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|^Feditoria l, ?and opiniom V PAGE ^ W 4 4 We cannot know where V we are going if we do not know where we have been.,, by Bruct Barton J Allenton citizens take on Seaboard Coastline Railroad The Allenton Community has come together ? Indian, black and white -- in the last few years and taken on the Seaboard Coastline railroad, demanding that SCL do its duty as a c<irporate member of their community. The Allenton Citizens con tend that the Seaboard Coast line Railroad (SCL) has been irresponsible in maintaining a road bed running beside their railroad. The seeming irre sponsible maintenance of the rail road bed has caused flooding of their homes and Isade. ruination of their crops, destruction of burial places and access routes. But SCL has resisted cor recting the situation. The railroad company contends that it can maintain its railroad bed anyway H so chooses, even if it disrupts the community it is located in. Their contention seems to be "...well, it is swampy land anyway." And they have invited the Allenton citizens to take them to court if they wish to. The Allenton citizens have taken the matter before the North Carolina Utilities Com mission claiming, in part, "Because of SCL's failure to prudently construct and maintain its roadbed and its failure to prudently construct and maintain its drainage ditches, water gathers and backs up onto surrounding land, more particularly onto Robeson Memorial Park and certain properties on rural paved roads 2129. 2100 and 2118 in Robeson County. North Carolina and also backs onto the land of the Com plainants herein. This backed up water causes injury and damage to the Complainants in that it invades their lands, interferes with their crops, inundates the burial places of their families and friends, and remains in deep stagnant ponds for weeks as a hazard to children and a breeding ground for mosquitoes." Most recently, a public hear ing was held in the chambers of the Lumberton Municipal Building. A number of Allen ton citizens appeared (the meeting was held February 18) before the commission charging that (gcv have been hurt unduly by the giant corporation. The commiaion's public staff has been helpful in helping resolve the matter. Lumbee River Legal Services in Pembroke has also been monitoring the situation. Rut there the matter rests. But the Indian. Mack and white neighbors of the Allen ton Community continue to press for corrective action. They ere now standing un their last base of power, their land (even though they are up In their kneet In wale/) We wish them well In their fight believing their aaeae te he a lost and right aae M is 1 gm?t to see drnuwraey in 1 action, with all three races participating in a spirit of brotherhood. Coker College la a Charming and Nice Experience As we all know, everyone seems curious about Ameri ca's Original Ones (the Native Americans) but few under stand what has happened to them. I participated in a forum at Coker College, in Hartsville, S.C.. which attempted to explore this muddled region of history Monday entitled "Pathfinders in the Modern World; Th? CgroUna Indians Confront the Present '' Before the forum took place we,were guests of President and Mrs. James D. Daniels. They live in a stately home in a charming place-Hartsville. S.C. The school's main bene factors have been the Coker family (long identified with Coker Seed and other busi ness interests). They left the lovely dwelling to Coker Col lege for the use of the president of the school. We had a lovely meal but. most of all. we had a wonderful exchange of ideas and con versation. The rustic and charming home seemed to inspire all of us as we talked of lofty themes like Reagonomics and the like. It was fun. indeed. I love conversation that is free flow ing and spirited. The program consisted of six individuals introduced by the moderator. David K. Eliades. history and Indian studies professor, Pembroke State University. Pamela Kennedy. Coker College sociology pro fessor and Pee Dee Heritage Center Co-Director discussed America's cultural and politi cal traditions regarding mi norities, emphasizing the marginality of the Indian role. Next, Professor Adolph Dial. Chairman of the American Indian Studies Department at Pembroke State University discussed Carolina Indian culture analyzing how events such as the American Black movement affected Carolina Indians. Bruce Barton, editor of the Carolina Indian Voice, explained how the Lumbees are coping with the problem of modernity and James E. "Butch" Sanders. Chief of Social Sei>ices. - ? Health Service Hospital. Che rokee. N.C. served as the Cherokee Indian's spokes man. Also. Roxanne Flanagan of the Indian Education Divi sion of the Department of Education explained how the federal government has tradi tionally dealt with the Caro lina Indians and what the government is doing today. This program, the second in a series sponsored by the Pa^ Dee Heritage Center, during the current academic year, was open to the general public without charge. I rode up to Hartsville with Adolph Dial. We were ac companied by Reggie Strick land. former mayor of Pem broke. It was nice to just get away for a few hours and unwind. While in the general vicinity we stopped and visited with Rod Jones, the son of Mr. Wiley Jones of the Union Elementary School area. He is a big farmer in the Darling ton, S.C. area. He showed us his farming operation. We enjoyed visit ing with him and hope to go back and do a story on him. It was obvious that he enjoyed what he was doing for a living. Later Rod and his wife and daughter joined us at the conference on the Coker Col lege campus, a mere five miles from his home. All the participants agreed .tljat our trip to Cokcr College was a charming and nice experience. Folks read the Fayetteville Times... The Carolina Indian Voice and I were featured in an article in the Fayetteville Times Monday morning. March 9. I was interviewed by Carol Niederhauser. a staff writer. I thought she captured our essence fairly well. I have no complaints. Besides we can use the publicity. Folks do read the Fayette ville Times. 1 have had a number of favorable calls and letters. It is nice to know that nice expressions are still given. % A guy hitchhiking to Atlanta, Georgia also came Jjy Pem broke Monday night after reading the article while on a stop in Fayetteville. He came by looking for me; he even attended the Pem broke Council meeting. While at the meeting, during a recess, those Pembroke citi zens attending the meeting took up a collection for the wayfaring traveler. He re ceived "close to forty dol lars." He left thinking well of yours truly and Pembroke. It was a nice and refreshing moment that restores ones faith in his fellow man. We wish the stranger well. And hope he arrives at his destination. And that success and happiness smiles upon lust ? u4.p.i. muao | e*ummmpi?71 j! <*,*?. j! P.o. >m ion ;; p??m?.n.c.]u7i | wd clam post aos pa? ! ! ;atpumbo?b. d.c. am , i ?1 kknrtftw 'nw i pa < i 1U*% l?? i i 4 4m i rm mm ir?n imp Pharmacist Pembroke Drug Center <Hom mnd <* Put this data "on ice" In emergency, would a men* tguad br able lo locale life or-death baa Kb Information far membera of your family? If not. horr it a lip Cut it "on Ice, in a jar hrinhlly labeled. in your refrigerator. marked by another bright lobol on the refrigerator door to direct attention to the jar inaido hound btMrre7 Yet. Ihw plan work** Get your Kmorgen cy Jor inairurtiono. Information Korm. and Identifying adhemve label* ?imply by rllpplng lbl? editorial and tend lag lo my ladepeadeat PbarmarUlt' t llpplag her*Ire, Moa IIM. Kaletgb. Mf IMM Om eomphmeoU t f I? f * i o The Editor: It is with deep humility that I write to address' a grave concern of mine. Recently 1 have heard some negative comments relating to the Town of Pembroke. To hear these things grieves my spirit greatly. This public forum is an attempt to disspel some inadequate inucndos which I feel are unfair to our town of Pembroke. My father and mother mi grated to Pembroke in the early years of their manjage. They migrated from surroun ding communities. I was born here. My first recollections of the town are good memories. This was the only town during my childhood where I was treated as a first class citizen. Pembroke was home. It was ours. I could go into the drug store and after purchasing an ice cream cone, sit down in the drug store and eat it. I could go into a movie at the main entrance and sit where I chose to sit. There were no separate facilities. It was my home and I was treated with ^respect and dignity. I felt good. 1 grew up feeling good at home with my own. When I remininsce about those early years. I'm over come with a deep sense of gratitude. I am thankful to our parents and grandparents who sacrificed greatly to make Pembroke what it is today. I know that there were times when it would have been easier for them to have incorporated themselves into the rural areas. There were times when it would have been easier to worry only about the NOW. But they chose the harder route. They chose to struggle for progress for their upcoming genera I ? tions They were men and women of vision. Men and women of insight and dignity, they endured in order that we wouldn't have to. They made it easier for us. To illustrate my point: I haven't forgotten where I came from. I haven't forgot ten outside facilities and a lack of electricity. Because I haven't forgotten. I am happy and proud of the housing projects in Pembroke. I know that many of the people who live there have an opportunity to enjoy an easier, more convenient way of life. I know that for some it was the only opportunity they had for a better way of life, yes! It gladdens my heart to see our people living in comfort. And they've experienced a sense of belonging since they came to their town- Pembroke. Here people are accepted and treated with the dignity they deserve. And it all brings me to the upcoming election for the water and sewer bond issue in Pembroke. The election will be held April 27. 1981. I see the passage of that bond issue as a step towards progress. It is an opportunity tor Pem broke to attract industry. Industry would be a new beginning for many people. It would offer them a chance to seek employment at home. In turn it would help people to become self- sustaining. And that's good. The passage of the bond issue would, in addition, extend water and sewer to those surrounding the city limits of Pembroke. In a very real sense it would make them a part of Pembroke. Most importantly, a yes vote on the bond issue would say to the founders of our town: "Yes. we appreciate your sacrifices and we're moving forward- always toward pro egress." J. Garth Locldear Pembroke, NC 28372 Joins Staff Robeson County Clergy ud Laity Concerned hu selected the Rev. John Campbell as a new, part-time staff person. Robeson County Clergy and Laity Concerned la a count ? wide, inter-religious organ ization seeking to respond to the concerns of hunger and poverty, human rights and world peace on local, national, and international levels. Among his duties, the Rev. Campbell will be doing apeci flc work within the Black communities of the count v. Rev. Campbell is an Associ ate Minister in the Mt. Olive United Methodist Parish which consists of Mt. Olive of Lumberton, Millers Chapel of St. Pauls, and Pleasant Grove 1 of Fairmont. Rev. Campbell received his educational training at Row land Southside, Saginaw Val ley State College, and Robe son Technical College. He K the son of Mrs. Carthenia Campbell of Pembroke. He is married to the former Ms. Garnett Stephens of New some, Virginia. They live in Pembroke. HIDEAWAY VALLEY a handbook to Lvmbee History BY LEW BARTON Kaiglrt of Marti Twata SPIRITS GOOD, SPIRITS BAD Shortly before 1709, John Law son, North Carolina's first historian, learned that the spiritual beliefs of the Indians of southeastern North Caro lina bore a startling resem ble nee to those of the Chris tian world. The Indians be lieved in "The Good Spirit," whom they called Qaerm. and the Evil Spirit, whose name Lawson did not give (but who bore a marked resemblence to Lucifer, of the Old Testa ment.) Also remarkable was the belief of the Indians that the earth is round, not flat, as a primative people might have been expected to believe. "They all believe," wrote Lawson. "that the world is round and that there are two Spirits; the one good and the other bad: The good one they reckon to be the Author and Maker of everything, and say, that it is he. who gives them the fruits of the earth, and has taught them to hunt, fish and be wise enough to overpower the beasts of the wilderness, and all other creatures, that they may be assistant and beneficial to man. to which, they add that the Qnera, or good spirit, or Quear, has been very kind to the Eng lishmen. to teach them to make Guns, and Ammunition, besides a great many other necessaries (necessities) that are helpful to Man, all (of which), they say. will be de livered to them (too), when the good Spirit sees fit." However, Lawson reported that these North Carolina Indians did "not believe that God punishes any man, either in this life or that to come; but that he delights in doing good, and in giving the Fruits u> uk. Lwili, ami ui?u uctii.? us in making several useful and ornamental things." The southeastern North Car olina Indian's conception of the Devil was as follows, according to Law son: "They (the Indians) say it is the Bad Spirit (who lives separate from the good one) that torments us with Sick ness, Disappointments, Loss es, Hunger, Travel (travail?), and all other Misfortunes that Humane Life is incident to. How they are treated in the next world, I have already mentioned." Said Lawson. also, "They are very resolute in dying." In other words, to the North Carolina Indians, death was for a very worth-while pur pose, and not something to be feared or shunned, especially when it was a death of honor. Lawson described the North Carolina Indian's ideas of heaven and hell, as discerned by him during his attendance at one of their funeral ser vices, or more. Some of the things he described, strongly resemble some of the customs and practices that still mark the burial of North Carolina Indians to this day. "The burial of their dead is performed with a great deal of ceremony ...When an Indian is dead, the greater person he was, the more expensive is his Funeral. The first thing which is done, is to place the nearest relations (relatives) near the corpses, who mourn and weep very much ...in a very forlorn manner. After the dead per son has lain a day and a night." Lawson relates, the funeral service begins, "at which all are veiy silent Then J* (the officiating person) begins to give an account, who the dead person was, and how stout a man ...a great) hunter and a lover of his country..." ^ Thus this Orator runs on,' highly extolling the dead man for his valor, conduct, streng th. riches, ...and a'most eve rything he was possessed of." heaven and hell CONCEPT OF THE INDIANS "After which he (the Ora tor) addresses himself to the people .... and bids them supply the dead man's place by following his steps, who, he assures them, is gone into the Country of Souls..." This is the "Happy Hunting Ground ' alluded to so often by Europeans and European Americans. where there will be, in the words of Lawson, (?) great store of deer to hunt, never meet with hun ger, cold, or fatigue but everything to answer his ex pectations and desire.' That this desire included many pretty women, may seem shocking to some, but we must remember that the Indians were realists and naturalists. "This is the Heaven they proposed to themselves," wrote Lawson, "but on the contrary, for those Indians ? hat are lazy, thievish amongst themselves, bad hunters and no warriors, nor of much use to the (Indian) nation, to such they allot in the next world, hunger, cold, troubles, old ugly women, for their companions, with snakes and all sorts of nasty victuals to feed on. Thus is marked out their heaven and hell..." r a Poem LAWSUITS FILED IN MAXTON DEATH OF 4 (p ' survived the accident, bu{ a lawsuit filed by her guardian "ad litem," J.C. Thomas, seeks $100,000. The lawsuit claims the Thomas child suffered "great physical and psychological injury, re ceived serious, painful disfigurement, permanent bodily injury, and psycho logical injuries causing medical and other expenses." Thomas was also listed as the ad ministrator of the estate of Angelia Kay Thomas. That lawsuit also seeks $100,? 000 for "wrongful death." The other three lawsuits for Tenya. Tasha. and Tolla Clark were filed by Paul T. Canady. named as administratoi of the estates. Each of the three lawsuits seeks $100,000. All five lawsuits seek to prohibit either Clark or Mrs. Thomas from becoming beneficiaries of the damages. Mrs. Thomas was convicted in Maxton District Court on June 4. 1980 on four counts of death by vehicle and of careless and reckless driving. She received a suspended sentence in proceedings before Judge Herb Richard son. The following poem was written by Anthony W. l orli lear. He la a student at the Lumbee River Native Amerl cant Center for the Arte, a component of LRDA. LOVE Love is being together sharing your feelings... Being loved by the one you love. Love is having someone to hold close to the god-given body % Love is finding one another in each other's arms. Love is giving to each other unselfishly. /1<>V\ LUMBERTONl J)ec yclingI CO. INC. I 1^^^9739-43781 ' | FORMERLY: LUMBERTON METALS CO. I FORMER OlfNER R.P. HESTER I Pi I I %# I A| ? scrap iron ? iron H II W I III I ? ? tin ? scrap cars ? motors ?0 %0 ? ? ? v ? batteries ? radiators all TVDCC AC ?copper ?aluminum cans ; ? ALL I TrBdUr ? lead*brass-aluminum
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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March 12, 1981, edition 1
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