Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 2, 1995 TAG: 9506020094
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
None of Virginia's eight state-recognized tribes is recognized by the federal government. Most of the treaties between the commonwealth of Virginia and the tribes were written long before the federal government was created.
The Upper Mattaponi and the United Rappahannock applied for federal grants in May to help them document their eligibility for federal status.
A third tribe, the Mattaponi, recently sent the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs a letter of intent acknowledging its interest in federal recognition. The tribe is considering seeking it, but its council has not decided.
``We're weighing the pros and cons of it, but we're probably leaning toward seeking federal recognition,'' said Mark Custalow, one of the seven councilmen in the King William County tribe.
A fourth tribe, the Chickahominy, is expected to apply this summer for federal assistance in documenting its eligibility, according to spokesmen for the Indian tribes.
Virginia's four other tribes, the Monacan, Pamunkey, Nansemond and Eastern Chickahominy, also are interested in federal recognition but have not filed paperwork, according to Gary Bond, the chairman of a tribal umbrella group called United Indians of Virginia.
The group received a $110,000 grant in September to help Virginia's tribes explore the possibility of federal recognition.
Federal grants for college tuition appear to be a major reason for tribal interest in federal recognition.
``The only scholarship open right now is the scholarship the United Indians of Virginia set up for them,'' but it is not big enough to meet demand, said Bond, a Nansemond living in Portsmouth.
``With federal recognition, there would be more opportunities [for tribe members] to further their education.''
Bond said federally recognized tribes would be sovereign governments that could create their own police forces and other services.
Federal recognition also would make tribes eligible for grants for various projects, including council house construction.
``We'd like to have a tribal center and other buildings we could use for tribal use,'' said Edmond Adams Jr., chief of the Upper Mattaponi. That tribe is buying 32 acres in King William across from the tiny two-room council house it uses for tribal purposes, he said.
Federal recognition also would make it easier for tribes to open gambling casinos, but tribal spokesmen say they aren't interested.
by CNB