J
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C.
PUBLISHED EACH THURSDAY
Serials Department
Univ. HC-Chapel Hill
’''UsonLi brary J24-
...A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE
THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
Dedicated to the best in all of us
VOLUME 5 NUMBER 36
Publication No. 976360'
PEMBROKE, NC
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1977
15it PER COPY
LOW RENT HOUSING SURFACES AGAIN AT
people
PEMBROKE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
and places
The Pembroke Town Council met in
regular session Tuesday night. The
meeting was changed Because of Labor
Day.
The Council heard a report from Vic
Josephs from the Lumber River Council
of Governments. Josephs gave the
council a run down on a number of
possible funding sources.
The town also continued the contract of
John Holmes, a town planner from the
N.C. Department of Natural and
Economic Resources.
The Council also discussed the poss
ible sites of a Maintenance Building and
scheduled a meeting Saturday morning
to look over some possible sites.
number of Pembroke citizens said in his
letter, “I think our town can ill afford
the consequences of this agency
breaching the contract for this devel
opment...For some approximate two
years this agency has been planning
this development after formal announ
cements of its funding in our local
newspapers by our Congressman, Char
lie Rose. Not once, during this period
have I heard objections to this grant.
Yet here on the eve of a municipal
election and bid letting of this program
certain few have come to the front to
challenge its propriety. 1 think it’s only
far to ask the question, WHY? I only
hope that what I feel is the silent
majority knows the answer to that
questions...”
upon. The land, belonging to Mrs.
Bonnie Locklear, is approximately 19
acres. According to information present
ed ^t the meeting Tuesday night, the
land was condemned for S4.500 an
acre.
Mayor Reggie Strickland brought the
discussion to a halt by saying, ‘ ‘I feel we
have enough like you but I feel we have
gone to the point of no return...”
that the majority of town citizens have
signed a petition opposing further low
rent housing in Pembroke.
But opposition was evident by the
anger of many of the citizens who
appeared before the council. Said
Brewington, ‘‘Breachof contract? What
does that mean? We are interested in
terminating these latest low rent
housing units.. .You can’t find 1 /3 of the
people in favor of these units as those
against it...we want to stop the units.
The town can’t afford them...”
Those opposed to low rent housing left
unhappy and angry at. as one of them
said, ‘‘the power of Qinton Thomas,
Jr.-who seems to be running things.”
IN OTHER MATTERS-
u and things
The council hired a new policeman,
Harold Hunt, to replace Querlon
Cummings who recently resigned.
RECORD STUDENTS
ATTENDING PEMBROKE STATE
BUT, AS USUAL LOW RENT
HOUSING DOMINATED THE
MEETING
As usual, a number of town citizens
appeared in opposition to the additional
100 units of low rent housing (and a day
care center facility) now on the drawing
board.
But Brewington and the other citizens
who appeared were not easily swayed
from their contention that the town has
enough low rent housing and ‘‘cannot
afford” the latest 100 units.
But, according to town attorney Arnold
Locklear, “Things have gone too far
now.” The opinion of the attorneys who
expressed an opinion on the matter is
that the additional units will be built
unless court action stops them. Brew
ington said after the meeting, “This is
not the end of it. Pembroke has enough
low rent housing.” The group affirms
The committee named by Mayor
Reggie Strickland to study the feasabil-
ity of Cable TV for Pembroke met in a
brief session after the council meeting
with Town Manager, McDuffie Cum
mings. No action was taken, and
Cummings is to schedule a meeting
with a representative of the Cable TV
Company in the near future.
A record 2,334 students have registered
for classes at Pembroke State University
this fall, 147 more than the school’s
previous record of 2.187, established last
year.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
ASSOCIATION OF INDIAN
PEOPLE HOLD ANNUAL
POW WOW
Of the 2,334 on roll, 2.153 are full-time
equivalent students, meaning they are
taking a full load of at least 12 semester
hours. Of these FTE students, 2,098 are
in-state students, and 55 are out-of-state.
Bob Brewington, who previously ser
ved on the town council, appeared as
spokesman for those citizens opposing
the additional 100 units of low rent
housing.
Brewington said, “We appeared be
fore you earlier and asked you some
questions. We are wondering if you
have the answers.”
