After more than a century of fighting, the Lumbee Tribe got one step closer to its goal of federal recognition last week.

A bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives June 3 would give the Lumbees and six Virginia tribes federal oversight and put them in the running for $800 million dollars in federal housing, education and health benefits.

“It will grant them the dignity, fairness and justice they have sought for the past 121 years,” said Rep. Mike McIntyre, (D-N.C.), who sponsored HR 31. “And it will offer great opportunity for the economic blessings that this tribe, unfortunately, has long been denied.”

The Lumbees are already recognized as a tribe by the state of North Carolina, and were partially recognized by the federal government in 1956 — minus the financial benefits.

“This bill was an important step toward full federal recognition for the Lumbee,” said Congressman Larry Kissell (D-N.C.), who voted for the bill.

According to the legislation, the state would continue to have jurisdiction over criminal activity in affected areas. Another caveat would prevent the Lumbees from owning and operating gaming operations.

“A lot of people think we’re trying to get that recognition so we can build casinos and all those kinds of things in Robeson County,” said Jim Chavis, former vice president of continuing education at Richmond Community College and member of the Lumbee tribal roll. “But the tribal council’s concern in terms of monetary value is simply to get governmental assistance with medical care, housing and education. Hopefully it will bring about some benefits for some of the elderly tribal members who need housing or health care, and some of the younger folks may be able to gain educational opportunities by going to college.”

If the bill goes into law, all Lumbees on the tribal roll will be recognized federally; but according to McIntyre, only those living in the defined service area (Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke and Scotland Counties) will be eligible for the federal services.

“(The tribal council and affiliates) feel pretty good about it passing in the Senate, because there are some folks in there supporting that effort,” said Chavis.

“Our staff has already begun working in the background to help both Senator Burr and Senator Hagan so they can proceed immediately with pushing this through,” said McIntyre.

“The Lumbees are a non-reservated tribe, and we’ve always been used to having our own land and maintaining ourselves in employment in some fashion,” said Chavis. “We’re not a rich people by any means, but hopefully this will enable many of our folks to better themselves in several avenues.”