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PUBLISHED EACH THURSDAY*^??> / >
S THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE ?
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VOLUME 6 NUMBER 20 ~ PEMBROKE. N.C. THURSDAY. JULY 13. 1978 15? PER COPY
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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
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OLD MAIN
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Contributes to Major
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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
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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
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