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RALEIGH – North Carolina lawmakers have introduced legislation to restore state recognition to the Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories (TIOKT), marking a historic step toward correcting past injustices and formally acknowledging one of the state’s oldest Indigenous nations.

House Bill 600, sponsored by Rep. Ed Goodwin of Edenton, would officially reaffirm TIOKT as a state-recognized tribe and ensure their representation on the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs. The measure aims to rectify the denial in 1971, when other Indigenous groups in North Carolina were acknowledged, while the Tuscarora were excluded despite their documented history in the state.

Goodwin said the time for recognition is long overdue.

“The Tuscarora were here before North Carolina was a state. They lived on this land, fought for this land, and despite centuries of challenges, many of them have never left,” Goodwin said. “It is past time that North Carolina recognizes them for who they are—one of the state’s most historic Indigenous nations. This bill corrects a longstanding wrong and ensures that the Tuscarora people are finally given the respect and recognition they deserve.”

If passed, the bill would confirm TIOKT’s self-governing status, allowing them to engage with state and federal agencies on issues affecting their members.

The Tuscarora are among North Carolina’s oldest Indigenous peoples, with a recorded presence dating back to first contact in the region in the 1600s. Following the Tuscarora War (1711–1713), many Tuscarora migrated north to join the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in present-day New York. However, historical records and experts confirm that hundreds of Tuscarora remained in North Carolina, maintaining their traditions and communities for generations.

Today, the Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories represent Tuscarora descendants across the state. The tribe has established a unified governing body, ratified through democratic processes, to ensure representation for all Tuscarora in North Carolina.

For tribal leaders, the bill is about an affirmation of their identity and history.

“This recognition is not just about legal status—it’s about acknowledging our ancestors, our people, and our future,” said Brock Jacobs, a member of the TIOKT council. “The Tuscarora people have endured generations of struggle, yet we are still here. This legislation is a long-overdue step toward justice.”

David Rahahę́·tih Webb, also a TIOKT council member, said “We have worked tirelessly to unify the Tuscarora communities and assert what history has always shown—we are a sovereign people with deep roots in this land,” Webb said. “Recognition will allow us to better serve our community, preserve our culture, and ensure that future generations never have to fight for their identity the way our ancestors did.”

House Bill 600 would:

Restore official state recognition to the Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories.

Ensure Tuscarora representation on the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs.

Acknowledge the Tuscarora’s historical presence and treaties with North Carolina.

Affirm the tribe’s eligibility for programs and services available to recognized tribes.

If approved, the bill would make the Tuscarora the first new tribe recognized by North Carolina in decades.

The bill will go before the N.C. General Assembly for consideration. Supporters including the federally-recognized Catawba Nation, urge lawmakers to act swiftly to pass the measure, recognizing the centuries-long presence of the Tuscarora people and their contributions to North Carolina’s history.

For more information, visit www.tiokt.org.