Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe

Tribal Law No. 2006-1

Title: An Act Banning Tribally Owned or Operated Businesses Involving Vice

Submitted by:  Pastor John Norwood                       Tribal Enrollment Number:  3028

Tribal Council Sponsor:  Pastor John Norwood

Be It Enacted by the Tribal Council of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe:

1.   a.   In keeping with the guidance of the almighty Creator, the admonishment of our tribal elders, the standing policies of our tribal leaders and the spiritual legacy left for future generations of our people, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe shall not own, manage, operate or sponsor any business which profits from the promotion of vice.  This law applies to the Tribe itself and to all of its current or future subsidiaries.

      b.   This act specifically bans casino style gambling, the operating of slot machines, the selling of cigarettes, cigars, alcohol, pornography and federally or state banned substances by the tribe or its current or future subsidiaries. 

     c.   This act shall not limit the sale of tobacco for ceremonial purposes, the use of raffles or carnival style games of chance for fund-raising purposes or the accepting of donations from individuals or corporations with interests in the banned activities. Nor is it intended to limit the business partnering opportunities of the Tribe or its subsidiaries, so long as the activities of the partnership do not violate this act.

      d.   This act shall not curtail the rights of individual tribal citizens to act on their own conscience regarding their non-tribally related legal patronage, employment, or entrepreneurial initiatives as private individuals.

      e.   This act shall not diminish the scope of the sovereign rights of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe and cannot be used in such a manner.   

2.         This act shall take effect immediately

Statement

This legislation is intended to uphold the spiritual convictions of our elders and preserve, promote and protect the legacy our tribal heritage for future generations.  It precludes the tribe, and any of its subsidiaries, from establishing any business that derives its profit from casino style gambling, the sale of cigarettes, cigars, alcohol or pornography.  It does not affect the sale of tobacco for ceremonial purposes, including use in smudging or in ceremonial pipes.  Nor does it prevent fundraising from raffles or carnival style games of chance or accepting non-binding donations from businesses that may be involved in the banned activities, which would be reviewed on a “case by case” basis by the Tribal Council.  Any business partnership with an individual or corporation which may be involved in the banned activities cannot be for any purpose related to the banned activities.  This legislation does not impact the non-tribal, private business or recreational affairs of tribal citizens acting as individuals. 

This legislation does not relinquish or weaken the scope of the sovereign rights of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe or any other American Indian Tribe, and should not be seen as such.  We affirm the rights of tribes to act as sovereigns and reject any attempt by the United States, an individual state, any other government or agency to diminish those rights in any way.  This legislation is a demonstration of tribal sovereignty in which the tribal leadership has promoted tribal self-determination by articulating through legislation what has always been the policy and practice of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe.