Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia, Federal Recognition Act

Key Points

• This bill would officially recognize the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia, as an independent tribal government. While the tribe is already recognized by the state of Virginia, federal status would allow them to work directly with the U.S. government on equal footing with other tribes.
• The tribe and its members would become eligible for federal programs and services. This includes access to specialized healthcare through the Indian Health Service, as well as federal grants for education, housing, and job training that are currently unavailable to them.
• The Department of the Interior would be required to take certain lands in Southampton County and hold them in trust for the tribe. This creates a permanent home or reservation for the group. However, the bill strictly forbids the tribe from using this land for gambling or opening a casino.
• The bill helps the tribe overcome historical records issues. In the early 1900s, Virginia laws forced many Native Americans to be listed as other races on birth and death certificates. This bill acknowledges that these past actions made it very hard for the tribe to prove their history through regular government channels.

Impact Analysis

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