PUBLISHED EA|H THURSDAY
H THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
g?<*T^ "BafldlMg C?wfcttlve Bridge.
PEMBROKE, N.C. inAftMBcMkuing" ROBESON COUNTY
.. _ . _r rj-ir-|_rLn r r_-_-j~Linj'Lri ninjnjn_rLTj^~j~jnjnjqru~j^r.nj-\/\j-xrun_runjnj-\jnjTjn_r\j\jnrLi-\rirLi^-u-u-j- r r*i-i?i'i ? * " ~ * * * "* .-???-?????????? ? - - - -m m . ? - ? ?
VOLUME 8, NUMBER 5- 20* PER COPY THURSDAY. JANUARY 31, 1980
JOHN HENRY WILKINS
HAS HIS DAY
IN COURT
Judge Herbert Richardson finds him "Not Guilty"
ST. PAULS-John Henry Wilkins
finally had his day in court last
Thursday, January 24, 1980. And he
was found "not guilty" by District
Court Judge Herbert Richardson in a
session of the St. Paub District Court.
Wilkins had been charged August 5,
1979 with driving under the influence of
a narcotic drug by M. Humphrey, a
member of the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Wilkins had been charged even though
he registered "0" on a breathalyzer
test.
The arresting officer had found a
single librium pill lying in a coke tray
after Wilkins had been stopped initially
for an errant signal light that would not
stop blinking. Wilkins says the pill had
been laying in the tray ever since his
father died January 11, 1978 "in case 1
needed it." The medication was given
him by his father's doctor.
SOME BACKGROUND...
Wilkins was jailed briefly, "the first
time in my life" and cited to St. Pauls
District Court for an August 23, 1979
appearance. The case was postponed on
a number of occasions, mostly for
medical reasons.
Wilkins suffers from a number of
ailments, including a high cholesterol
count in his blood, compounded by high
blood pressure and poor circulation. He
has had a stay in Hamlet Hospital since
his confrontation with Trooper Humph
rey. Medically Wilkins is almost anemic
and takes vitamins and a tonic daily, in
addition to his other medication for his
heart related problems. He is also a
diabetic.
He lives in the Union Chapel Com
munity with his mother and a sister who
has been paralyzed since birth. A
brother and a sister, both in their 40s,
died in 1975 with coraolkations related
to Tfigh cholesterol, a trait shared by
Wilkins. Wilkins seems fatalistic about
the "fat" in the blood; he is 35. The
"trouble" with the state trooper seems
to have compounded Wilkins' "nerv
es." He is hardly able to do anything
anymore.
Wilkins believes his stay in the
hospital was complicated by his con
frontation with Humphrey. As Wilkins
remembers it, "He (Humphrey) sort of
pushed me toward his car and I fell
down..." Since then he has suffered
from arm and shoulder troubles and the
nerves on the right side of his face has
suffered and caused him, as he sees it.
to be in danger of losing his sight
eventually.
JOHN HBN1Y WILKINS IS ANGRY
Wilkins Is angry* He elaims Humph
rey treated Mas wrong. Wilkins. an
Indian, dees not take kindly to those
?.yim him td "mifcini a
U- td U " ftniM ||/ilhlma "I immiM
iBfl ?* NRINii I wURHI
ikj aama ana AM 3.^* a lam
lumv ww nSle *wT VHv
nawoimaa might bet I just taoi Mho I waa
treated wrong. The trooper was mean to
me; and would not listen to a thing I
said. He even left my car side of the
road with other people's equipment in
it...and when I came back it was gone."
Wilkins lost a scanner, two turn tables,
a calculator, and some other equip
ment valued somewhere around SI,000
when he was taken to the police station
by Humphrey and his car left un
attended.
Wilkins said, "I feel like somebody
owes me for the stuff in my car; I asked
Humphrey to tow my car in if he was
going to arrest me..."
Wilkins, who is disabled, works
sometimes, "when I feel up to it," on
C.B.s and electronic equipment for
friends and neighbors to earn a little
extra money. He took a course in
electronics offered by Goodwill Indus
tries.
Wilkins says that he has been
contacted by a Glenn D. Russell, a
major with the internal affairs de
partment of the highway patrol. Wilkins
said. "I told him I was not in any
condition to talk to him right now..."
Wilkins, who had attended church the
morninv of the day he was arrested,
says, "I was treated wrong and I want
the world to know it...If Humphrey had
just tried to listen to me and been a little
bit patient he would have found out 1
was right and that 1 didn't need to be
put in jail and done like I was..."
From the time of the arrest
Humphrey has not been available for
comment. His superior. District Ser
geant A.H. Campbell says, "We cannot
comment on a case in public before it
goes to trial. We have to protect-Mr.
