Former Chief Kevin Brown of the Pamunkey Tribe, center, is blessed with an honor song during the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development's New Day Now rally at the U.S. Capitol on June 16, 2015. Photo by Indianz.Com
The leader of the Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia was ousted after questioning plans for a casino, The Washington Post reported. Kevin Brown served as chief for seven years before stepping down in late June. The move came just days before the Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a final decision in favor of federal recognition for the tribe. At the time no reason was given for Brown's departure. But just a couple of weeks earlier, he accused his fellow tribal leaders of trying to sign a deal with an unnamed casino developer, the Post reported. “I have seen firsthand the greed and evil a deal like this can bring out in people and have changed my position regarding gaming as a viable endeavor for the tribe at this time,” Brown said in a letter to tribal members, the Post reported. “The council is attempting to go forward with the development without my consent, which can cause serious legal problems for the tribe in the future.” Newly-elected chief Bob Gray, a former vice chief whom Brown accused of trying to sign a gaming deal, told the Post that no agreement has been reached. But the tribe still faces major hurdles if it ever wants to pursue a casino -- the first is a challenge to its federal status that's pending before the Interior Board of Indian Appeals. "Thirty years of disappointment," Gray told the paper. "That’s how long this has taken, and then to have an organization from the other side of the country doing something for whatever nefarious purposes that they have, it makes us angry.” Stand Up for California, a group known for making exaggerated and unsubstantiated claims about Indian gaming, filed the challenge. Get the Story:
Pamunkey Indians wanted to open Virginia’s first casino, letter shows (The Washington Post 10/24) Relevant Documents:
Letter to Chief Brown | Notice of Final Determination Federal Register Notices:
Final Determination for Federal Acknowledgment of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe (July 8, 2015)
Proposed Finding for Federal Acknowledgment of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe (January 23, 2014)
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