The vote is Tuesday, June 23, 2026 — four days before Homecoming begins. ⚠️ Absentee ballots must be RECEIVED at PO Box 1799 Pembroke NC 28372 by June 22 at 5PM
We need answers on the land deal
A Wyoming shell company bought land for $3.2M. Days later, the Lumbee Tribe paid $6.8M for the same land — a $3.6M profit to a Wyoming shell company no one has heard of, unexplained. If our leadership cannot account for this before gaming is authorized, what confidence do we have that a billion-dollar gaming industry will be any different? Read the full story →
Vote Date · Tuesday, June 23, 2026 · Check lumbeetribe.com for your voting location
Lumbees United for Accountability is not an anti-gaming coalition. Our members hold a range of views on gaming. What unites us is this:
Vote NO. Demand Better!!
Who we are
Not an anti-gaming coalition
Our members hold a range of views on gaming. Some support it. Some do not. What unites us is not opposition to gaming — it is the belief that the Lumbee people deserve a referendum or better amendment to decide on gaming.
We want a better amendment
Voting NO does not stop gaming. It forces a referendum or a better amendment — one with independent oversight, transparent revenue reporting, and profits directed to healthcare, education, housing, infrastructure and elder care across Lumbee territories.
This amendment concentrates power
One man negotiates all gaming contracts, nominates the gaming board and the oversight board — confirmed by a council that voted 17-2 in his favor. That is not oversight. That is concentration of power in one office.
The Lumbee people deserve better
Before this amendment is adopted, unanswered questions about a concerning $6.8M land flip deal deserve answers. And any gaming amendment must have the transparency and accountability that 67,500 Lumbee people deserve.
Vote NO. Demand Better!! The Lumbee people deserve a referendum or better amendment — with real oversight, real transparency, and revenues directed to tribal services for members.
Coalition Leadership
Chairwoman
Dr. Jo Ann Chavis Lowery
Lumbee educator, community leader and 2025 North Caroliniana Society Award recipient — one of North Carolina's most prestigious cultural honors, awarded for long and distinguished service to the state. A Pathmaker and Wisdomkeeper of the Lumbee people. Her keynote "A Woman of the Dark Water" was delivered at UNC Pembroke in April 2025.
Enrolled Lumbee tribal member
Vice Chairwoman
Arlinda Locklear
The first Native American woman to argue before the United States Supreme Court. Federal Indian law attorney who dedicated nearly four decades of pro bono legal work on behalf of the Lumbee people's fight for federal recognition — from 1987 until recognition was finally granted in December 2025. Selected as the 2026 Lumbee Homecoming Grand Marshal — the tribe's highest community honor.
Enrolled Lumbee tribal member
These two leaders have spent their lives serving the Lumbee people — in courtrooms, classrooms and communities across North Carolina. They are not anti-gaming. They are standing up for the principle that the Lumbee people deserve a better deal — with real oversight, real transparency, and gaming profits that flow to those who need them most.
The gaming amendment
The constitutional amendment on the ballot on June 23 would give the tribal chairman power to negotiate all gaming contracts, and nominate all gaming board members — confirmed by a tribal council that just voted 17-2 in his favor.
A 17-2 council is not a meaningful independent check. In practice, this structure places one man and his allies in control of what could become a billion-dollar gaming enterprise — with no truly independent voice for ordinary tribal members.
Read the full analysis →That is why we are asking every tribal member to vote NO — not because you oppose gaming, but because you demand accountability first.
We have done this before
In 2010, tribal leadership secretly signed a contract with a Las Vegas gaming company — without consulting tribal members. The community organized. The contract was voided. The people won. This is that same pattern repeating.
Read the full history →Every tribal member has a role to play — public or behind the scenes. Here is how you can help before Homecoming.
Show up and cast your vote. June 23, 2026.
Send VoteNoDemandBetter.com to every Lumbee tribal member you know.
Print and share at churches, community events and family gatherings.
Write or call the tribal chairman and your council member. Ask for answers. Be respectful. Stick to the facts.
Our Coalition
Enrolled Lumbee tribal members standing together for transparency and accountability.
Chairwoman
Dr. Jo Ann Chavis Lowery
Vice Chairwoman
Arlinda Locklear
Co-Secretary
Robin Branch
Co-Secretary
Larmari Louise Mitchell
Digital Director
Robin Oxendine
Facebook Administrator
Kim Oxendine Shyman
Ruth Locklear
Rev. Dr. Michael Cummings
Rick Barton
Charles Graham
Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel
Tina Oxendine
Sam Kerns
Brenda Jacobs
Anita Blanks Hammonds
Bosco Locklear
Cynthia Hunt
Malachi Hammonds
Carvicous Barfield
Dana Hunt-Locklear
Dale Locklear
Gerri Locklear
Eddie Moore
Connor Hughes Oxendine Beard
Panthia Locklear
Jacqueline Hunt Chavis
Colleen Chavis
Colonel Lynn Locklear
Amanda Locklear
Ronald Hammonds
Donna Cummings Crawford
James McGirt
Rev. Horace Oxendine
🚨
Monday June 22 at 6PM
📍 662 Highland Games Road, Red Springs, NC
🌭 Hot dogs will be served
Arlinda Locklear · Dr. Jo Ann Chavis Lowery
Rick Barton · Colonel Lynn Locklear · & Others
Last chance before the vote. Bring your questions. Get real answers.