ipsj THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICEHHHI
for Indians Since 1972 II Suiting (Comtmmirathif Vrtl^e In ^ {Eri-^Ucial getting
f - ?. Pax 1075 fmbnkt, p. C- 28372 Area Cobe 919 521-2826
VOLUME 18 NUMBER 49 ' ^ THURSDAY DECEMBER 9, 1982
INDIAN COMMISSION PLANS
HEARING IN ROBESON
COUNTY RELATIVE TO
TREATMENT OF INDIANS
IN LOCAL COURTS
i
i
1 i
RALEIGH--The North Carolina Commission on
Indian Affairs, according to regional news reports, is
planning a public hearing in Robeson County to
investigate findings of a study that concluded Indians
received poor treatment from Robeson courts.
Lonnie Revels, vice chairman of the commission,
said the commission agreed last week to investigate
the findings after being presented with "alarming
figures" on Ugh conviction rates of Indians.
The report also indicated a greater amount of jail
time doled out to Indians as compared to whites.
Though no date for the hearing has been, set, Revels
said the commission expects to interview Indians and
question county officials during the hearing. 1
He said the commission is hoping to receive i
cooperation from county officials but has the authority
to subpoenae them to testify if necessary.
"Commission members were alarmed and de
r pressed that our people are receiving this treatment," - i
said Revels, a Lumbee Indian and Pembroke native.
The report on Indians in Robeson County was
conducted by Dariene Jacobs, who undertook the
project as part of her work toward a master's degree
in sociology at the University of Oklahoma. She is also
I a Lumbee Indian from Pembroke.
The findings of her report were based on statistics
compiled from 1980 records at the Robeson County
1 Courthouse and from the county sheriffs department i
The report concluded with nine major findings: {
i ? In Superior Court, Indians had a 54 percent higher
conviction rate compared to their per capita
population. 1
? Indians were indicted at a 25 percent Ugher rate i
i in Superior Court compared to their representative
population.
? Indians were inaicted in District Court at an eight
percent rate, higher than their representative
population. i
? In District Court, Indians had a 53 percent
conviction rate higher than their representative
population. 1
? Indians received more active sentences in District
Court at a rate of 21 percent, while whites had a four
percent rate higher than their representative
population. I
? In Superior Court, the active prison terms for
Indians ran about 52 percent higher than their
representative population, compared to a 13 percent
1 rate for whites.
? Case dismissals in District Court for Indians were
only seven percent compared to about 34 percent to
? whites. Case dismissals in Superior Court for Indians 1
were about 11 percent, compared to 30 percent for
whites.
? Indians were arrested by the Robeson County
Sheriffs Department at an 11 percent rate higher than I
their population. |
? Indians were arrested at a younger age compared
to whites.
About one third of Robeson County's population of f
105,000 people are Indian.Though the study compared |
Indians to whites in the tri-racial county, figures j
showed that blacks were also treated worse than
whites, according to the study. For example; 32 I
percent of those arrested in 1900 were black, 47 (
percent were Indians and 21 percent were whites. j
i
A
hshM hy BvbI iyrim hi
Mar I*ft]. N?rth Cirtllit Ixnutt
immr hiTlM" ad'tmjmm! m ha
g|ai ku4?4 Ma way Ihra-gi th?
*
Bond Votes Considered for 2nd Phase of
Water and Robeson Tech
CARL BUTT RE-ELECTED AS
CHIRM AN OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Lamberton--The Robeson County Com
missioners met Monday evening and
considered a number of matters, includ
ing another bond vote on phase two of
the water system and a proposal to take
Robeson Technical College's plight "to
the people" via a bond vote.
A.D. Lewis, trustee chairman for the
school, said only three community
colleges received lees money from
county government than Robeson Tech
nical Institute. He said that the school
needed nearly $7 million for shops, labs,
classrooms, a new library, administrative
offices, a multi-purpose orientation
center and a center for fire and police
science training.
Lewis, who said that "there's not a
home in Robeson County that's not
either directly or indirectly touched by
Robeson Technical Institute," asked that
the funding request be placed on the
same water bond referendum. But that
I request met with some opposition.
Commissioner H.T. Taylor said, "1
don't agree with having it along with the
water bond. I don't want the two to be
connected.''
Commissioners voted to keep the
request under advisement.
AND THE PROPOSED WATER BOND i
I * Voters in Robeson County may'
determine the fate of the second phase of
a countywide water system as early as
March.
County Attorney Joe Pete Ward said
consulting atorneys from New York
approved a plan calling for a referendum
March 8 if the Board of Commissioners
adopts a special ordinance during its
Dec. 20 meeting.
P
If the referendum "is approved by
Robeson County voters, the second stage
of the water system, estimated at
approxmately $7 million, would be
financed. The first phase, which serves
nearly 3,500 residents, has already been
completed at a cost of S15.5 million.
