Lumbee Tribe questions proposal to tax land

Monday, February 19, 2007  

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is wondering why one of its own employees submitted a proposal to tax land owned by its members.

James Hardin, the deputy tribal administrator, asked the N.C. Commission on Indian Affairs to support the tax. It would require all tribal members who own land in four counties to pay $25 per year.

The revenues would be used to fund governments services and the tribe's federal recognition bid. But elected tribal leaders -- including chairman Jimmy Goins -- weren't told of the proposal and only heard about it recently.

The tribe is recognized by the state and receives some state and federal money. Efforts to gain federal recognition have been met with opposition in the Congress and by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only recognized tribe in North Carolina.

Get the Story:
Lumbee tax plan surprises council (The Fayettevile Observer 2/19)
Tribe denies plan for $25 land tax (The Robesonian 2/19)

Relevant Links:
Official Lumbee Tribe website - http://www.lumbeetribe.com
Lumbee Regional Development Association - http://www.lumbee.org

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