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' * % ? 1 ~ PUBLISHED EACH THURSDAY*^??> / > S THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE ? I I Dodicotod to tho bost in all of us I hkaa~m I iw#! AJ" *J VOLUME 6 NUMBER 20 ~ PEMBROKE. N.C. THURSDAY. JULY 13. 1978 15? PER COPY ? ?? ? SETTING THE EARLY RECORD ON OLD MAIN STRAIGHT Old Main awaits restoration. by Lew Barton The restoration of Old Main has been the dream of many. But jt was announced in Pembroke this week, after a simple ground-breaking ceremony, that the historic old landmark will very probably be fully restored within a year, in time to coincide with the retirement of Chancellor English E. Jones. Tfce htstbry of Old Main' has been long, hard and sometimes bitter. The battle to save Old Main has also been long, hard and bitter- but it is an integral part of the history of the Indians of Robeson and adjacent counties of North Carolina. It is an integral part of PSU's history as well and also of the county and state at large. Lest we forget, let us remind ourselves at this appropriate time of the true worth of Old Main. The following is a reprint of a news release of the American Indian Press Association in Washington, DC. I have made few notes (in brackets) to update it and make it more comprehensible. The news release by A IP is dated March 6, 1972. It will help the reader to under stand the why of our great struggle- one that reached from the house nest door all the way to the White House. It is a triumphant story of grass-roots people versus big government. It's the rare kind of story that makes little people like myself glad to be an American. by Tom Edwards s Pembroke, NC fAIPA|--Old Main, the only structure remaining at Pembroke State University here which symbolizes the first and only four- year Indian college in the country, has been ordered destroyed by the state of North Carolina. (The building is now SS years old.-Note by Lew Barton). Razing of the 49-year-old building, approved by the Council of State Feb. 9 will remove the last visible reminder of the school's Indian heritage and the issue has raised a storm of protest among the Lumbee Indian populace numbering about 30,000 in the area and from national Indian leaders. The issue apparently evolved from a November 1971 newspaper story writ ten by Lew Barton, Lumbee author and poet, charging the state with delibe rately de-Indianizing the university. Since then, the issues surrounding Old Main have become a thorn in the side of the state's political leaders, a conscious reminder of the state's rigid segrega tionist policies. U has become a political football in this predominantly Dcrnocraticc state with Republican and some Democratic candidates siding with the Save Old Main Movement and the majority of Democratic leaders turning a deaf ear to pleas for its preservation. Democratic Governor Robert Scott has adamantly refused to acknowledge several letters and telegrams sent him as well as a petition with more than 7,000 signa tures. (NOTE: This first effort was led by Mr. Danford Dial.) The issue also ,has polarized the community here. White students at PSU, who now outnumber Indian students (the University was ordered desegregated after the I9S4 Supreme Court civil rights decision), threaten to take sledgehammers and help the state demolition crews to raze Old Main. (NOTE: : I found it necessary to go on TV and warn the students of the high feelings of the community.-LB) The Save Old Main movement has largely been a local issue until now, but it is rapidly developing into a national issue. Louis R. Bruce, Indian Commis ioner, Brantley Blue, U.S. Indian Claims Commissioner, Lumbee and former Pembroke student and Leo W. Vocu, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, have joined the fight to preserve the building. (NOTE: The Nixon admini stration made a strong plea to Gov. Scott on behalf of Old Main.-LB) NCAI is mapping plans to enlist the support of Indian leaders and other prominent persons across the country and is preparing appeals to the Nixon administration and Congress to preser ve Old Main as a national historical site. (NOTE: Whatever their official posi tion toward Robeson Indians today, NCAI supported Old Main then.) Formal education for Lumbee Indians was nonexistent until 1887 when the state General Assembly provided S500 to establish the "Croatan Normal School." It stipulated that if the Lumbee Tribe did not provide a school building before the next assembly session, the act would be repealed.. (NOTE: The first bill on behalf of education for Robeson Indians was through Hamilton McMillan in' 1885. LB) Money was raised within the com munity to purchase an acre of land near Pembroke and a two-story structure was built by the tribe. The Legislature raised the- annual