New Jersey has officially recognized both the Powhatan Renape Nation and the Ramapough Lenape Nation as American Indian Tribes.

The legal settlement allows the two tribes to qualify for all federal and state benefits like grants and scholarships, which the tribes were denied while their status was being disputed.

“Tribal rights are significant rights, and we are glad that, through good faith negotiation, we’ve been able to reach an accord with both the Powhatan and Ramapough nations. These two tribes can now move forward without concern that state-level recognition issues will in any way impede their progress,” said state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.

In November 2018, Grewal announced that New Jersey had entered into a similar state-recognition settlement with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation.