tm THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE <Sf J D?dic?tod to Hi? Itoit in ?N ?< us L*a?J VOLUME 6 NUMBER 33 PEMBROKE, N.C. THURSDAY. AUGUST 17. 1976 154 PER COPY ' ? ???????? LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE POOR COMES TO ||j||M^^^H PEMBROKE HHHI THE PLAINSMEN QUARTET _ ha TO PERFORM To De Located In Old Lockleor 0 Son Funeral Home Building T_. . _ Pembroke?Indians in Robeson and adjoining counties have an oral tradition of '"being ripped off by lawyers." Stories abound about land being lost, Indian males being sent to prison, lives being wrecked, insurance claims not filled, damages not sought for wrong doing, etc. etc. etc. It is a litany of law being used against the people, especi ally poor people- whatever the color of their skins. Lumbee River Legal Services propos es to do something about law's poor record among poor people. THE NEED FOR LEGAL SERVICES Every person in this country is required to live under and obey the law. Every person is also entitled to use the law. Our democratic society requires r* less. If some people- but not others have access to the law, then the path of the law is inevitably skewed, and the law is inevitably unfair.. These are among the basic premises of the Legal Service* Corporation Act of 1974. In the Act, Congress established the mandate of the Corporation: to provide "high quality legal assistance to those who would be otherwise unable to afford adequate legal counsel." That mandate was founded onthe judgment that "equal access to the system of justice in our Nation" must be provided for all. Congress adopted the Act to ensure that legal assistance would be available to poor people and that federal, state, and local laws would be enforced on behalf of the poor -not just on behalf of those who can afford counsel. The tradition of free legal aid to the poor in this country was nearly 100 years old when the Corporation was established. But no more than a few of the poor ever had real access to a lawyer's services until the mid- 1960s, until then, the only hope for most poor persons with civil legal problems was a lawyer's charity. By 1922. the American Bar Assoca tion had identified 33 legal aid societies in the country. In 1965, the number of those societies had grown to 248, but it had become apparent that the few legal aid lawyers and the voluntary services donated by private lawyers could not meet the legal needs of the poor. The traditional problems- in family law, housing, health, consumer concerns, and administrative benefits? were compounded by unemployment in many locales. Debt collections, evictions, repossessions, and related issues all increased tragically. Against that background, in 1965, the Office of Legal Services was organized o within the Office of Economic Oppor tunity, later the Community Services Administration. The cause of providing free legal services to the poor made significant progress over the next decade. Limited federal funds were rapidly exhausted, however, as grants weft made where strong community and bar support showed the need and desire for legal aid programs. As the 1970s began, the legal services program became an object of partisan political controversy. Funding for existing programs was virtually frozen from 1971 to 1975, and programs were forced to curtail their services drastically as the consequences of the budgetary freeze were exacerbated by record inflation. In areas where, the programs were operating, however, legal services attorneys provided service with extra ordinary dedication and professional ism. Often working in shabby surroun dings that no private lawyer would tolerate, legal services attorneys - idea listic and over worked, committed and underpaid- took on case loads of up to 500 legal matters a year. As legal services efforts expanded, it became evident that - structural change was necessary. Legal services attorneys and their clients, and such organiza tions as the American Bar Association, the National Bar association, the Nation National Clients Council, and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association- recognizing the need to insulate legal assistance for the poor from partisan politcal pressure? moved in Congress and in their own broad constituencies for the establishment of an independent Legal Services Corpo ration. The Corporation began operations in October, 1975. It is governed by an 11 member Board of Directors, appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate. With funds provided through con gressional appropriations, the Corpora tion distributes grants to approximately 320 legal services program operating in about 700 neighborhood offices located throughout the 50 states, as well as in the District of Columbia. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Micronesia. Approximately 320 legal services pro 3,700 lawyers and 1,500 paralegals work in these offices. All programs are governed by local boards that include private attorneys and eligible clients from the community. The Act provides for the governors of every state to appoint nine- member State Advisory Councils, responsbile for notifying the Corporation of apparent violations of the Act, or of Corporation rules and regulations, by Corporation- funded programs. WHAT IS LUMBEE RIVER LEGAL SERVICES INC.? WHO IS IN IT? AND HOW DID IT BEGIN? As mentioned earlier, Lumbee River Legal Services, Inc. is probably the newest of the legal service agencies funded through the national and state offices. ?t f.fei Lumbee River Legal Services, Inc. has a definite "Indian" look to it. It is actually a dual program. The legal services program has (or will as soon as it is felly operational) a general legal serviae program and a special Indian Unit. The special Indiewiiflit is what seems to make this particular legal services program unique and spropo to the area it is located in- namSK Pembroke and Robeson County. PeBbtoke is known in some circles as fee spiritual and economic center of fee Lumbee Indian community, although not all Indians agree with that designation. But everyone agrees that Robeson and adjoining cotnrtfcs' large Indian population is in dire need of legal services, especially those of us who are poor and unable to hire competent legal counsel for those worrisome "civil" problems that seem tP haunt all of us in our daily lives. The legal services program officially named "Lumbee River Legal Services, Inc." will provide legal services to a general low income area in a 4 to 5 county area that has a few small cities and a lot of rural farming. The area i very poor and has never had a legal service program. In addition. North Carolina has over 37,000 non- reserva tion Indians, a majority of whom are poor. These Indians live throughout North Carolina with the largest group living in Robeson County where approx imarely 30,000 Lumbee Indians reside. Additionally, some estimated 1,000 Indians reside in Robeson County who wish to be known as Tuscorara Indians and who are actively engaged in a legal battle to change their name from "Lumbee" to "Tuscarora." The program, in its formative stages, is staffed by Cathy Sampson, Genneth Mercer and Sue Jamieson. An Open Letter From The Tuscororo Tribal Council T<> Whom It May Concern: We are the Tuscsroras of North Carolina. At the preaent time we are enga|ed in trying to get federal recognition as the Tuacaroras. It has been a long hard struggle, on n sometimes mcky road. Hie Tuscsmm Tribal Council office, lucalcd in Pem broke, is concerned with Indisn busi ness and only Indian business. Our chairman, Carnie Brayboy. can he reached at this office. We have an attorney, Raymond Oibbs, and a historian. Peter Hammonds, to help fight our case when we reach the courts. A none having questions concerning anything connected with the Tuscamraa may feel free to contact us. We now need help to win our court suit Any donations wNI he greatly appreciated, AH checks may he made nut to the Tuwaron tribal Conned. The MUs la located at Bnvei's Metal. ?act 3rd atreet, P.O. dot IIM, Nmheate. N.C. Ml aua. ta dtOOpm Dexter Brooks, a local attorney associated with the law firm of Locklear, Brooks and Jacobs in Pem broke is considered the "spiritual father" of the idea, of a local legal services unit. He and his law partners, Arlie Jacobs and Arnold Locklear. have donated countless hours of labor and expertise to get the program off the ground. They have been ably assisted by many others in the area, including Angus Thompson, a local Black attorney with law office in Lumberton and Mr. Richardson, another Black attorney who is a member of the the district attorney's staff. Robert Locklear who heads Lumbee Regional Development Association's Right to Read Program is a member of the North Carolina Legal Services Unit, the governing and advisory body of the local effort, has provided considerable advise and ser ves on the local board of directors. LRDA has helped, providing office space and staff assistance. Ruth B. Locklear, an LRDA staffer, has worked with the program as has Kenneth Maynor, executive director of LRDA, and other members of his staff. Representatives from other Indian s tribes and organizations have assisted, especially Julius Locklear, a member of the Guilford County Native American Assocation and Kent Patrick, from the Waccamaw- Siouan Tribe. WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW AND WHO WILL HEAD THE PROGRAM? Lumbee River Legal Services, Inc. is expected to close a deal today (Thursday) to buy the building that formerly housed Locklear and Son Funeral Home in Pembroke. The building, owned by Samuel Locklear, is expected to be signed over to the legal services unit today for a purchase price reportedly in the neighborhood of $60,000. Locklear has relocated in a> spacious and modem funeral home facility on Union Chapel Road. The old funeral home was being used as a fraternity. The building fronts the rail road that traverses through the heart of Pembroke and sits beside Pates Supply Company. WHO IS GOING TO HEAD THE PROGRAM? According to a source, the execu tive director will be an Indian. And the director is expected, according to unconfirmed sources, to come from a list of Indian attorneys comprised of Julian Pierce. Betty Jo Hunt, Brantley Blue and Arlie Jacobs. Pierce is now a staff attorney with the Securities Exchange Commission in Wahsington. Betty Jo Hunt, daughter of Mr. an Mrs. Alton Hunt from the Fairmont area, it now engaged as an attorney in the Washington. DC area. She most i recently headed a task force for the American Indian Policy Review Com I mission. She headed the task force on i non- federally recognized and termina ted Indian