Tuesday, December 23, 2025 – Lumbee Nation secures its sovereign status

With the stroke of a pen, the United States welcomes more than 50,000 new federally recognized tribal citizens. After numerous failed attempts, the Lumbee Nation is the 575th federally recognized tribe—the fourth largest overall in terms of population, and the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River. The recognition brings a host of potential changes, including new political power, economic development opportunities and a sense of pride for Lumbee citizens who have worked for nearly 140 years to be counted among the country’s established sovereign nations.