"The federal designation allows the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to receive certain federal benefits on medical care, housing and education, among other things. That tribe is only the second recognized since President Barack Obama took office, joining hundreds of others nationwide that have received that distinction.
The recognition also leaves open the possibility of the tribe seeking a casino through a separate approval process, though the 200-member tribe has said it has no plans to do so.
“We’re looking at all economic opportunities, but we have nothing on the table right now,” said Bob Gray, the Pamunkey’s assistant chief.
Still, the tribe’s application was opposed by MGM Resorts, which is building a casino at the National Harbor outside the nation’s capital in Maryland.
The Pamunkey’s 1,200-acre reservation is about 25 miles east of Richmond on the Pamunkey River in rural King William County. A California-based group that has supported gambling limits in that state also opposed the application. In the United States, there are 493 Indian casinos and 1,262 commercial casinos. The recognition was also opposed by the Virginia Petroleum and Grocery Association, which expressed concerns about the tribe selling gas and cigarettes tax free to non-tribal members." Washpost
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There are half a dozen Indian tribes in Virginia. Their reservations are small but very old in the context of the Commonwealth. I suspect that they are about to make a lot of money in the gaming industry. the Pequots in Connecticut own the largest casino/resort complex in the eastern USA.
In one of the more colorful ceremonies available for tourist consumption the tribes bring the governor of Virginia a tribute in deer meat each year.
For people who are really of the Virginia establishment there is no prouder claim than to be descended from Pocahontas and John Rolfe.
pl