appropriation to SI,000 in 1889 and it remained at that sum for several years. In 1909, ten acres at the present PSU site were purchased with money again raised within the community. The Legislature approved .?j,000 for construction of a building at a the new site. In 1921, the Legislature approved $75,000 to build Old Main. The collonaded brick colonial structure opened its doors April -17, 1923. "It was not just a building," wrote Lumbee author Lew Barton. "It was a beginning for the Indian people. It signified a chance to succeed. Doors were opened that had never been opened before." Pembroke was an elementary and high school in the beginning. In 1926, the Board of Trustees added a two- year normal course and the elementary school was phased out by 1928. By 1935, the school was offering a two-year college courses and in 1940 five persons became the first graduat ing class of the now four- year standard college. The high school was separated from the college in 1939. "Old Main is a memorial to our Indian forefathers," wrote Barton. "The struggles of the Indian people created her. Now we want the State to free her and keep her." (NOTF: Funds to build Old Main were secured from the General Assembly of North Carolina through the efforts of Judge L.R. Varser. Funds for the establishment of the first Indian school in Robeson, in 1885, were through the efforts of Hamilton McMillan.) BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS A group of parents of children who attend Deep Branch School appeared before the Board of Eduation oh Tuesday. Truman Lowry acted as spokesman for the group. The parents stated that some of them did reside in the Green Grove School District and that traditionally the children in that section had attended Deep Branch School. Their request was that the Deep Branch line be extended to include those parents on the Back Swamp Road into the Deep branch School District. Some discussion, questions and an swers followed, but no action was taken by the board. The parents were informed that they would be notified shortly of the decision of the board. The children represented were within 3 miles of Deep Branch School and 7 miles of Green Grove- Hilly Branch. There were approximately 20 parents in attendance, representing approximately 40 children. The board authorized Supt. Swett to proceed with plans to begin the Occupational Center at the Hilly Branch site for next year. The operation will include moving a mobile unit to the site to be used for occupational classes, including brick masonry, carpentry, health occupations, etc. Some concern was expressed by board members that all children in the county and other systems who are interested be given an opportunity to participate. The courses will cover a 2- hour block in the morning and the afternoon. The center will accommodate 400 students. Because of the distance from Parkton to the Hilly Branch site, there was some debate about whether Parkton would participate. It was the expressed desire of the board that Paitton High School not be excluded from the program and every effort will be made to furnish transportation which would allow the children to participate without taking a great deal of time In travel from the school to the site. Occupational Kducatlon will not be optional. It will be offered to high schools in the county. It Is believed that eventually other school systems in the county wHI become a pert of the program. After other routine Hems, the board adjourned In what wea one of their shortest meetings. However, there Is sapertetlnu that the hoard wtfl have a speelal sailed meeting before the g?i MIA i duriikxi en the regnesl ef theee parents hem * < OFF HAL OLD MAIN GROUND (REARING 9Mm tm 914 mmm mmmlm+m * ?wOM IM ? PW. Ml It rtfltt, Um IfMkt ?f UfMn, (f+mm d WO i?? ? IMUm i Contributes to Major ?* v League Excursion by Local Youngsters Charles Graham, Director of the Youth Center of the Pembroke Presbyterian Area Ministry |nKnt? a cheek for 1100.00 to Mr. Wafe Hunt [right), who to hearing eMwU a Irtf to a major league baseball game In Atlanta for a number of local youag Little Leaguers July IS and 16. The monies will be used to help defray expenses of the trip for the youngsters. The trip Is being sponsored by Mr. Wade Hunt, Mr. Lacy Jacobs and Mr. Try on Lowry In conjunction with the Pembroke Recreation Commission, the Town of Pembroke, the youth center, and other organizations. The youngsters will nee a game between the Atlanta Bravea and the Philadelphia Philliea. The youngsters, little leagnera, are from the Deep Branch, Pembroke, Union Chapel and Union Elementary School areaa. The donation from the youth center la one of many contributions presented by area businesses and MKdaali and organization*. Said Hint, "ll'a Just something we wanted to do for the young fellows. We Just want It to be an enriching and enjoyable eiperience for the boys. We hope they'll be able to meet some of their baseball heroes while we are In Atlanta for the bail game." A raffle for a shotgun was also held, as well as other fond raising activities. I PEMBROKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO MEET TONIGHT The Pembroke Chamber of Commerce will meet tonight (Thursday), July 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. Your attendance will be appreciated. PSHS FOOTBALL PHYSICALS SLATED FOR JULY 20TH Physical examinations for all boys who wish to play football at Pembroke Senior High, varsity and junior varistv, will be given Thursday. July 20. 