I PubNahed each Thuraday since January 18,1973 I
I The Carolina Indian Voice I
J| B; v
I Pembroke, NC Robeson County I
? ?- "Building communicative bridges in a tri-racial setting** I
?. _
VOLUME 1> NUMBER 52 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, Iff 1 25 CENT8 FBI COPT
REP. DIAL WILL
NIOT" SEEK A
SEAT IISI 1992
?? " -?
Rep. Adotph L Dial announced that he w31 not be a
{or North Carolina House of Rperesenta
tives in 'OB. He made the announcement at a Recognition
Dinner held in his honor Friday. December 13. The dinner
was sponsored by the Committee to Elect Adolph L. Dial.
Wendell Lowery, Chairman. Rep. Dial called his
announcement the "'jest kept secret In Robeson County.'
He stated that a person always had to know, as the song
said "When to fold them." After the dinner. Rep. Dial
cited declining health aa a major faeor. He haa bone
cancer, which he says is "under control." But his biggert
problem, he said, is his vision. Ho is legally blind due to
diabetes. More than 360 people attended the dinner held
at Puroell Swett High School Cafeteria.
Raleigh Housing
Employee of Year
Physically challenged by the disease multiple sclerosis,
Jeannie Jo Bell reports to work each day to the Raleigh
Housing Authority (KHA). Using a cane to steady her
gait, she assumes the many duties in her job as Personnel
Specialist for RHA including screening applications for
job vacancies and administering the employee benefits
program.
Recently, Jeannie was named RHA's Employee of the
Year. The announcement was made by H.L Brantley,
Deputy Executive Director at the 1091 Employees'
Christmas Luncheon held December 18.
Presently Jeannie is a member and Membership
Chairperson of Triangale Native American Society.
Raleigh. She also serves on the Raleigh Mayor's
Committee on Services to Persons with Disabilities.
Jeannie is a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh.
Jeannie is the daughter of the late Hary H. "Red" BeU
and Maiy Martin Bell of Pembroke. She married Michael
Eugene Mcbola of Pembroke on December 25th.
?Indian Hospital
Honors "Doctor
of the Year"
Dr. Joseph ? Roberts, M.D., Family Practitioner at the
Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital, Thlikina, has been
named Doctor of the Year for 1991, according to an
announcement by Donald N. Cram, Administrator. "This
honor is an indication of the deep respect provided by
both staff and patients at the Choctaw Nation Indian
Hospital. Your knowledge, medical competence,a nd
cooperative attitude have contributed substantially to the
ongoing health programs at the Indian Hospital. You are
an outstanding member of the primary health care team
and we thank you for your efforts."
Dr. Roberts, a Lumbee Indian from Pembroke, NC,
received kis BS degree tn pre-medicine from Davidson
College and his M.D. was earned at the University of
North Carolina. His speciality is Family Medicine. He
served his residency at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital,
Greensboro. Dr. Roberts and his wife, Ramona, have two
children, Samantka and Alison.
Dr. Roberts is the son cf Mary poorboy of the Pembroke
asu and the late Joeeph ? Roberts.
Jones Named
NCAI Area VP
A. Bruce Jones, executive director of the North
Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, was elected to the
Executive Commitee of the National Congress of
American Indians. The election* as held at the 48th
Annual Convention in San Francisco, California on
December 2-8. 1991. Jones was elected Southeast Area
Vice President for the NCAI
EARNS
SEMINARY
DEGREE
Ernest Ray Brooksof Pembroke, NC received the
Master of Divinity Degree from Southeastern Baptist
Theological Seminary during Commencement Exercises
December 14, 1991.
Brooks is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brooks
of Pembroke. He is a graduate of Pembroke High School
and Pembroke State University. He is married to the
former Sue Ellen C ha vis of Pembroke.
Brooks is a member of West Robeson United Methodist
Church in the Rockingham District of the North Carolina
Conference.
Air f*rt? ROTT rmd?U from PfK'rn** f*mt* C%vu IwdU
L wmiMn Warn* lam, a/MKfi M*M? Cwitfarl
Mk^Jf |4jif IMMHf (MtlltfJ / tW*l/ L>
nw i^w wwiwi miMi * nrfvimv MfN rrrvwii v
$Mtm?Ad Ummimf /V*<rr /* lamhiin*. Hmtm
mu mdfti mm/ fair fritnul* ?ra? Ckf%atmtni tmmU ,
MMBmH f0>. mM?A emtktul ></ frail mm/ mi^i,
flaw li At ptofefmpA ?** MW* w?a/| a??' nm??
, ,
MHm Hthtm. Hup* MM*. Knffp Mrnrfa, hmkmm t
ama.' Marp HthtHmi*. AW|rttr ?<*?.' 7W ttrfo.,
HwMrMm; Jut lucMtmr, ISrmkmkr; lurk ???- Nrta*
jW?fc?, Hupt yah; Hap Hm<J. Hmfrmh Athmtu WUp,
HptKtvM*v Htttr Mtpkrumm, Mkktul
OngBtiUtk, Rmkurph; Im 7W*>i Kimrr, hUptlh t?W<'
Km Bum, /ktmktmkti mm/ Attktm ISmkmln
from ?jjt &tatt <&t
tCfje Carolina Jnbian ?oite
Pembroke Kiwams Report
By Km Johnson
Program chairman Ed Tbets presented Rev. Uroee
Sntt, paator serving the Berea Baptist Chrueh. The
? nniilj masting was heh) at hta Town and Country
"Sharing the Christmas Special baaed on the 2nd
chapter of Lnhawaa Rev. Swett'a meaaage. The coming of
the Laid waa shared by shepherds, the Wiseman, the
three kings. A earning together of the heavenly hosts and
the peopUsefthe earth. Hera two thousand years ago this
baby bom fata stable impressed the worid as great news.
Christ, the Savior, was bora and brings hope to the world.
of angels are sajsldf mi singing puei oa earth ad
good wfll to manldnd. God brought the true peace of joy of
sharing his peace?the real meaning glorifying God's
wflL So 1st us share the good news of the Lord's coming
into our lives.
Mis. Maiy Alive Tests accompanied the singing of
Christmas carols led by the trio including day Maynor,
Ed Ifests sad Rev. Owott Members' wives joined in the
Pi ashing flsj Maynor. hi vocation- Reggie Strickland.
Soag leader ad program- Ed IWa. Reporter Km
^EDITOR'SNOTE: Dne to jumbled lay out of the following to IV. nmgs and to Barbara Braveboy-LockUor. T\et
I article m last weeks edition of Tke Carolina Indian Vo**, error wot become of the layout and was not a reflection oM
I we are re-ntnmng this article Ik its entsrty We apologue Ms. Braveboy-Lockelar writing.
Dr. Cummings travels long road to
fulfill dream of becoming doctor
By Barbara BrmrrboyLocklear
- As a youth plowing farm row* in Robeson County
Samuel Mack Cummings dreamt of one day bemg able to
lay down mule reins for a stethoscope. He'd been told by
his beloved paternal grandmother that he was a special
child. And his Gather told him at an early age that he would
be a physician. Yet, the distance from a tobacco field in
rural Pembroke seemed a world's distance to medical
school.
Or. Cununugs took the tong mqt around fc> raattsag
his dream of becoming a physician.
He was bora and
raised the oldest
child of six bora to
the Reverend Cocrf
idge M. Cummings
and Vanice Lowry
Cummings, natives
of Robeson County.
When Dr. Cum
mings was still a tod
dler his parents
moved to Louisville,
Kentucky where his
father entered semi
nary school. Several
yean later the ten
iiy moved back to Robeaon County forabrief stay before
returning to Kentucky where Rev. Cummings took a
Still dreaming of becoming a physician. Dr. Cummings
graduated from a Ky. high school in 1966. Afterwards, on
a three-sport athletic scholarship, he enrolled at Lambulh
College in Jackson, Tenn. where he studied pre-medieine
before dropping out after a three semester study.
1 quit because I wasn't sure whether I really wanted to
be a physician," he explains.
The Lumbee Indian says he enlisted in the military
because be thought serving would give him time to decide
what he really wanted to do. "And I thought it would lend
me an opportunity to see a little bit of the world." As an
Air Force survival instructor he did just that when he
traveled to the Philippines, Guam and three times to
Vietnam during the six and one half years he served.
"The school bug bit me, and I got out," he says of his
decision to leave military service. Dr. Cummings en
rolled in Eastern Washington State University where he
completed his undergraduate studies with a double major
in physics and education
The degree, coupled with a strong family bond, influ
enced him to return to his native county where he took a
teaching position at Fairgrove High School. He taught
physics and mathematics for two years at the school. And
though happy teaching, his dreams never wavered from
becoming a physician.
"I'd seen old friends who had gone to medical and law
schools.. .they were on a straight traak. Thasahad been no
school counselors to tell me I could enter atedical school
at an older age," he comments.
With mind made up, Dr Cummings says that during his
second year of teaching at the public schoai, ha applied
to dental school at UNC/Chapei Hil and was accepted
He turned the offer down because what he reafty wanted
to study was medicine
He lay down the araaer at Fairgrove School mi entered
Nmbroke State University asa ftill-time pre mad student
in order to oomplete intense cheaaietry courses. During
this period hs worked nights ss an orderly at Scotland
County Memorial Hospital in order to pay his tuition and
Hit dream of ctudyui|t medicine began lode velop when
ho enrolled at UNC/Chaptl Hill School of Madicins. Ha
hgdaStaoded the school's suniaietMip pu^mas and says
ha was imprr?wd with hu prolbssort* philosophy that an
atoiasioaeproceM should be used in dBtansMtuAsdMr
one dfouid become i physician Tltj' espeoted every
(MMI CfMc f((j If hool |0 v
He uvea on campus and his study was financed by
scholarships and grants from a Native American
association..."And money and food from relatives," he
inteijects.
His dream of earning his medical degree came true
when he graduated from UNC in 1985. His medical
specialty - Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was complet
ing his medical residency at New Hanover Hospital in
Wilmington, NC when "Uncle Sam" contacted him to
Maw serve again in tbe military.
Td never been to Europe and told them I'd go back into
the Air Farce if I could be assigned to a station there," he
laughs. His request was granted. He serves in?he medical
corps at the Royal Air Force Base in Lakeaheath. En
gland.
Dr. Cummingsis assistant chairman of thedepartment
of Obstetrics and Gynecology. His clinic provides outpa
tient care for 150-200 oh/gyn patients per month. As
atsittanl chairman he is a member of the department's
medical records utilization review committee and super
vises a certified midwife.
He also presents continuing medical education for
nursing staff, as well as training with foe immediate team
which supports the wounded ground forces- in desert
storm. He provides lectures to nursing staff and emer
gency nasdiril technician students on various obstetrical
topics and issues.
Dr. Cumsniags says he likes his duty station because it
offers diversity in patient population and lends profes
The forty-somo-year-old Air Force major has delivered
twelve sets of twins since being assigned to the Royal Air
Force Base and sang "Happy Birthday" to each as he has
done to the other morn than 1,200 newborns he has
delivered.
"It's a spontaneous act," he snules ofhis singing to tbe
newborns.
An eagle feather of sorts was given Dr. Cummings
when he was made a medical consultant to the U.S.
Embassy in I nndaa He counts the prestigious assign
ment among his most-proud of while serving in tbe
military.
The soft-spoken, modest physician plays down the feet
he is the first Native Amotions to serve as medical
consuhant to the U.SJMbassy there.
And when the doctor, fetfaer of five grown daughters,
gets bo.7-tick for his native Robeson County he picks up
the telephone and callshome to his parents' home usually
two Sundays a month. He says this allows him an
opportunity to find out what "Mama" has cooked for
dinner, also a chance to talk with his siblings who usually
gather at the Cummings homeplaoe for a traditional
Sunday afternoon visit.
Staying in close touch with femily is high on Dr.
Cummiag's priority list. His femily reciprocates. Last
July a maternal uncle made a surprise visit to England to
aee ft. Cummings. In a pinning ceremony Burl in Lowry
gave his beloved nephew the personal "Major leaves"
he'd earned decades earlier while serving man Air Force
pilot. It seemed only fitting that this uncle would appear
because he had earlier given ft. Cummings his Captain
bars...hie Ant toy medical kit wd his first golf club
Come two most yean Samugl M. Cummings must
^?^tfecw^whetherornot he will remain in militvy
Hi admits to having e curious m.nd "I've always
w*ied to see what's beyoad the kill. Wotting for the
military ia like working for a major corporation. It has
little drops all over the world."
For aow ha says ha la oontaat la singing "Happy
-j-- mma3LgMmm_riww milk Ua mrjlL Mhtirif MhrfUkMA^am 4a
mv ppniniiiiicfi wiin hi wihi wwji mi us
.. Jih | m m . M Hakeejvw /*" m * ,. il.L. ^111 Tl -
tooctl WW nmivm ll nootiofi v ouniv wno mil IIVf
acromiha road from fesfta^ he plowed m a yauaghti)
A g^ukftifth
wnu orriunro ui oviwnui| ? pajrnvun