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*. mM?A emtktul >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