PUBLISHED EACH THItrsdAY
ACQUISITIONS DEPARTMENT
UNC . ,
WILSON LiBRAiiY •••A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE
CHAPEL Eli,L,EC .:7„1 ,
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C.
THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
Dedicated to the best in all of us
(volume 5 NUMBER 29
* Publicoilon No. 976060
PEMBROKE, NC
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1977
I
154 PER COPY i
I
FIRST AMERICAN COOPERATIVE
ROBESON COUNTY BOARD
WAREHOUSE BEGINS SALE
OF COMMISSIONERS MEET
OF TOBACCO
Following up on last week’s meeting of
interested citizens concerning the
possibility of Robeson County being
designated the pilot county in a Gov. Hunt
proposed adult literacy thrust. Rep. Joy J.
Johnson appeared before the county
commissioners and asked them for
evidence of their support Monday.
illiteracy in the county.
The $50,000 is to be given only if
Robeson County is designated the pilot
county in the still nebulous proposal
explored by Gov, Jim Hunt in a recent
‘Under the Dome’ column in the News &
Observer in Raleigh.
people
and places
and things
BLOOD PRESSURE DAY
Rep. Johnson initiated efforts to have
Robeson County named the pilot county
and said the $50,000 from the county
commissioners would show good faith that
Robeson County is serious about attacking
illiteracy among the adult population. Gov.
Hunt has not made a decision about the
proposed program yet although many
contend that Robeson County would be an
ideal county to initiate such a pilot program
because of its unique tri-racial populace
and the resulting 36% of identifiable
ANTI-RECESSION FUNDS
GIVEN ROBESON COUNTY
SCHOOLS
The county commissioners also gave the
six school systems in Robeson County
$100,000 on a per pupil basis for use in
their respective school systems. Robeson
County Administrative School Unit will
receive approximately half the money
because they have approximately half the
pupils enrolled in the county,
The Rowland Indian Community
Organization will sponsora Blood Pressure
Day on Sunday, July 24, at the Courthouse
in Rowland, NC. The general public is
invited to come out and have their blood
pressure checked between the hours of
2p.m. and 5 p.m.
beginning at 10 a.m. with a break for lunch
from 12 noon until 1 p.m. The singing is
sponsored by the conference and ail choirs
are invited to attend. The public is cordially
invited to attend. Last year 14 choirs
attended and participated in the morning
session.
PEMBROKE INSTRUCTOR
DIRECTS OUTDOOR DRAMA
ENGAGED COUPLE HONORED
In The Pines Cafe Now
Open For Business
The Board of Director of First American Cooperative Warehouse pose with the
first tobacco placed on the floor of the spaciousi and modem warehouse for sale.
The tobacco belonged to Timothy Strickland and Thomas Lowry. The first
tobacco sold at First American Cooperative Warehouse belonged to Mr. Timothy
Strickland, also a board member.
It was history in the making and the board members soberdemeanors reflect the
fact: they are (left to right) seated Lacy Collins, Timothy Strickland and Welton
Locklear, president. In the rear, left to right, are Rufus Bums, Jr., Ernest
Almond, I>obbs Oxendioe, Braddle Locklear and Bobby Moody.
Craig Lowry and Elaine Strickland were
honored July-16 at the home of Mr, and
Mrs. Jydor Locklear on Moss Neck Road
with a Pig-Picking. Approximately 70
guests enjoyed barbequed pig, potato
salad, baked beans and cabbage slaw.
Special guests were Mr. and Mrs. Alex
Strickland, parents of the bride-to-be. and
Mrs, Letha Lowry and Mrs. Katie Jacobs,
mother and grandmother of the prospective
groom. Guests attended from Charlotte,
Lincolton, Rowland, Maxton, Raleigh and
Pembroke.
Pembroke drama instructor Don Dalton is
spending the summer months directing the
Valdese outdoor drama, FROM THIS
DAY FORWARD.
From This Day Forward, the moving
drama that tells the story of the Waldenses,
a group of Northern Italians that were
persecuted for their beliefs, is presented in
historic Valdese, NC, the town they
founded in eastern Burke County in 1893.
PEMBROKE JAYCETTES AWARD
SCHOLARSHIP
The Pembroke Jaycettes presented a $ 100
scholarship to a Pembroke Senior High
School student. The recipient was Valarie
Roberts, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim
Poorboy. Valarie plans to enter Pembroke
Slae University this fall.
From This Day Forward ticket
information can be obtained by writing Old
Colony Players, P.O. Box 12, Valdese, NC
28690, or by calling (704) 874-0176.
HENRY WARD OXENDINE
JOINS PAROLES BOARD
The Pembroke Jaycettes are planning to
make this scholarship award an annual
event.
FORMER ROBESON COUNTY
TEACHER ACCEPTS OVERSEAS
POSITION
Henry Ward Oxendine, an Indian attorney
from Pembroke, was sworn in Monday as a
member of the newly revamped N.C.
Board of Paroles. Oxendine, formerly the
first Indian to serve in the N.C. General
Assembly when he was appointed to fill an
unexpired term in 1973, now becomes the
first Indian to ever, serve on the North
Carolina Board of Paroles.
Juanita Nicholson, former Robeson
County teacher has accepted a job with the
Department of Defense Schools overseas.
She and her two young children, Mike, 16,
and Sandra, 14, are leaving for
Aschafenburg, Germany August 15th for i
two year tour.
The paroles board Oxendine joins is a new
one, created by the North Carolina General
Assembly this year at the behest of
Governor Jim Hunt. The general assembly
passed a reorganization act which deleted
the former paroles commissioners’ jobs
June 30 and gave the governor power to
name his own paroles commission.
Juanita is the daughter of Clarence
Sampson of Route 1, Pembroke and is a
1969 graduate of Pembroke State
University. She taught at Parkton School
for four years, taught two years in Tampa,
Florida and has spent the past two years
teaching for Columbus City Schools,
Columbus, Ohio. Juanita plans to do
graduate studies while in Germany.
Oxendine. who will be paid $27,756 a
year, joins Jane Greenlee, McDowell
County commissioner; Rae H. McNamara,
a state employee who has worked on
personal matters for the department of
corrections; J.C. Jones. Dean of Students at
Fayetteville State; and James C. Woodard,
clerk of court of Johnston County, who will
serve as chairman.
GOVERNOR HUNT NAMES
APPOINTEES TO PSU BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
Besides Oxendine. who is an Indian, the
board includes two women and a black.
Jones from F.S.U.
And the first sale at First American Cooperative Warehouse In progress.
Elsewhere on the Border Belt, prices ranged from a low of 48« to a high of $1.26
for high grade.
Local businessman (and actor) Carneli Lodclear, who is a State Manpower
Specialist, has recently c^ned an eating establishment across from the Riverside
Country Club and has named it appropriately after his role in the outdoor drama,
‘ ‘Strike at the Wind!” In the role of “Boss Strong, ’ ’ the brother-in-law to Lumbee
folk hero, Henry Berry Lowrie (played by Melton Lowry), Locklear and Lowry
sing a haunting rendition of an old folk ballad, “In the Pines.” And even though
there isn’t a pine within 100 yards, Locklear named his business, the “In the Pines
Cafe,” and his main sandwich? The “Boss Burger” of course!
Gov. Jim Hunt has appointed Mrs.
Geneva Parnell of Parkton and Harold B.
Wynn of Lumberton to serve on the Board
of Trustees of Pembroke State University.
Mrs. Parnell is a member of the board of
directors of the Parkton Historical
Foundation and is also secretary-treasurer
of the organization.
Hunt said he expected the new paroles
board to approve paroles “based on one
qualification and one condition and that is
whether or not that person is entitled to be
paroled.”
AN OPEN LETTER ON N.C. COMMISSION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
Ruth D. Woods
ris a sad day for Native Americans across the State of North Carolina,
the midst of their multiple problems in trying to seek recognition, their
n State Agency has now become a part of the State Department of
Iministration as the result of action by the N.C State Legislature last
'nth. This comes right on the tail of the recommendations of the
nerican Indian Policy Review Commission that Indians do not receive
equate services and attention through bureaucratic agencies, and that
)arate organizations should be designed to represent the needs and
'blems of Indians. It appears that instead of keeping pace with the
lional trend in affairs, we in North Carolina have allowed ourselves to
“boondoggled’’ by politicians and powerseekers.
Mr. John W. Oxendine
Lumbee Indian Advisory Committee
Route 3, Lumberton, NC 28358
as soon as possible.
Wynn is an assistant principal with the
Robeson County School System. He has
served as an outreach counselor for the past
two summers at Robeson Technical
Institute. He is a past president of the
Saddletree Jaycees and a past vice president
of the North Carolina Jaycees.
Hunt also said that he expected the new
paroles board to question members of the
inmate’s hometown before they make a
final decision on whether to release him.
ROBESON COUNTY FARMERS ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR LOANS
Some days ago Horace Locklear presented a proposal to me by way of
Irvin Aldridge of my staff suggesting that there be appointed a
“Governor’s Coordinating Committee on Lumbee Indian Affairs.”
Please me assured of my interest in your concern for improving the status
of your people. I consider the Lumbee Indians to be full citizens of North
Carolina in every respect. I am grateful that you took the time to write me
about these concerns. It is good to have an expression of your views.
