Tribal Council approves amendments, extends compact with state

Saturday, Dec. 9, 2000 | 10:14 a.m.

The amendments had been signed by Principal Chief Leon Jones and Gov. Jim Hunt on Nov. 14 after months of negotiations. They will allow the tribe to expand the gambling space of its casino and raise the jackpot limit.

The council's formal approval of the compact amendments came Friday, the day after a group of Cherokee residents led by activist Missy Crowe asked the Tribal Council to halt the process for federal Interior Department approval of the agreement.

The amendments state that the extension will generate more than $3 billion in net revenues, based on current net revenues. They also state that the amended compact will allow unlimited gaming space at the current casino, which could generate more revenue than the $3 billion estimate.

The amendments raised the gambling age from 18 to 21 and required the tribe to refer 7,500 casino visitors to non-tribally owned hotels.

Also included in the amendments was a call to create a foundation to fund projects that spur non-gambling-related economic development, protect the environment and preserve Cherokee heritage and culture.

Crowe argued that some of the amendments - particularly the one creating the tribally funded foundation - compromised tribal sovereignty and encroached on both the Eastern Band's ability to conduct its business and on its earnings from the casino.

Crowe also argued that Jones had signed the agreement without formal approval from the 12-member Tribal Council, and criticized his decision to employ an outside attorney to aid him during negotiations with Hunt.

"We've got to take care of our people first," she told council members on Thursday. "That's our money, not anyone else's. We don't owe anybody nothing. This amendment to our compact is wrong for our people."

But Eastern Band officials countered that 10 of 12 Tribal Council members had given their approval for Jones to negotiate and sign the amendments. They also said the tribal code gives him discretion to hire an attorney as long as the cost does not exceed $50,000.

The amendments still must be approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior.