TE CAROLINA INDIAN. VOICE
/ '-C>/
ted each Thursday by First American Publications, Pembroke, NC
VOLUME 24 NUM
Rep. Rc.. ^,?.:on's Views From Raleigh on the Opening of ihfe^NC
General Assembly and the Future of the NC Indian Cultural Center
The following is my perspective
on events surrounding the opening
of the General Assembly and
the future of the North Carolina
Indian Cultural Center.
When the 143rd Session of the
General Assembly convened at noon
on Wednesday, January 29, 1997
the true race to lead the House of
Representatives began. This is important
because it determines how
the House will operate for the next
two years. More importantly, who
will chair committees,' dictate debate
and control the flow of bills
through the House.
Prior to that date and time there
had been significant behind the
scenes maneuvering by both Republicans
and Democrats. When it
became obvious that the Republican
margin in the House had narrowed
to 61-59 in November, pressure
on both parties to shore up
support forits nomineesfor Speaker
of &e House intensified, it was
suspected that some Representativeswould
switch over on the vote
for Speaker to elect the Democratic
candidate, Rep. Jim Black of
Mecklenburg County. Others believed
that the flow may go the
other way, all so that prized committee
chairmanships and so forth
mall fall (or remain) in specific
party hands.
The pressure on the Republican
members grew as Rep. C. Robert
Brawley, Republican, Iredell
County, openly stated that he would
support his long time friend Rep
Black. If that occurred, the House
vote would split equally on the vote
for speaker. That did not come to
pass as Rep. Brawlcy, under heavy
Republican pressure, remained loy^l
to his party. However, should that
have happened leadership would be
shared by dual speakers of the House
would continue voting until one side
of the other received a majority vote.
As an alternative backup the
Democrats reportedly had a Republican
member that had indicated his
intent to vptefor Rep. Black therefore
causing a tie. However, he would
only do so if the Democrats voted
together. Since his name was far
back in the alphabet, he had an opportunity
to see whether Democrats
stuck together prior to committing
himself to vote with them. Once the
vote was a tie..However, hs would
only do so if the Democrats voted
together. Since his name was far
back in the alphabet, he had an opportunity
to see whether Democrats
stuck together prior to committing
himself to vote with them. Once the
vote was a tie, the Democrats reportedly
had another Republican that
was expected to change his vote on
the second round and vote to elect
Rep. Black, the Democrat Speaker
All Democrats were alerted to this
plan but three (3) refused to stick
with their party and "Rolled Over"
and voted tor the Democrats (their
party) to control committees and exercise
leadership roles and responsibility
1 tis apparent from committee
assignments that the three "Roll
Over" Democrats was Rep. Dewey
Hill, Democrat, Columbus County,
who shares part of Robeson County.
The House Democratic Counsel is
considering some form of retaliatory
response/action to the three disloyal
caucus members
Speaker Brubaker, upon re-election,
gaveled the House to order. The
first matter was consideration and
adoption of the Rules. So that theGeneral
Assembly may operate, both
House and Senate must adopt certain
Rules which determine how things
happen during the two years. Sparking
concern among members was the
announcement that proposed Rules
which all but a few people had not
seen at that point, would become
permanent if passed and not temporary
Several members debated certain
provisions in the proposed Rules.
One provision makes it easier for
legislation to be held hostage (pocket
veto) and packing extra voting members
of the majority party on committees.
Most votes were among party
lines. When asked by members why
the Rules changes were made. Republican
Majority Leader Leo
Daughtry smiled and admitted, "So
we (the Republicans) can win every
vote with majority rule." Some references
were made to the time when
Democrats had the majority. For those
viewing from the gallery, it was evident
that politics is a tough business
Though the Democratic members
lost on all but one procedural rule
change, they had one success: Stephen
Wood, Republican, Guilford County,
decided to run for the Sjfcaker Pro
Tempore post (also known as Deputy
Speaker), Considered an independent
Republican, Wood had been
bipartisan over the years. He nominated
himself, to the surpriseof many
Republicans, and captured the Democratic
vote plus that of several Republicans.