SOME background
March, 1969,1 was approached by Rod Locklear, Horace Locklear,
lald Revels and some others to develop a proposal to establish a
ivcvcis aiiu sonic uuicis lo - r-“i
emor’s Coordinating Committee on Lumbee Indian Affairs. In my
eness, I developed a proposal as requested by these fellows to be
nitted to Governor Robert W. Scott. The goals of this Advisory
imittee was to (1) accomplish a more concentrated and intensive
very of services from existing agencies such as health and welfare to
Indian community; to increase communications between the Lumbee
ans and other Indian groups; to encourage and stimulate pride among
ibee Indians with new recognition from the office of the Governor, to
ince a free flow and dissemination of information directly from the
an community regarding education, training, and job opportunities,
to serve as a direct channel of information to the Governor relati^ to
status and activities of a particular segment of his constituency. This
>osal was delivered to Governor Scott by Horace Locklear and was
ed by the following: John W, Oxendine, Chairman, Steering
imittee for an Advisory Council on Lumbee Indian Affairs; Luther
'.Chairman, Robeson County Democratic Party; BenG. Floyd, Jr.,
•k of Robeson County Superior Court; and other members ol the
''sory Council^a Lumbee Indian Affairs: Herman Dial, Horace
klear, Howard Oxendine,Herman Revels, Jr. and Carmel Locklear
I have reviewed this proposal carefully and have discussed it with
members of my staff and others. I do not feel I can establish such a
committee primarily because of the fact that I would then be in a position
of having to establish a similar committee for Cherokee Indian Affairs,
Negro Affairs, Jewish Affairs, and any other minority group. This could
soon resolve in a proliferation of coordinating committees. If there is one
thing we have too much of in government now, it is committees and
commissions.
With kindest regards and best wishes.
Cordially,
Robert W. Scott
The Board of Trustees is composed of 13
members-eight elected by the Board of
Governors, four appointed by the Governor
and the president of the student government
association as an ex- officio member.
Robeson County farmers are eligible to
apply for emergency loans due to losses
resulting from excessive rainfall in May
and June, J. Phil Carlton, Secretary of
Crime Control and Public Safety
announced today.
The North Carolina Good Neighbor Council is established for the express
purpose of giving assistance and support to minority groups and causes
within the state. I am going to discuss this matter with Mr. Fred Coopier,
Chairman of the Good Neighbor Council, with the purpose of asking him
to come forward with suggestions as to what might be done to accomplish
your goals and objectives.
A plan may be devised whereby the Lumbee Indians can have a voice on
the Good Neighbor Council and perhaps something can be done about
having a representative in your area to give attention to the matter of job
opportunities and appointments for Lumbee Indians.
following is the response received from Governor Scott.
I am very conscious of the strong support given me by the Lumbee
Indians and 1 want you to know that I am grateful for that support. I am
also very much aware of the fact that Lumbee Indians have not had a full
voice in our State Government. It is my intention to correct this situation
In September, 1970,1 was contacted by Kenneth Franklin, a specialist in
the Division of Human Resources, with regard to the possibility of
creating a North Carolina State Commission on Indian Affairs, and in the
capacity as Secrertary to the Board of the then, REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. (now LUMBEE REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.) If forwarded to him a great
deal of background material and some comments to be considered in the
creation of a North Carolina State Indian Commission. I regret that
beyond that initial proposal mentioned above, and my correspondence
with Ken Franklin, 1 do not have at my disposal the minutes of the
meetings of the Planning Council, however, these should be on file at
LRDA. Upon meeting in Raleigh that fall, representatives from all
Indian groups, tribes and organizations from across the State of North
Carolina met to discuss the possibility of creating a State Commission of
Indian Affairs. It was at this point that I was elected by the entire body to
serve as Chairperson of the Planning Council, a position which I held until
the legislation was enacted to create the Commission. I distinctly
remember making the comment at thi.s first planning meeting that “if we
have come here to design and create an agency for the good of Indian
people, and one in which Indian people will have the deciding voice, then
we are interested; but if we have come here to be used by the State of North
Carolina to design an agency in the name of Indian people for the benefit
The purpose of the Board is to promote the
development of the institution, helping it
serve the state in a way that will
compliment the activities of the other
institutions and helping it to perform at a
high level of excellence. The new members
will serve a term of four years.
Gov, James B. Hunt. Jr., made the official
request that the loans be provided after
learning of the condition of crops in
Robeson County damaged by excessive
rainfall on May 19-24 and by hail, rain and
windstorm on June 6.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY TO BE
OBSERVED AUGUST 27
The golden wedding anniversary of
Colonel and Macie (Trixie) Locklear will
be observed at the Green Pine Church on
August 27 from 5 until 8 p.m. All friends
and relatives are invited to attend and help
in the celebration of 50 years of wedded
bliss.
Provided under the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act, the loans are
administered by the Farmers Home
Administration (FHA) of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
ANIVERSARY SINGING TO BE
HELD AT NEW PROSPECT CHURCH
CONTINUED PAGE 6
On Sunday. July 24, the Lumber River
Conference will hold their 77th anniversary
singing at New Prospect Holiness
Methodist Church on Highway 710,
Pembroke. It will be an all day singing
'zt
r3!'
'ji
Don is spending his first year with the
drama, which is performed each Tuesday
through Saturday night at 8:45 p.m, in the
Old Colony Amphitheatre in Valdese.
Applications for physical losses may be
made through August 29. Applications for
production losses may be made through
March 30, 1978. The FHA supervisor for
Robeson County has information on
applying for the loaM
In making the announcement, Carlton said
he was pleased that the U.S. Department of
Agriculture accepted his request for
emergency loans. “I consider this a part of
the Department of Crime Control and
Public Safety’s continuing effort torespond
to the needs of our citizens in
emergencies.” Carlton said.