On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the 77 to 20 Senate vote passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) brought celebration from hundreds of Lumbee citizens at the Pembroke Boys & Girls Club. 

Over a two-day period, more than 1000 Lumbee citizens and community members waited patiently at the Pembroke Boys & Girls Club to hear the final Senate vote of the NDAA which included the Lumbee Fairness Act.  

Now the legislation will move to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.

“I know with every fiber of my being that our ancestors are smiling down on us today,” said Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery in a press release. “After decades of waiting, praying and fighting, our Tribe has finally crossed a barrier that once seemed impossible to overcome. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for every person who poured their soul into making this Senate passage a reality, especially Senator Tillis, who courageously laid it all on the line to ensure our bill was attached to the NDAA. God is so good. Today, I am filled with overwhelming joy, humility and gratitude, knowing the countless sacrifices, tears and unwavering faith that brought us to this sacred moment in our history.”

The Lumbee Tribe is the largest American Indian tribe in the Eastern United States. In 1885, North Carolina formally recognized the Lumbee Tribe. Three years later, the Tribe began to seek federal recognition. In 1956, Congress finally passed legislation recognizing the tribe, but the bill included a caveat that denied the Lumbee benefits that every other federally recognized tribe receives.

Upon the signing of the FY26 NDAA, the Lumbee tribe will be on the path to eligibility for all federal benefits provided to federally recognized tribes. 

The Federal Recognition designation is an acknowledgement of a government-to-government relationship between a Native nation and the United States government. It also will offer the Lumbee Tribe access to resources that support health, education and economic opportunity.

In a released statement, Lumbee Tribal Council Speaker Alex Baker shared that with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, the United States has fulfilled a promise long owed. 

“Today, the Lumbee Tribe becomes the 575th federally recognized Tribe in the nation,” said Baker. “This moment is the result of more than a century of perseverance, petitions, testimonies and answered prayers. Today, we honor our ancestors who carried our identity through generations without federal acknowledgment.”

The community has been celebrating the news with the tribe offering congratulations to their neighbors. 

On Thursday, Dec. 18, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin released a statement through his office sharing: 

“Yesterday marked a historic milestone for the Lumbee people, North Carolina and the Fayetteville region. After more than a century of perseverance, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is on the cusp of full federal recognition—an affirmation of a proud Tribal Nation with deep roots in the Sandhills.

On behalf of the City of Fayetteville, I want to congratulate Chairman John Lowery and Lumbee citizens across our region. Federal recognition affirms tribal sovereignty and opens access to federal resources that will strengthen health care, education, housing and workforce development – investments that will generate economic growth and job creation throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

Lumbee citizens are vital contributors to our regional workforce and business community.  Recognition positions the Tribe to expand economic development, attract investment and strengthen Fayetteville’s role as an economic hub for southeastern North Carolina.

The City of Fayetteville looks forward to continued partnership with Lumbee leadership as we work together to advance shared prosperity across the Sandhills Region.” 

Cumberland County also issued a statement congratulating the Lumbee Tribe on their future federal recognition, stating: 

“On behalf of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and the residents the County serves, Chairman Kirk deViere extends sincere congratulations to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina on achieving federal recognition.

This historic milestone represents decades of perseverance, advocacy and leadership by the Lumbee people. Federal recognition affirms the Lumbee Tribe’s enduring cultural identity, sovereign status and contributions to the history and future of North Carolina and the nation.

Cumberland County is proud to be home to a strong and vibrant Lumbee community. The Lumbee people have long shaped our region through service, tradition, education and military leadership. Recognizing and honoring Indigenous communities is essential in acknowledging our shared history and strengthening our collective future.

This moment is not only a celebration for the Lumbee Tribe, but also an opportunity for continued learning, respect and partnership. Cumberland County remains committed to honoring Indigenous voices and supporting inclusive communities where history, culture and heritage are recognized and valued.

We congratulate the Lumbee Tribe on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to continued collaboration and shared progress in the years ahead.” 

In January, NC Senator Ted Budd joined NC Senator Thom Tillis and other members of the North Carolina congressional delegation in reintroducing the Lumbee Fairness Act. The bill was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, “More than 60,000 members of the Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina have waited decades for federal recognition. They deserve the same rights and privileges granted to other Native American tribes across our country. This is a basic matter of fairness. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Tillis to finally get this bill passed and signed into law,” Sen. Budd said in a statement. 

“For 137 years, the Lumbee Tribe have been fighting for federal recognition, and today the federal government has finally honored that promise. President Trump traveled to Robeson County and pledged to get federal recognition done. He kept that promise and showed extraordinary leadership. With the Senate passage of the NDAA, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will now achieve full federal recognition and access to every federal benefit they have earned and deserve,” shared Sen. Tillis in a press release.

The Lumbee Tribe of N.C. awaits with gratitude and appreciation the signature of President Donald Trump on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) bill. The ceremony is today (Dec. 18) at 6:00 p.m.

The Lumbee Tribe has arranged a press conference for Friday, Dec. 19 in anticipation of the bill being signed into law. The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal will be updating this story as it develops.