Lumbee Nation

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River. The Lumbee are a state-recognized tribe and the only Native American tribe in the state of North Carolina.

The Lumbee have a unique history that has been shaped by their interactions with European settlers, African Americans, and other Native American tribes. The Lumbee are believed to be descended from a mix of Native American, European, and African American peoples.

The tribe’s earliest known ancestors were the Cheraw, a Siouan-speaking tribe that lived in the region when European settlers arrived in the 1700s. The Lumbee also have ancestral ties to the Tuscarora, a Iroquoian-speaking tribe that migrated to the area in the 1700s.

The Lumbee people have a long history of resistance and resilience in the face of adversity. In the 1800s, they successfully resisted attempts by the state of North Carolina to remove them from their ancestral lands.

In the early 20th century, they fought for recognition as a Native American tribe, and in 1956 they were officially recognized by the state of North Carolina.

Today, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is a vibrant and dynamic community with a strong cultural identity. The tribe is actively involved in preserving their language and culture, and they are working to ensure that their rights and interests are respected.