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Lumbee group to discuss lobbying strategy |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 16 June 2010 |
Lumbee group to discuss lobbying strategy
Tue Jun 15, 2010
A staff report
PEMBROKE - The Lumbee Tribal Council's Federal Recognition Committee plans to discuss the tribe's lobbying strategy in Washington at a meeting tonight.
The committee meeting comes a little more than a week after the Tribal Council agreed to terminate its contract with Lewin International, a Nevada-based gaming consultant.
The contract, ratified earlier this year, gave the firm exclusive authority to handle the tribe's push for full federal recognition in Washington in exchange for a stake in future Lumbee economic ventures, including gaming.
The agreement stirred protests among tribal members after it was signed.
Arlinda Locklear, a Maryland-based Lumbee lawyer, had spearheaded the tribe's recognition effort, unpaid, for more than 20 years before the Lewin contract replaced her this year.
The tribe has not contacted her since ending the agreement, she said.
Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett said the recognition committee will discuss new lobbying strategies at the meeting tonight.
"They're having an informal meeting," Swett said. "They just want to do some brainstorming to see where they want to go with things."
Congress recognized the tribe of about 50,000 members in 1956 but denied it financial benefits afforded to other native groups. Full recognition would bring the tribe millions of dollars in aid for education, health and child welfare.
A recognition bill passed the House last year and is awaiting a final vote on the Senate floor.
The legislation includes an amendment specifically denying the Lumbees the authority to operate casinos.
http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2010/06/15/1006567
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