The Washington Post reported Kevin Brown was removed in June as chief of the Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia after accusing other tribal leaders of negotiating a deal with an unnamed casino developer. His dismissal came a few days before the Bureau of Indian Affairs announced its support of federal recognition for the Pamunkeys. Brown had been chief of the tribe which claims Pocahontas as an ancestor for seven years. No reason had been given for his departure at the time.
In a letter to tribal members, Brown had written, “I have seen firsthand the greed and evil a deal like this can bring out in people and have changed my position regarding gaming as a viable endeavor for the tribe at this time. The council is attempting to go forward with the development without my consent, which can cause serious legal problems for the tribe in the future.”
Newly elected Chief Bob Gray, a former vice chief, was among those Brown accused of trying to work out a casino agreement, but Gray said no gaming deal has been reached. Meanwhile, Stand Up for California, an obscure group that has made false claims about Native American gaming, filed a claim challenging the tribe’s new federal recognition. That challenge is pending before the Interior Board of Indian Appeals.
Gray said, “Thirty years of disappointment. That’s how long this has taken, and then to have an organization from the other side of the country doing something for whatever nefarious purposes that they have, it makes us angry.”
