Zachariah Pahmahmie resigned as chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation after a particularly rocky year for the Kansas-based tribe.

Elected four years ago, Pahmahmie was the youngest chairman in the tribe's history. He was 29 at the time.

During his tenure, Pahmahmie saw the tribe get involved in two major court cases, both of which came to a head in 2004. In the first case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that the state of Kansas can impose a tax on gasoline sold to the tribe. The decision has been hailed as a major loss for Indian Country.

In the second case, the Supreme Court last month ordered the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a decision that had gone in the tribe's favor. The state of Kansas is refusing to recognize car tags issued by the tribe when the cars travel off the reservation.

Additionally, the tribe last year moved to end its longtime relationship with Harrah's Entertainment, the manager of the tribal casino. Some tribal members have voiced concerns, privately and publicly, that the tribe isn't prepared to run the casino on its own.

Also, the tribe last year proposed to open an off-reservation casino in partnership with other tribes. The idea hasn't advanced.

Pahmahmie's resignation is effective immediately.

Get the Story:
Area tribal leader resigns (The Topeka Capital-Journal 1/6)
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Relevant Links:
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation - http://www.pbpindiantribe.com

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