The vote is Tuesday, June 23, 2026 — four days before Homecoming begins. Request your absentee ballot now → · Deadline: Must be received in the PO Box by 5PM on May 22
Section 05
Respected Lumbee community leaders, scholars and advocates speaking out before the June 23 vote. These voices represent legal expertise, historical knowledge, scientific inquiry, and the ordinary tribal member.
These two leaders have formally confirmed their roles with Lumbees United for Accountability.
Chairwoman — Confirmed
Dr. Jo Ann Chavis Lowery
Lumbee educator and 2025 North Caroliniana Society Award recipient — one of North Carolina's most prestigious cultural honors, presented for long and distinguished service in the encouragement, production, enhancement, promotion and preservation of North Carolina. Delivered the keynote "A Woman of the Dark Water: A Pathmaker and A Wisdomkeeper" at UNC Pembroke, April 2025.
Enrolled Lumbee tribal member · Educator · Community leader · 2025 North Caroliniana Society Award
Vice Chairwoman — Confirmed
Arlinda Locklear
The first Native American woman to argue before the United States Supreme Court. Federal Indian law attorney who provided nearly four decades of pro bono legal representation to the Lumbee people — from 1987 until federal recognition was finally granted in December 2025. Selected as the 2026 Lumbee Homecoming Grand Marshal — the tribe's highest community honor. Has dedicated her career to Lumbee sovereignty and member rights.
Enrolled Lumbee tribal member · Supreme Court attorney · Federal Indian law specialist
Lumbees United for Accountability is not an anti-gaming coalition. Our members hold a range of views on gaming. What unites us is this:
The Lumbee people deserve a referendum or better amendment on gaming — with real oversight and real transparency and a real balance of power, not the currently proposed concentration of power.
Voting NO does not stop gaming. It forces a referendum or a better amendment — one with independent oversight, transparent revenue reporting, and a balance of power.
If gaming eventually passes, revenues must be directed to tribal services for members — healthcare, education, housing, infrastructure and elder care — not to outsiders, insiders or a Wyoming shell company.
Vote NO. Demand Better!!