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Established January 18. 1973. Published Each Thursday
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2 51 I, N.C. "Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting" Robeson County
?j 5 t NUMBER 22 THURSDAY. MAY 31. 1990' 25? PER COPY
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Q ons and Answers about
The n.C. Indian Cultural Center
by Dr. Helen Scheirbeck
The following Hat of queitiont and answer* it provided
here m an effort to inform the public about the N.C.
Indian Cultural Center and aid tn understanding what it
happening with the proposed funding of that project.
1. What is the North Carolina Indian Cultural Center?
An educational, cultural, entertainment, and tourist
project sharing the history and culture of North Carolina
Indian people from 14,000 years ago to the present time.
Hie Center is a place where people can come and learn
about traditional and contemporary Indian life, history,
and tradition.
It wQl have a Visitor's Center/ Museum, seven Indian
villages, nature trails and a riverwalk in Phase I,
scheduled to open in June 1992.
The Center will boost the local economy by providing
500 jobs at the site, and bringing in 30 million dollars
annually to the area, and attracting 500,000 visitors each
year when operating at full capacity.
The Center is a statewide project in which all tribes and
urban Indian organizations are participating. These
groups want their children and grandchildren and the
general public to learn about and share their heritage and
traditions.
2. Where is the Indian Cultural Center located?
Between FVm broke and Maxton, in Robeson County,
North Carolina on U.S. Highway 74. The Center occupies
land in the old Red Banks settlement, where "Strike at
the Wind's" outdoor theatre, LRDA's swimming pool,
and Riverside Golf Course currently is located.
3. Whose idea was the Indian Cultural Center?
Indian people in North Carolina have long wanted a
place to tell the story of their history and contributions to
the state and the nation. They have also wanted a place to
come learn more about the past culture and traditions.
In 1981, Governor Jim Hunt and the Commission of
Indian Affairs identified the present site for an Indian
; Cultural Center. The state began purchasing the present
lands at the she in 1982 and in 1988, 1984 the remaining
lands of what was called the Riverside Golf Course and
Country Club area and adjacent land was purchased by
the stats. In making these purchases, the stale officials
stated these lands were bought for the development of an
Indian Cultural Center. ' *
4. How much will this Indian Cultural Center cost?
Phase I of the Indian Cultural Center will cost $5 million
dollars. These funds will be used to build and open a
Viator's Center/Museum, seven Indian villages, nature
trails, riverwalks, and a festival ground. These monies
must be raised from federal and state government,
private corporations, foundations, and private donors.
Opening date for Fhase I is June 1992.
5. Who will pay for building the Indian Cultural Center?
Thus far to purchase the land, the state of North
Carolina already has paid $761,000 for land purchase and
program operations.
For planning and design work, the state through its
Office of 9tate Construction, Department of Administra
tion has allocated $600,000. Of these funds, $900,000 has
been spent to design Ihase I of the Indian Cultural
Center.
The federal government has allocated $950,000 for
programs and services at the site from the Administration
of Native Americans. Mote than $100,000 has been raised
from private doners, foundations, and corporations.
The Center must be financed by funds from federal,
state and local governments and the private sector
(individuals, foundations and corporations). Our goal is to
raise 60 percent of the money from private sources and 40
percent from federal, state and local governments.
6. What will be in this Indian Cultural Center?
Bv June 1992, fhase I will open and have seven Indian
villages, a Visitor's Center/Museum, nature trails,
riverwalks, festival grounds, a good pavilion, and
recreational activities related to water sports, picnic
areas, and outdoor sports.
In the nest ten years by the year 2000, a historic Civil
War town, a year round performing arts theater, a H/ V
and camping area, water park, a restaurant, lodge, arts
and crafts producing area, cultural camps, and a tyge
museum will be operating at the site.
7. How much money has been spent to do the
development, planning, and design for the Indian
Cultural Center?
For Land-1709,000; Operations- $960,000; 9pecial
Projects $62,000; Design and Panning for Masterplan
and Phase I Designs-$960,000-($200,000 appropriated but
froeen by Governor.) DoHars Spentll.430,000 ($200,000
frozen by Governor March, 1990). ?
There have been many friends who have given of their
time, energy, and services to the N.C. Indian Cultural
Center. Estimates of these contributions are $460,000
from August, 1987 to April, 1990.
8. Is there a golf course on the Cultural Center
grounds? Who owns and operates it?
Yes, the former Riverside Country Club golf course is
on the Cultural Center grounds. This golf course was
formerly part of a private country club owned by Indians
and whites from Robeson County which operated from
1964 to 1988.
This enterprise was in serious financial trouble in the
late 1970s and was put up for sale.
The State of North Carolina began buying the property
in 1961 and finished purchasing this Riverside Country
Club site in 1983. The state bought this property for
1450,000 and is the owner of the golf course today. This is
the only golf course owned by the state of North Carolina.
At the time of purchase of the Riverside Country Club
property, all the state documents indicate these lands
were bought for the development of the N.C. Indian
Cultural Center.
The golf course is being operated by six partners under
a month to month lease since 1985. These partners also
were members in the former Riverside Country Club. The
partners are Grady Oxendine, retired principal; Willie R.
Harris, Jr., school counselor; Mrs. Willie R. Harris, Sr.,
retired teacher; Donald Bruce Oxendine, Toyota Body
Shop, owner; Jimmy Hunt, T.V. Repair store owner;
Bobby Oxenaine, Master Mechanic, Williamson Mazada.
These partners are suppose to give the state of North
Carolina ten percent of their earnings.
9. How many people play golf at this course?
According to figures turned into the Commission of
Indian Affairs, forty people use the golf course regularly.
In the past two years, special causes have seen the golf
course get golfers from the high school and the local state
university. These tournaments attract around 80 people.
10. Why are these golfers seemingly against the Indian
Cultural Center?
There appears to be a small, exclusive group which
wants to use the golf course and clubhouse for their own
social activities-(reportedly there are closed political
meetings, drinking, gambling, and other activities held
there. According to reliable sources, this is their hide
away from their families and the public eye.)
There are Indian County Commissioners who are
elected to work for the good of Robeson County, leading
the tight against the Indian Cultural Center. These
individuals are elected to work for economic development
in Robeson County. When they work against the
development of the Indian Cultural Center, they are
working against economic development for Indians and
other citizens, in my opinion.
I V. Some people say the golf course is worth $1 million.
They ask, if that is true, why destroy that mueh of an
investment? ^
A team of expert* wit orougnt m to review u>? go a
course in term* of its layout, value, and potential coat to
make it a top knotch course. These experts indicated the
course was in poor condition, was not a standard 18 hole
course, and would need substantial work, a new club
house, and effective management. They estimated the
current course and clubhouse as it looked two years ago
would be worth around $100,000.
12. b there any way to include the golf course in Phase I
of the Indian Cultural Center?
No. Rrase I has been designed to take advantage of the
highest points of land owned by the state of North
Carolina on the Indian Cultural Center grounds. The
entire she owned by the state has severe restrictions as to
where buildings can be placed.
According to the architectural design firm, the golf
course lands must be used for the Visitor's Center/
Museum, seven Indian villages, nature trails and
riverwalks. Lands adjacent to the golf course can be used
as festival grounds.
Furthermore, the golf course does not fit into the
overlll plan for the Indian Cultural Center's Phase L
The golf course lands are needed to accommodate the
visitor'? center/museum, the seven Indian villages,
nature trails and riverwalks. The Indian villages need
contoured lands, with waterways and marsh lands. It will
take several years to get these lands back to their natural
vegetation.
IS. What will happen if the Indian Cultural Center does
not get the okay to close the golf course and move ahead
with Phase I?
A decision must be made toon to give the Indian
Cultural Center the okay to move ahead on Hiaae I of its
plan. This means closing the golf course within the next
thirty days.
If this decision is stalled or not made, the Indian
Cultural Center cannot move ahead or raise money for
construction. This will mean the Center cannot open in
June 1992 and possibly may never open.
14. Does the Indian Cultural Center own the rest of the
land at the Indian Cultural Center sits?
No. the state of North Carolina own* the other lands in
the Riverside Country Club tract It was bought for the
development of the N.C. Indian Cultural Center. The
state must give the Indian Cultural Center a 99 year lease
which says this land is for use of and by the N.C. Indian
Cultural Center.
This lease will makt it possible for the Indian Cultural
Center to raise federal and private construction money.
18. What can I do to make sure the N.C. Indian Cultural
Center is saved and can be ready to open in June 1992?
Write to Governor James G. Martin
Administration Budding
116 Jones 9treet
Raleigh. NC 27611
TV11 him I am proud to be a North Carolina Indian. I
want to learn more about my history, tradition and
culture. I want to share my hertiage with other citisens of
North Carolina.
Tell him to give a long term leaae to the N.C. Indian
Cultural Center and tell them to move ahead on Phase I of
the plan. Tail him to close the golf course on the Cultural
Center grounds now so the Center's work can stay on
schedule.
Saddletree Residents Visit Florida
Mr*. Roeie Jonea of the Saddletree <
community and h?r friend Mr*. loU I
Strickland recently returned from an <
extended viait to Cocoa, Florida.
They Waited Mm. Jonee' daughter. <
Mr*. Mary Laitfent, and aaaiated her <
luring her convalescence. While
ihera Mr*. Jones and Mrs. Strickland
lieo vtaited in the home of Mrs.
lone* grandchildren, Philip Godwin,
Hi ad Godwin and Jacqueline, Keith
ind Karl.
V
Mrs. Iargent is recovering satis
factorily from gall bladder surgery
and other complications. Mrs. Jones
reports they had a pleasant visit with
her family. They are looking forward
to returning to Florida in the near
future.
Z Smith Reynold Foundation announces
Grant to Creative Health Ministry
Hie trustees of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation an
pleased to announce a $20,000 gnat to the Creative
Health Ministry in Pembroke, NC.
The purpose of this grant is to improve the well beiag of
Native Americans in Robeson County through i nunsrilim
education and advocacy services.
The Creative Health Ministry is a non profit project of
the Greater Pembroke Native American Pariah of the
United Methodist Church, ha mission is to improve the
general well being of Native Americans by providing
whoKstic intervention at the individual, family, organisa
tional and community levels.
Counseling and assessment services are available on a
sliding scale fee to individuals sad families fartieular
areas of concern are domestic discord, family violence and
substance abuse.
Planned educational services include classes on
parenting skills and child development and substance
abuse awareness.
Advocacy services are for individuals and families
needing aswstsnrs with dealing with the educational and
social iWvicBS systems. Additionally, advocacy services
are intended to promote change in the social conditions of
Native Americans.
the Z. .Smith Reynolds Foundation was established in
1936 and has made giants totalling mote than $160
million to ledpieota in all of North Carolina's 100
counties, h recently years the Foundation has focused its
attention on improving the criminal justice system in
North Carolina, on strengthening public elementary and
secondary education, on preserving the environment, and
on issues that impart on minorities and women.
The Creative Health Ministry is located at 100 Bieece
Street in fan broke. Normal office hours ere 9 to 5,
Monday through Friday. The acting director is Wm.
Richard Mathis. For additional information about
available aarricea, please call 521-0818.
PSU Chancellor to speak at
Magnolia graduation
Dr. Joseph B. Oxendine, Chancellor of fanbrofae Stale
University, will deliver the keynote address to gmduathty
seniors at Magnolia High School's 1990 Commencement
Exercises.
A native of Robeson County, Dr. Oasodine holds a
vareity of earned undergraduate and gxadte degrees from
Catawba College and Boston University. Prior to his
appointment as Chancellor, Dr. Oseodtae served far 90
years at Temple University as sn instructor and as
chairman of the College of Health, Physical Bdneatton,
Recreation and Dance. t
Dr. Oaendine's background in Robeson County, his
career ms a prof?aional baseball player on a Pittsburg
Pirates minor league ehib, and his rssesrth and teaching
experiences at the university level provided an excellent
informational and technical basis for a number of
published articles and three different books which reflect
upon hie heritage and training as a Native American
athlete and scholar. .
Commencement Exercises will be held at 5:00 p.m. on
Friday, June 8, 1990 in Lewis Auditorium at Robeson
Community College.
Pastor
Appreciation
Day
Friendthip Miaaionary Boptiat
Church observed Potior mud Wife
Appreciation Duy on Sunday May
97, 1990. The church pre tented on
appreciation plague to Pattor
Coolidge Cummingt, founder of
Friendthip Missionary Baptist Chur
ch in November, 1989. Puator
Cummmga and kit wife, Mre. Vanice
Cummingt, were alto pre tented a
gift of money in appreciation.
Shown left it Rev. Coohdge M.
Cummingt being preeented a plague
by Donald bowery.
Human
Relations
' Commission
to meet
On Tuesday. June 5, the Public
Relations Committee will meet at
5:30 p.m. and the Eascutfoe Com
mittee will meet at 6 p.m. Both
meetings will be held in the Human
Relations Office. 106 Elizabeth town
Road, Lumberton, North Carolina.
On Tuesday. June 12. these
Committees will meet at 6 p.m. la the
Human Relations Office: Economic
Development; Government and Jus
tice; Education; Substance Abuae
and Health.
Immediately following the com
mittee meetings the Human Rela
tions and Unity Commission will
meet st 7 p.m. in the Human
Relations Office.
Hie committee and commission
meetings are open to the public. .
The public is encouraged to contact
their district Human Relations rep
resentative or the Human Relations
office at 671-3155 for further Infor
mation. Applications for commission
membership are available upon
request
I
?
School Care Program
Vistts Cottle Farms
Maffnokn Dck?i tuittd CottU form*
on Umy 11 to pick itmwkorri** for
thrxr motkort u Motkor't Day
presents The (turner of CottU Fkzrms
govt tkt students 90 basket* of
strawberries frtt! Tkt Magnolia
After School Cart Program thanks
CottU iltw.
Warren County Democrats
elect first Indian female
Warren County Democrats made
history recently by electing the first
Native American female chairman of
in North Carolina.
Ogietree Richardson ?u unani
moualy elected county party chair
man at it called meeting of the
executive committee of the Warren
CountyDemoemtie Party.
If re. Hchardaon had been eerving
aa acting chairman of the county
Demoaaty Party eince the resigns
tion of W.J. Harris in April. She wna
formerly tint vice chairman of the
county Democrats.
"Unity la evident within the party,
h's a wonderful feeling to be!
surrounded by such influential,
supportive and earing people," she
commented, reflecting on the
ipplausc following her election and
a greeting by other supporters
waiting outside the Warren County
Courthouse aa she left the meeting.
She also received congratulations
from the National hxtian Democrats
in Washington. D.C.
North Carolina has a Native
American population of approxi
mately 66,000. Mrs. Rk hard son is a
member of the Haliwa- Saponi tribe.
, She is employed in the central
office of Warren County Schools as
director of the Title V and Family
Services programs.
She is married to Joseph 0.
Richardson, principal of Hawkins
Elementary School. They have three
children: Michael, 21, a Junior at
Pembroke State University; Brian,
20, a junior at East Carolina
University; and Grsgory, 12. a sixth
grader at Hawkins Elementary.
A native of Warren County, Mm.
Richardson is the daughter at Mm.
Ldlie B. Green and the late Allen
Randolph Green of the Essex com
munity
Other officers elected by the
Warren County Democratic Party's
executive committee Monday night
were: Rex Lue-fimt vice chairman;
Brenda Bobbitt second vice chair
man; and Diana Ross Moody
secretary,
The committee also confirmed a
recommendation by Mm. Richardson
tor Archie D. Williams to serve on
the Warren County Board of Elec
tions
Send off for planned
A Mod off lor Mm Pembroke
auto Untvoraftgr KiMy Wood* wfll
bo baM oo Juno H 1M0 at ? p.m. in
tbo Jumo P. Cbavia Univoroity
On tor. Kriaty will ba eoanpatinf la
the Mian North Carolina Pagaaat
June 28-30, 1W0.
Hm public ia cordially lavfead to
attend