: i- Established January 18. 1973. Published Each Thursday
? - i ' ?
. v ' M
' : |i>J1 UJjilJiiJj Vi>3da
Perj | j. "Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting" Robeson County
VOLUME 17 NUMBER 49 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7. 1989 25? PER COPY
1
New Western Auto
in Pembroke
by Otcar Seller*
PSU Journahrm Student
Tony Brewington has something
that few people have in life. A job
that includes his family in his
business' day to day operation.
Mr. Brewington opened the new
Western Auto Store in Pembroke on
November 30 to fill the opening left
by the closing of the old Western
Auto Store.
With his wife, Peggy, and children:
Joel, Brian, Shelli, Nanci and
Thomas and other family members,
Mr. Brewington plans to run a store
that emphasizes convenience.
Brewington said that he is pleased
with business so far and feels that
the quality of his store will add
something extra to Pembroke.
"We have a first class building
and first class customer service,"
said Brewington.
The new store has certified
vx ?% ?*
mechanic Jeffery Lowry, who is
experienced with foreign cars and
Johnny Chavis, manager of parts on
call to help provide the best service
available.
Brewington said that his business
is a family operation that he hopes
will teach his children a "sense of
responsibility about business" while
keeping the family unit together.
"By letting them (his children)
work in the store it provides a chance
to spend quality tie with each other,"
said Mr. Brewington.
Brewington has a history of family
enterprises in Pembroke. On the site
that the new Western Auto stands
he and his wife operated the largest
day care center in Pembroke. Hie
Wonderland Day Care Center was in
operation for thirteen years when
Brewington and his spouse instiga
ted the new enterprise.
"Tve got the perfect job," said
Brewington.
coiumbus county
Indian Sheriff
On Monday Harold Lee Rains,
Coharie Indian, became Sheriff of
Columbus County. Sheriff Rains was
appointed by a unanimous vote from
the Board of Commissioners. He
became the third sheriff in three
years following the resignation of
Henry S. Rowan. Rowan, former
county coroner, was appointed 18
months ago to replace BillRhodes
who was removed as sheriff for
"willful misconduct in office" and
sexual misconduct
Rains was sworn into office by
Superior Court Judge Dexter Brooks,
lumbee Indian, of Pembroke.
? as
Sheriff Rains becomes the first
Indian to our knowledge to serve as
sheriff in the state. He is married to
the former Lollie Jacobs, a Wacca
maw Siouan Indian, and they reside
in the Buckhead community. He is a
native of Sampson County and, prior
to his appointment, served the
department in various capacities,
including deputy and court baliff fee
12 years.
Rains, 59 is retired from the U.S.
Air Force. He has not announced
whether he will seek election to the
position of sheriff in 1990.
Lumbee
Bank
Declares
Dividend
Lumbee Bank Board of Directors
approved a $.25 per share divident
for stockholders of record as of
December 7, 1986, and payable
December 21, 1989. With this
payment, total dividends paid for
1989 has been $.50 per share.
Judge Brooks
to appear
"Stateline"
Superior Court Judge Dexter
Brooks of Pembroke will appear on
the North Carolina Public Television
show "Stateline." Die 30-minute
program will be aired on Thursday.
December 14 at 7:30 p.m. and on
Sunday, December 17. at 5:00 p.m.
Citizens Forum Planned
December 14
Telamon Corporation will sponsor
a citizens forum on Thursday,
December 14, 1989. The forum will
begin at 3 p.m. in the small
auditorium at the Robeson County
Public Library in Lumberton.
The purpose of this forum is to
provide the public an opportunity to
make known problems, concerns,
and or suggestions regarding farm
labor issues, employment, training,
and service programs for farmwork
ers, and other farm related matters
that individuals deem important
A representative will be elected to
present these concerns and issues at
the January meeting of Telamon's
North Carolina State Council.
Telamon Corporation is a private,
non-profit organization founded in
1965 and funded through the Job
Training Partnership Act to provide
training, employment and support
ive services to low income migrant
and seasonal farmworkers in an eight
state region.
