group based in southeastern Connecticut. They, along with the Schaghticoke, are trying to regain federal recognition from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs . Federal recognition was revoked in October 2005 following legal challenges by the...
of ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. Recognized by the Secretary of the Interior in 2002; recognition revoked in 2005; Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation was made by merging of two nations—Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Indians of Connecticut and Eastern Pequot Indians of Connecticut. - Golden Hill Paugussett Indian NationGolden Hill Paugussett Indian NationThe Golden Hill Paugussetts are the Connecticut state-recognized tribal descendents of the Paugussett Nation of Native Americans that occupied much of western Connecticut prior to the arrival of Europeans...
. Letter of Intent to Petition 04/13/1982; Declined to acknowledge 9/26/1996; petitioner requested reconsideration from IBIA 12/26/1996; decision affirmed by IBIA subject to supplemental proceeding 6/10/1998; decision affirmed by IBIA 9/8/1998 with five procedural issues remanded to the Secretary; reconsidered final determination issued 5/24/1999; Proposed finding 01/29/2003 (68 FR 4507); Declined to acknowledge 6/21/2004 (69 FR 34388); Reconsidered final determination not to acknowledge became final and effective 3/18/2005. - Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Indians of Connecticut. Letter of Intent to Petition 06/20/1989. Reconsidered final determination not to acknowledge became final and effective 10/14/2005 70 FR 60099.
- Scaticook Bands
- Schaghticoke Indian Tribe. Letter of Intent to Petition 5/11/2001.
- Schaghticoke Tribe. Letter of Intent to Petition 9/27/2001.
- Schaghticoke Indian TribeSchaghticoke (tribe)The Schaghticoke are a Native American tribe of the Eastern Woodlands consisting of descendants of Mahican , Potatuck , Weantinock, Tunxis, Podunk, and other people indigenous to what is now Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. They amalgamated after encroachment of white settlers on their...
(formerly Schaghticoke Tribal Nation). Letter of Intent to Petition 12/14/1981; Declined to acknowledge in 2002; Reconsidered final determination not to acknowledge became final and effective 10/14/2005 70 FR 60101.
Delaware
- Nanticoke Indian Association Letter of Intent to Petition 08/08/1978; requested petition be placed on hold 3/25/1989, of limited applicability
Florida
In Florida, the Governor's Council on Indian Affairs in 1988 adopted a policy which recommends that state officials refrain from recognizing any group not first acknowledged by the federal government. However, they have set a secondary set of recommendations for what the criteria for state recognition should be in case the state government should wish to bypass the first recommendation: "A state action should (1) create a government-to-government relationship between state and tribe, (2) set forth an explicit rendering of the state's interpretation of 'recognition,' (3) be confined only to groups descended from Seminole, Miccosukee, Creek, or a tribe located in Florida prior to May 30, 1830, and (4) meet federal criteria for recognition." So far, Florida has recognized no tribes.Georgia
Per Title 44, Chapter 12, Article 7, Part 3 of the Georgia Code (O.C.G.A. § 44-12-300 (2007)), the State of Georgia "officially recognizes as legitimate American Indian tribes of Georgia the following tribes, bands, groups, or communities" for state purposes:- The Cherokee of Georgia Tribal Council (a.k.a Cherokee Indians of Georgia, Inc.) Letter of Intent to Petition 08/08/1977.
- Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokees, Inc. (I). Letter of Intent to Petition 01/09/1979; last submission February 2002; ready for Acknowledge review.
- Unrecognized tribes with the same name Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokees, Inc. (II) and (III) exist.
- Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe East of the Mississippi, Inc. Letter of Intent to Petition 02/02/1972; Declined to Acknowledge 12/21/1981 (46 FR 51652). Denied federal recognition
Kentucky
- Southern Cherokee Nation of KentuckySouthern Cherokee Nation of KentuckyThe Southern Cherokee Nation of Kentucky claim descent from the Cherokee forcibly removed to Indian Territory in 1838, and to have first emerged as a distinct political faction known as the Treaty Party before the Trail of Tears, circa 1835. They report having fled Indian territory, after the...
"While there is no legislative criteria for recognition of Indian tribes, Kentucky does recognize the Southern Cherokee Nation of Kentucky as an Indian tribe at the state level. The Southern Cherokee Nation of Kentucky was first recognized via proclamation by Governor John Y. Brown in 1893 and again by Governor Fletcher on November 20, 2006. This tribe is headquartered in Henderson, Kentucky." Letter of Intent to Petition 09/13/2006.
Louisiana
- First True Native Americans Tribe, Inc. Recognized by the state of Louisiana in 1989. Letter of Intent to Petition 01/22/1996.
- Adais Caddo Indians, Inc. Recognized by the State of Louisiana in 1993. Letter of Intent to Petition 09/13/1993.
- Biloxi-Chitimacha Confederation of Muskogee. Separated from United Houma Nation, Inc. Letter of Intent to Petition 10/24/1995. Recognized by the State of Louisiana in 2005.
- Bayou LaFourche Band
- Grand Caillou/Dulac Band
- Isle de Jean Charles Band
- Choctaw-Apache Community of Ebarb, Inc. Recognized by the State of Louisiana in 1978. Letter of Intent to Petition 07/02/1978.
- Clifton-Choctaw Indians (a.k.a. Clifton Choctaw Reservation Inc.) Recognized by the State of Louisiana in 1978. Letter of Intent to Petition 03/22/1978.
- Four Winds Tribe, Louisiana Cherokee Confederacy Recognized by the State of Louisiana in 1997.
- Point-Au-Chien Tribe. Separated from United Houma Nation, Inc.. Letter of Intent to Petition 7/22/1996. Recognized by the State of Louisiana in 2004.
- United Houma Nation, Inc. Recognized by the State of Louisiana in 1972. Letter of Intent to Petition 07/10/1979; Proposed Finding 12/22/1994, 59 FR 6618. Denied federal recognition
Maryland
The Maryland legislature (Md. Code State Government Art. §9.5-309) authorizes a commission on Indian affairs to consider regulations for recognition and has issue detailed procedural requirements and criteria for attaining state recognition. Two groups claiming Piscataway ancestors have pending applications there. However, Maryland has so far recognized no tribes. The Maryland General Assembly 2009 introduced two separate bills (HB 691 and SB 575) titled "Maryland Native American Status - Standards for Recognition" proposing an alteration of the criteria necessary for state recognition.Massachusetts
- Chappquiddick Tribe of the Wampanog Indian Nation Letter of Intent to Petition 05/21/2007.
- Chaubunagungamaug Band of the Nipmuck Nation, Webster/Dudley. Letter of Intent to Petition 04/22/1980 as part of Nipmuc NationNipmuc NationNipmuc Nation is a self-identifier used by Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuc of Worcester County, Massachusetts. Most of group's over 500 members live in and around Chaubunagungamaug Reservation, Hassanamisco Reservation and the city of Worcester....
; separate letter of intent 5/31/1996; proposed finding was in progress. Declined to acknowledge on 6/25/2004, 69 FR 35664; Reconsideration request before IBIA (not yet effective) - Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe
- Nipmuc Nation (Hassanamisco Band) Letter of Intent to Petition 04/22/1980; formerly part of Nipmuc NationNipmuc NationNipmuc Nation is a self-identifier used by Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuc of Worcester County, Massachusetts. Most of group's over 500 members live in and around Chaubunagungamaug Reservation, Hassanamisco Reservation and the city of Worcester....
(separated May 22, 1996); Proposed finding in progress. Declined to acknowledge on 6/25/2004, 69 FR 35667; Reconsideration request before IBIA (not yet effective) - Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe
- Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe
In addition Wampanoags unaffiliated with the Mashpee or Aquinnah and tribal members from Maine tribes [formerly under Massachusetts jurisdiction till statehood in 1820] are represented by the State Commission on Indian Affairs
Michigan
- Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Letter of Intent to Petition 09/12/1985; Declined to acknowledge on 9/21/2006 (71 FR 57995).
- Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians (formerly Grand River Band Ottawa Council). Letter of Intent to Petition 10/16/1994.
- Gun Lake Band of Grand River Ottawa Indians
- Swan Creek Black River Confederated Ojibwa Tribes. Letter of Intent to Petition 05/04/1993 for independent federal recognition. Currently recognized only as part of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
Montana
- Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, Letter of Intent to Petition 4/28/1978; Proposed Finding 7/21/2000.
New Jersey
- Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians. Letter of Intent to Petition 01/03/1992.
- Powhatan-Renape Nation. Letter of Intent to Petition 04/12/1996.
- Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation (a.k.a. Ramapo Mountain Indians). Letter of Intent to Petition 08/14/1979. Decline to Acknowledge 2/6/1996 (61 FR 4476); request for reconsideration to IBIA; decision affirmed 7/18/1997; reconsidered Final Determination 1/7/1998 (63 FR 888); in litigation; 12/11/2001, U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s Memorandum Opinion & Order granting summary judgment to the Department; US Supreme Court denied cert. 2002; Decision effective 1/7/1998.
In addition, New Jersey recognizes the Inter-Tribal American Indians of New Jersey, an organization created circa 1980 to meet the needs of American Indians from across North and South America who are now living in New Jersey. The organization provides social activities and support to those Indians living in New Jersey and is dedicated to educating the public about American Indian culture and history. It is to be noted that the Jatibonicu Taino Tribe of Puerto Rico is part of the Inter-Tribal Indians of New Jersey.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, the State Constitution authorizes the State to recognize tribes other than those with federal recognition.- Genízaro—Fray Agustín Morti, referring to the Genízaro Indians of Analco (a Santa Fe barrio) in 1779, gave the following precise and correct definition of them: "This name is given to the children of the captives of different [Indian] nations who have married in the province." In 2007, GenízaroGenizaroGenízaros and their contemporary descendants were recognized as indigenous people by the 2007 New Mexico Legislature. Genizaros were Native American slaves who served as house servants, sheepherders, and in other capacities in Spanish, Mexican, and US households in the Southwest United States well...
s received New Mexico state legislative recognition as an indigenous group. Although New Mexico's Legislative Memorial bills do not have the force of law, HM 40 and SM 59 formally acknowledge the legislative desire to recognize Genízaros as an indigenous group. This is an important step in sustaining State and Federal Genízaro Indian recognition. Some American Indian law scholars have opined that state legislative memorials and/or resolutions create official state recognition. Of the 16 states that host state-recognized tribes, 5 have recognized tribes through the enactment of state legislative resolutions/memorials, suggesting this legislative recognition process is an appropriate means for granting formal state recognition.
North Carolina
- CoharieCoharieThe Coharie are a Native American Tribe who claim to descend from the Carolina Algonquian Neusiok Indians. They are located chiefly on the Little Coharie River, in Sampson and Harnett counties in North Carolina...
Intra-tribal Council Letter of Intent to Petition 3/13/1981. - Haliwa-SaponiHaliwa-SaponiThe Haliwa-Saponi are located in eastern North Carolina, United States, one of eight Native American tribes recognized by the state. The Haliwa-Saponi hold membership on the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. The name Haliwa is derived from the two counties: Halifax and Warren, which...
Indian Tribe Letter of Intent to Petition 1/27/1979. Notified of "obvious deficiencies" in federal recognition application - LumbeeLumbeeThe Lumbee belong to a state recognized Native American tribe in North Carolina. The Lumbee are concentrated in Robeson County and named for the primary waterway traversing the county...