1978 at 8 p.m. at the office of Dr. Martin L. Brooks. The price will be $8.00 per person. |N THE ARMED FORCES Spec. 4 Giles E. Bullard, whose wife, Brenda, lives at 1604 Seigle Ave.. Charlotte, N.C., recently was assigned as a cook with the Eighth U.S. Army in Korea. Bullard is a 1972 graduate of Fairgrove High School in Fairmont, N.C. His father, Rooaevett Bullard. IWrm on Route 6, Fairmont, N.C. YARD SALE PLANNED SATURDAY A yard sale will be held on Saturday, July IS. at the Tabernacle Baptist Church on Highway 711. On sale will be clothing, and various miscellaneous items. The sale begins at 8 a.m. PSU ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS NOW FOB FALL GBADL'ATE PIOGKAM PEMBROKE--Those wishing to begin Pembroke State University's new grad ? uatei studies program in Education in August should begin making plans immediately, said Dr. W. Howard Dean, director of graduate studies at PSU. Applications are now being accepted. Among the admissions requirements is an acceptable score on the aptitude portion of the Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Examination. Those wishing to take the Miller Analogies Test may do so here any Thursday at 2 p.m. or make an appointment for other times. Dr. Ray Von Beatty of the PSU Testing Center is in charge of testing. Registration for the graduate program is Monday, August 28, with daSses beginning Thursday, August 31. Class es meet each Thursday for three hours from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The first semester ends Dec. 14 with final exams. Classes will be offered in both winter and summer. Two years are required to rnmpksta the fgUki ??? ?sma-. ? In the summer Dr. Dean said graduate courses will be arranged to At with public school teachers' two-month vacation. The PSU Masters of Arts program hi Education consists of Educational Ad ministration, Educational Supervision, Early Childhood Education <K-3k and Intermediate Education (4-9). n 'Longest Walk' Treks Through Pembroke Enroute to Washington, D.C. I PEMBROKE--Native people repre senting the Longest Walk have arrived in Pembroke to gather support from the native people and others in North Carolina. The Longest Walk is a spiritual walk uniting Native Ameri cans. The purpose is to bring attention ? ? to Anti-Indian legislation devastating to the human rights of Indian people. Said a spokesman, "This is a matter of survival for native people today and generations of tomorrow. We need your support desperately. Come on down to the Rally!" The rally will be held in the I Pembroke Jaycee Town Park today, July 13, 1978 (Thursday) from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Members of the Longest Walk will speak on issues concerning the eleven bills detrimental to the native people of North America. Traditional Indian singers will also be a part of the program. Caravans from this area will be organized to join up with the Longest Walk as they near Washington, D.C. The Pembroke Caravan will assemble July 14,1978 at 8 a.m. at the Town Park for departure to Raleigh, North Caro lina where another caravan will join en route to the walk. For those unable to assemble at 8 a.m. there will be an evening departure time at 6:00 p.m. For further information contact: The Pem broke Youth Center ? 521-3388, Jones Street (behind Pates Supply), Pem broke, N.C. or Tuscarora Center 843-3003. Donations and financial contributions can also be brought to the above locations. Local representative Kever Lockiear, a Tuscarora spokesman, aaM. "We went to unite out people . ..this bed legis lation will effect all the Indian people ...I want to show that Indiana Beat and West can get together and stay together." Lockiear and (bar ether ly traveled to Peuneyhfnoia to see SSSgSSS Had oat for our salves what was going m rnmmmm . m thT^Tef jjmh?ard??. n M.I ^ Iin?iu Wrfi* rs&?Ai' te'Vn*! rtr ?TwSZjMa * itmiwnfVu i SSSmT! apt** MMMMHI BNWi )
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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July 13, 1978, edition 1
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