Attorneys, Chavis, Bullock, and
Winklestein, respectively representing
the local housing authority, the attorney
generals office, and the Department of
Housing and Urban Development,
concurred in the opinion “that any
failure to diligently further the comple
tion ofthe project will be a ’substantial
breach’ of the contract between the
housing authority and the govemment."*
A Report...
Robeson County’s Indian Education Project
The university’s housing office reports
that 600 students are living on campus.
This , too, represents a record. Many other
students are living in apartments and
fraternity hou.ses in the town of Pembroke.
The Cumberland County Association
of Indian People held their annual Pow
Wow and Festival Friday and Saturday
in Fayetteville. A large turn out of
Indian people and friends from through
out the state turned out to take part in
the sundry activities, including a
Saturday morning parade through down
town Fayetteville, that emphasized the
cultural heri*^age of the Indian people.
Chief James P. Jacobs led the
festivities, and displayed his ceremonial
headdress during the parade down Hay
Street Saturday morning.
By Roth Dial Woods, Project Director
And they did. Town attorney, Arnold
Locklear, at the behest of Mayor Reggie
Strickland, arose and read letters from
Ginton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director
of the Housing Authority and Redeve
lopment Commission of Pembroke;
Ertle Knox Chavis, counsel for the
Housing Authority; James F. Bullock,
senior deputy attorney general; and
Harris J. Winklestein, area council for
the N.C. Department of Housing and
Urban Redevelopment.
Winklestein, area counsel for HUD,
ended his letter of opinion by saying,
“Should such a breach occur, the
government would view it most serious
ly and would look to its legal remedies.”
After a busy summer of planning
meetings with the Indian Parent
Committee and a series of public
hearings in eight school districts, the
final project application for the Title
IV-A Robeson County Compensatory
Indian Education Project was approved
and funded By the U.S. Office of Indian
Education effective August 1.
Thomas, who has raised the ire of a
Thomas explained that a public
hearing had been held in Pembroke and
before the N.C. Utilities Commission.
Also, he noted that some $300,000 had
been committed toward planning and
developing the 100 additional units of
low rent housing, day care center, and
recreational complex. Additionally, as
someone noted tom the audience,
the final forms had been signed earlier
in the day toward condemning the
property that the units will be built
The planning efforts of the Indian
community through its participation in
the Roberon CoonQ' Indian Edncatlon
Needs Assessment (RCIENA) has been
hailed as the most successful of any
Title rV-A project in the Nation by
Project Officer Lloyd Elm of the U.S.
Office of Indian Education, with sixty
percent (69%) of Indian parents, Indian
students, Indian teachers, Indian school
administrators, Indian businessmen,
and Indian members of the Robeson
County Board of Education responding
to the questionnaries distributed last
May.
C. Educational Enrichment will pro
vide classes for accelerated Indian
students at Magnolia/Rney Grove and
Fairgrove/Green Grove in grades 7-12.
and individualized tutorial reading
programs in grades 4-12 in all schools.
D. Native American Studies will be
piloted in Magnolia, Piney Grove,
Orrum, Long Branch, Proctorville,
Rex-Rennert, Parfcton, Rowland, Ash-
pole and Southside schools as an
experimental and demonstration project
for curriculum development in grades
K.12;
Fifteen (15) educational enrichment
tutorial reading aides have been
temporarily assigned to Title I Reading
teachers. After a two-day training
program the end of this month, these
staff persons will be assigned to local
schools to provide tutorial services in
self-contained classrooms in grades
4-12.
CATAWBAS GET INTERIOR
SUPPORT FOR LAND CLAIM
E. Supportive services will be provided
by Community Referral Specialists who
will be responsible for arranging
appointments and providing transpor
tation for medical and dental services
for Indian students.
One Educational Enrichment has been
employed as a teacher of accelerated
students at Fairgrove and Green Grove,
and one additional teacher will be
employed for Magnolia and Piney
Grove.
Rattlesnakes Discovered
PURPOSE
‘Fighting like Cobras’
As programmed, the Robeson County
Compensatory Indian Education Project
proposes to conduct the following
programs and activities for Indian
students during this year:
A. Youth Development and Individual
Awareness training for Indian students
to increase their awareness and under
standing of their Native American
heritage, develop positive self-con
cepts, and provide individual and group
counseling services on personal, social
and educational problems.
