Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery Discusses Land Purchase and Land in Trust Process
- dscott839
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Hello Everyone,
Recently, Lumbee Tribal Holdings, the for-profit arm of the Tribe, acquired 241 acres of land in Robeson County. Following the purchase, the property was transferred to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. This strategic acquisition was made to secure land that can be utilized for long-term economic development initiatives that benefit our people for generations to come.
This property, along with the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center, the Tribal Administration Building, and several other Tribal assets, will eventually be placed into trust with the United States Government. Placing land into trust transfers title to the federal government to be held on behalf of the Tribe, removing the application of eminent domain and providing critical protections that safeguard our long-term interests. The land-into-trust process is one of the most important tools available to our Tribal Nations since we became federally recognized, and we will move forward with these actions when the time is right and in the best interest of our people.
As we protect our newly achieved federal recognition and lay a strong foundation for the next 20, 50, and 100 years, economic development must become a top priority. Across Indian Country, Tribal Nations are diversifying their economies to strengthen sovereignty and expand services for their citizens. The Lumbee Tribe must do the same.
What form of economic development we take early on in this new era, whether gaming is a part of our future or not, will be determined by the will of the Lumbee people. If and when our people vote for gaming, this 241-acre tract could serve as the site of a casino and resort, accompanied by a shopping outlet and additional amenities such as a golf course, a Top Golf-style facility, a water park, or similar attractions. If our people vote against gaming, the land can be developed into a business and industrial park designed to attract major employers. With the land placed into trust, existing laws and policies create powerful incentives for corporations to invest in our community. Either of these options can lead to thousands of jobs and be an economic boom not just for our Tribal territory but for this entire region of the state.
As we move into this new Era of Possibility and Prosperity, it is essential that we exercise our sovereignty and embrace these opportunities with purpose and vision. This means protecting our natural resources, strengthening our cultural institutions, and building self-generated, discretionary revenue. These funds, free from federal restrictions, will allow us to better serve our elders, expand opportunities for our youth, and create pathways to homeownership and business ownership for our working families.
During my career in tribal affairs, I have seen the economic growth and diversification of the Chickasaw, the Choctaw, the Pequot, the Oneida, the Seminole, and so many others across the country. I have seen the economic powerhouse that the Eastern Band has become in the Western part of the state, and the transformative growth of our brothers and sisters, the Catawba over the last few years in the Metrolina part of the state. As I head into the last leg of my term, I will work with the Tribal Council to position us to be the economic engine for this region and to help make this area more prosperous, safer, healthier, and better educated.
Our vision is growth.
Our vision is to protect our sovereignty.
Our vision is to seize these opportunities and take deliberate strategic steps forward, one day at a time, to advance the Lumbee Tribe for many generations yet to come.
