The Department of the Interior is announcing that the Mattaponi Indian Tribe and Reservation has submitted a petition to be recognized as an official American Indian Tribe. They are asking the public to provide comments and evidence regarding this petition by May 6, 2025. Interested individuals can access the narrative portion of the petition on the Office of Federal Acknowledgment's website and send their responses to the Department of the Interior either by mail or email. This notice aims to involve the public early in the process and improve transparency about petitions for tribal acknowledgment.
Simple Explanation
The Mattaponi Indian Tribe wants to be officially recognized by the U.S. government, and they have asked people for their thoughts and proof to help decide if they should be. The government promises to listen to what people say and read what they send before making a decision.