Virginia's Indians seek Federal recognition

State tribes want sovereign status by the time the area takes the world stage in the 2007 Jamestown commemoration.  Six of the eight Virginia tribes have been fighting to receive the recognition through a bill introduced by Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and co-sponsored by Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va and is supported by Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner, a Democrat. It would make them eligible for federal assistance in the areas of education, health care, housing and economic development. The bill is strongly opposed by Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-10th, who has said that if it passes, it may open doors to casino gambling in Virginia, as has happened in other states granting federal recognition. Virginia Indians maintain that they will not seek to build casinos on their land. [more] and [more]