The Department of the Interior has officially added the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to its list of federally recognized tribes. This action formalizes the tribe’s government-to-government relationship with the United States and implements federal recognition legislation that was signed into law in December 2025.
The updated list, published by Indian Affairs in the Federal Register, follows President Donald J. Trump’s approval of legislation granting full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe. The addition fulfills a commitment made by President Trump to the Lumbee community.
“Federal recognition is about respect, accountability and self-determination,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “By formally recognizing the Lumbee Tribe, President Trump and the Department of the Interior are acknowledging a long and well-documented history of tribal governance and ensuring the tribe has a direct, sovereign relationship with the federal government. This action reflects our responsibility to listen to tribes, honor commitments and support strong tribal governments.”
In his second term’s first week, President Trump issued a memorandum stating: “considering the Lumbee Tribe’s historical and modern significance, it is the policy of the United States to support the full Federal recognition, including the authority to receive full Federal benefits, of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.”
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland also commented: “Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe demonstrates that President Trump is keeping his promises to Indian Country. This list documents the tribes that have a government-to-government relationship with the United States, supporting tribal sovereignty and underscoring our commitment to upholding the nation’s obligations to tribes.”
The Department publishes its official list of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native entities annually in the Federal Register. The current list includes 575 such groups—encompassing nations, tribes, bands, communities, pueblos and villages—that have specific immunities as well as responsibilities stemming from their recognized status.
This list is maintained by Bureau of Indian Affair’s Office of Indian Services within its Division of Tribal Government Services.
