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Pembroke, N.C. "Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting" Robeson County
1
VOLUME 17 NUMBER 12 THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1989 25? PE.. .
LR DA Endorses Oxendine
For PSU Chancel lor*
The Board of Directors of Lumbee
Regional Development Association
went on record at the Feb. 27th board
meeting endorsing the selection of
Dr. Joseph B. Oxendine for the
position of Chancellor of Pembroke
State University.
Dr. Oxendine was one of the final
three candidates for the position
when last filled by the UNC
Board of Governors and is immensely
qualified for the position.
Pembroke State University has a
unique legislative and historical
legacy as it has sought to reach out
to the local community in which it
resides.
The LRDA Board recognized this
legacy and expressed through its ?
resolution the pride that is shared in
the community by those who appre
date PSlTs legacy and role for the
disadvantaged and that there is a
candidate of local community and
educaitonal roots who is qualified
and stands ready to return to lead
such a fine institution to further
greatness.
The resolution of the Board also
expressed that the selection of Dr.
Oxendine would have an added
benefit of reflecting greater state
wide equity in the number of
! minorities holding chancellor posi
tions in the 16 UNC system institu
tions.
One'of the roles of a university or
institution is to help promote.
preserve and enhance the history,
culture and traditions of the com
munity in which it is located.
With this in mind, the Board in its
decision expressed the ancient Indi
an proverb that to " understand who I
am you must first walk a mile in my
moccasins."
The endorsement of Dr. Oxendine
acknowledges that he has walked in
the local citizen's "moccasins" be
cause his roots are in R< -'son
County and go back to a time when
those "miles" were much more
difficult to walk by the pooi f all
races.
His vast understanding education
ally of the world outside Robeson and
adjoining counties needs to be
brought home to bear fruit for new
greatness at PSU.
Dr. Oxendine is the former Dean
and Founder of the College of
- Health, Physical Education, Recrea
tion and Dance at Temple University
and is currently a professor in the
Education Departmentof Physical
Education at that institution.
The finalist will be selected by the
PSU Chancellor Search Committee
and presented to the PSU Board of
Trustees who will present two or
three top choices to the Chancellor of
the UNC System. The Board of
Governors will make the final
selection decision.
S"bmitted by LRDS Staff
STRIKE AT THE WIND! -
HIRES NEW
MANAGING DIRECTOR
by David Thaggard, Office Manager
Strike at the Wind
Pembroke-'Ihe Board of Directors of
Robeson Historical Drama is pleased
to announce the hiring of a new
Managing Director. Mr. Ken Conner
will assume the Managing Produ
cer's responsibilities for "Strike at
the Wind" on March 1. 1989.
Currently, Mr. Conner is living in
Winston-Salem, NC where he is
employed with an audio-visual elec
tronics firm. He also maintains an
avid freelance career within various
capacities of the professional theatre.
He has extensive experience working
as an actor, stage manager, 'Jesign
er, director, and producer. Ilis acting
credits include roles in: "Inherit the
Wind," "Midsummer Night's
: Dream," "LysistraU," "The Phila
delphia Story." and many others in
regional productions and children's
theatre tours. He followed hja love
for adventure to performance as
Ivan Kuskov in "Cry of the Wild
Ram", Alaska's only outdoor histori
cal drama.
In 1966, Conner was hired as the
Interim Managing Producer for the
Winston-Salem Little Theatre at a
time of severe financial crisis. His
hiring came under the guidelines set
forth by a management consultant
after the crisis was realized. He
succeeded in stabilizing operations
with the cooperation of the Board of
Directors and produced the extra
ordinarily successful "Peter Pan."
fie is a 1980 graduate in Theatre
from Radford University in Radford,
' VA. and has completed the "Mana
ging the Arts" program offered
through UNC-Chapel Hill, Mr. Con
ner is also an accomplished writer
and has experience in advertising
and public relations.
"I believe it is extremely important
to understand as many of the:
different aspects of theatre s
possible whether from a pt
mance or from a production persp -c
tive. The theatre is such an inb
related art form...there are so r .n y
variables that need to coopeuie
smoothly to make a production
successful. This cooperation is the
'magic' of live theatre," he said. "I
found myself interested in so many
aspect' both production and per
formance that I could not limit my
focus to anyone area. This ultimately
led towards management, which
allows interaction with all the
different areas," he said.
Mr. Conner also has an avid
interest in the American Indian
culture. He was co-leader of a
transcontinental bicycle tour in 1976,
and he had the occasion to stay with
various tribes during the course of
the trip. "I have always been
fascinated with the rich, proud
culture of the American Indian.
Unfortunately, their history has been
troubled with many difficulties. My
studies and traveling made me very
aware of, and sensitive to, the Indian
perspective of life..."
Another point of interest is that
Conner was the first white actor in an
leading role with the North Carolina
BlackRepetory Company. (He played
the "Doctor" in "Medal of Honor
Rag".) He subsequently worked with
NCBRC as production stage manager
during four other productions.