Tribe of Cheraw Indians (a.k.a. Lumbee Regional Development Association Inc. and Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina). Letter of Intent to Petition 01/07/1980; determined ineligible to petition (SOL opinion of 10/23/1989). In 2009, Senate Indian Affairs Committee endorsed a bill that would grant federal recognition. - MeherrinMeherrinThe Meherrin Nation is one of eight state-recognized Nations of Native Americans in North Carolina. They reside in rural northeastern North Carolina, near the river of the same name on the Virginia-North Carolina border. They received formal state recognition in 1986. The Meherrin have an...
Indian Tribe (I). Letter of Intent to Petition 8/2/1990.
- There is also an Unrecognized tribe with the same name, Meherrin Indian Tribe (II).
- Metrolina Native American AssociationMetrolina Native American AssociationThe Metrolina Native American Association is a Native American Community Association in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. MNAA is a North Carolina state recognized Urban Indian Center....
Established and recognized by North Carolina as an Urban Indian Center in January 1976. - Occaneechi Band of the Saponi NationOccaneechi Band of the Saponi NationThe Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation are descendants of the historic Saponi and other Siouan-speaking Indians who occupied the Piedmont of North Carolina and Virginia. The community is located primarily in Pleasant Grove Township, Alamance County, North Carolina...
. Letter of Intent to Petition 01/06/1995. - Sappony TribeSaponiSaponi is one of the eastern Siouan-language tribes, related to the Tutelo, Occaneechi, Monacan, Manahoac and other eastern Siouan peoples. Its ancestral homeland was in North Carolina and Virginia. The tribe was long believed extinct, as its members migrated north to merge with other tribes...
(formerly known as Indians of Person County, North Carolina). - Waccamaw SiouanWaccamaw SiouanWaccamaw Siouan Indians are one of eight state-recognized Native American tribal nations in North Carolina. Formerly Siouan-speaking, they are located predominantly in the southeastern North Carolina counties of Bladen and Columbus. They adopted this name in 1948. Their communities are St...
Development Association Letter of Intent to Petition 06/27/1983; determined ineligible to petition (SOL opinion of 10/23/1989). Letter of Intent to Petition 10/16/1992; determined eligible to petition (SOL letter of 6/29/1995).
- Metrolina Native American Association
Ohio
- United Remnant BandUnited Remnant Band of the Shawnee NationThe United Remnant Band of the Shawnee Nation is a band of people claiming Native American ancestry who hold that they are descended from the Shawnee from before the Shawnee's removal from the U.S. state of Ohio...
of the ShawneeShawneeThe Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
Nation (a.k.a. Shawnee Nation United Remnant Band). currently are not State recognized. Located in ChampaignChampaign County, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 38,890 people, 14,952 households, and 10,870 families residing in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile . There were 15,890 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
and LoganLogan County, OhioLogan County is a county in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,858. The county seat is Bellefontaine. The county is named for Benjamin Logan, who fought Native Americans in the area....
Counties, near UrbanaUrbana, OhioUrbana is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Ohio, United States, west of Columbus. Urbana was laid out in 1805, and for a time in 1812 was the headquarters of the Northwestern army. Urbana was named after the town of Urbanna, Virginia. It is the burial-place of the Indian fighter...
and BellefontaineBellefontaine, OhioBellefontaine is a city in and the county seat of Logan County, Ohio, United States. The population was 13,069 at the 2000 census. It is the center of the Bellefontaine Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau in 2003...
.
South Carolina
Section 1 31 40(A)(10), South Carolina Code of Laws (Annotated) provides that “The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs shall promulgate regulations as may be necessary regarding State Recognition of Native American Indian entities in the State of South Carolina.” These rules and regulations shall be applicable to all entities seeking Native American Indian State Recognition as a: A. Native American Indian Tribe; B. Native American Indian Group; C. Native American Special Interest Organization.State-recognized Tribes:
- Beaver Creek Indians. Letter of Intent to Petition 01/26/1998. State recognized tribe in 2006.
- Edisto Natchez-Kusso Indians (Four Holes Indian Organization), state recognized tribe in 2010.
