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Norfolk Casino to provide $3.5 million to $4 million annually to Virginia Indigenous People's Trust Fund12 October 2020(PRESS RELEASE) -- On the first recognized Indigenous People’s Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe announced that gaming revenue from the proposed Norfolk Resort & Casino will generate between $3.5 million and $4 million every year for the Virginia Indigenous People’s Trust Fund. The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in 2020 which directs 1% of gaming proceeds from any casino operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe be given to a fund to assist the other Virginia tribes that are federally recognized. “As the only tribe eligible to operate a casino in the state, we are thrilled with the opportunities our proposed resort and casino can provide other native Virginians,” said Pamunkey Tribe Chief Robert Gray. “After suffering injustices for hundreds of years, casino gaming in Norfolk will help continue the process of reconciliation for some of the Commonwealth’s first disenfranchised groups. We know what this will mean in terms of new opportunities for our Tribe and that’s why we pushed to have a portion of gaming revenue taxes go to a fund to assist the other tribes.” The Fund will provide financial support—for purposes such as education, housing, health care,business development and other areas of assistance—to six of the state’s federally recognized Indian tribes. The tribes benefiting from the Fund include the Chickahominy Indian Tribe; the Chickahominy Indian Tribe—Eastern Division; the Upper Mattaponi Tribe; the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc.; the Monacan Indian Nation; and the Nansemond Indian Tribe. In addition to the Fund, a portion of casino gaming proceeds—estimated to be approximately $50 million annually—will go towards the construction of, renovations to or upgrades for Virginia public schools. More than half of Virginia’s schools were constructed over 50 years ago, with many being built prior to World War II. Students in the commonwealth deserve facilities that will provide the ideal learning environment, and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe is proud help fund the cause. |