Message #133501

[Bianca]

"Before federal recognition, we were struggling. The bare necessaries were lacking," said Carlos Hisa, the lieutenant governor of the tribe. "It was like a third-world country here. It was not the best situation for our people. There was not a lot of employment or educational opportunities. We couldn't afford health care. A lot of people had to leave the area, and our people were scattered across the U.S. to look for a better way of life."

"When you look at the basic needs as a society or community, they are health care, education and housing," said Hisa. "With full recognition, we were able to qualify for all those programs and provide basic needs for our people. We have continued to do so since then."

Closer to home, another tribe -- the Lumbee -- has been trying for years to gain federal recognition to be eligible for millions of dollars to provide health care and other services. The Fayetteville Observer spent time with the Tigua Indians, with whom the Lumbees are often compared, to see how that tribe has used federal money to benefit its members.