State-recognized tribes in the United States

Most state-recognized tribes are located in the Eastern United States, including the two largest state-recognized tribes in the US, the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama and the United Houma Nation of Louisiana, each of which has more than ten thousand members. Sources disagree on how many states have state-recognized tribes. No government agency or nonprofit organization tracks the total of state-recognized tribes in the United States. In late 2007, about 16 states had recognized 62 tribes. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 13 states recognized tribes at the state level in 2022. Likewise in 2022, the Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian reported that there were 66 state-recognized tribes among 13 states, which includes 8 tribes that are also federally recognised (7 in Virginia and 1 in New York). , the Native Nations Institute of the University of Arizona lists 15 states as having state-recognized tribes. In 2025, journalist Bill Donahue wrote in Boston's City Life that more than 100 organizations are state-recognized as tribes. == State-recognition processes ==

State recognition can vary in meaning and impact, from granting a tribe legitimacy within the state to simply recognizing its existence as a state might recognize a business. According to Alexa Koenig and Jonathan Stein, state recognition may serve "as a means for states to acknowledge the longstanding existence of tribes within their borders and to establish a government-to-government relationship to coordinate and communicate with tribes". Typically, the state legislature or state agencies involved in cultural or Native American affairs make the formal recognition by criteria they establish, often with Native American representatives, and sometimes based on federal criteria. Statutes that clearly identify criteria for recognition or that explicitly recognize certain tribes remove ambiguity from their status. == Federal law ==

The Supreme Court has determined that the United States Constitution gives ultimate authority over matters affecting American Indian tribes to the United States federal government. Under US federal law and regulations, an American Indian tribe is a group of Native Americans with self-government authority, and this is the basis for federal recognition. , the federal government had recognized 575 tribes, often as a result of treaties setting up reservations in the 19th century. Four federal agencies have the authority to confer benefits to state-recognized tribes: the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. State-recognized tribes also participate in the programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA), an independent agency of the US federal government, and there is a rebuttable presumption that members of state-recognized tribes are "socially disadvantaged" for the purposes of the SBA's 8(a) Business Development program. Under the United States Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (IACA), members of certain state-recognized tribes may exhibit as identified "Native American" or "American Indian" artists. In addition to citizens of federally recognized tribes and tribally designated artisans, IACA says that members of "any Indian group that has been formally recognized as an Indian tribe by a State legislature or by a State commission or similar organization legislatively vested with State tribal recognition authority" can exhibit or sell art as a "Native American" or "American Indian" artist. The Administration for Native Americans, a program office within the Department of Health and Human Services, may confer benefits to state-recognized tribes under the Native American Programs Act (NAPA). Members of state-recognized tribes are unable to access support from the Indian Health Service, and may have additional healthcare needs as a result. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) does not require the federal government or museums to consult with state-recognized tribes. State-recognized tribes may request the repatriation of cultural items or human remains only in cooperation with federally recognized tribes. Other federal Indian legislation does not apply to state-recognized tribes. For example, Indian Preference in hiring and the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 do not apply to these organizations. ==Attitudes==

Opposition Some federally-recognized tribes object to state recognition. The federally recognized Delaware Nation regards all state-recognized Lenape tribes and Lenape heritage groups as fraudulent organizations, as they have stated that they "do not acknowledge or work with any non-federally recognized groups that claim Lenape identity or nationhood, which includes “state recognized” groups as we do not agree with state recognition." The federally recognized Delaware Tribe of Indians has issued a resolution which "denounces fabricated Delaware groups and commits to exposing and assisting state and federal authorities in eradicating any group which attempts or claims to operate as a government of the Delaware people". The resolution refers to Lenape heritage groups and state-recognized tribes in Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania as CPAINs (Corporations Posing As Indigenous Nations). The federally recognized Narragansett Indian Tribe in Rhode Island is opposed to state recognition in general and opposes state recognition for the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe in particular. The federally recognized Odanak First Nation in Canada opposes state recognition of tribes in New Hampshire and Vermont. Odanak regards the four state-recognized tribes in Vermont as illegitimate organizations. Support August Joseph Darbonne suggests that state-recognized tribes are underrepresented in research and have been "accused of claiming fraudulent Native American identity to gain access to state benefits and programs". He also says that the "limited representation of state-recognized tribes contributes to negative stereotypes against Native Americans". The federally recognized Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe considers the state-recognized Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe to be a "sister tribe". After the Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted state recognition to the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe in 2024, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe issued a media release stating they considered it "a monumental day for the entire Wampanoag Nation". == List of state-recognized tribes ==