"When I first learned of this
position with 'Strike at the Wind', I
was intriqued with the description of
the Tri-racial community where the
show is staged. Since then, I
have learned there are some rather
unique challenges associated with
this historical drama -challenges re
volving around the divergent cultural
and ethnic influences within the
community. Apparently, there is an
active and concerned Board of
Directors, strong community support
for the show itself, and a bro.?.
cultural appeal for your audiences. '
see a great potential for growth with
the production as well as the ability
to achieve national and international
prestige. I look forward to meeting
more people in the community,
and the opportunity to work toward
the future of 'Strike at the Wind,' "
he concluded.
Revival Planned At
New Bethel Holiness
Methodist Church
Revival services are planned at
New Bethel Holiness Methodist
Church beginning March 26-31,
1969. Sunday night service will begin
at 7 p.m. and week night services will
begin at 7:30 p.m.
Evangelists ' Robert L
Man (rum. pastor of Prosnert United
1 .
Methodist Church and Willie Scott,
Jr., Pastor of New Prospect Holiness
Methodist Church, will be the guest
speakers. "Hie public is encouraged
to come worship. There will be
special music each night James H.
Woods is pastor.
rcurmmg Waters Singers from
Cumberland County
Pow Wow Is Highlight
Of I ndian Unity Conference
by I. H. Hawk
Probably now more than ever
before, more Indians than ever
before participate in pow wow
activities in North Carolina and
across the nation. I recently looked at
the pow wow schedule and beginning
in April, the pow wows begin and
start winding down in November. At
the pow wow at the Indian Unity
Conference there was probably the
best representation by various
members and tribes that have ever
been. It looked to me ~ the largest
number of dancers ever.
The excellent representation of our
senior traditional dancers was most
impressive. Ray Littleturtle was at
his best as Pow Wow Master of
Ceremonies and Traditional Guide.
The success of any pow wow,
however, is the primary responsibil
ity of the Drum Group. The Singing
by the Running Water Drum is some
of the best I have heard in a long long
time. Running Water Drum sings in
a Northern Style, so their songs arp
high pitched and their voices just
slice the air. I have watched this
group for many years. Many of the
group are competition dancers and
winners in their styles of Indian
dancing. Whenyou hear them sing,
however, you nave experienced a
very sweet and lovely audible treat.
It has taken many drum sessions and
a lot of practice to get to the level of
accomplishment this group has
attained. Barked up by the sweet
voices of its women singers and with
the fine drumming and singing of its
men drummers. Running Waters
Singers doa terrific job. Thank you
so much. Running Water Singers, for
your excellent help and strong
commitment to traditional Indian
singing on behalf of Indian nations in
the state of North Carolina. You did a
job well done. The group is from
Cumberland County.
To cap it all off, the entire pow
wow was dedicated to Princess
Christie Woods. She said that it was
one of the most exciting things that
had ever happened to her. Truly, the
pow wow was the high light of the
1989 India.! ? nity Conference.
t
fbv Wow Master of Ceremonies Ray IJttleturtle is shoum
with one of the featured speakers at the hdian Unity
Conference., Jo Jo Hunt, Executive Director. National
Advisory Council on Indian Education
LUMBEE FEDERAL
RECOGNITION COUNCIL
FORMED AT N.C. INDIAN
UNITY CONFERENCE
Recently a group of lumbee Indian
activists met together at the Indian
Unity Conference in Fayetteville,
NC. They began to discuss the issue
of Federal Recognition. They pon
dered the lack of good strong interest
on the issues of federal recognition
among the Lumbee. Many of the
group said that they had noticed an
awareness of federal recognition by
the Lumbee, but they had not yet
detected a strong burning, fervent
desire to participate, take part,
be actively involved in the efforts for
federal recognition. The group thou
ght that there was too much of a
laid-back atttude by their fellow
Lumbees. Realizing that the lumber
Bill has already been before Con
gress once and did not pass with a
very fervent effort on the first try. the
group feels that it is imperative that
the Lumbee Rill make it through
Congress in its next attempt Also,
realizing that many in this group
have many years of experience in
Indian affairs, pow wows, pow wow
consultants, and have contacts with
Indians from across the nation,
they felt that it was time to combine
their effort and expertise in a huge
and massive form to ensure the ffort
for lumbee Federal Recognition,
Tribal Council Government, Tribal
Consitution. and Full Fledged Fede
ral Indian Status with full federal
benefits. The lombee Federal Rec
ognition Council not only sees the
need in federal recognition, but is
also aware of the need for Lumbees
to become more active on the local
front, poverty, unemployment, the
breakup of the family, our children,
continued progress in educational,
political activism, and most impor
tanly, of the need for a continued
strong spiritual base. A littlu-aaying
came out of the Saturday moming
meeting of the Unity Conference, "If
it is to be, it is up to me." By the
grace of god and His F\>wer and of
His Might, if the Lumbee are to have
federal recognition, it will be most
certainly up to us and our united
efforts as Lumbees. Support the
lumbee FVderal Recognition Coun
cil, P.O. Box 2502, Pembroke, NC
28372.
by IH Hawk
MEMORIAL SERVICE TO
BE HELD FOR
JULIAN RIERCE &
JOHN GODWIN
A County-wide Memorial Service
will be held for Julian Pierce, John
Godwin, and for those who have died
violent deaths in Robeson County.
The Candlelight Memorial Service
will be held on Blaster Monday at
7:30 p.m. at Prospect United Metho
dist Church. The Memorial Service is
being sponsored by the Concerned
Citizens for Better Government
The loss of Julian Pierce and John
Godwin caused great sorrow for
Indian and non-Indian people. Their
'leadership and courage was a
guiding light and inspiration to
people throughout Robeson County
and North Carolina. Their loss is still
being felt today after a year of
turmoil and confusion. Memories
and stories of Julian Pierce and John
Godwin will continue to grow with
the passing of time. On the first
anniversary of their journey to the
Spirit World, the Memorial Service
provides the opportunity to remem
ber, to offer thanks, and celebrate
their gifts and contributions.
Boi Pierce and Godwin believed
in the power of non-violent change.
The Memorial Service will provide a
time to remember those who have
died from violence--the very thing
they so adamantly opposed. This
Memorial will serve as a healing
force for the past, present and
future.
The public is invited to attend.
Auditions for 1989 Season
Or 'Strike at the Wind1
This Weekend
Auditions for the 1989 season of
"Strike at the Wind" will be held on
Saturday, March 25 from 11 a.m.
until 5 p.m. and on Sunday, March
26, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
All acting parts are available.
David Oxendine of New York,
formeriy of Pembroke, will return as
director. Auditions for the 1989
season will be held at the Amphi
theatre on the site of '' Strike at the
Wind." The public is encouraged U
participate.
LRDA TERMINATES
MISS NORTH CAROLINA
PAGEANT FRANCHISE
by LRDA Staff
In 1975 LRDA applied (or and
obtained a franchise for .Miss Lutp
bee to participate in this Miss N.C.
Pageant, a preliminary pageant to
the Miss America Pageant.
This franchise contract was the
official entry process for a represen
tative from Robeson County to be in
the Miss North Carolina Pageant.
The franchise also had other
covenants in which it required that
since the Miss Lumber Pageant was
a preliminary pageant to the Miss
North Carolina Pageant, Miss Lum
bee could not in turn participate as a
contestant in any other local, stale or
national pageants during her reign.
On February 27, 1989, the Board
of Directors of LRDA voted to
terminate its franchise with the
North Carolina Pageant Association
for the Miss Lumbee Pageant
This franchise termination means
that the 1989-90 Miss Lumbee will
not be in the Miss North Carolina
Pageant but will be a contestant in
the Miss Indian North Carolina
Pageant and possibly also the Miss
Indian USA Pageant held in
Washington, D.C. at the Lincoln
Performing Arts Center which is
emceed by Bert Parks, formerly of
the Miss America Pageant.
The Miss Indian USA Pageant
offers over $60,000 in prizes and
awards for the winner, who travels
nationally representing all Native
Americans.
By withdrawing from the North
Carolina Pageant. LRDA was in
formed if another entity in Robeson
County picked up the franchsie, girls
of all races can compete for the Miss
Robeson County crown.
How will this affect the Miss
Lumbee Pageant? Basically very
little initially. The plan is to adopt (he
theme for the Miss Lumbee Pageant
that the Miss Indian USA Pageant
uses. The theme is "She Walks in
Two Worlds."
Ihe Miss lumbee Pageant will
move to implement this theme
gradually over the next three (3)
years which will require contestants
to be judged using modem and
traditional Indian elements such as
dress or talent.
For example, in the Miss lumbee
Pageant for 1989 only an Indian dress
category may be added as the only
"She Walks in Two Worlds" ele
ment. In 1990. a traditional talent
and dress may be required as well as
modem elements.
All of this is in preliminary
planning stages currently with the
1989 M iss lumbee Planning Com
mittee and nothing is concrete yet as
to any point or category changes for
1989.
However, if a new point category is
added such as Indian dress, LRDA
will made available to contestants'
consultants in this area.
With the tribe moving toward
Federal Recognition. LRDA's deci
sion directs that the Lumbee reach
out to enhance greater Lumbee
involvement in events that other
Federally Recognized Tribes partici
pate in to bridge the cultural gap and
identify with other Indian nations
that make up what is known as Indian
country.
C leva land Jacobs, Luebee Master craftsman,
displays his basket-weaving at the recant
14tn Annual Indian Unity Conference held
B In Fayettevllle. |