The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Federal Acknowledgement (OFA) process is in need of updating to more efficiently process the petitions of unrecognized Native American tribes in a timely fashion. It is well known that many unrecognized tribes are still awaiting federal recognition, a process that can take decades due to outdated methods and procedures. With advancements in technology, particularly around the moves by historians, genealogists and local communities to digitize archives, this process can be expedited significantly. By leveraging these technological advances, the OFA could streamline the recognition process for these tribes who have been waiting for their rightful acknowledgment and advance to receiving the sovereignty and rights promised them by our government.

Furthermore, according to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), there are currently over 200 tribes seeking federal recognition. This lengthy wait not only hinders their ability to access certain benefits and services but also delays justice and acknowledgment for these communities.

By modernizing this system with new technologies such as genealogical databases, we can ensure a more efficient  system that respects the rights of all Native American tribes while providing safe harbor against illegitimate claims. Let's call on our legislators to bring about this simple yet overdue change. Please sign this petition urging them to modernize the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Federal Recognition Process now!