Later that night his Republican
legislative apartmcnuoatcs
kicked him out of their apartment
He was forced to find anotherplace to
live while in Raleigh
So you may understand the composition
of the House of representatives,
this session it includes two
accountants, 17 attorneys, 36 business
persons, 16 educators, 12 Realtors
and 24 retirees. There are 10
freshmen and 11 members returning
after an absence of a term or more.
Twenty-three women serve in the
House, as well as 17 African-Americans
and one Native American
There are numerous rumors
spreading about the immediate future
of the North Carolina Indian
Cultural Center. Present law requires
the Cultural Center Board to have
raised 4.16 million dollars in cash or
pledges by May 15. 1997 or all the
Cultural Center lands West of Pembroke
shall invent to the State of
North Carolina lobe used for whatever
purpose deemed appropriate
by the state
Realizing that the present board
had not raised the required funds.
I began a dialogue with Cultural
Center Board leadership. N C Indian
Commission leaders and Indian
leaders throughout the suite in
an elTort to a\ oid a rev crsion of the
lands this coming May
At this lime the various groups
are talking, discussing various options
and evaluating each others
proposals In my plan to file a bill
to seek an extension of the time to
allow the board a reasonable time
to again try and achieve their fund
raising goal The process is ongoing
and too complicated to discuss
in details at this time However,
you may rest assured I want the
. N.C Indian Cultural Centcrtocontinue
to grow and w ill do whatever
it takes in the House to make it a
success. I have the full commitment
and support from the entire
local delegation in this endeavor
Several key leaders in both the
House and Senate have stressed
their support for my proposed bill
They share my view that the NC
Indian Cultural Center should remain
in Robeson County and continue
to be a viable entity for Indians
throughout the state
Local Scouts
Demonstrate Good Will
the Webelos Den of Park 327 of Pembroke gave a special meaning
to the Pub Scout Promise by giving a special Christmas to residents of
Pemberton Place in Pembroke. The two patients'were Lottie Chavis
and Richmond Little.
A meclal bonus along with this good turn mis that the scouts also
completed their requirements for the Cub Scouts, God and Family
Religious Award.
The Scouts shown in the photo are Stephen Chavis, Marcus Seals,
Barrett Locklear and Matthew Blue, also shown is Richard Little.
A special thanks to Union Chapel Methodist Church and Barnie
Locklear Fund and Mr. Roy Oxenainefor theirfinancial support in the
project
Lumbee Kiver bMC Awards tsrignt
Ideas Grants to Local Teachers
Local electric cooperatives like
Lumbee River EMC have long been
involved in the educational life of the
communities they serve. Lumbee
River EMC participates in many community
and educational projects, including
the highly acclaimed "Bright
Ideas" grant program. Sevpn teams
of teachers were recently honored
and presented checks totaling
$10,749.00. The grants will involve
seven schools, 33 teachers and 2,419
students in a variety of educational
projects.
The most recently round of grants
was the third year Lumbee River
EMC has participated in the "Bright
Ideas" Grant Program which was
launched by North Carolina's electric
cooperatives in October 1994.
The funds go to North Carolina teachers
serving grades k-12. The Bright
Ideas are just that-bright idcqs proposcd
by local teachers to enhance
the lcarningcxpcricncc in their classrooms.