- Pee Dee Nation of Upper South Carolina. Letter of Intent to Petition 12/14/2005. State recognized tribe in 2005.
- Pee Dee Tribe of South Carolina, state recognized tribe in 2006.
- Santee Indian Organization (formerly White Oak Indian Community). Letter of Intent to Petition 06/04/1979. State recognized tribe in 2006.
- Waccamaw Indian People, state recognized tribe in 2005.
- Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians, state recognized tribe in 2010.
State-recognized tribal Groups:
- Chaloklowa Chickasaw Indian People. Letter of Intent to Petition 08/14/2002. Receipt of Petition 08/14/2002. State recognized tribal group in 2005.
- Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois & United Tribes of South Carolina, Inc. (a.k.a. Cherokee Indian Tribe of South Carolina or ECSIUT), state recognized tribal group in 2005.
- Natchez Indian Tribe, state recognized tribal group in 2007.
- Pee Dee Indian Nation of Beaver Creek. Letter of Intent to Petition 6/16/1999. State recognized tribal group in 2007.
- Piedmont American Indian Association of South Carolina (or Piedmont American Indian Association - Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina) Letter of Intent to Petition 8/20/1998. State recognized tribal group in 2006.
State-recognized tribal Special Interest Organization:
- American Indian Chamber of Commerce of South Carolina, state recognized tribal Special Interest Organization in 2006.
- Little Horse Creek American Indian Cultural Center, state recognized tribal Special Interest Organization in 2010.
Tennessee
Tennessee Code authorized the state Commission of Indian Affairs from 1983 to 2000 and from 2003 to 2010 to "establish appropriate procedures to provide for legal recognition by the state of presently unrecognized tribes, nations, groups, communities or individuals, and to provide for official state recognition by the commission of such."On 19 June 2010, 11 days prior to its termination, the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs
Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs
The Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs was a Tennessee state agency that ceased to function after June 30, 2010, the expiration of the legal authority for its existence, Tennessee Code Annotated 4-34-102....
violated its adopted procedures, adopted a new standing rule procedure and approved state recognition of six groups within the state. However, the state Attorney General
Tennessee Attorney General
The Tennessee Attorney General is a position within the Tennessee state government. The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer and lawyer for Tennessee. Unlike most states, the Tennessee Attorney General is an officer of the judicial branch, being appointed by the justices of the...
, the Commission's attorney, determined that the Commission committed six violations of the state's Open Meeting Act, Open Record Act and Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, and declared that recognition "void and of no effect" on 3 September 2010.
Texas
- Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas On March 18, 2009, the State of Texas legislature passed resolutions HR 812 and SR 438 recognizing the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. Before their recognition, they were also known as the Lipan Apache Band of Texas (I), sharing a name with the still unrecognized Lipan Apache Band of Texas (II).
Vermont
- Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation; Submitted application to the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs November 16, 2010; Recognition signed into statute April 22, 2011
- Elnu Abenaki Tribe; Submitted application to the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs November 16, 2010; Recognition signed into statute April 22, 2011
As of May 3, 2006, Vermont law 1 V.S.A §§ 851–853 recognizes Abenakis as Native American Indians, not the tribes or bands. Update: On April 22, 2011 Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed legislative bills officially recognizing two Abenaki Bands; the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation and the El Nu Abenaki Tribe.
Virginia
- Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe. Letter of Intent to Petition 12/30/2002. Receipt of Petition 12/30/2002. State recognized 2010; in Courtland, Southampton County.
- Chickahominy Indian TribeChickahominy (tribe)The Chickahominy are a tribe of Virginia Indians who primarily live in Charles City County midway between Richmond and Williamsburg in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This area is not far from where they lived in 1600....
. Letter of Intent to Petition 03/19/1996. State recognized 1983; in Charles City County. In 2009, Senate Indian Affairs Committee endorsed a bill that would grant federal recognition. - Chickahominy Indians, Eastern Division (a.k.a. Eastern Chickahominy Indian Tribe). Letter of Intent to Petition 9/6/2001. State recognized, 1983; in New Kent County. In 2009, Senate Indian Affairs Committee endorsed a bill that would grant federal recognition.
