Tftj jj 'AR0LlNAtfBffi4AN VOICE
P d each Thursday by First American Publications, Pembroke, NC
VOLUME23NUMBEf . THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1996 TWENTY-FIVE CENTS
Visiting mm a Living Legend:" Coharie Chief Tom Carter
~~~~by JohTtJWall Bird" Marshall
There are very few people who
live long enough to be complimented
by their friends, family, and associates
as a living legend in their own
time.
Without question, Coharie Chief
Tom"StandingDeer" Carter is truly
a living legend. 1 don't know of any
other person who has earned the
respect of all Native People as has
Chief Tom Carter. His first concern
is, not only for his People, but for the
People of all Tribes.
ChiefTom is truly an advocate for
all Native Americans of North Carolina.
The way ChiefTom continues
to live his life demonstrates respect,
compassion, loyalty, kindness, and
obedience to his family, friends, and
associates alike.
*< 1 once asked Chief Tom to share
with me the honors and recognitions
that had been bestowed upon him,
but Chief Tom only smiled. He is
truly an unselfish, proud man who
never used his position or power for
personal gain.
Many of you who know Chief
Tom as a personal, dear friend also
know of the terminal illness he has
endured during recent years. Yet,
while enduring this burden, he has
continued to press forward, helping
ethers, sharing his knowledge, wisdom,
and love to those who were in
need and to those who hungered for
the sharing of our Culture and his
life-long, personal experiences.
On November25,1996,1 received
word from Mrs. Carter informing mc
Of the seriousness of Chief-Tom's
condition. I, immediately, scheduled?
a day of vacation forFriday, December
6 at which I drove thefJtFmilcs to
Chief Tom's home in Clinton, North
Carolina.
It was good to sec the love and
thoughtfulness of the Carter family
members and friends as they visited
him throughout the day.
With ChicfTom realizing that the
time to cross over is near, he shared
with us the fact that he had recently
gifted all his personal regalia, accessories,
and collectibles to the
"Coharie Inlra-Tribal Council" for
the establishment of a tribal museum.
The "Coharie Tribal Facilities"
arc located on Highway 421
between Clinton and Spivcy's Corner,
just a couple of miles from where
ChicfTom resides.
Accompanying me on this visit
was flute-maker, Kenny Paul Bass of
Virginia VNansemondTribe". The
two of us played our flutes individually
and then as a duct for ChicfTom
and friends. We also read the Bible
and had Prayer. Shortly, thereafter,
Chief Tom needed a rest, thus, we
took this opportunity to visit with
Ms. Jane Jacobs, Executive Director
of the "Coharie Inlra-Tribal Council".
In talking with Ms. Jacobs, wc
learned that her plans for the museum
arc to set-up Chief Tom's
memorabilia first. They would like to
have this done as soon as possible.
They will then set-up displays of
memorabilia from all the other previous
Chiefs..
APPEAL FOR HELP
Ms. Tacobs indicated they need
helpwith-gifts in ktltd or funds to setup
the museum memorabilia. Items
in need are glass display cases, tables,
and male mannequins. Lockablcglass
display cases are also needed rather
badly. Ms. Jacobs explained that they
have no funds available to purchase
these items and donations would be
greatly appreciated, as well as, essential
to set-up and opening their
museum.
Those of you who can help may
contact Ms. Jacobs of the "Coharic
Intra-Tribal Council, Inc." by phoning
(910) 564-6909 or (910) 5644906;
or by writing to "Coharic IntraTribal
Council, Inc.", Route 3, Box
340-E, Clinton, North Carolina
28328.
Yes, Chief Tom Carter is a living
legend and many will agree with me
wncn 1 say he deserves to see the
opening of the "Coharic Tribal Museum"
prior to hie joining our Creator.
As a Native American Brother
and Brother In Christ, I hope for
Chief Tom. his wife Melrose, children,
grandchildren, and other relatives
that the realization of this museum
can take place in the few short
weeks that Chief Tom has left with
us.
With God As Our Father. Brothers
All Arc We!
If you would like to send a card or
letter to ChicfTom, please address as
follows;
CHIEF TOM "STANDING
DEER" CARTER
ROUTE 3, BOX 36I-B
CLINTON,
NORTH CAROLINA 28328
Coharie Chief Tom "Standing Deer" Carter
Ms. Indian NC Senior
On November 1,1996, the annual
Ms. Indian North Carolina Senior
Citizen Conference was held in Fayetteville,
NC. The pageant was sponsored
by the Indian North Carolina
Senior Citizen Coalition, United
| Tribes of NC, and The NC Commisj
sion of Indian Affairs.
IEachyeara Ms. NC Indian Senior
Citizen Queen Pageant is held with
participants entered from the different
tribes in North Carolina. The
winner of the 1996-97 Pageant was
Ms. Margaret Ako who represented
The Lumbec Regional Development
AssociationvInc. Ms. Ako resides in
the Lumbcrton area (Back Swamp
Township). She is sixty-seven years
old with five children, thirteen grandchildren,
and seven great grandchildren.
She represents the Fairgrovc
Senior Citizens and isa former Vista
Volunteer. She is a member of Reedy
Branch Church and serves as the
W.M.U. Director at her church.
Ms. Ako was judged on evening
wear, talent, ana traditional Indian
wear. Her performance for the talent
category was a poem titled "Today".
She also did Indian Sign Language
to "Amazing Grace". Ms. Ako wore
the traditional Lumbcc Regalia with
the pine cone patch, designed by Mr.
Hays Locklcar and made especially
for her by Ms. Kat Littlcturtlc.
Have a Merry Christmas
and a Safe and
Prosperous New Year!
COMVEE BRA BOY AND CIV STA ft
Pembroke Housing Authority
Commissioner Recognized
1 IIH IIIMMWMMMMM??
\ Pembroke-shown above are Williem E. Locklcar, Chairman,
:Pembroke Housing Autority Board of Commissioners; Milton R.
Hunt, Mayor, Town of Pembroke; and Wesley Revels, Commissioner,
Pembroke Housing Authority. Mr. Revels ivas recognized
for his outstanding service and support of the Pembroke Housing
Authority during the past five years. Revels also served as a
Commissioner during the early 1980s. Mr. Revels is the current
preinclpal at Purnell Sivett HighcSchool.
/ ?s
Have a Safe and
Prosperous Holiday
c Season j
Miss LumbeeVisits Rowland
Norment School Cafeteria
Miss l.umbee Fisits Rmvland-Norment Cafeteria
To celebrate "Indian Heritage Month", Cafeteria Staff invited Miss
Lam bee to make an appearance on November 22for lunch and to say tvords
of encouragement as she visited among the students. Miss l.umbee also sang
"Colors of the Wind".
Miss l.umbee is Rebekah Shauntay Revels, the daughter of J.D. and
Deana Revels of St. Pauls. She is a Freshman at the University of North
Carolina at Pembroke.
Pembroke Housing
Authority Activities
On December 12, 1996 the 4-H
"Helping Hands" Club had a won- |
dcrful night at Lumberton Junior
High School. It was the 1996 Robe-,
son County 4-H Achievement Program.
The night started with dinner
in the cafeteria, followed by music.
Then cam recognition of special
pests, recognition of 4-H volunteer
leaders and supporters. Special
awards were given out to many 4-H
members. The youth really enjoyed
this mi^ht out. ^ '
The 4-H "Helping Hands" Club
has selected Ms Bcrnisc Ballard's
yard as Christinas Yard of the Month
out of all fixe developments Ms
Bullard is a resident or May nor
Manor She received an electric skillet
donated by Pembroke furniture
On December 12. 1996 under (lie
Youth\Sports Cultural Program, the
youth visited Tabernacle Baptist
Church to see the outdoor Christmas
Drama The youth were touched by
Hie drama.
Jesus is
the Reason
for the Seasonj
Shown above is a night lime photo of the home of Ms. Itemise Itnllanl,
resilient of Maynor Manor. She won the honors of having the Yaril oj the
ilTinth for the I'll i. |( ..
UNCP Policeman
Attends Training
Session at Academy
Sgt. Travis Bryant of the UNC
'cmbroke Police Department rc:ently
completed a two-week trainng
session at the North Carolina
lustice Academy in Salcmburg.
Bryant, a four-year law enforcencnt
veteran, received honors in the
Specialized Firearms Instructor
rraining Course.
Bryant, son of Alfred and Mary
anc Bryant, lives in the Union Chapel
irca.Hc iscurrently enrolled ingraduitc
school at UNCP
"The Holy Night"
to be Presented at
Union Chapel
Community Church
The Christmas Pageant "The Holy
Night," will be presented at the Union
Chapel Community Church on Sunday
night, December 22. at 6:0 P.M..
Joseph will be played by Bryon
Oxcndinc; Mary by Beverly J.
Locklcar. The Angel by Janet L.
Scott and \hc Inn Keeper by Brandon
Locklcar. The total cast consists of
54 participants.
The public is cordially invited to
attend by the pastor. Rev. Jimmy
Strickland, and the congregation.
Winter Solstice
Celebration at
Cultural Center
lna Circlclong ago, Native Americans
celebrated their Winter Solstice.
This wasa time for storytelling/
legends among our ancestors. Come
out and learn more about Native
American heritage on Saturday, December
21.1996 from 5:30-8:30 p. m.
at the N.C. Indian Cultural Center in
Pembroke.
For more information contact
Akws fatekfcar at (910) 521-2433.
A TOlt^Enrichmcni Service sponsored
by the NC Indian Cultural
Center. .'
Revels Family
Reunion Planned
Descendants of the family of Jordan
and Mathia Revels arc planning
a reunion on December 21. at 12:30
p.m. at Green Pine Baptist Church.
For more informaiton contact Grace
Locklcar at 521-9347 or Raymond
Cummings at 521-4934.
"The Night Jesus
Was Born " to be
present at New
Prospect Church
Rev. Willie Scott. Jr and the congregation
of New Prospect Holiness
Methodist invite you to join them for
thcirChristmasProgram"ThcNight
Jesus Was Born" Sundav. December
22. 1996 at 6.00 p.m.
The church is located on Hxxv 710
between Pembroke and Red Springs
The Christmas
Tree
From the eleventh to the fifteenth
centuries it wasa popular custom to
present Bible stories indramatic form,
mystery plays. Otic of the most popular
of these was the "Paradise Play'
about the creation of Adam and Fxcn
and their expulsion from Paradise
A fir tree hung w ith apples was set
up on the stage to represent.the Garden
of Lden and the tree from which Fvc
took fruit for Adam to eat
The Bible docs not Speak of a Hi
tree or an tipple tree The details developed
in popular imagination
Later on the mystery plays were
forbidden by law. li then became customary
to put up a Paradise Tree in
private homes .
In Germany. Christmase\e is recognized
as the popular feast day of
Adam and Fx e
For more information read
Jeremiah 10:1-5
Research hy Hvunf>elisl Julius II.
Kryunt.