Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L Lowery Discusses June 23 Amendment Vote
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
On June 23rd enrolled Lumbee citizens will vote on a constitutional amendment to allow or not allow gaming. I want to take a few minutes to discuss this amendment. This amendment does not take away the rights of tribal members. It gives tribal members the right to decide whether the Tribe moves forward with gaming or not. If the amendment passes, the Lumbee Tribe will pursue gaming. If it does not pass, we will not.
If you vote yes, you are voting for Economic Sovereignty for the Lumbee people through a tribally owned gaming and entertainment operation.
The programs and services our Tribe need to address many of the challenges facing our people can be supported through a strong economic development venture that includes gaming and entertainment operated in a safe, professional, and fully regulated manner.
While gaming will not be the only tool for economic growth, its projected scale and profitability can provide the foundation for long-term economic prosperity and create opportunities for additional development in other areas.
This operation will function under the strict oversight and safeguards established by Congress through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988 and enforced by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina must and will maintain 100% ownership, control, and authority over all Tribal economic development projects, including gaming operations, in accordance with IGRA.
No outside entity will own, control, or receive the profits intended for the Lumbee people.
One hundred percent of the profits generated through these ventures will remain with the Tribe and be reinvested directly into programs, services, infrastructure, and opportunities that improve the quality of life for Lumbee citizens and strengthen our communities for generations to come.
Under IGRA, 25 USC 2710 Section 11(a)(2)(B), net revenues from tribal gaming may only be used for the following purposes:
Funding Tribal government operations and programs, including elderly care, education, housing, healthcare, rehabilitation services, and public safety
Providing for the general welfare of the Tribe and its members
Tribal economic development
Donations to charitable organizations
Supporting local government agencies
The amendment scheduled for a vote on June 23 is drafted to fully comply with IGRA and NIGC regulations. It is structured similarly to the governance systems used successfully by many federally recognized tribes across the country.
These systems are designed to protect tribal sovereignty, ensure accountability, and keep tribal resources under tribal ownership and control.
The proposed amendment would establish a process in which the Tribal Chairman nominates members to tribal gaming authorities and commissions, with all nominations subject to confirmation by the Tribal Council.
In addition, the Tribal Chairman would have the authority to negotiate a draft gaming compact with the State of North Carolina. That compact, as required by IGRA, must then be approved by the Tribal Council.
This structure promotes transparency, accountability, and balanced leadership while supporting strong oversight of gaming operations, financial management, and compliance with NIGC standards.
We do not have to look far to see this governance structure operating successfully. It is the same process used by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), whose gaming operations transformed their economic future.
The EBCI Principal Chief nominates members to the gaming authority and gaming commission, and those appointments are confirmed by the tribal council. This system complies with IGRA and creates transparency and shared accountability between the executive and legislative branches of tribal government.
Additionally, if the amendment passes, the Tribal Council must adopt a gaming ordinance governing how the Tribe will legally conduct gaming on tribal lands under IGRA. That ordinance must also be approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission. This is the proper order of the process.
Independent audits must be conducted annually and submitted to the NIGC to help prevent fraud, money laundering, and misuse of gaming revenues. These safeguards are designed to protect tribal assets and ensure responsible financial management.
Tribal gaming revenues are also exempt from federal and state income taxes, allowing the Tribe to retain those revenues and reinvest them directly into healthcare, education, infrastructure, housing, economic development, and opportunities that benefit both current and future generations of Lumbee citizens.
This is about protecting tribal sovereignty, ensuring accountability, and creating lasting generational prosperity for the Lumbee people. Tribal economic development should serve one purpose: directly benefiting the citizens of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina — today, tomorrow, and for future generations. On June 23rd, It will be up to you to decide the direction we will take as a tribal nation.
