Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C.
"CAROLINA INDIi CE
"Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting"
y VOLUME 28 NUMBER18 THURSDAY, MAY3,2001 25c
An Open Letter to theLumbee People
from Tribal Chairman Milton Hunt
On behalf of the Tribal Council,
it is with great pride and honor to
write this first open letter to the
Lumbee people, where ever you
may live, locally, across North
Carolina, or across the nation. Realizing
the great path before us, the
Council is extremely proud of completing
and moving forward on
many tasks.
Collectively, we have passed a
resolution to inform funding
sources regarding our position as
the new governing body. Realizing
that the transition process is complex
in nature, we are working
closely with Lumbee Regional Developmental
Association (LRDA)
in that transition process as it relates
to programs. Recently, the
Council received a letter from Mr.
Leroy Freeman, Chair, LRDA
Board of Directors thanking the
Tribal Council for stepping forward
to serve the Lumbee people and
lending the organization's support
to the Lumbee Tribe. In addition,
we have acquired a website that
will be the "official" site for the
Lumbee tribe.
Public Hearings for the Constitution
are underway. These are data
collection only. Once the Council
has developed a proposed constitution,
there will be an open period
for public comment by all tribal
members. At the end of the comment
period, the council will make
the final revisions before submitting
the Constitution for a vote.
The Council is also developing
proposals for programs such as
housing and other much needed
programs that will help create jobs
and bring additional revenue to the
tribe.
We realize that the needs of our
people are great. If it appears that
things are moving slowly, 1 assure
you that is not the case! 1 am truly
proud of the dedication and commitment
the Tribal Council members
have in diligently doing what
is required, from filing appropriate
documents for our nonprofit
status, meeting with program officials
and other tribal leaders to address
critical issues. From seeking
financial resources, to soliciting
those with expertise to assist us.
whether it is in legaT, social, or political
capacities.
Believe me when I say that the
goal of the Tribal council is for the
betterment of the Lumbee people,
which includes the health, safety,
welfare, adequate housing, education,
economic and employment
opportunities, and preservation of
our cultural resources. We are committed
to advocate and embrace
what is right and fair for all Lumbee
people. The achievement of this
requires and necessitates a desire
and will for positive change and
progress. Imagine our strength and
the good we will do together, when
moving as one!
In closing, I would encourage
you to communicate with us, either
by writing, e-mail, or attending our
monthly council meeting, and our
committee meetings, to express
your thoughts and concerns. We
also welcome your support and
expertise. The website address is
Lumbeetribe.com. Our mailing address
is Post Office Box 2709,
Pembroke, NC 28372.
Again, thank you for your support,
faith, and confidence in your
new government.
Sincerely,
Milton Hunt, Chairman
Tribal Council of the Lumbee
Nation
A*' II
April Whittemore
April Whittemore named AIO
Ambassador for 2001/2002
April Whittemore is one out of
sixteen new Ambassadors selected
out of over 200 applicants. The
Americans for Indian Opportunity
program is celebrating its 30th year.
This is a full scholarship program and
selection as an Ambassador is a great
honor. Applicants are required to submit
a portfolio of past experiences
and community involvement as well
as achievements. Part of the application
process involves a Community
1 Initiative Proposal for the Indian community
the Ambassador is from
Whittemore received notification
in January, 2001 that she had been
accepted into the program The letter
was signed by Ladonna Harris, Executive
Vice-President of AIO. It
stated: "Your Community Initiative
Proposal was outstanding, and you
have been selected as one of the sixteen
to receive the full academic gift
for the next two years."
Whittemore received her first class
assignments in February and the first
gathering was held March 26-31,2001
in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico
' for one intense week of learning. The
next gathering will be in Washington,
D.C. Each Ambassador will have the
opportunity to meet with the Nation's
leaders to include a session with the
President, The Ambassadors will meet
quarterly for the next two years. The
gatherings will include participation
in the NCAI Conference in Spokane,
Washington, then Alaska, and New
Zealand in the Spring.
The purpose of the program is to
nurture, encourage and strengthen the
leadership capabilities of a new generation
of Native American leaders. More
than 120 emerging leaders have successfully
completed the program. The
graduates of the AIO are making a
difference in influencing policy and
providing pro-active leadership
throughout the United States.
Three other Lumbees are past Ambassadors.
