The Lumbee Tribe, which was granted full federal recognition in December, will vote on constitutional amendments that would clear the way for the tribe to build a casino in southeastern North Carolina. Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery said in a video announcement to members of the tribe that if the amendment passes, the Lumbee Tribe will pursue gaming, including the construction of a casino.

Proposed Amendments

The special election is for tribal members enrolled as of May 22. Passage requires a simple majority of the vote. The Tribal Council voted to put several changes to the constitution on the ballot, including giving the council the authority to approve any gaming agreement negotiated by the tribal chairperson and to enact tribal ordinances that permit, license, regulate or otherwise govern gaming activities.

The Lumbee Tribe has more than 55,000 members and has bought 240 acres of land off Interstate 95 in Robeson County late last year, paying at least $6 million for the land, which could be used for a casino. Lowery said the governance structure that would be implemented as a result of the amendments passing is the same as the one used by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which operates two casinos in far western North Carolina.

Lowery emphasized that the vote is about protecting tribal sovereignty, ensuring accountability and creating lasting generational prosperity for the Lumbee people. He stated that tribal economic development should serve one purpose: directly benefiting the citizens of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina — today, tomorrow and for future generations.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.