Also, special field and resource trips
will be planned to broaden the
experiences of Indian students in
developing an awareness of their Native
American heritage. Youth seminars and
workshops will be scheduled for Indian
youth utilizing local and national Native
American resource persons, and county
wide exhibits and performances will be
scheduled in December and May where
Indian students will exhibit arts and
crafts, artwork, handicraft, and will
perform in all-Indian bands and chorale
groups.
Cultural enrichment specialists in
music and art have been employed and
as of September 6, these staff persons
are meeting with school administrators
to schedule their programs.
Solicitor Leo M, Kmlitz has asked the
Justice Department to file suit on behalf of
the Catawba Indians of South Carolina to
recover about 15 square miles surrounding
their present 630 acre reservation, in 1763
the tribe gave up its aboriginal tenritory in
return for Great Britain’s assurance that
they would have unmolested possesion of
the 15 square mile area. The United States
when it succeeded Great Britain did not
abrogate this treaty or the tribe's right to the
land. In 1840 the tribe entered into a treaty
with the State of South Carolina giving up
title to 140.000 acres. The conveyance,
however, was void under the 1970
Non-Intercourse Act because the Federal
Government was not involved and did not
give its ^:onsent of the transfer. Interior has
supported similar land claims in Maine and
in New York.
MISS LUMBEE SEES
REWARDING YEAR
AHEAD
The next phase to be implemented is
the Youth Development and Individual
Awareness Component which will em
ploy paraprofessional counseling aides
and community referral specialists.
GERARD DISCUSSES PLANS FOR
BIA
The phase-in of the arts and crafts
program utilizing local Indian artisans
and craftsmen is scheduled for early
October.
In-service Training and Orientation
STAFF
Although staffing for the project is
not yet complete, the program is being
implemented on a phasing schedule.
B. Coltural Enrichment will provide
special programs in music, art, and arts
and crafts.
The administrative staff consists of
Ms. Ruth Dial Woods, Project Director,
Mr. Grady Locklear, Director of Educa
tion, and Mr. Donald Locklear, Coor
dinator of Youth Development and
Supportive Services.
The Educational Enrichment Special
ist, the Cultural Enrichment Specialists,
the Native American Studies Instruct
ors, and the Coordinator of Youth
Development have been involved in
staff orientation and in-service training
for the past two weeks. During this
time, the staff has developed a
curriculum guide incorporating their
SEE A REPORT-
PAGE 4
Warriors Play Orrum Friday Night
FIRST HOME GAME OF SEASON
Interveiwed by Jim Largo for the
Albuquerque Journal, Forrest Gerard.
President Carter’s nominee as the first
Assistant Secretary of the Interior for
Indian Affairs, expressed confidence that
he will be confirmed by the Senate this
month. His hearings are sceduled for
September 9. 12 and 13. Gerard said his
first task in the office would be to appoint
his staff and then he would begin the long
anticipated reorganization of the BI.A. He
said that the recommendations of the
American Indian Policy Review
Commission would be used "as a sort of
road map to reorganize the BIA. It calls for
some radical changes.’’ Gerard said he
believes the fundamental responsibility of
the BIA is “carrying out the trust function
to the Indian people.” He expressed
concern about a “serious backlash”
growing out of legal victories in the western
United States. “What it comes down to. I
believe, is that the trustee (BIA) is going to
have to stand even more fimily on those
Indian legal rights.” Gerard said.
Brenda Hunt.
She’s 5'5” and just turned 18. Brown
curls frame a petite face with slightly
painted lips and huge brown eyes
highlighted by just a touch of make-up.
She has an indiscribabie ■ voice that
touches and melts the hearts of many.
She is Brenda Hunt, Miss Lumbee.
Having held the title for a mere two
months, Brenda feels she’s already had
a taste of the glamour and can forsee a
rewarding year ahead of her.
Smarting from their loss in the season
opener at Rowland, the Pembroke Senior
High Warriors take on the Orrum Raiders in
their season opener at home.
According to reports, the Raiders might
be better than Rowland who whipped the
Warriors 20-6 last Friday night.
quarterbacks that we believe can do the
job”we’re just undecided at the mo
ment who will start. We had a good
look at bur senior quarterback, Lindsey
Locklear, last week and we plan to give
Kelvin Sampson, a junior, and our other
quarterback, a good look Friday night
against Orrum.”