These are Darren M. Hunt,
Virginia State Trooper, Commonwealth
of Virginia (class of 1996); Kerry Bird,
Consultant, Minneapolis, MN (class of
1994) and Pamela G. DcRcnis, Department
of Energy, Washington, D C.
(class of 1993).
This year's Ambassadors Program,
has been extended for two years The
purpose of the expanded program is to
allow the Ambassadors more time to
absorb the information and experiences
of the program, more networking opportunities
and opportunities tow work
with the program advisors.
Whittcmore would like to thank
James Hardin of LRDA, Pembroke
Mayor Milton Hunt, Patricia Clark of
Charlotte and Bird Runningwatcr.
Beverly Hills, Sundance Film Company
for their letters of nomination
Whitteinore is currently employed
with the North Carolina Department of
Administration with the North Carolina
Commission of Indian Affairs as an
Educational Talent Search Counselor.
She is assigned to Cumberland, Hoke
and Harnett Counties.
Other Ambassadors are: Andra
Agli (Aleut) Shareholder Administrator,
Bristol Bay Native
Corporation; Lisa Brown
(Chickasaw), Special Assistant,
Chickasaw Nation; Leslie Cayc
(Kootenai), Field worker, Teen Fatherhood
Involvement Program, John
Hopkins University; Vincent Cooke
(Makah), Environment Health Specialist,
Makah Tribe; Megan Hill
(Oneida), Director of Individual Giving,.
American Indian College Fund.
Shawna Kirsten (Washo/Paiute),
Tribal Court Advocate, Rcnok
Sparks Indian Colony; Stephen Lewis |
(Gila River Indian Community), i
Tribal Gaming Commissioner: Ron
Martinez (Isleta Pueblo/Taso I
Pueblo), Artist; Miles Miller
(Yakama/Ncz Pierce) Board ember
Native American Arts Alliance: Tom
Okleaski (Inquiat Eskimo) Assistant
Vice President, Kawerak, Inc.; Melissa
Sanchez (Acoma Pueblo/Laguna
Pueblo), National Accounts, Four
Wind Trading Co.; R.J. Smith
(Ojibewe-Assiniboinc), Coordinator
of Urban Natives of Chicago, NAES
College: Terry Snowball (Ho-Chunk
Prairie Band Potwaatomi) Museum
Specialist, Smithsonian's National
Museum of the American Indian;
Rebecca Thompson (Navajo) Special
Work Case Manager, University
of New Mexico Health Services
Center; and April Tinhorm
(Hualapai/Navajo/Chincse) Computer
Scientist, U.S. Department of
Science.
Shown left: Art Woolsey, National Native American Indian Inmate Support
Project; and James Locklear-Brooks.
Lumbee Indian Prisoner
Creates Art With A Heart
by Elizabeth Chrinstine Brooks
James Locklear-Brooks, also
known as James Fading Eagle Two
Brooks, is a Lumbee Indian currently
in prison in the State of
Pennsylvania. Since 1996, he has
been at the forefront of the struggle
for Authentic Native Advisors and
a complete American Tndian religious
service in Pennsylvania
prisons. Consequently, he has spent
over half the time he has been in
prison in "the hole" for his efforts.
Locklear-Brooks expresses his
love for the Lumbee and heritage
that comes with it through his paintings,
which he feels allovys him to
"speak:" with positive results.
James' artwork has been shown
throughout the United States and
also abroad by various organizations,
including Wolakota,
Renegade Artists, Rock)1 Mountain
Peace and Justice CenterLockdown
Prisoner Art and American
Indian Movement Prisoner
Services among others.
Recently he had several of his
paintings printed in poster form by
AIM to support efforts to protect a
sacred burial site in Morgantown, West
Virginia where Walmart has planned on
building a store.
Last year several of his paintings
were on display at Edinsboro State College
in Pennsylvania. Locklear-Brooks
has donated over 100 paintings to charities
throughout the United States to
benefit Native prisoners and/or Native
children. He continues his artwork and
the struggle for Native prisoner religious
rights from his prison cell at the
State Prison at Albion.
Anyone wishing to contact my
brother, may do so by writing: James
Locklear-Brooks or James Fading Eagle
Two Brooks, #CX-9954, 10745 Route
18, Albion, PA 16474
For those Lumbee brothers and sisters
in prison needing support on Native
religious issues, please feel free to contact
Mr. Matt Sherman, National Field
Office of the American Indian Movement,
Prisoner Services, PO Box 06167,
Columbus, Ohio 43206.
