North Carolina Newspapers

Page 2, The Carolina Indian Voice **★★★★★★★★★★**★★★★★★★★ ★★★*★*★★★*******♦ EDITORIAL .ND OPINION PAGE ...rhe voice of rhe drum is an offering ro the Spirit of the 'Vorld, It's sound arouses rhe mind and malses men feel rhe mystery ond power of things. -DLACK ELK LETTEP5 TO THE EDITOR Prime Time The Lost Minority Widowers Thursday, September 22 WAGR Radio Co m ments on Pembroke Housing 19)1 ** » * * * *************************** AS I SEE IT Bruce Barton great Sioux Warrior, was killed by a soldier. The interesting thing is that two Indian reservation policemen were holding his arms while he was shot down in cold blood. The NCAIrelease (for federally recognized Indian eyes only) rails out against Vine Deloria, Jr. .the articulate and independent minded Indian author. The news release neglects to mention that Deloria was once executive director of NCAIback in the 60s. He encouraged all Indians to joinNCAI- Why isNCAI mad with Deloria? We Hear From Indian Life by Harriet Miller Two million people who share a problem do not seem to be ^ - many in the na- We regularly rdCeive issues of the Carolina Indian Voice I j Well.asIseeit.hereiswhyNCAInowhasDeloriaoniBenemieslist. , , » Deloria is independent and does his own thinking. He is a philosopher, , . ... commend vou on author, and a man who has read a book or two. “Teach a man to read a ^ book and he will refuse to be a slave.’’ Deloria refuses to be a slave to emotion, history or cockeyed Indian policy. NCAI: PARANOIA IN ACTION If you want to see a classic case of paranoia, observe the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Recently Deloria wrote a Manifesto entitled “A Better Day For Indians” for the Field Foundation. the quality and the positiveness of your publication and let you know that we enjoy your paper very much, I believe that papers of this type do great credit to the American Indian community. American Indian community across our nation and Canada those news articles that are positive and uplifting. We have a mailing list of approximately 100,000 across the United States and Canada. Webster’s Dictionary defines paranoia thusly: “In psychiatry, a mental disorder characterized by systematized delusions, as for grandeur or. especially, persecution.” The 34th annual convention of the National Congress of American Indians began September 19 (Monday) in Dallas. Texas and ends Friday, September 23, 1977. He said , in part,”...In iwent years the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina ... have attempted to get full federal recognition ... When the Lumbee legislation came before Congress, other Indians, most particularly the National Congress of American Indians, attempted to block it... More than 3,000 people, representing over 150 tribes, organizations, state and federal agencies involved in Indian affairs are expected to attend. The theme, according to a publicity blurb released by NCAI is TODAY’S CHALLENGE: UNITY THROUGH LEADERSHIP, According to our sources, NCAI sent out two seperate mailings; one- federally recognized (sic) tribes and another to non-federally recognized tribes. But, as NCAIcontends, the Lumbees have friends in high places. One of our friends sent me a copy of the news release the Lumbees did not receive. I don’t blame NCAI for not sending it to the Lumbees. The news release is partly scurrilous and rampant with half truths and misconceptions. ■ ‘All of the arguments advanced by the BIA, the NCAI... are frivolous and demeaning. Most of them project a shortage of federal funds caused by the admission of new groups to federal services. The criteria alleged as distinguishing marks of Indian identity, if applied justly and consistently to existing federal tribes and individuals, would decimate the ranks of the Indian community. A majority of the officers of the NCAI do not speak their own tribal languages and have mixed Indian blood. Demanding, therefore,that the Lumbees ... meet standards which they themselves cannot meet is hardly a safe argument to make. In a recent issue of your publication, there were eight pictures of young Lumbee ladies who were vying for the position of Miss Lumbee. I know that this contest is over and I would like to know who the winner of the contest was. I would very much like to run a picture and an article on the winner of this contest. If you would agree to this, 1 would like it very much if you would send a black and white glossy of the winner, plus the name.address and all information on the young lady. Also in the August 21 issue of your paper there was a letter to I honestly believe that NCAI is paranoid about Lumbees in general, although many of the administrators and members of NCAI would not recognize a Lumbee if said Lumbee bit them on the fibula bone. “There is an additional consideration in the case of the Lumbees. They have been accused of having black ancestors, indicating an attitude of racial discrimination among the opponents of Lumbee recognition. Several othertribes have notably mixedancestry,although not necessarily editor under the title, black. No Indian tribe today can claim a pure stock, as if this requirement Different Drummer” relative to necessarily guaranteed Indian-ness. This reason for opposing the AdoIphDial. This letter and the recognition of the Lumbees, therefore, is discriminatory, simplistic and accompanying poem by Ruth and without precendent in Indian policy, and against the basic values of both . _ . Indians and non Indians. If you will gram permission for the utilization of these two articles in our next issue of Indian Life I would appreciate it very much. I will be writing to Professor Dial for a picture of himself. Adolph has been a close personal friend of mine for the last ten years. It has been my privilege to conduct a revival meeting at Prospect United Methodist Church and also to have visited Pembroke on two occasions. The Reverend Simeon Cummings is also a close friend of mine. I have always been impressed with the quality of leadership that has been evident among the Lumbees in my enjoyable visits to the Lumbee community. I will look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Indians in general, whether they be non-federally or federally recognized,have a self-destruct buitonplanted within their breast plate. And Indians always self destruct under pressure, or when they feel threatened. In the publicity blurb (intended for federally recognized Indians only), NCAI articulates ignorance of a kind I seldom have encountered, especially on the subject of ‘Indian Recognition.’ “A policy of fufl services to all dependent Indian communities would immediately eliminate present discriminatory practices. It would simplify eligibility requirements and, in that respect, cut administrative costs. Most of all, it would force the now eligible tribes to share the resources of the federal government with all intended recipients, restoring to them the opportunity to practice the Indian tradition of sharing with the less fortunate. Lonnie Revels were very well done. I would also like to have your permission to publish this letter and the poem in the November/December issue of Indian Life. Very sincerely,your friend, NCAI began in the 40s truly as a congress of American Indians, all Indians. NCAI, in the early days, before foundations recognized NCAI as the token of the centuiy, recruited Indians from wherever they could find them. Indian recognition was left to the tribe to define for themselves. One of the incorporatiing members of the forerunner of NCAI was the Siouan Indian Council of Robeson and adjoining counties. The late Lacy Maynor was an articulate and influential member of NCAI. Many Lumbees joined NCAI as individuals. They were welcomed “as Indians.” “Such a policy would be rational and just, but it would be politically controversial for a time. And herein lies the challenge to a new administration. Can it break with discriminatory practices of the past and create a new, simple and comprehensive Indian policy in spite of temporary coiitroversies?Can a new administration bring justice to all Indians in the face of criticisms which will be brought by a select group of Indians?” Indian Life is published by CHIEF, Inc., a Christian evangelical organization. We endeavor to present to the Raymond G. Baines Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship P.O. Box 2600 Orange, California 92669 Editor’s note: The information you asked for is on its way. Tuscaroras Plan Pow Wow Alas’. NCAI is no longer a national congress of American Indians. It is a provincial forum for federally recognized tribes and organizations. Non- federally recognized Indians have been discounted. NCAI has declared, “...The credentials committee of NCAI has rejecled individual membership of Lumbees in NCAI. The rejection of Lumbees has caused And that, my-ffiends, is why NCAI (National Congress of American Indians) has put Vine Deloria, Jr. on its Llama Dung list. Although he was once the executive director of NCAIhe is now, in NCAI’s words, “(one of those) growing forces of critics ... who attempt to paint the tribal leaders pawns of federal establishment ... The prime target of Mr. Deloria’s well published wrath is the National Congress of American Indians...” Deloria has broken out of the pack. HeJias arrived at his own conclusions the greatest furor in non federally recognized circles and has made NCAI by the most obvious sort of way, by opening up his mind and thinking for the target of a massive publication campaign led by Indian author. Vine himself. NCAI would do well to take some of Mr. Deloria’a conclusions Tuscarora Indians in Robeson County-We are having a cookout Friday, September 23-24. At our First Pow-Wow, Tuscarora Indians will be at Clark's Landing on the old Maxton Road. We are inviting all Indians to come and fill out applications for federal recognition. We are the Tuscarora Tribe of Robeson County, North Carolina. We are proving that we have treaties’ rights. The Tuscaroras have their land grants and maps dating back as far as 1732 and 1738. The Tuscaroras should be proud of their American Heritage. Deloria, Jr. under scrutiny. NCAI notes ...“This is not to say that ‘racism’ does not exist as a consideration in Indian recognition concerns. TO SOME, ALLEGED ABSENCE OF INDIAN CHARACTERISTICS, TRIBAL LANGUAGE AND TRADITIONS AMONG THE LUMBEE PEOPLE IS SECONDARY TO THE CONSIDERATION THAT A NUMBER OF THE LUMBEES CARRY NEGROID FEATURES ’ I am saddened and disillusioned. Isolation was good for the Lumbees, If we had had an active dialogue with NCAI and her adherents in the past, we would not have built a university and learned how to survive. We would not have been able to raise up doctors and lawyers and teachers and thinkers. NCAI would have taught us, incorrectly, that Indians are not smart like other pt ie. We can prove our heritage which dates back some 300 years. There will be Indians selling Indian Hand Crafts and the Gospel Quartet will also be there. It was handed down from father to son through land titles generation after generation. From James Lowery and Henry Berry Lowery descended the Tuscaroras on Lumber River for the past 200 years. We can prove it by history and by the constitution. NCAI like many of my non-Indian friends, define “Indians” the same way John Wayne and the federal government does: They must wear feathers and Uncle Sam must have taken something of value from them, usually their land. It is interesting that NCAI spends more time combatting Lumbee Indian initiative than they do calling Preseident Carter and the infamous Bureau of Indian Affairs to task. Lumbees are a good people, proud and resourceful. I am proud to be a Lumbee, a unique and singular people. And we have proof of our treaties’ dealing with the lands of Robeson County in North Carolina from 1732 up to today. Sincerely, Mr. and Mrs. Vermon Locklear The old axiom holds true, “keep them (Indians) fighting among themselves and we shall steal their land, vote, and sense of self.” Conservative beaurocrats, in high places, snicker smugly and arch an incredulous brow. NCAI notes, “...the relatively high proportion of Title IV funds going to non federally recognized groups continues to cause an outcry among tribal leaders who charge that Washington based OlE (Office of Indian Education) and other related offices are being run by THE LUMBEES and other interests.” What is the answer to NCAI’s delimma? Their conclusions are based on ignorance and their mistaken impression of “what a Lumbee is.” I challenge the NCAI leadership to come to Robeson County. North Carolina and see and talk to the Indians here. We could teach them a few things. And, if they come to Robeson County they will have to rethink all their position papers on Lumbee Indians after they return to Washington. But, as I see it, they ain’t coming. m MINUTES t/m m BiBL£ •T CORNIUUt R. STAM RRtS. •CRIAN RltLI loatTT CHICAGO, lUINOIS 60MS One final note: It would be an insult to Black people to refute th argument thafSome Lumbees have negroid features.” It is a stupl Can you believe that? NCAI is mostly concerned that the funding sources in Washington have expanded to include non federally recognized assumption and not worthy of rebuttal. To condescend to NCAI’s level Indians. What is the difference between a federally recognized and a non would be racism in its most rank form, federally recognized Indian? The only difference is the federal government has recognized one and not the other. In other words, all assumptions voiced by^CAI are founded on the premise of a government that has systematically discriminated against all Indians federally and non federally recognized. In other words, the U.S.Government has determined who we are while, at the self same time, they are woricing diligently to destroy us. The govemement is in the same business. It is important that one be defined, have a name, be logged in on the computer caid.NCAIis. as I see it, mostly concerned about retaining their place on the computer print out. How sad! BIRTH, DEATH AND REBIRTH It reminds me, according to a book I once read, that Crazy Horse, the tmbnkt Dnig Center, Odem and W. 3rd, NC. Dial S21-4S05 Warnings for alcohol ounces of alcohol per day consumed during pregnancy reportedly in- Man’s attempt to “mix” alcohol has been on-going come nedy, g: It’s except for one thing: not furmy. Ask the victims of drunk drivers or broken homes. More recently, epidemic num bers of our school-age youth are consuming alcoholic drinks, and many are becoming alco holic. The latest alcoholic warning concerns expec tant mothers. Three creases risks of offspring abnormalities.' No one can win with alcohol. Remember once and for all, alcohol is a drug — a potent drug. Let’s take it seriously, for everyone’s sake! YOUR PHARMACIST pemBRotec^^StSl MAYNOR’S OUTLET STORE Union Chapel Road, Pembroke, NC •New Shipment •Different Assortment Jean Suits for Men! •Also a Table of Men’s Walker Shoes only $6.00 Come See Us St. Peter declares that to ob tain eternal life we must be "born again," since by nature we were born but to die. "Being born again, not of cor ruptible seed, but of incorrupt- ble, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof faileth away. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever, and this is the Word which by the gospel is preached lUnto you" (I Peter 1:23-25). Our Lord emphasized this same fact to the Pharisee Nico- demus. "That which is born of the flesh," He said, "is flesh.... Marvel not that I said unto thee, lye must be born again" (John 3:6,7). Nicodemus was devoutly re- MAYNOR’S OUTLET STORE ligious, and he even recognized Christ as "a teacher come from God" (John 3:2). But he was not saved. He had not been "born of the Spirit,” and "that which is born of the flesh is flesh" even though it is "religious flesh," and must die. Nicodemus, like many sincerely religious people today, needed to be born again — of the Spirit, by faith in the Word, of which the Spirit is the Author. Some suppose that Paul did not teach the new birth, but they are wrong. He taught it consist ently, and nowhere more clearly than in Titus 3:5, where he wrote by divine inspiration: "Not by works of righteous ness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regenera-- tion (re-birth) and renewing of the Holy Spirit." tional scheme of things. Too few to warrant much attention, as in dividuals they often cannot even identify other members of their problem-wracked minority. Many are reluctant to ask for help. And those who want help somehow slip by the wayside in our national eagerness to satisfy first those who shout the loudest about their needs. This lost minority is the two million widowers among us, many of whom find widowhood even more difficult than some of the women who face a similar situation. A typical widower has been married for most of his adult life to a woman who satisfied his needs on the homefront. While he took for granted the cooking, cleaning, washing, and other chores, she spent years in sonre cases improving or perfect ing her skills. Without her, he suddenly realizes that making a simple grilled-cheese sandwich takes a familiarity with cooking temperatures, knowing—literally —which side your bread is but tered on, and experience in choosing the right kind of cheese. A few days ot confusion in the kitchen can lead to a steady diet of TV dinners or un balanced, hastily prepared meals and a subsequent physical deteri oration. Difficulties in handling the tasks of daily life lead many widowers back to the altar. This is fair neither to the new wife nor to the man himself, who may find that while remarriage alleviates some problems, it can cause others that can be even more painful. The loneliness many widowers experience is sometimes exacer bated by a stubborn pride which does not allow them to reach out to others. One 71-year-old man who had lost his wife a year before we talked was shocked to learn that other widowed people —both men and women—in his apartment building were just as much in need of companionship as he. In fact, he insisted that the widowed women he saw were always happy and that their social lives were far more interesting than his. When he fi nally pursued some conversa tions beyond the point of pleas antries. he discovered that these women were working at appear ing cheerful and that they wel comed his friendship and con cern as much as he was begin ning to welcome theirs. 'D'Are is no question that wid owhood—for both men and women—can be the loneliest pe riod of a lifetime. Yet, there are things that can be done to ease the anguish, including seeking out widowed persons services that bring together people who need help and people who have successfully dealt with their own widowhood. Some action can also be taken during the course of a marriage, when partners can communicate to each other their expertise. In formation about wills, insurance policies, bank accounts, real es tate holdings, and so forth can be discussed. Beyond this are the routine chores that can make life pleas ant—until the partner who han dled them is gone. A couple who can appraise each partner's needs for the information of daily liv ing in effect are bequeathing to each other much of