The Eastern Band of Cherokees has made at least $1 million in political donations over the past four years, The Asheville Citizen-Times reports.

Thanks to gaming revenues, the tribe gave $185,000 to the North Carolina Democratic Party; $15,000 to the North Carolina Republican Party; $50,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee; $40,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and $25,000 to the Republican National State Elections Committee. The tribe also donated $70,500 to state lawmakers and made other donations to state politicians.

In recent years, the tribe successfully lobbied Congress for the transfer of federal land to build a school. The tribe is also fighting federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

Get the Story:
Tribe bets poker craze will bring big payoff (The Asheville Citizen-Times 1/12)

Relevant Links:
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians - http://www.cherokee-nc.com