Warriors did not have any trouble
moving the ball up and down the field
(they gained 160 yards on the ground,
including a 44 yard scamper tom
scrimmage by Billy Thompson) but a
number of fumbles and penalties hurt
their scoring chances.
V.F.W. NEWS
Head Coach Ned Sampson said, “We
can move the ball and we have two
In the season opener at Rowland, the
The only score by the Warriors came
on a 95 yard kick off return by Julius
Meekins in the second period.
Mr. Rodney Ransom and his son-in*
{•w. William B. Cummings, were
looking at some timber” when they
* clamor off in the distance abont
SO yards. They discovered ‘‘two rattle
snakes fighting like two Cobras in a
Latzan movie.”
® rattlesnakes were discovered
an old, dili^)idated tobacco bam on
9ld Red Springs Road [near Mt.
r Chnich]. Both rattlers measored
ches lone and weighed more than
ponnds each. Onb of the rattlers
12 rattlers intact while the other
wt most of Its rattlers in the fight.
Said Mr. Ransom, “I bad never fe
of rattlesnakes fighting bnt these two
were: they were almost erect as they
struck over and over at each other.”
Finally, Mr. Ransom ran Into the snakes
with his frock. The impact killed on of
the rattlers and his son-in-law kllied the
other with the limb of a free.
The 8th District of the V.F.W. of North
Carolina on August 31 sponsored a
birthday party for the patients of the
V.A. Hospital in Fayetteville, N.C. for
the month of August. Birthday cards
were given, Bingo played, cake and
other refreshments were served. The
following members from Post 2843 and
auxiliary attended: Sally Brooks, Stella
Locklear, Daisy Demery, Katie Collins,
William Chavis and Lacy Collins.
When traveling or at home in
Pembroke Brenda finds that she is often
confronted with the question, “How
does it feel to be Miss Lumbee”? A
question which she finds hard to
answer. "! feci proud and honored to be
chosen to represent the Lumbee peo
ple.” she says, and adds “It makes me
feel good inside to stand up and say I’m
Brenda Hunt and I represent the
Lumbee Indian people.”
Locklear-Lowry Post 2843 lost a dutiful
and faithful member with the passing
of Comrade Boyd Strickland of Route 1,
Pembroke, N.C. Post members acting
as pallbears were: Monroe Lowry,
Milford Oxendine, Dan R. Jones,
William C. Chavis, Buddy T. Johnson,
Lacy Collins, Lee Ancil Maynor and
W.D. Oxendine.
A freshman at Pembroke State Uni
versity, Brenda feels that her education
is very important. “I realize that I will
have to make a lot of sacrifices during
the year but I feel I can fulfil the
obligations of my class work and that
of being Miss Lumbee.” she says.
Monthly meeting Monday, Septem
ber 12, at the Post Home at 7:30 p.m.
All post and auxiliary members are
asked to attend. Membership dues are
now being paid for the coming year
1978. Supper will be served.
Holding the title of Miss Lumbee 1$
very important and a big job according
to Brenda. But with the support of her
sponsors, the Pembroke Jaycees and
LRDA, she feels that the job will be an
easier one.“Knowing people are behind
you and cheering you on makes things
more exciting and more meaningful,”
Brenda says.
Mr. Ransom and his step son, Freddie
Jacobs [right] display two giant rattle
snakes discovered ‘‘fighting like two
cobras in a Tarzan movie.” [Brace
Barton photo)
New Assistant Coach, Ricky Locklear,
an All American Defensive Tackle at
Eton College, exhorts the defense to
tighten ap. Locklear, who handies the
defense for the Warriors will have to
shore op on the defense to stop the
Orrnm Raiders Friday night In the
season opener at home. Game time is 8
p.m.
Already Brenda has been a visiting
queen at Five pageants throughout N.C.
She was in attendance at the Miss
Aberdeen, Miss Statesville, Miss Mai
den, Miss Hendersonville, and Miss
Fayetteville pageants, along with her
chaperone Miss Florence Ransom. At
three out of five of these pageants, she
was a guest entenaincr and performed
three songs; “Brown Skin Child” from
“Strike at the Wind”, “My Heart
Belong To Me” by Barbara Streisand
and her talent winning number, “Feel
ings.”
As the year continues, Brenda feels
that she will mature and grow and that
by the time her reign is up in July, she
will be able to say she did her best while
Miss Lumbee.