North Carolina Tribe Gains Clout

CHEROKEE, North Carolina -- As reported by the Associated Press: "Ten years ago, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation had to sue the state to get N.C. Govs. Jim Martin and Jim Hunt to even talk about allowing gambling on their mountain land.

"Today, politicians come to them willingly, and tribal leaders are using newfound, gambling-driven political clout to promote an ambitious legislative agenda.

"From a controversial land swap to an effort to block another tribe's federal recognition, the Cherokee seem to be getting what they want these days. Except for the biggest item on their wish list: the right to expand their casino even more.

"…What is unusual here is the speed with which the Eastern Band has become one of the state's biggest political players, and how open tribal leaders are about their intentions. They know their legislative agenda is contentious, especially among people who find gambling distasteful. They also know how to get things done.

"…Still, the Eastern Band hasn't shown it can bring out a lot of voters. That's true for many tribes, although the National Council of American Indians is trying to register 1million people this year.

"What the Cherokee can offer is money.

"Federal law allows Native American nations to use gambling revenues to make political donations. But Cherokee leaders say they do not use casino profits for campaign contributions, relying instead on a special tax on downtown Cherokee businesses…"