Where do the Lumbee Indians live?

Recent bills in Congress seeking true federal acknowledgment for the Lumbee have designated the tribal area for delivery of services as Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties, North Carolina. There are also significant Lumbee populations outside these counties: in Greensboro, North Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Baltimore, Maryland. In the past there were sizeable Lumbee communities in Bulloch County, Georgia (1890-1920) and Detroit, Michigan.

In early 2007, the total tribal enrollment (as reported to Congress) was approximately 53,000.¹ [Note: Enrollment was closed as of July 2, 2007.] Approximately 64.6% of the membership live in Robeson County. This figure is based on a study by Dr. Jack Campisi, anthropologist and consultant to the Lumbee Tribe. Campisi took a 1% sample (514 files) of enrolled members of the Lumbee Tribe in December, 2002. [He notes that this methodology for determining geographic concentration has been approved by the Burea of Indian Affairs for its administrative (i.e., petition) acknowledgment process.] By studying the residency of this sample of tribal members, he found that 64.6% lived in the core areas of Pembroke, Maxton, Rowland, Lumberton, Fairmont, St. Pauls, and Red Springs—all of them Robeson County communities; 19.9% lived elsewhere in North Carolina; and 15.4% lived elsewhere (mostly in the United States).²

This page, therefore, presents maps illustrating Robeson County and its concentrations of Indian settlements, both in the early 21st century and in the late 19th century (the Henry Berry Lowry era). All maps are from One land, three peoples: a geography of Robeson County, North Carolina, by Thomas E. Ross. 3rd edition. Southern Pines, NC: Carolinas Press, ©2005. They are reproduced with permission from Thomas E. Ross.

References
¹Lumbee Recognition Act: Report to accompany H.R. 65. House of Representatives, 100th Congress, 1st Session. May 22, 2007. Report 110-164. Page 6.

²Campisi, Jack. Statement to the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, legislative hearing on H.R. 65, April 18, 2007. Pages 11-12. Full text available as PDF.

Maps of Robeson County

1. Where is Robeson County, North Carolina?

2. Robeson County in the late nineteenth century

3. Robeson County towns and communities

4. Swamps and poorly drained land in Robeson County

5. Robeson County townships with high Indian population, 2000

6. Robeson County townships

7. Indian core areas in 1850

This page was updated on May 6, 2008 1:43 PM