Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Introduces Bill to Federally Recognize Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
Contact: Alexis Torres
Washington, D.C. – Ahead of the Lipan Apache Tribe’s 2026 Veterans Powwow in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Saturday, September 19th, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) introduced H.R. 10435, the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas Recognition Act. This legislation would grant the Tribe and its members access to all of the rights, services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to federally recognized Indian Tribes.
“The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas has made significant cultural and historical contributions to the United States. From serving in our military and protecting the environment and sacred sites to much more, they are our trusted neighbors—deeply woven into the fabric of South Texas. It is long overdue for Congress to officially recognize this Tribe and expand their access to federal support and resources,” said Congressman Gonzalez.
"Introduction of this legislation marks a historic step forward for the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. For centuries, our people have maintained our community, culture, and identity, with our ancestors having relationships with Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the United States. We are grateful to Congressman Vicente Gonzalez for his leadership. Today brings us one important step closer to the federal recognition our people have long deserved," said Bernard F. Barcena, Jr., Chairman of The Lipan Apache Tribe.
"For generations, the Lipan Apache people have fought to preserve our faith, ceremonies, and sacred traditions. I know personally what it means to have to fight for the freedom to practice our religion simply because our Tribe lacks federal recognition. While that fight secured important protections for some of our people, religious freedom should not depend on a court case. This legislation is an important step toward ensuring that all enrolled members of the tribe can practice our faith and preserve our sacred traditions with the dignity and freedom they deserve," said Dr. Robert Soto, Vice-Chairman of The Lipan Apache Tribe.
The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas is the successor to historic Lipan Apache bands that maintained an independent Tribal identity and political organization within present-day Texas for centuries before and after Spanish, Mexican, Republic of Texas, and United States sovereignty.
When Texas became a U.S. state in 1845, the Lipan Apache faced immense hardship from the impacts of smallpox, war, and attacks by other American Indians and non-Indians. The Tribe, which once lived in parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, was displaced to areas of South Texas, including the Rio Grande Valley, Coastal Bend, and the Big Bend region of West Texas.
Notably, the Texas Legislature honored the Lipan Apache Tribe through legislative resolutions in 2009. In 2014, a federal court ordered the U.S. Department of Interior to return confiscated eagle feathers to Tribal Vice-Chairman Dr. Robert Soto and other plaintiffs. The decision subsequently allowed certain Tribal member plaintiffs to possess and obtain eagle feathers and feathers of other protected migratory birds—noting that no one was contesting the fact that the plaintiffs were American Indians. Due to the lack of formal federal recognition, most tribal members do not have the right currently, which makes practicing tribal ceremonies and personal religions difficult. The Texas Legislature and Governor reconfirmed the significant contributions of the Tribe to our state through resolutions in 2019. In 2021, the City and County of Presidio transferred the deed to El Cementerio de los Lipanes en el Barrio de los Lipanes, a sacred site for the Lipan Apache Tribe.
The Federal Government, including the Department of Interior Indian Affairs, and many other agencies, serves federally recognized tribes through its government-to-government relationships to support the development of tribal governments, strong economies, and quality programs spanning from education, social services, law enforcement, resource protection, and more.
The full bill text can be viewed here.