what they have spent a lifetime learning. As death is part of life, so widowhood is part of marriage. The more the phenomenon is discussed, the more easily we- as a society and as individuals- will be able to deal with it. WAGR Radio aired this editorial comment on September 14, 1977 those of you who did not hear it, w it to you for your consideration. For present To those Lumberton residents wj, sometimes get the feeling that Lumberton j the only town around that gets embroiled jj controversial actions by local agencies, the disagreement over low income housW currently going on in Pembroke must be welcome. Actually we don’t mean to mate light of the situation because to all those involved.it’s' a serious thing. Local official, on the one hand are preparing to stait construction of one hundred units while, on the other hand, several Pembroke resident, are opposing the action in the belief that they are not necessary for current residents. But it’s not a simple matter to stop the plans since the Department of Housing and Urban Development is involved by way of a contract with the Pembroke Housing Authority covering the construction and substantial money provided by HUD has already been spent meaning that to stop constmetion now could constitute a violation of that contract with the resulting trouble for the housing authority. What will result is predictable...the housing will be built but it’s unfortunate that the affair had to come to its present status. We understand that, at the time the matter first came up two years ago, there was no opposition. And here we can draw something of an analogy with Lumberton. So often, citizens are complacent and appeni disinterested at the time to act and, then, alter a matter is settled, there’s a big holabaloo. How much simpler it would be for all concerned if objections are voiced when the matters first come up rather than later when nothing can be accomplished but confusion and hard feelings. Life--One of God’s Greatest Gifts to Man Why is life so complicated sometime? Or are the complications all mind? We’re living in such a rapid change of society that the pace Isa difficult to keep up with. As I look upon the inhabitants of the land, rushing to and fro insod busy way I want to reachand say "Stop! Life is tooshorttobenislii.it away.” But then they probably wouldn’t listen. One of God's greatest gifts to mankind was giving us the priviledjtl share a short and happy life upon a great masterpiece-EARTH!’ has abused and misused this privilege, He has become so involved»il worldly affairs that he has no time to stop and think that we’reonlyli! for a short while and then “PRESTO” we’re gone on ic destination. Inhabitants of GoLWAKE-UP! Become involved-involvedwittiW See a more beautiful and meaningful life open up unto you. lay oai you from the depths of my heart. “Slow down-take holdofGcC hand-and Live!” •Peggy Sampson, Route 4 Box 1%, Lumberton, NC According to Scripture Evangelist Ted Brooks Box 339, Pembroke, NC ENCOURAGEMENT I want to share with you some verses which I feel will be strenghtening to those of you who feel that you are alone. Verse 8: “Fear not, neiiturl' afraid; have not I told ih« ft®® that time and have decl^'i'l' are even my witness, istfitirt God beside me?” (Harriet Miller is the executive director of the non-profit, non partisan Notional Retired Teach ers Association and American Association of Retired Persons in IVashinpinn. D.C.) Isaiah 43:2 “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not over flow thee, when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, for I am the Lord thy God. the Holy one of Israel, thy Savior:” St. John It: 25: “Jesus- unto herlam theresurrecwoi* the life; he that believeth though he were dead.yeisM'' live. As I was with Moses.® will be with thee; I will thee, not forsake thee. I hope these words of brought comfort toyou.lte"" ^ . . J .kaggVi'lXO Aunt Nanda Verse 5: “Fear not for I am with thee, I will bring thy seed from the east and gather them from the west.” that someone needed ihese« of encouragement from our and Savior. Union Chapel Road Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Closed All Day Wednesday Phone 521-2880 THE TAMOUS CAMEO »A *Suppoi1s the ful figur* 'Enhances the smoR figure 'Keeps figure youthful Helps develop teen oge figure 'Helps mosectomy figure 'Helps expectont mothers 'Wanda Locklear P.O. Box 58 Lumberton, NC Phone: 521-2964 Otha Swett 521-4692 Yours in Christ, Whenever you wish you were young again. Just think of having to lake school exams. THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE BORn THir UJ€€K Joseph Valechi September 22,1903 One who decided to go along with the U.S. Justice Dept.; “The Valechi Papers” consist ing of a history of his under world caroer and his associa tion with the Cosa Nostra.