What the Gaming Amendment Would Do — and What the Constitution Says

In 1994, when tribal leadership wanted the Lumbee people to truly decide on their constitution, they held the referendum during Homecoming — over several days — when thousands of members from across the country were already gathered in Pembroke. 8,233 members voted — more than 30% of eligible voters, the highest turnout in tribal constitutional history.

The current gaming amendment vote is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23 — four days before Homecoming begins. A better amendment vote must be held during Homecoming, over multiple days, with absentee voting available to all eligible enrolled members (18 years of age or older) regardless of where they live.

The current amendment gives the Tribal Chairperson the power to nominate every member of both the gaming regulatory board and the gaming oversight board — confirmed by a council that voted 17-2 in the chairman's favor. That is not independent oversight. That is one person overseeing himself.

A better amendment requires gaming oversight board members to be elected directly by tribal members — not nominated by the chairman. Board members should serve staggered terms so no single administration can replace everyone at once. At least a majority of board members must have no financial relationship with any gaming vendor, contractor or management company.

The amendment must specify — in the constitution itself, not in a side ordinance that can be changed later — that gaming revenues must be directed first to:

• Healthcare for Lumbee members across all four counties
• Education — from early childhood through higher education
• Housing assistance for families living in poverty
• Infrastructure across Lumbee territories
• Elder care and services
• Economic development in Robeson, Hoke, Scotland and Cumberland Counties

All revenue distributions must be publicly reported annually and independently audited. No gaming revenue should flow to outside companies or consultants beyond capital investment returns and disclosed operating costs.

Any land purchase above a set dollar threshold — for example $500,000 — must require tribal council approval by supermajority and public notification to tribal members before the purchase closes. No more Wyoming shell companies. No more $3.6 million profits to mystery entities. Every significant land acquisition gets a public record, a council vote, and member notification — before the money changes hands.

The amendment must include explicit constitutional language prohibiting the following people from having any financial interest in any gaming vendor, contractor, management company or land deal connected to tribal gaming:

• The Tribal Chairperson
• Any Tribal Council member
• Any gaming board or oversight board member
• Immediate family members of any of the above
• Any lobbyist or attorney retained by or connected to tribal gaming

The people who oversee gaming must have no financial stake in its outcome.

The power to govern gaming must always remain with the people — not permanently transferred to any individual, council or outside party. The Lumbee people must always have the constitutional right to revisit, reform or revoke any gaming arrangement that does not serve them.

The bottom line: Voting NO on June 23 is the easiest path. It requires only a majority of those present. Everything that comes after — if the amendment passes — is harder.

The crucial difference: A member-initiated replacement amendment only needs 2,000 signatures to trigger a special election — and passes by a simple majority of those who vote, with no minimum turnout. The 2021 tribal chairman election drew 3,412 total votes. A replacement amendment election could realistically pass with similar turnout.

But there is an important caveat: After a YES vote on June 23, tribal leadership can move immediately — negotiating gaming compacts, nominating board members, approving land. A replacement amendment campaign would take months to organize. By the time a better amendment passed, contracts may already be signed, board members nominated and confirmed, and decisions made that are difficult or impossible to unwind. Getting the amendment right on June 23 is far cleaner than trying to fix it afterward. A YES vote is not permanent — but the damage done in the months before a replacement passes may be.

1994 — How it was done right

The constitutional referendum was held during Homecoming, over several days — June 27 through July 2, 1994. Thousands of Lumbee members were already gathered in Pembroke from across the country.

Result: 8,233 votes cast — more than 30% of eligible members. The highest voter participation in any Lumbee constitutional election in history.

The constitution passed overwhelmingly — 8,010 in favor and 223 against — 8,233 total. The community had spoken.

2026 — How this vote is scheduled

The gaming amendment vote is scheduled for June 23, 2026 — a single Tuesday, four days before Homecoming begins on June 27.

Lumbee members in Baltimore, Detroit, Raleigh, Charlotte and across the country typically travel to Pembroke during Homecoming week — not the Tuesday before it starts.

A vote held before most members arrive is not the Lumbee people deciding. It is leadership deciding for them.