IN OTHER MATTERS....
Commissioners also approved a
resolution retaining Velinda Morgan as
an assistant to the executive director of
the Robeson County Housing Authority.
The Board had been notified by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban
Development* last month of a possible
nepotism violation. She is the wife of
commissioner Jack Morgan.
The resolution said that Morgan
should not vote in Housing Authority
matters involving his wife's position.
In other matters, commissioners ap
proved a $250 Christmas bonus for all
500 of the county's employees.
Carl Britt was re-appointed chairman
ef the Board of Commissioners, and
^Sammy Cox was "again pointed vioe
chairman.
Hunt's Enterprises holds
'Open House' in
South Hoke
By Brace Barton
South Hoke-James Albert Hunt has
big plans, make no mistake about it. And
his latest undertaking has a bigness
about h. He is in the middle of an
extensive development of the South
Hoke (formerly Hawk Eye Community)
area in Hoke County.
Already a Hoke County Commissioner,
and the first state-wide Indian bail
bondsman. Hunt proposes to develop a
funeral home "within a few weeks", and
establish a first rate insurance agency to
go along with recently^ opened Hunt's
Auto, Hunt's Grocery, Hunt's Paving
and his extensive rental properties and
farming interests and more.
Last Sunday afternoon a few hundred
friends and dignitaries turned out for the
"open house" of the development of
what many hope will be known as
"Huntsville", if plans for incorporation
are successful in the very near future.
The crowd was treated to old fashioned
barbeque, sause meat and the trimmings
and kind words of encouragement from .
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner
John Ingram, who gave the dedicatory
remarks. Others attending included
Hoke County Sheriff Dave Barrington:
Hoke County Register of Deeds, Delia
Maynor; John Barfour, chairman of the
Hoke County Commissioners; District
Court Judge Joe Dupree; District
Attorney Ed Grannis, Jr.; Rev. Elias
Rogers, chairman of the board of
directors of the Lumbee River Electric
Membership Corporation; Danny De
Vane, newly elected to the N.C. House of
Representatives; Hoke County Commis
sioner Wyatt Upchurch; and Reverends
Graddy Hunt; Horace Strickland and
assorted friends and well wishers.
Commissioner Ingram said, taking
note of the overcast skies and intermit
tant rains, "I just followed the rainbow
and here I am." Ingram spoke strongly
in favor of free enterprise, as personified
by entrepeneuers like Hunt, and noted,
"the last four letters in the word
American spells 1 CAN!"
Hunt, noted for his lack of speechmak
ing in his successful political career, did
ask this reporter to express his thanks to
Willie R. Jacobs, Betty Rogers, Brenda
Jacobs and Robert Taylor who served as
coordinating committee for, the success
ful event, and his specie! friends who
prepared the delicious food and all those
who contributed to the successful
happening.
Htkt Cam*j CiMhilmw Jama
AlMrtHal (MbwhAl b ahawa wMi
Ma family |laf? la right) hla two
Jama A. Bat, khX, v??i, ?*d hi.
"xhTahava li wfii I Jaeaha, aha
g V
* A
Mfv?d m mmfr rf wwwhi m4 m
Wwt
toUillMi. Batty Si go is, ? Hitfclt M
nssrty Hsfcs High Ssfcssl ?d alto.
PEOPLE
A ND PL A CES
AND THINGS
JAYCEE CHRISTMAS PARADE
TO BE HELD DEC. 1*
The 1982 Pembroke Jaycees Annual
Christmas Parade is scheduled for Dec.
10. Starting time is 10 a.m. Those who
would like to be in the parade should
contact Gregory Cummings. Bos 758.
Pembroke. NC 28372. Phone: 521-9761
or 521-2784.
PLATE SALE
The Pembroke Jaycettes will hold a
plate sale Dec. 10 from 11:00 a.m.
until... at the Pembroke Rescue Squad
Building. Chicken and Bar-Be-Que
plates will sell for $3.00 each. Proceeds
will go to the Needy Families at
Christmas and the Robeson County
Junior Miss Pageant.
SPECIAL SINGING
There will be a singing Saturday.
December 11, 1982 at the Pembroke
Middle School. The purpose of this
singing is to help the Rev. Jack Hunt
with his medical expenses. Featured
singers of the evening will be David
Carter and the Sounds of Deliverance,
The Graham Family, The Jacobs Family
and other groups. Donations are wel
come, but there is no admittance fee.
Time is 7:00 p.m. and the public is
cordially invited to attend.
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Reedy Branch Church Choir will
present a Christmas Cantata on Sunday
December 12th, 1982 at 6:00 p.m. This
years Cantata is enttiled "The Promise,"
written by Eugene McCammon. Special
guest for the presentation will be Rhonda
Flanagan, Miss Lumbee 1982, and
Brenda Lock I ear. Miss Lumbee 1976.
Both will do a selection of songs.
The director is Mr. Larry W. Chavis,
narrator will be Norman Hammonds,
Pianist Ms. Mary F. Chavis.
The children's choir of Reedy Branch
will also perform serveal Christmas
Carols. The public is cordially invited to
attend.
Because of the program at 6:00 p.m.,
the second Sunday singing usually held
at 2 p.m. will be cancelled.
VFW NEWS
TO ALL MEMBERS: Sunday. Dec.
12 is VFW Sunday and all VFW members
and their guests and Ladies Auxilary of
the Pembroke Post are asked to attend
worship services at Pleasant View
Baptist Church of Fairmont. After
services the group will enjoy a meal of
fellowship together at the Old Foundry
Restaurant in Lumberton, NC.
Monday night is the regular monthly
meeting for the Post. 7:00 p.m. and all
members are asked to attend, a special
program will be rendered by the Lowry
Barber Shop Quartet.
All members that have not paid their
dues for the coming year are asked to do
so now. The Post goal was 100% by
December.
Submitted by Post Commander
Bobby D. Locfctear
LOCAL PERSON GRADUATES
FROM AUCTIONEER'S SCHOOL
Allen G. Dial of Pembroke
completed over 100 hour* of training at
the Mendenhall School of Auctioneer
ing. High Point, NC on Nov. 12, 1962.
The Mendenhall School of Auctioneer
ing is staffed by fifteen of America's top
auctioneer* and business leaders as
instructors."
We know that this community will be
happy to learn of Allen's new venture.
With this person's enthusiasm, natural
talent and training, we believe a bright
future is ia store in the auction
profession.
Any civic organization desiring to
raise money for a worthy cause should
contact Allen G. Dial, Route 1 Ben 147,
Pembroke, NC 28372.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PLANNED
The Saddletree Sanctuary Choir
HUNT NAMES STUDENT MEMBERS
TO PARKS & RECREATION COUNCIL
Governor Jim Hunt has named
Laurie B. Cowan of Ahoskie and Joseph
E. Malcolm of Pembroke to the N.C.
Parks and Recreation Council. They will
fill two seats created by the 1982 General
Assembly.
Cowan is a first year student at
Chowan College. As a student at Bertie
Senior High School, she was involved in
student government and the Vocational
Industrial Gubs of America.
Malcolm is a senior at Pembroke
Senior High School. He has servedon die
yearbook staff and is a member of the
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.
The IS-member council advises the
Secretary of Natural Resources and
Community Development on the promo
tion, development and administration of
the state's recreation and parks system.
Cowan and Malcolm are the first youth
members to serve on the council. Their
terms will expire June 30, 1983.
FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Applications for the Fuel Assistance
Program are being accepted at the
Robeson County Department of Social
Services through December 10. The
Program will provide a one time cash
payment to help eligible, low-income
households in paying their heating bills.
The payment will be sent in early
February. Last year 5,665 households in
the county received s total of $802,000
from the Fuel Assistance Program. More
information can be obtained by contact
ing the Department of Social Services.
A. DAVID LESTER NEW EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF CERT
At the annual meeting of the Council
of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT) in
Denver. Nov. 16-19, Wilfred Scott,
chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe of
Idaho was named to succeed Navajo
Peter Mac Donald as chairman of the
organization. Scott, 51. has been vice
chairman of CERT since 1980. Mac Don
ald, who was honored at the meeting as
CERT's "founding father," failed re
cently to win re-election as Navajo
chairman. CERT also announced the
appointment of A. David Lester as Ha
new executive director. Lester, a Creek
Indian, has been commissioner of the
Administration for Native Americans in
the Department of Health and Human
Services. The number of tribes compris
ing CERT grew to 37 with the admission
of three new members-the Chemeheuvi
of Californis; Coeur d' Alene of Idaho and
the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. Topics of
discussion at the meeting included tribal
taxing authorities, proposed BIA guide
lines on tribal severance taxes, and
impact of the Supreme Court's decision
on the Jicarilla severance tax; impact of
the proposed Indian Minerals Act of
1982; new royalty management practices
and new energy projects being consider- '
ed by tribes.
CHEESE AND BUTTER
DISTRIBUTION
The Robeson County Department at
Social Services began distributing cheese
ind butter at the department on
rhursday. Dec. 2 from 8:IS a.m. until
S: 15 p.m. The cheese and butter which
has been provided by the United States
Department at Agriculture is available to
households that receive food stamps.
Forms to take to pick up the cheese and
butter will be sent along with December
food stamp allotments. Also, households
that do not receive food stamps but meet
the program's Income and asset guide
lines may apply for and receive the
commodities. A bag or container should
be taken to pick up the butter which srll
be frown More information can be -
obtained by contacting the agency.
-?>* . -v . *,? ; ?-\
Hies.