Journalists & pundits from outside our community often flatten Lumbees into political caricatures & cultural stereotypes. But NoiseCat’s broad knowledge of Indian Country & time spent *with* us before writing *about* us translate into insightful reporting here and in his written work. 2/2

#Lumbee

"A relationship with the Federal Government will enable us to build towards achieving justice, it will clarify our status as a people determined to preserve our identity as American Indians.”
(Robert Williams to Virginia Boylan, Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, August 23, 1988)

"Perhaps, it might have made it worse. But as a people, we are concerned with the future, with guaranteeing justice for our children as Lumbee Indians...

Much work ahead, but I'll sit now w/ words by Robert Williams (U. AZ), who in 1988 told the Senate Indian Affairs committee, “It is doubtful whether the history of discrimination experienced by Lumbees would have been altered significantly by federal recognition of their status as an Indian tribe...

I've spent years thinking about the 1956 Lumbee Act both personally & professionally. I cover the law extensively in my book & other research, and I've woken up each day of my life (until today) in the shadow of its Termination-era constraints. The amended law is no panacea, but it is a new day.

4. Julian Brave NoiseCat's 2022 article in @theassemblync.bsky.social is one of the best journalistic pieces on Lumbee identity that I've read in recent years. (I also loved the longer version included in his new book, WE SURVIVED THE NIGHT.)
www.theassemblync.com/culture/lumb...

3. My chapter in Wilkins & Wilkins book, OF LIVING STONE, recounts the 50-year history of efforts to amend the 1956 Lumbee Act... and the 50-year lobbying campaign to block those efforts. (The publisher allowed me to share the chapter on Duke's #OpenAccess server.)
scholars.duke.edu/publication/...

2. On this May 2025 episode of Charlotte Talks (WFAE), a panel of Lumbee scholars discusses the 2025 presidential memo on Lumbee recognition.
www.wfae.org/show/charlot...

1. After a wave of oversimplified reporting, I wrote this short FAQ in January 2025 to address misconceptions about the administration's stance toward the 1956 Lumbee Act. The thread includes a reading list at the end.
bsky.app/profile/wate...