Bill Overview
Title: Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe of North Carolina Recognition Act
Description: This bill extends federal recognition to the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe of North Carolina. The bill makes the tribe and its members eligible for services and benefits provided to federally recognized tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation. The service area of the tribe shall include Halifax, Warren, Nash, Franklin, Vance, and Granville Counties in North Carolina. The tribe must submit the most recent membership roll and governing documents to the Department of the Interior. The bill also authorizes Interior to take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe and proclaim a reservation for the tribe.
Sponsors: Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]
Target Audience
Population: Haliwa-Saponi Tribe members and their families
Estimated Size: 4000
- Federal recognition of a tribe typically impacts the tribe members by providing access to federal programs and funding aimed at education, healthcare, and housing.
- The recognition affects tribal governance and the ability to manage land and resources through new federal support systems.
- Recognition might also impact non-tribal residents in the service area indirectly, due to changes in land use or resource management.
Reasoning
- The Haliwa-Saponi Tribe has about 4000 members, and the policy aims to improve their access to healthcare, education, and housing through federal funding.
- The policy's impacts will likely be medium to high for tribe members due to the new resources and support they gain.
- Non-tribal residents in the area might see low impacts, primarily through changes in land use or local infrastructure.
- Given the budget limits, there will need to be careful prioritization of resources and projects to benefit the most critical needs first.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal leader (Warren County, NC)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy has been a long time coming. It brings hope for better healthcare and educational support for our children.
- Our elders will finally receive the respect and assistance they deserve without financial worries.
- Managing land and resources will now be possible, improving our community's resilience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Healthcare worker (Halifax County, NC)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The tribe gaining recognition could mean better healthcare facilities, which we've desperately needed.
- Having more resources will allow us to hire specialists and keep our quality nurses from leaving.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Stay-at-home parent (Nash County, NC)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With this policy, education opportunities for my children will improve significantly.
- There's potential for sports and cultural programs that will keep children engaged and learning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Small business owner (Franklin County, NC)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy will increase business as more services and infrastructure are developed in the region.
- Better funded educational and medical facilities could mean more people moving into the area. This would be good for business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Public school teacher (Vance County, NC)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal recognition means more educational funding and resources for our schools, which is crucial.
- Our classrooms can be less crowded, and we could have more after-school programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Retired (Granville County, NC)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition is a gift to our younger generations. It will provide them the steps to greater opportunities.
- Our culture and history will gain more strength and visibility through this support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
College student (Warren County, NC)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having our tribe recognized federally changes how we're perceived in academia and beyond.
- There might be more scholarships and educational grants available for our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Volunteer community organizer (Halifax County, NC)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy means our programs will have more funds, allowing us to serve more nutritious meals regularly.
- I am hopeful for increased support services for elder care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
High school student (Nash County, NC)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With recognition, there will be more scholarships and academic support, which would help with my college plans.
- Our schools will improve, which prepares us better for the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Policy analyst (Kansas City, KS)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The recognition of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe is a crucial step for self-determination and cultural preservation.
- It's important to monitor how these policies are effectively implemented and their impacts analysed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill will increase federal government expenditure due to the extension of federal recognition and associated benefits.
- Potential land trust transfers could influence local government planning, necessitating coordination with state and local authorities.
- The bill could engage in initial setup costs such as verification of membership roll and establishment of tribal governance infrastructure.