Wilkins' rights and the patrol's rights
too."
Rumors abound that Humphrey was
reprimanded fat the matter, but no one
wBl confirm or deny the rumor.
Major Russell says, "Colonel John T.
Jenkins has written Mr. Wilkins and
advised him that 'appropriate action'
has been taken in the matter." Citing
state statutes Major Russell affirms that
no information can be given out
concerning "personnel", in this case
M. Humphrey.
Wilkins was defended in the matter by
Pembroke attorney Donald Bytlard
Wilkins is considering a civil suit to
recover his losses, and for damages to
his reputation. Wilkins says, "Some
people in the community still are not
sure that I am not guilty...they just
remember the bad stuff like my arrest,
etc."
by Bruce Barton
...AN OPEN LETTER TO
DR. PAUL GIVENS
Sincerely regrets...Janie Maynor Locklear
will not be allowed to speak at
Old Main Rededication
Dr. Paul Givens, Chancellor
Pembroke State University
Pembroke, NC 28372
Dear Dr. Givens:
It was with sincere regret that I read
in The Carolina Indian Voice that Janie
Maynor Locklearwill not be allowed to
speak at the rededication ceremony of
Old Main on February 16. 1980. Since
you are not originally from this area, let
me update you on Janie's importance to
Old Main.
In-1973, when Old Main was burned,
I was a junior at Pembroke Senior High
School. Although I had never been in
the building, my father spoke of it often
as the only educational facility available
to Indians during his youth. He was
proud of his education and even prouder
of the building. When the family heard
that Old Main had been burned, dad
was concerned, and I wondered if
anyone else in the Indian community
felt the way he did.
Later that week, some of the students
from the high school went to admire Old
Main for the last time, and that is when
I encountered a young, vocal lady whom
everyone called Janie Maynor Locklear.
She began to solicit help from local
prominent Indian leaders in the com
munity to make sure that Old Main was
rebuilt. Since she was Project Director
of Indian Education at Lumbee Regional
Development Asaociatkm located here in
town, she staged protests to keep Old
Main for the benefit of the Indian
community. In the local newspapers,
her efforts were publicised. The com
munity saw the need fur more in vol
y?H|A||| mflhdt kagag gas kg|n Igmlg la bam#
rviiivni, gnu wpffri hp nwip <# in iivi
struggles to get Old MaM rebuilt. I
Personally followed Janie's trials and
tribulation* through the "r? ^ ntrcitr
and I realised what an iituim i Old Main
w^w v rwwv^^w wp^s ww ?w?ww? - we weeamr
had en the educational alatui of our
?
Janie became my mentor, for she had
done exactly what I had always wanted
to do; accomplished the feat <rf bringing
our Indian people together, regardless
of tribal affiliation. When the restora
tion of Old Main finally came to surface,
the name who was congratulated for
such a notable accomplishment was
Janie Maynor Locklear.
When it was first announced that
Pembroke State was to have a white
Chancellor, I was heartbroken. I knew
there was no way a Northern white
could feel sympathetic to the Indians'
needs in this community. Later when I
read that you had visited various clubs
in the community, predominantly Indi
an. such as Pembroke Jaycees, Kiwanis
and others, I took back some of the
thoughts I'd had. Perhaps your views
would be Indian oriented and the
University status as the first Indian
college would be retained.
When I read that .you were not going
to allow Janie to speak at the
re dedication of Old Main. Sir, for my
benefit and for the others who followed
Old Main so diligently, please update
your information on Old Main's burning
and those who took it upon themselves
to see that the building was restored,
and at the top of the list you will see
Janie Maynor Locklear's name. She has
* will continue to do all she can for her
people, and we cannot let her pride in
them and their sutroundings be put
down by a non-Indian chancellor who
feels she's not important enough to be
put on the agenda on February lb.
Then, and only then, can I believe
that you are interested In the good of all
the people of the community and the
betterment of Pembroke State Uelver
sky.
Sincerely.
MaHlyn L UeUenr
OMsefOTI
WORKING TOWARD
FEDERAL
RECOGNITION
by Cnmc feayboy
The term "Federal Recognition"
implies various things to people. Some
see federal recognition of Robeson
County Indiana as a way to receive more
federal dollars. To Ed Chavis it means
that the agency he) works for (Lumbee
Regional Development Association,
Inc.) and other such agencies would not
have to cease rendering services to the
community.
"It takes too much of our time trying
to prove to non-Indians that we are
Indians. This is valuable time that could
be better utilized by providing services
to our people," Chavis said.
He is working with a new program at
LRDA. He is Director for the Tribal
Enrollment Project. The program is
funded by a sub-grant from CETA.
Chavis explained that tribal enrollment
is only one of seven steps necessary to
obtain federal recognition.
