In the history of the Part 83 regulations governing federal acknowledgment, every petitioner from California — except one — also has been denied recognition.

The BIA has long barred groups that were previously denied federal recognition from submitting another petition. During the Barack Obama administration, tribes were asked about changing the practice but an exemption ultimately was not included in regulations finalized in 2015 amid controversy generated by Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Complete article: Bureau of Indian Affairs opens consultation on federal recognition