Newspapers / The Carolina Indian Voice … / Nov. 4, 1993, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
^1| Pubtahad EadiThundqr Sine* Junary 18,1973 VOLUME 2$ NUMBER 44 THUMSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993 250 FBI COPY Constitutional Assembly of the Lumbee Tribe Continues to Meet and Draft Constitution for Consideration by Tribe ** ' -? M ** '' Kl/iuih? l~ nun I. mbee River Leg* Services in March, LRDA, a private non profit corporation, received a $7,000 - grant to enable die tribe to begin looking at draftinga constitution The grant was awarded by the General Commission on Religion and Race by the United Methodist Church It was decided the moat appropriate way to * approach the drafting of the tribe's governing document was to revert to the traditional form of Lumbee " government . Traditionally all matters of importance involvoing the tribe were decided through the Indian churches that were exclusive! y for our people. Therefore, all Indian churches in Robeson County were asked to submit one delegate to die Assembly based an the following qualifications: (1) Must be 18yearsorokfcr;(2)Able to read and write; (3) Cannot be an elected official (i.e., state, local, or county elected official or hoM any * poeMon where the individual wee elected); (4) Cannot be a member of the Lumbee federal recognition committee or any other XRDA committee, ora LRDA boerd member or staff person of LRDA; (5) Cannot be a board member or employee of any other NC Indian organization; (6) Must be an enrolled member or eligible for enrollment in the Lumbee tribe. The following is a list of churches who responded. Also listed are the selected delegates. HarpersFenry, Rikki Barton, Faith Assembly of God, Evelyn Hicks; St. Annah Freewill Baptist. Raymond Cummings, West Robeson United Methodist, Wendy Moote Ledweil; Mt. Olive Baptist, Linda Hammonds; Reedy Branch Baptist, Belinda Harris; Galilee Baptist, Mitchell Locklear. Sandy Ridge Community. Gus Bullard; Ashpole United Methodist. Larmari Louise Mitchell; Ten Mile Center Baptist, Anthony Blanks; Rock of Ages, Sanferd Ltickicsr. Jr.. Elizabeth Heights Baptist. Mable Revels; Mt Airy Baptist, Patricia Hagans; Smyrna Baptist, Rev. Earney D. Hammonds; Tabernacle Baptist. Grover Oxendine; Berea Baptist. Dr. LindaOxendine; New BethelHoliness Methodist, Carvicous M. Barfield. Prospect United Methodist. Herbert Moore; First United Methodist. DeannaLowry; Mt. Olive Pentecostal Holiness, Vera L. Malcolm. Union Chapel Community, James Strickland. New Beginnings Baptist, Helen Lowery; Freedom Assembly Of God. William A. Brooks, Jr., New Philadelphia United Methodist, Anna Smith; Pleasant View, Geraldine Oxendine; The First Baptist Church. Carolyn Lowery; White Hill Freewill Baptist, Rev. Jerry Locklear, Mt. Calvary, Hayes Alan Locklear. Bear Swamp Baptist, Jo Ann Lowery, New Point Baptist, Barbara Hoot; New Prospect Holiness Methodist, Sandra Strickland; Piney Grove Baptist Church, Rotalya Sampson; Dnndamch Baptist Church, Proctor Locklear, Jr. Uand Grove, Shiriene Deese, Deep Branch Baptist, Bruce Barton; Mt. Eliam Baptist, Betty L. Rogers; Grace United Methodist Church, Jennifer Morgan-Chavis; Liberty Holiness, Ray Brewer. Technical advisors to the project are Ariinda F. Locklear. tribal attorney; Leon Jacobs, Director, HUD Indian Programs, Ruth B. Locklear, Director, Lumbee Tribal Enrollment Office; and Cynthia L. Hunt, Indian Law Unit at Lumbee River Legri Services, lncl would like to note, any church that has not selectedadekaate needs to contact fee Lumbee Tribal was heU JuK?mIS!5 feTSdEm Education Center, Pembroke, NC Ariinda F Lockleargave an overview of the project, and followed with a detailed discuastoa on the historical basis for tribes organizing under a formal government. The meeting also included discussion an H.R.334, the lull recently passed by the US House of Representatives that would extend MI recognition to the Lumbee tribe. Ms. Locklear submitted an outline for issues to consider to the Assembly analyzing the basic considerations in drafting a Lumbee constitution (i.e., basic structure of tribal government - how is the power distributed?, baric governing principles - separation of governmental functions, etc.) Other issues discussed were fee executive branch, legislative branch, judicial branch, tribal membership, tribal corporations, conduct of elections, .special oversight provisions, and authority of Secretary of the Interior These Issues will be discussed in more detail in future articles as fee Aarembiy meets to discuss them. This initial meeting was basically to familiarize the Assembly with ha task to draft a constitution. However, fee following matters were decided on by fee group: (1 > the meetings will be held fee third Saturday in each month; (2) the meetings will begin at 9:00 and last until 12:00, unless additional hem is needed; (3) Robert's Rules of Order will be adhered to; (4) meetings will be held at the Robeson County Indian Educaiton Center Also discussed at this question was feat the Consbtutkmai Assembly would draft fee constitution, public hearings on fee draft would be held to solicit input from tribal members, and once a final draft was complete it would be put to the entire tribe for a vote The second meeting was held September IS. 1993 The follow!* items were agreed epos by the "T^ASIC STRUCTURE: A System of checks sad helenrne with legislative and executive (tactions divided generally between tribal Significant wnum in be retained bv a^u^gunnn au^^^n^w jwrweue swvanun^u^an urj tribal membership or ueneral council 2. TTKOCCXKCE- A. WU1 have ell legieiative powers aad will formulate aeaual tribal budgets. B. Members will be elected from communities, with districts drawa to reflect traditional community boundaries as much es possible to he consistent with one-man, ooe-vote AL CHAIR/PRESIDENT administration with advice aad consent of tribal council. C. elected directly by all members, with election to to told at different tune from any counril merehna. IBs it eeeinhly also adopted the following by formal vole: I. Tribal members 18 yean aad older are eligibtotp vote; 2 . Tribal members with principal place of residence in Robeson end armouring counties for six months aad at least 21 yean old are eligible to rue for tribal office; 3. Tribal members with principal place of residence in Robeson and adjoining counties for atxaaotrths and at least 3 5 yesrs oid are *f^t>ie to run for tribal The third meeting wee held October 23. 1993. The following officers were selected by the Assembly: Rev. Earney Hammonds. Chairman. Ms. Mabie Revels. Vice Chairperson, end Hayes Alan Locklaar, Secretary. A community odifferiw p1*" pM?ii?*t by Cynthia L. Hunt of Lumtoe River Legal Services, was adopted by the Assembly. The plan consists of public meetings, newspaper articles, brochures, etc. An article will appear in next week's edition detailing the issues agreed upon by the Assembly at this meeting. The next meeting will be held November 20, 1993 All tribal members are encouraged to attend. You will be given an opportunity to voice your opinion on die issues discussed at the end of each meeting. If you have any questions regarding this project, please feel fine to contact me or Ruth B Lockiear Aiao, we are available to conduct a presentation on the project to local civic organizations, churches, or any other group at your Selected for "Who's Who" km keen accepted to Ike "Who's Who of High School Student*." Only five percent of high tehee! Undents in the notion cony notify foe this honor. "Scooter" it o tophomore ot Hut NASOfNotire Amml^i^tmlmn ^ulture^Ske enjoyt trending, camping, hotehou cord collecting ^She pons to emend coBtge m m "^Scooter" is the donghter of Wild Turkey end Dolly Bemier of ?otJ ut Turned Swett High School Her j it retired end tenet mo port Bute consultont Ot the CoroHno Indien Voice. v Educators to attend PSU session Some 75 public school edut uiors are expected to attend a training session on "Exploring Cultural Diversity Through Science" this Friday. November 5th. in the Chancellor's Dining Room at the Chavis University Center on the campusafPembro'ke State University. This week's session is one of a series af "First Fridays" in-service training for regional schools co ordinated by Dr. Zoe Locklear and designed for educators in grades K 12. These monthly sessions are intended to enhance the storking relationship between the university and the ptMu schools which, inntrn. will benefit all public school students. Friday's session will begin nith lunch at noon followed by the two hour in-service program from 1-3 p.m. There is no charge to those attending with all costs borne by the university. Brooks and Oxendine returned to Pembroke Town Council Incumbent Pembroke Town Councilmen Larry T. Brooks and Harry Oxendlne were returned to office Tuesday Six candidates were 'competing for six seats. Brooks, a lb-year veteran of die Pembroke Town Council, retained his seat with 25b votes (unofficial); Oxendiae, compietiag J1/2 years, one andahalfasan appointment, received 216 vetee (unofficial). Other unofficial vote totals included; Mildred O Jacobs. 1%; Allen G Dial. 189; William E Locklear, 136; and Barbara Pearson. 32 Lmny T. Brook* mmmmmmmmmmmmmmrnm Harry OxrnMmt Lumbee Bill JPasses the House and Receives White House Approval In a vote of 228 to 1|4 tb? U S Houae of Representatives passed the Lumber Bill on Thursday. October 28, 1993. Passage oftbe Nil followed the defeat of an amendment offered by U.S. RementattvesCmig Thomas (R-Wyoming) which would have left the fete of the Ltimbee up to the U.S. Department oflntenor In a surprising and historic move, the White House issued a brief statement to the Congress staring thai it had no objection to the passage oftheLumbee bill. If passed in the Senate, the White House letter removes any doubt about the possibility of a presidential veto. If passed, the Lumber Nil requites the U.S. Deportment of Interior and die U.S. Depnrtment of Health and Human Services to include services in then budget for Lumbee The Nil does not require additional appropriations, only thai Lumbee must appeal in these budgets as a condition for Lumbee to receive servile* Attorney Arlinda Locklear states that if pnaaed. it could be 3 to 4 years before the tribe actually receives services The only stipulation on the Lumbee tribe is that it must organize under a tribal constitution Advocates of the Lumbee Nil see this stipulation canying wide support among Lumbee people. At present, the private corporation of LRDA has been acting as a quasi -governing body of the tribe However, the Lumbee Nil requires the tribal members to formally organize under a tribal constitution and elect a tribal council According to information provided by the Bl A. as distributed by Attorney Arlinda Locklear and the Lumbee Enrollment Office, the vast majority of recognized tnbei ia the United State*, excluding Alaska Native*, are organized under tribal conatitutioa* and not private corporation*. What this mean* for the more than 40,000 Lumbee Indians is that thi* bill will give opportunity to the tribal members to decide how they want to be govern Under a 1984 referendum sponsored by LRDA. the tribe voted to allow the LRDA Board to represent the tribe for the limited purpose of seeking recognition through the BlA't acknowledgement process. In 1989. LRDA was advised that the Lumbee Tribe was not eligible for the BIA acknowledgment process The same referendum sponsored by LRDA carry the stipulation that LRDA's authority to represent for purpose of recognition would cease once the tribal members organized andelectedatribal council. LRDA legal advisors have previously stated that nothing in the Lumbee Act or the bill before Congress, or the 1984 referendum precludes the tribal members from organizing at any time for purpose of electing a tribal council On the third Saturday of each month, delegates selected by Indian Churches at the request of LRDA are now meeting with LRDA advisors to draft the Lumbee Constitution. Once drafted. Delegates will present the constitution to the community for comment Delegates will then take those comments under consideration for making the changes ia the cousfitinion desired b> the commumts At that point, the tribe will be asked to vote on passage or rejection of the constitution. Once the constitution has been passed by the tribe, the tribe may proceed to the election of its Accenting to Ruth B. Lock tear, the decision to ask Church** to select delegates was baaed upoa the need to Identify the traditional leadership of the tribe Without the support of the community based leadership, the likelihood of Lumbee endorsing a constitution was not good Research from Lumbee River Lead Services show the tribe luu relied upon traditional community leadership for coming together for purpose of tribal leadership In analyzing this traditional leadership, it was discovered that heads of Lumbee extended families wen the community based leadership and that these leaders wen predominantly npresented in the tribe's mligious institutions Their approval was and continues to be essential for things to piogiess in the community, according to Locklear The Lumbee Bill, according to Locklear. has now been sent over to the Senate. She states that Attorney Ailinds Locklear is close tymonitormg the developments on the Senate tide. In 1992. the Senate foiled by two votes to cut off a filibuster threat on the bill which, according to Locklear. requins a 2/3 vote of the Senate Going ep for the Lumbee vote on October it from Robeson were: LRDA Board Members Virginia Jacob and Dorothy Lowry. Lumbee Federal Recognition Committee members Conner Brayboy and Ray Littleturtle. Enrollment staff members Ruth B Locklear and Gladys Freeman; sad tribal members David Paul Lowry. Rebecca Ann Locklear. Raymond Clark, and Michael Clark PSHS Officers initiate Click it or Ticket Campaign W ith the strong drive to encourage everyone to wear seat belts. officers of Purnell Swett have organized a joint effort to enhance the "Click it or Ticket" campaign Ardeen Hunt. Jr.. Public Schools of Robeson County's Resource Officer, and ReeceOxendine. Sweft's security officer, both during an rntetes tin students and young people, cleared and effort to encourage studettu of Panel! Swell Hiph to buckle up for iffrty m Wyy ntepjflf to depnrt~from school Friday. October 15. As both officers stood at the exit, students patiently and enthusiastically shared the campaign with their seatbelts fastened and smiles, waves, and friendly comment to reveal their cooperation and oncem. "There was an outstanding response from teh student during the clicki it or ticket campaign Approximately 15 90% of the students leaving campus were wearing their seat belts, those that were not wearing belts wte reminded to buckl up prior ot entering the highway I think the studetns have experience enough tragedy in the past three years. they now hive a different view of highway safety, and how important it really is," Ardeen Hunt said. Hunt received his BS degree in criminal justice at Pembroke State University. He hat received school recognition as the Law Enforcement Officer for the Menoth of July in I993.andisa member of the National Association of School Resource Officers. RObeson County MADD Chapter, Lumberton Emergency Rescue Unit, end is employed by the Robeson County Sheriffs Department Reece Oxendine graduated from Wesi Robeson Senior High School in 1987. He received several athletic awards as Robeson County Alhelte of the Week, all conference and all county. He also was selected as employee of the Month at Soulehastern General Hospital Efforts of teh campaign yielded very favorable results from students
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 4, 1993, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75