Said Chavis, ''ffibal enrollment is
good, not only for federal recognition,
but will be sonwAing we can keep...
something to prevent future genera
tions from having to explain their
Indianness in orde> to received federal
services. It is something that should
have been done < jc hundred years
ago."
? ? wwa ? a .*
Chavis predicts that it will take
approximately three years to complete
the necessary package for federal
recognition. He has set his goal at
30,000 Indians he hopes to enroll into
the Lumbee Tribe. He is convinced tht a
tribal roll will solve many problems for
Robeson County Indians.
"A tribal roll will not mean that
people will be placed on a reservation,"
he explained, "nor will it mean that
land owners will be subjected to B1A
(Bureau of Indian Affairs) control of
their land. Tribal enrollment will merely
mean that we are organized, and that,
when federal recognition is granted, we
may be entitled to federal services,
scholarships, 1EA programs, health
services, etc. without having to explain
to the federal government that we are
Indians."
Although very dedicated to the
project, Chavis admits to feeling some
resentment toward those who insist that I
Indians prove over and over again that
they are Indians. "It should be their <
responsibility to prove that I am not an
Indian. I was born an Indian, that is i
something that the federal government
cannot change. They cannot make an <
Indian. But because they have the
power to stop the much needed services
coming into this area, I am determined
to complete the tribal enrollment and i
other necessary steps for federal <
recognition. 1 am ueiermined to be
finished with continuously proving our
Indianness."
Chavis further explained that due to
pressure from other groups, the legisla
ture is contemplating changing the
definition of "Indian" as it applies to
non-federally recognized Indians. "Ori
ginally." he said. "Title IV was
intended to offer much needed service
to non-federally recognized Indians. We
are subject to a loss of Title IV funds, if
the legislature decides to change the
definition of Indian."
When the tribal roll is established,
the LRDA Board of Directors will act as
the tribal government. Chavis believes
that this is best because the LRDA
Board of Directors are the only-Indian
elected officials. (The majority are voted
on my persons in the area which they
represent on the board.) Because the '
Robeson County Indians do not have a
tribal governing body, Chavis feels that J
it is right that those who enroll be
subject to the policies of the LRDA
Board of Directors.
Chavis also has very definite ideas
about what being an Indian means. Said
he, "Indian is what is inside a person,
not a matter of physical characteristics,
etc. How one feels inside and how one
treats those around him, that's what
rr.ii " i
When asked about the
opposition expected from those Indians
in the county who feel that Lumbee is
not a historic name, Chavis replied,
"...No matter what tTibal name one
chooses to use. we are all from the same
background...Again I say, who can
prove that 1 am not a Lumbee? If,
indeed, Indians named the rivers after
themselves, such as the Santee, the Pee
Dee. the Catawba, ect. who is to say
that the Lumbee were not a tribe? 1 find
that the name Lumbee is just as historic
and just as much a tribal name as those
others. Again...let someone prove that I
am not a Lumbee....I do not have to
prove what I am...I am an Indian...a
Lumbee Indian."
Chavis has begun enrolling Lumbee
Indians already. He encourages all
those who are interested to contact him
at 521-8253 or 521-8252, or to stop by
the Revels Motel Complex Monday
through Friday between the hours of
8:30 a.m. and S:00 p.m. He has also
made himself available to any club,
organization, etc. to address the issue.
He is willing to explain tribal enrollment
to any interested groups. He also
welcomes any helpful suggestions or
comments about his program.
Assisting Chavis in the program are:
Wilma Benson, secretary; Jerry Low
ry, Alton Lowry, Severeo Kerns,
enrollment specialists.
Sim Oxendine files aqain
for County School Board
5im Uxendine has filed to succeed
himself on the Robeson County Board of
Education. He is seeking his fourth
term in that position. Since the
districting of county school lines,
Oxendine has rapresented District 0,
composed of Pembroke. Smiths, Union
and Alfordsvillc Precincts.
Oxendine released the following
statement: "1 am still commhed to
quality education for all students. I am a
supporter of community input and
believe that parental in/otvement is
necessary to a good educational system.
"I have served on the board of
education since 1972. and have always
voted my convictions. Many times I
have cast the only opposing vote to
various issues. Although my vote was
not enough to change things drastically,
I am proud of the fact that I have never
compromised my principles or my
convictions
"I feel that the children in the county
school system need my support. I am
dedicated to Improved curriculum, hk
and honest opportunities lor all stu
dents. adequate facilities and more
MMHMllllil w UiMhltrmflPtAaht tea Am
?"*ftiffliinit * IHv^UTerliw til See Vflw etIUW
iLtMal auuy^aa
IIUTHil prwvM.