In closing, if you are involved with a
Native support project or Native
children's charity there in Pembroke, I
am sure Locklear-Brooks would love to
hear from you.
Shown left to right are William E. Locklear, WIA Director; Pamela
Locklear, WIA Participant; and Zona Locklear, WIA Counselor.
LRDA's WIA Participant
Recognized for Excellency
A Lumbec Regional Development
Association's Workforce Investment
Act (WIA) program participant
was recently awarded a
Five-Hundred dollar ($500.00)
check at the twenty-third (23rd)
National Indian and Native American
Employment and Training conference
in Reno, Nevada.
This conference was held during
the week of April 9-13,2001. This
annual gathering of Native American
grantees, representing 185
Native American organizations
from all 50 states, is a forum for
the sponsoring agency-United
States Department of Labor, division
of Indian and Native American
programs- to collaborate with
staff who are charged with providing
employment and Training services
to the Native American Communities.
Pamela Locklear, who was a participant
in the classroom Training
program was nominated by
LRDA'S WIA Staff, based on established
criteria " -
Pamela was selected by the
screening committee to receive the
"Doyle Tubby Scholarship
Award"; this award is given annually
to a WIA participant who has
demonstrated a commitment to excellence
in their chosen field of
study; as Doyle Tubby did during
his many years of service to the
Mississippi band of Choctaw Indians,
as the employment and training
administrator.
Overcoming many barriers,
Pamela received an LPN degree
from Southeastern community College,
Whiteville, NC, and is currently
employed with Pembroke
Family Practice in Pembroke, NC.
Pamela is married to VonLocklear
and has one child. Her goal is to
obtain her R.N. degree while working
at Pembroke Family Practice.
On behalf of the LRDA Board
of Directors, Staff and Community,
we salute Pamela for her achieve.
men! and wish her luck in pursuing
her RN degree
Ms. Jane O. Chavis participates in
Distinguished Teachers Forum II
Ms. Jane O. Chavis, a Kindergarten
teacher at Union Chapel School was
selected to attend the 2001 Distinguished
Teachers Forum II sponsored
by the Department of Public Instruction
in Raleigh, NC. The purpose of the
forum was to discuss issues of recruitment
and retention of teachers in North
Carolina. The Forum also honored Ms.
Chavis and others teachers who have
been recognized at the national level
for their educational expertise and leadership
qualities.
It has been estimated that nationally
over 2 million new teachers will be
needed over the next decade because
of an increasing student population,
teacher retirement, and initiatives to
reduce class size North Carolina
will need approximately 80,000 new
teachers over the next decade, a number
almost equal to our current
teaching force.
The Honorable Governor Michael
F. Easley attended the Forum and
shared his initiative and priorities for
education in North Carolina with
this select group of educators.
Child suppory amnesty declared for May 7 to 11
Laurinburg, NC ? Parents who
are behind on their child support
are getting a chance to pay up without
legal action. On May 7 through
11. the Scotland County Child support
Enforcement Office is holding
an Amnesty Week for parents who
are behind paying support for their
children.
"Chid support enforcement is
about getting children the support
they need. We hope an amnesty- can
help make that happen for the over
1500 children in our county whose
parents are behind in their child
support," said Jan Elliott, director
of the Scotland County Department
of Social Services. "We invite par
ents to come in and work it out.
We'll try to make it easier for you
to meet your child support obligation."
In Scotland County, 809 parents
have been invited to come in and
make arrangements to pay their
child support. To make it easier for
them, the office is going to be open
from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM that week.
Besides giving parents a chance to
catch up. we will have our establishment
unit available to assist
with other child support needs
This w eek is also a chance for parents
to make sure the county has
up-to-date information in its
records.
For those parents whose support
order is in another county, you will
have to go to that county to discuss
your payment options. Many of the
counties around Scotland are participating
in this effort.
For absent parents who need a
job to help fulfill their child support
requirements, the Child Support
Enforcement Office will have
staff from Richmond Community
College Vocational Rehabilitation,
and the Employment Security
Commission available to assist.
You can locate the Child Support
Office at 1405 West Boulevard in
the Cotintv Government Complex.
. ft
April Whittemore is shown above with the New Class of Ambassadors while
on the Santa A na Pueblo Reservation during the first gathering in March 26.11,
2001.