Digital Scholarship and Initiatives

Tribal Council members voted to hold a referendum on changing the tribal constitution. The change would create three at-large seats on the Tribal Council for representation of Lumbees living outside the new tribal territory (voted on in March) of Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland counties. The March referendum eliminated five Tribal Council seats for Lumbees outside this territory.The Tribal Council rejected a similar proposal in January due to technicalities. The request for a referendum will now go to the Tribal Elections Board, who must certify the referendum. In November, the Tribal Council will hold elections. Work is being done to draw new district lines in preparation for the November elections—but redistricting work will be put on hold until after the referendum; and the referendum should not delay the election for Tribal Council members.