- MattaponiMattaponiThe Mattaponi tribe is one of only two Virginia Indian tribes in the Commonwealth of Virginia that owns reservation land. The larger Mattaponi Indian Tribe lives in King William County on reservation lands that stretch along the borders of the Mattaponi River, near West Point, Virginia.The...
Tribe (a.k.a. Mattaponi Indian Reservation). Letter of Intent to Petition 04/04/1995. State recognized 1983; in Banks of the Mattaponi River, King William County. The Mattaponi and Pamunkey have reservations based in colonial-era treaties ratified by the Commonwealth in 1658. Pamunkey Tribe's attorney told Congress in 1991 that the tribes state reservation originated in a treaty with the crown in the 17th century and has been occupied by Pamunkey since that time under strict requirements and following the treaty obligation to provide to the Crown a deer every year, and they've done that (replacing Crown with Governor of Commonwealth since Viginia became a Commonwealth) - Monacan Indian Nation (formerly Monacan Indian Tribe of Virginia). Letter of Intent to Petition 07/11/1995. State recognized 1989; in Bear Mountain, Amherst County. In 2009, Senate Indian Affairs Committee endorsed a bill that would grant federal recognition.
- NansemondNansemondThe Nansemond have been recognized as a Native American tribe by the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with ten other Virginia Indian tribes. They are not Federally recognized but are one of six Virginia tribes without reservations that are included in a bill for Federal recognition under...
Indian Tribal Association, Letter of Intent to Petition 9/20/2001. State recognized 1985; in Cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake. In 2009, Senate Indian Affairs Committee endorsed a bill that would grant federal recognition. - Nottoway of Virginia, recognized 2010; in Capron, Southampton County.
- Pamunkey NationPamunkeyThe Pamunkey nation are one of eleven Virginia Indian tribes recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The historical tribe was part of the Powhatan paramountcy, made up of Algonquian-speaking tribes. The Powhatan paramount chiefdom was made up over 30 tribes, estimated to total about...
, recognized 1983; in Banks of the Pamunkey River, King William County. - Patawomeck Indians of Virginia recognized 2010; in Stafford County.
- Rappahannock Indian Tribe (I) (formerly United Rappahannock TribeRappahannock TribeThe Rappahannock are one of the eleven state-recognized Native American tribes in Virginia. They are made up of descendants of several small Algonquian-speaking tribes who merged in the 17th century.-17th century:...
). Letter of Intent to Petition 11/16/1979. State recognized 1983; in Indian Neck, King & Queen County. In 2009, Senate Indian Affairs Committee endorsed a bill that would grant federal recognition.
- Shares a name with an unrecognized tribe Rappahannock Indian Tribe (II).
- The Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe (formerly Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribal Association). Letter of Intent to Petition 11/26/1979. State recognized 1983; in King William County. In 2009, Senate Indian Affairs Committee endorsed a bill that would grant federal recognition.
Washington
- Chinook Indian Tribe of Oregon & Washington, Inc. (a.k.a. Chinook Nation) Letter of Intent to Petition 07/23/1979; Declined to acknowledge 07/12/2003 (67 FR 46204). Also in Oregon.
See also
- Federally recognized tribes
- List of unrecognized tribes in the United States
- Classification of Native Americans
External sources
- Federalism and the State Recognition of Native American Tribes: A survey of State-Recognized Tribes and State Recognition Processes Across the United States
- BIA list of petitioners for recognition by state as of 22 September 2008
- BIA status summary of petitions for recognition as of 15 February 2007
- Testimony of Leon Jones, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Dan McCoy, Tribal Council Chairman, on the Indian Federal Recognition Administrative Procedures Act of 1999
- Joint resolution of the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opposing fabricated Cherokee "tribes" and "Indians" (acknowledges the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians)