The Tribal Council of the Lumbee Tribe of Cheraw Indians announced Oct. 9 it is dropping its appeal of a lawsuit against the Lumbee Regional Development Association, removing a hurdle that could have blocked a new government from being formed. Cheraw Tribal Chairman Jerry McNeill said the council will dissolve after the Nov. 7 election for a new tribal governing board and tribal chief seat. With an appeal gone, Judge Howard Manning can lift a requirement that the election have at least a 30 percent turnout. The council and the association have been tussling for control of the Lumbee tribe since 1994. At stake is control over millions of dollars in annual government aid issued to the Lumbee people. The Development Association, in place since the late 1960s, refused to turn over its programs to the tribal council. The tribal council sued in 1994 to force the association to give up its power. Manning ruled in January 1999 that the process that created the tribal council and its constitution was flawed. He set up the Self-Determination Commission to see whether the people wanted a government and to organize an election to create one. The tribal council appealed his decision.
