Haliwa Saponi Indian Tribe of North Carolina Act

This bill would recognize the Haliwa Saponi Indian Tribe of North Carolina at the federal level. It would make the tribe and its members eligible for the same services and benefits that other federally recognized tribes receive, even if they do not yet have a reservation. It also lets the U.S. Department of the Interior take land into trust for the tribe and create a reservation.

Key points

• Who is affected: Members of the Haliwa Saponi Indian Tribe in parts of North Carolina, with a service area covering Halifax, Warren, Nash, Franklin, Vance, and Granville Counties.
• What changes: The tribe and its members would be eligible for federal programs and services provided to federally recognized tribes; Interior may take land into trust to establish a reservation; the tribe must provide its most recent membership list and governing documents to Interior.
• When: If passed, these changes would take effect after enactment, with services delivered to members in the listed counties and the membership roll used to define who receives services (subject to Interior’s verification).

The bill also notes the tribe’s long history in the region and that North Carolina formally recognized the tribe in 1965, with federal support for education and housing provided over many years.