LAC Swimmers grabbed
gold December 2
Phillip Enevoldsem and Tim
Brooks grabbed gold medals for the
Lumberton Aquatics Club at the
Waves of Wilmington Holiday Invi
tational Swim Meet Saturday at
UNC- Wilmington.
Phillip Ene voids em, swimming in
the 15-18 year old division captured
the gold medal in the 100 yard
freestyle (56.66). placed second in
the 200 yard freestyle (2:05.45),
served in the 200 yard individual
medley (2:28.92) and seventh in the
100 yard butterfly (1:13.89).
Tim Brooks, swimming in the 11
and 12 year old division captured the
gold medal in the 100 yard breast
stroke with a new "A" time of
1:19.50. Brooks grabbed the silver
medal in the 100 yard freestyle with a
new "A time of 1:01.10. Brooks also
collected two bronze medals in the
200 yard freestyle with an "A" time
of 2:12.83 and in the 100 yard
butterfly (1:12.83. Brooks grabbed a
seventh place finish in the 100 yard
backstroke (1:19.67).
'Steven Hunt, swimming in the 9
and 10 year old division, placed Fifth
in the 50 yard breaststroke (41.52).
Hunt placed sixth in the 50 yard
butterfly with an "A" time of 37.01
and 8th in the 100 yard freestyle
(1:16.33).
Other LAC swimmers attending
the meet were &yn Sanderson,
Jocelyn Sanderson. Matthew Lowry,
Andrew Lowry, Devon Dial, Tamer
Lowry, Natula Lowry, Demond Lock
lear, Brandon Oxendine, Jeremy
Brewington, Dawm Lucas, Micah
Oxendine, Lands Brooks, and Mich
ael Dimery.
There were 377 swimmers repre
senting 15 clubs in eastern North
Carolina participating in the meet at
the University of North Carolina
Wilmington December 2.
Acteens from Burnt Swamp Baptist Association of
Pembroke were on the campus of Campbell University
Saturday, October tS, participating m the school's annual
"Acteens See Campbell University Day." The 16
members of the group, under the direction of Patsy Hunt,
were one of AS groups of Acteens from Baptist churches
throughout the state. The day's activities included tours
of the campus, speakers, presentations, a basketball
scrimmage, and a soccer game between Campbell and
East Carolina.
The Optimistic Cynics
BY KAREN CORONADO S WM. RICHARD MATHIS
ARE THE MEDIAS BIASED
IN COVERING ROBESON COUNTY?
Reporting, n. giving an account of, giving information
about, at tome thing teen or investigated.
rhetoric, n. the art or science of using words effectively m
speaking or writing, to at to influence or persuade.
? - - * ,-??
logic, n. the aft or science of correct reasoning.
The stoie principles of logic which apply to scientific
obese rvstion, debate or judicial proceedings also apply to
the reporting of news and its analysis per editorial
opinion.
There are also classical pitfalls of logical association
with the investigation and interpretation of events.
Knowledge of these pitfalls allows the reader or viewer to
constructively analyze the midias' presentations and
interpretations of the news. This knowledge also applies
to the critique of leaders and politicians.
The following pitfalls are not totally inclusive: certainly,
there are more. Hopefully, they will stimulate you to
become more able to evaluate the logic (or illogic) used by
reporters, editorialists and politicians.
1. Ad Hominem arguments- In this fallacy, the writer
(or speaker, etc.) attacks the person as opposed to the
person's arguments or actions. Name calling (Le.,
Communist, liberal Activist), seems to be a particularly
popular form of ad hominem argument. Perhaps the most
blatant form ia the attacking or killing of messengers of
bad or unpopular news.
The other side of the ad hominem fallacy is accepting
an argument because one likes the person making the
argument "Why Td just believe anything Joe Don Ding
Dong would tell me. Surely, he won't lead me astray. '
You bet
2. Appeal to authority-This fallacy is closely associated
with the previous. "You've got to believe it's the truth:
the news, reporter, doctor, president governor, etc., said
so." Correct facts and reasoning are the only acceptable
authority and not somebody's status as an expert
Likewise, do not trust any rhetorician who does not use
facta or disciplined reasoning in attempting to persuade
you. Such a person merely wants you to trust them on
the basis of their supposed authority.
3. Attack the motive*-In the same vein as the first two
pitfalls, this ia another attempt to evade the real issues
and put undue attention on one's perceived opponent
"The only reason that you're saying this is because you're
a self-proclaimed, do-gooding, liberal, communist
trouble-maker trying to stirrup trouble and give us a
black eye in the press."
4. Appeal to emotiooofum-This pitfall ia similar to three
in that it tries to replace reason with emotions. "You're
going to destroy our reputation. You should be
ashamed." "The/re everywhere. They're going to take
over unless we do something right now."
The other side of this one is that you should do
something because of its nobility, magnanimity, or
decency. Perhaps you should; but only if the facts and
correct reasoning support it.
Appeal to prejudice or bias-"Outsiders can't possible
understand our situation. Those outside reporters are just
a bunch of carpetbaggers trying to make a buck by
. /
/
sbrnng-up Unrest
6.Appeal to tradition-"Besides, that's the way things
have always been here and that's the way they will always
be."
7. Drawing conclusions not based on fact-We usually
don't make the right conclusions from a lack of facts or by
committing one of the 6 fallacies listed above.
- -Imwr opinion, when the medias have'shown bias in
covering Robeson County, it has been primarily because
of the last three fallacies: appeal to bias or prejudice,
appeal to tradition and drawing conclusions not based
upon fact
Most members of the medias are middle-class Anglos
who appear to have little awareness or understanding of
Native Americans in general and specifically of Indians in
Robeson County. From informal interviews conducted
with local and outside reporters, we have found few that
have researched the history of local Indians.
We must wonder what the same reporters would feel if
a foreign reporter came to do a story on the United States
with only a minimal awareness of its history. Such a
foreign reporter is likely to make decisions on personal
bias or feelings regarding America.
Yet reporters come to Robeson County to do a story
without having done any significant research on the
history of Indians here, stay a couple of days and return
home to report on our status. Perhaps such an approach
belies a prejudicial attitude that we are a simple people
who can be readily understood by any reporter during a
short period.
Nor are you likely to find in any of the medias (with the
exception of the Carolina Indian Voice), Indians writing or
speaking about their experiences, perceptions or beliefs.
Mainstream medias are far more likely to cover topics of
interest to Anglo readers. Unless, of course, Indians in
Robeson County "act-up" enough to arouse the media's
interest and thus gain news coverage.
In short, we feel that the medias have not provided
sufficient coverage of Indian history, culture or society
and that not enough space has been given to Indian
writers.
If we are to hold the medias accountable then we must
educate ourselves with the rules and pitfalls of the basic
logic of reporting and rhetoric. To quote Thomas
Jefferson: "Error of opinion may be tolerated where
reason is left free to combat it" We must all be eternally
vigilant to incorrectly reported or interpretated events
whether it's ourselves or others making the mistakes.
However, we must even be more wary of those who would
assail us for seeking to report or speak the truth.
We also believe that when reporters study the history of
Indians in Robeson County that they will find a marked
pattern of attempts to limit the free speech of Indians.
Once they find this pattern, we feel that it becomes
incumbent upon them to ensure the full development of
free speech for Indians.
But don't take our word for it; investigate for
yourselves. Read Adolph Dial's book or check out the
Lumbee petition. If you do, you will probably be far better
informed about our community than most reporters.
Which is not to say that Anglo or outside reporters can't
do a decent job in covering our stories: they can, so long,
as we take it upon ourselves to educate them about us.
Eastern Carolina Tuscarora Nation
Restores Traditional Form of Government
by Mike Dunn
Hie Eastern Carolina Tuscarora
Nation, located in Robeson County,
North Carolina, has done away with
the white man's form of government
and elections, to return to their own
traditional form of government
known to them as the "Great Law of
Peace."
Hie "Great Law of Peace" has
been in existence for 500 years and
was founded by an Iroquois Indian
known as Deganawidah or the
Peacemaker. Hie Peacemaker was
later joined by an Onondaga Indian
known as Hiawatha. Together they
promoted the political philosophy of
the Great Law of IVace. Hie Great
Law of Peace became the governing
system of wha tis now known as the
Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy,
consisting of the Mohawk, Ononda
ga, Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, and
Tuscarora Nations.
Under the Great Law of Peace
there are no elections for Clan
Chiefs. Clan Mothers or the Chief of
the Nation. All positions are heredi
tary and are for life. But this does not
mean the Nation could be run by
someone who does not work for the
best interest of the nation. If a chief
or clan mother is not working for the
best interests of the nation, the clan
mothers will give him or her a
warning, and if they do not change
their ways, they will be given a
second warning. If there is a third
warning, he or she is removed from
their position. A replacement is then
chosen from the same clan that the
removed person is from.
The Eastern Carolina Tuscarore
Nation is dealing directly with the
soverign government of the Six
Nations in restoring this traditional
form of government to the segment
of Tuscaroras who want to live under
the soverign tradtional way of life.
No funds or grants are accepted as
certain spinter groups of Tuscaroras
in the Robeson County have accepted
that include whites and blacks in
their programs. These grants come
under the 1964 Civil Rights Act
Indians have separate laws from the
whites and blacks and are guaran
teed this under Public Law 95-341.
To accept these grants is to deny
ane's Indianness and put your people
under white and black law and not
Indian law. We accept grants that
deal only with Indians.
The Eastern Tuscarora Nation is
also living under the Clan System.
The Tuscaroras have seven clans:
Bear, Wolf, Turtle, Beaver, Deer,
Snipe and Eel. Each member of the
nation is a member of one of these
seven clans. The clan is determined
by your family lineage through your
mother's line. Each clan has a clan
mother and a clan chief. Each clan
mother and clan chief works for the
best interests of their respective
clan, as well as for the nation as a
whole.
Hie Nation believes very strongly
in self-help programs which are
designed to help the people to work
for what they want to achieve. Under
this program the nation has a five
acre landbase which is held in trust
in the name of the Eastern Carolina
Tusc&rora Nation, ft is not under any
individual. There are three buildings
on the land which were all built by
the people. One is a tribal office
which is also used for meetings. The
second is a Tuscarora-Iroquois Mu
seum that deals with the Tuscarora
Iroquois culture. The third building
is not completed yet. It will be used
for teaching crafts, language, dan
cing, etc. There are plans in the
future for the building of a Long
house which will be used for
traditional ceremonies, social dan
cing, and council of cheifs and clan
mother meetings.
Recently the Ail Tuscarora Iro
quois Fall Festival was held. This
was achieved through self-help with
no assistance from grants or other
funds.
The Eastern Carolina Tuscarora
Nation feels very strongly about
sovernity, the Great Law of Peace,
grants and funds for Indians and
Indians only, self help, culture,
traditions, ceremonies, language,
dance and arts and crafts.
This article is written for those
Tuscaroras who are seeking these
same things. This is to let them know
that there is a place in Robeson
County where Tuscarora culture and
traditional government is being
carried out
This article is written and support
ed by the Council of Chiefs and Clan
Mothers of the Eastern Carolina
Tuscarora Nation.
Nyaw-weh
Reception to
honor new
Mayor of
Fairmont
Citizens and friends of Fairmont
are invited to a reception in honor of
Dr. Joy J. Johnson, mayor-elect of
the Town of Fairmont, on Sunday,
December 10 from 5-8:90 p.m. in the
Fairmont Town Hall Extension.
A worship service sponsored by Nu
Kappa lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity will be held at First
Baptist Church on North Main Street
in Fairmont at 8:90 p.m. Hie public
is invited to attend.