Tribes. Commissioner Brantley Blue is finish ing up an appointment as a judge on the U.S. Indian Claims Commission. i Jacobs is a partner with the law firm i Lorklear. Brooks and Jacobs In Pern i broke. All of tha candidates are natives I of Robeson County. I Lumber River Legal Services is eipected to he operational before the , end of this eyar The stand up budget is i in eseess of ft ISO .000. I vt iHuaNv. the legal senders unit have a staff of as many aa It i attorneys spt-i lalt/lng in the rtvil ^aspisls o| it* km ? A gospel sing featuring the Plains men Quartet will be held at Sandy Plains United Methodist Church on Sunday night. August 20, 1978 at 7:30 p.m. The church invites the public to attend this evening of inspirational musii and worship. DEDICATION SERVICES HELD FOR BEAR SWAMP BAPTIST CHURCH On Sunday. August 13, 1978 a dedication service was held for the purpose of dedicating the new fellow ship hall and sanctuary of feear Swamp Baptist Church. A church history was given by Mrs. Dorothy Lowry and the message was brought by Rev. Steve Jones. Rev. T.M. Swett is pastor of Bear Swamp. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING RESCHEDULED Notice is hereby given that the regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and Board of Commissioners has been changed to September 5, 1978 at 7 p.m. ? The meeting will be held at the town htHr JOSEPH ROBERTS RECEIVES HONORS Joseph Roberts Joseph Roberts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Poorboy of Route 1. Pembroke was awarded the most outstanding male athlete in the Governor's School at Winston- Salem, NC. While at the Governor's School, Joe studied various phases of mathematics, topology, ab stract algebra, probability and com puter science. He also studied Philoso phical Thinking and Psychology. Joseph was among three students attending Governor's School from Pem broke Senior High School. Joseph was chosen in academics, while Lisa Stover and Cindy Kay Locklear attended in the performing arts (dance). Joseph is involved in numerous activities at Pembroke Senior High School where he serves as a marshal, and all- conference Tennis player, varsity football and basketball. BURNT SWAMP BAPTIST CHURCH PLANS HOMECOMING Burnt Swamp Baptist Church will observe its annual Homecoming on Sunday. August 20th. Guest speaker will be Kev. Varser Lockee from Lincolnton. NC. Lunch will be served and singing will begin at 2 p.m. Friends and relatives are cordially invited. Rev. hi ford Locklear is the pastor. NANCY WOODELL FAMILY REUNION TO BE HELD The annual meeting of the Wooded Family Reunion will meet this year at Union Chapel at the Burnt Swamp MuMI purpose Center on Sept. 2. Pinner wil be served at 12 noon and the felloe ship wHI last until. Everyone is urged to bring a revered dish Pilots sike on ?air at the toMdlng to help defray rspensrs Everyone Is acted to pieaee hr present bv Mvrte W ended a# Rente 2. Knthrifre She hnpaainomM yon at I "" ?? 7i, MP hicks un "Clean Up" : Lumber River Campaign Lwnberton?Most petitions these days are for the removal of a politician from office. Bill Kebort . manager of the Hungry Bull Family Steak House in Lumberton, has changed the format a little bit. He's passing around a petition tor signatures to clean up Lumber River. Kebort. a transplanted Yankee and his wife. Virginia, like to go out on the river in their fishing boat. Or they did. Alas, debris, fallen limbs, silt deposits and the like have hampered some of their outings and Kebort decided to do something about it. His petition read; ^ TO : UNITED STATES CORPS OF ENGINEERS; "Whereas, the Lumber River in Robeson County is now overgrown with trees and stumps and is in such a state hat navigation is impossible) and where as. various vile substances have been deposited in said river which are harmful; now therefore, the under signed citizens of Robeson County do hereby petition the United States Corps of Engineers to undertake its mission and dean and rid said river of all trees, stumps, shallow areas and deposits." In other words, Kebort wants to take his wife Virginia out on the river again in his fishing boat. That's all. And he wants the corp of engineers to clean up the river "not dredge it but clean it up." Kebort expects Rep. Charlie Rose to meet with him and concerned dtizens at a yet to be named location some time in September to receive the petitions he has collected. Said Kebort. "When people get ready to do something in America it gets done--and it's time to dean up Lumber River." Robeson County offidals have re sponded enthusiastically to Kebort's petition drive. Petitions are available at The Carolina Indian Voice for those who would like to sign. If an enthusiastic guy with a handful of papers and 'a Yankee broque 1 approaches you and asks you to sign a petition-SIGN IT!! It's for a good cause, to clean up the muddied Lumber River and restore hef to her once sparkling, cascading self. Warriprs Open 'Scrimmage Season Againsr Maxron Friday Nighr Finrtnii The Poaibrofce High rion og?n their "ecrtounape nMfe Friday night againet Maatoa hen at homa. The acrtminaga la aaM|M tft give Coach Join W. ?p . oppoctaaity to laafe at SES aider fln eiaee hiaaloa ia Capo Fear CooAwaaaa. hot the FaOia Mfrh fWl year hmg Construction of Old Main Now Official It MMNM

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