"I sincerely solicit the support of the
voters of Pembroke. Smiths. Union and
iUa?auiUa |N?ii. n u.. a tana H *
aawsir^a rvvseni asoy s, rsuo#
I
? -
OPEN HOUSE PLANNED AT
HOLLY BRANCH VOC. CENTER
The Hilly Branch Vocational Center
will have open house February 4, for the
benefit of parents and the general
public. The open house hours will be
9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. during the
day. The evening hours will be 7:00
p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
The parents and public are cordially
invited to look at the vocational
programs and facilities. Parents are
especially urged to discuss student
progress with the school faculty. Stacy
Locklear is principal of the Hilly Branch
Vocational Center.
North
Robeson
Parents seek
Halt to
Rex-Rennert
High School
Site
COMPILED FROM AREA NEWS
REPORTS, INTERVIEWS AND
RESEARCH
Magnolia-More than 150 parents and
sympathizers met here Monday night to
map our opposition to the constuction of
a consolidated high school at the Res
Rennert School site. The new construc
tion. ticketed at some $1.4 million by
county school officials, would combine
Parkton and Magnolia School into North
Robeson High School.
But a new element surfaced at the
meeting as organizers informed those
present that they had met with the
North Carolina Civil Liberties Union in a
related move. According to Ronald
Hammonds, a member of the Robeson
County Board of Education, and a
Concerned Parent of North Robeson,
the civil liberties union has agreed to
enter the matter in behalf of the
parents. The Civil liberties organization
would investigate county school lines
for evidence of racial and economic
discrimination.
Raeford attorney Phil Diehl has also
been retained by the parents known as
the Concerned Parents of North Robe
son to seek a federal injunction against
further construction on the school
consolidation project.
Saying he put his position as a parent
ahead of his position as a school board
member. Hammonds said he felt
existing problems involving school
district lines and economic factors have
created another form of racism and
discrimination.
Hammonds said that he believed
district lines ware now used to exclude
and group together students on a basis
of income and race.
Mrs. Linda Hammonds. Ms wis. and
s teacher at Parkton School, said
Monday the and others In the group had
met with NCCLL representatives. Loa
ding the dissuasions was George
Oardner. director of the NCCIU.
Oardner said his group would look Into
/4| alrlttailirw APPhdhghA ffehA P^AdhMlA?^AA
tsS-rSSES
c?
PURKEY RESIGNS POST AS
DIRECTOR OF RCCCC
The Robeson County Church and
Community Center's Board of Directors
held their monthly meeting Thursday
night. Chairman Adolph Dial presided.
Miss Betty Purkey. executive direc
tor, tendered her resignation. After five
years with the center, she has been
offered a position in another state. She
will remain at the center long enough to
assist in orienting her successor.
PARENTS NIGHT PLANNED
Pembroke Senior High School will
host a Parents Night January 31, I960
from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Parents
are urged to attend and use the
opportunity to meet with their chil
dren's teachers to discuss their semes
ter performance.
Refreshments will be served in the
school library.
CONCERNED PAREN11 Aw * ~
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION TO MEET
The Concerned Parents and Teach
ers Association of Pembroke Elemen
tary School will hold their monthly
meeting on Thursday night, February 7,
1980 in the school cafeteria at 7:30 p.m.
All teachers and parents are asked to be
present. An informative program is
planned and refreshments will be
served.
4 PSHS CLASS OF 1975 TO MEET
TO PLAN REUNION
Pembroke Senior High School
Class of 1975 will be having a meeting
to plan their class reunion on Feb. 10,
1980 at 3 p.m. at the home of Gregg
Bell, Cherokee Street. Pembroke. For
further directions call 521-4622. All
class members interested
in planning the reunion are urged to
attend.
MORE FULL TIME STUDENTS
ATTENDING PSU THAN LAST
SPRING
More full-time students are atten
ding PSU this spring semester than a
year ago, according to PSU registration
figures.
This spring. 1,793 full time regular
students plus 93 full time graduate
students are registering for a total of
1.886. This is 26 students higher than
the 1.860 full time equivalent students
(whose taking the full number of hours
credit) who attended a year ago.
As for head count (the number of
students taking courses regardless of
their number of hours), a total of 2,132
are attending PSU this spring. Of these
I.9S8 are regular students, and 174 are
graduate students.
PSU HOMECOMING PARADE
Pembroke State University's Home
coming parade will be held February 16.
1960 at 11:00 a.m. thru downtown
I).. m L.r . L -
rwiiuiuKC.
GRAND APPLICATIONS AVA&AEU
James Monroe Chavis. Director af
Lumber Regional Development Associ
ation's Talent Search, urges students to
come by his office at the LRDA Annas
Guiding to ?pplicaiiogt for grants
The deadline tor applications Is M?i
II. I960.