The following is a list of tribes recognized by various states but not by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tribes originally recognized by states that have since gained federal recognition have been deleted from the list below. The list does include state-recognized tribes that have petitioned for federal recognition. Alabama By the Davis-Strong Act of 1984, the state established the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission to acknowledge and represent Native American citizens in the state. At that time, it recognized seven tribes that did not have federal recognition. The commission members, representatives of the tribes, have created rules for tribal recognition, which were last updated in 2003, under which three more tribes have been recognized. • Cher-O-Creek Intra Tribal Indians. • Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama (formerly Cherokees of Jackson County, Alabama). • MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians. • Piqua Shawnee Tribe. • Eastern Pequot Indians of Connecticut. Letter of Intent to Petition 06/28/1978; Final Determination Against Federal Acknowledgement of the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe (2004) • Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. • Nanticoke Indian Association, Inc. Georgia Georgia established a liaison, the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns, in 2001, under the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks and Historic Sites Division. In 2007, the state legislature formally recognized the following as American Indian tribes of Georgia: • Cherokee of Georgia Tribal Council. Also known as Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe East of the Mississippi, Inc. Louisiana The Louisiana Office of Indian Affairs oversees state–tribal relations. They maintain a list of federally and state-recognized tribes headquartered in Louisiana. • Addai Caddo Tribe, Letter of Intent to Petition 09/13/1993. Maryland On January 9, 2012, for the first time the state-recognized two American Indian tribes under a process developed by the General Assembly; these were both Piscataway groups, • Accohannock Indian Tribe. Governor Larry Hogan formally recognized this group on December 19, 2017, through Executive Order 01.01.2017.31. • Piscataway-Conoy Tribe. • Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians The commission lacks the authority to recognize tribes, as recognition is beyond the scope of the duties of the commission outlined in Executive Order 126 The Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs announced in August 2023 that it would be establishing a process for state recognition to ensure protections for Native artisans under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. In 1976, Governor Michael Dukakis issued Executive Order 126, which clarified the responsibilities of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs and identified three historic and continuous tribes in the Commonwealth: the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Hassanamisco Nipmuc. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe have federal recognition as of 1987 and 2007, respectively. On November 19, 2024, Governor Maura Healey issued Executive Order No. 637, which recognized the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe alongside the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, and the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Tribe. The order also recognized Tribal Council of the Herring Pond as its governing body, all in accordance with Dukakis' Executive Order No. 126, for all relevant purposes. • Hassanamisco Nipmuc. The Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band petitioned for federal acknowledgment in 1980. After receiving preliminary approval, they were ultimately denied due to its failure to meet criteria for federal acknowledgment. • Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe however, no laws outline formal state-recognition for this or any other group by the State of Mississippi. ''Mississippi has no office to manage Indian affairs and no state-recognized tribes. • Ramapough Mountain Indians. North Carolina • Coharie Intra-tribal Council, Inc. Letter of Intent to Petition 3/13/1981. • Meherrin Nation. The band filed historical and genealogical documents with the state to support their claim of descent from the historical Shawnee.The Ohio General Assembly held hearings and heard testimony from numerous groups. In 1980, the 113th Ohio General Assembly passed a "Joint Resolution to recognize the Shawnee Nation United Remnant Band", as adopted by the Ohio Senate, 113th General Assembly, Regular Session, Am. Sub. H.J.R. No. 8, 1979–1980. This is a congratulatory resolution, and Ohio attorney general's office spokesperson Leo Jennings said: "The resolution has no force of law in the state Ohio.… It was basically a ceremonial resolution." • Beaver Creek Indians. • Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina State recognized in 2006. As of 2023, South Carolina recognizes three "state-recognized groups" and one "special interest organization." Natchez Tribe of South Carolina; and the Pee Dee Indian Nation of Beaver Creek. Texas Texas has no office to manage Indian affairs Legal scholar J. Eric Reed (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) wrote in the November 2025 Texas Bar Journal, "Despite a rich history of [I]ndigenous peoples and tribes that still remain as communities of this state, Texas currently has no state-recognized tribes." Before the Texas Commission for Indian Affairs was dissolved in 1989, it only worked with the three federally recognized tribes in the state; it did not work any state-recognized tribes. The state has no codified administrative process for petitioning for state recognition of Indian tribes. Texas has frequently adopted congratulatory resolutions honoring organizations in the state, such as Senate Resolution 989 (2015) honoring the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians and SR 439 (2009) honoring the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas; however, "resolutions are statements of opinions and, unlike bills, do not have the force of law." In a 2024–2025 Department of the Interior consultation summary on the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, the Bureau of Indian Affairs described the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians as “state‑recognized.” Texas educational and governmental materials similarly refer to the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas and the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians as “state‑recognized tribes,” and explaining that state‑recognized tribes “have a relationship with state governments, but they do not have sovereignty like federally recognized tribes.” The National Congress of American Indians list the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe and the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas as being state-recognized tribes in Texas. Several bills have been introduced to create formal state-recognized tribes in Texas; however, these died in committee. • 2023: Texas Senate Bill 231 to recognize the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas • 2023: Texas Senate Bill 1479 and House Bill 2005 to recognize the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation Texas SB1634, SB4988, and HB4732 to recognize the Lipan Band of Apache were introduced in 2025 and have been referred to the state affairs committee. Vermont As of May 3, 2006, Vermont law 1 V.S.A §§ 851–853 recognizes Abenakis as Native American Indians, not the tribes or bands. However, on April 22, 2011, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed legislative bills officially recognizing two Abenaki Bands. The four Abenaki state-recognized tribes are also known as the "Abenaki Alliance". • Elnu Abenaki Tribe. Recognition signed into statute April 22, 2011. • Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. Virginia Virginia has an office to manage Indian affairs: the Virginia Council on Indians. It is composed of 13 members - eight from Virginia tribes officially recognized by the Commonwealth, two members at-large from Indian population in Virginia, one from House of Delegates, one from Senate, and one from Commonwealth at-large. State-recognized 2010; in Courtland, Southampton County. Letter of intent to file for federal recognition 2017. Currently a bill is being sponsored. • Mattaponi Indian Nation (a.k.a. Mattaponi Indian Reservation). Letter of Intent to Petition 04/04/1995. State-recognized 1983; in Banks of the Mattaponi River, King William County. The Mattaponi and Pamunkey have reservations based in colonial-era treaties ratified by the Commonwealth in 1658. Pamunkey Tribe's attorney told Congress in 1991 that the tribes state reservation originated in a treaty with the crown in the 17th century and has been occupied by Pamunkey since that time under strict requirements and following the treaty obligation to provide to the Crown a deer every year, and they've done that (replacing Crown with Governor of Commonwealth since Virginia became a Commonwealth). • Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia. Recognized 2010; in Capron, Southampton County. • Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia. Recognized 2010; in Stafford County. Washington Washington has not formally recognized any tribes by statute. However, the state or preceding territorial government has been a party to treaties involving a number of tribes that are not federally recognized. == See also ==

• Miller, Mark Edwin. Forgotten Tribes: Unrecognized Indians and the Federal Acknowledgment Process. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2004. Discusses the state recognition process, the experiences of several state-recognized tribes (the United Houma Nation of Louisiana, and the Tigua/Pueblo of Ysleta Del Sur and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas- the latter two are federally recognized), and the problems of non-federally acknowledged indigenous communities. • Bates, Denise. The Other Movement: Indian Rights and Civil Rights in the Deep South. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2011. Details state recognition and the functioning of state Indian commissions in Alabama and Louisiana. • Federalism and the State Recognition of Native American Tribes: A survey of State-Recognized Tribes and State Recognition Processes Across the United States • "BIA list of petitioners for recognition by state as of 22 September 2008 • BIA status summary of petitions for recognition as of 15 February 2007" • Testimony of Leon Jones, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Dan McCoy, Tribal Council Chairman, on the Indian Federal Recognition Administrative Procedures Act of 1999 • Joint resolution of the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opposing fabricated Cherokee "tribes" and "Indians" (acknowledges the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians) • U.S. GAO - Indian Issues: Federal Funding for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes Published April 12, 2012