Eastern Cherokee chief vetoes vote on alcohol at casino

Wednesday, September 3, 2008  

The leader of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians in North Carolina says liquor should remain illegal on the reservation.

The tribal council authorized a referendum to sell liquor at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. But Chief Michell Hicks vetoed the request and said alcohol goes against tribal values.

'It is my belief that an affirmative decision to open the door for alcohol would shame our forefathers for their efforts on this issue," Hicks said in a letter to the tribal council, The Smoky Mountain News reported.

The tribe's gaming enterprise board says liquor sales could boost revenue at the casino. Many tribal members are opposed to the idea.

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Eastern Band chief vetoes casino alcohol vote (The Smoky Mountain News 9/3)