This year the grants were awarded
to teams of teachers at seven schools
in the four county area Lumbee River
EMC serves. 64 applications were
received, and winners were three
teams from the Public Schools of
Robeson County: the team of educators
were led by Teresa Locklcar at
Deep Branch ElcmentaryMontcssori;
Wilma Godwin at
Purnell SwettHigh; and Kay L Robert
ofRed Springs High There were
also three winners from the Hoke
County Schools. The Hoke County
educators include a team of teachers
led by Verna Barnhill at Rockfish
Hoke Elementary School' Donna
Jackson and her team of co-workers
fromScurlock Elementary'and Mary
Ann Prcvattc and her team from
Upchurch Elementary Cumberland
County was represented by a team of
educators from Brentwood elementary
led by Mary Anne Prcvattc
The "Bright Ideas" Grant Program
helps teachers help themselves
by funding innovative and creative
teaching proposals in a variety of
disciplines, including math, science
and reading. "This is the kind of
community projects co-ops like Lumbce
River EMC have been involved
insincctheirinccptionsinthc 1940s,"
said Ronnie E. Hunt, Lumbcc River
EMC's general manager "It is what
wc mean when we say that wc arc
committed to the communities wc
serve."
Say You Read it in the Carolina Indian
Voice. To subscribe call 521-2826
Boy Scout Troop 2 7
Celebrating 59 Years
Boy Scout Troop 27 in Pembroke
is.Osiebrati ng 59 years of continuous
service this month. The Boy "Scouts
of American are celebrating 87 years
of service.
Boy Scout Troop 27-Pembroke
-was organized in 1938 by the late
Gaston Revels. The late Walter Pinchbeck
became Scout Master in 1940
and served in that position for 35
years. He retired in 1975.
Scout Master now of Troop 21 is
Chuck Jacobs. He is assisted by
Francis Pinchbeck, assistant Scout
Master and Hank Teets, assistant
Scout Mastac .Teets is the grandson
of Walter Pinchbeck and Francis
Pinchbeck is the son ofWalter Pinchbeck.
These gentlemen work with the
Boy Scouts in Pembroke, ages 11 to'
16. They now have 18 Scouts who
meet every Monday evening at 7
P.M.. at the Walter Pinchbeck Boy
Scout Hut in. Pembroke. Membership
in Troop 27 is open to boys who
are 11 to 18 years of age
Pembroke Native
Elected to NIEA Post
Kerry D. Bird (SissetonWahpeton
Dakota/Lumbee) was
elected vice president of the National
Indian Education Association
(NIEA) at the 27th Annual NIEA
Convention held in RapidCity, South
Dakota. He is currently serving a
two-year term on the NIEA board of
directors. NIEA has 3,000 members
nationwide.
Kerry is the son of Ms. Glenda R.
Bird (Lumbce) and the late Kenneth
D. Bird (Dakota) of Pembroke He is
a graduate of the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill and prior to
attending graduate school, worked
as project director for the North Carolina
Commission of Indian Affairs.
In his role as vice- president of
NIEA, Kerry sees his rolensbeing an
advocate for the inclusion of state
recognized Indian tribes in Indian
education programs, funding, and
new initiatives.
Along with his duties of serving
on the NIEA Executive Committee.
Kerry will chair the International/
Indigenous Affairs committee this
year. He will also serve on the Legislative
Affairs Committee, Awards
Committee, and the 1997 NIEA Convention
Committee.
Kerry recently participated in two
days of lobbying on Capitol Hill with
other board members and staff for
NIEA where they were promoting
the 1997 National Education Agenda
for American Indians and Alaska
Natives to membersofthe 105th U S
Congress. While in Washington, D C
he also attended the Presidential Inauguration
and the American Indian
Inaugural Ball.
Kerry is currently a second year
master's degree student in the George
?Wai iciiBiuwn School ofSoual Wuik
at Washington University in St
Louis, Missouri where his field concentration
is social and economic
development. He is a recipient of the
Kathryn M. Budcr Scholarship for
American Indian Students.
Five Generations!
ShoH*i above are the five generations of the Catherine l.ocklearfamily.
Shmvn left to right are: Catherine l.ocklear of l.umberton; her daughter,
Tessie Blue of McDonald; her son. Donnie Blue; andhLsson, DonovanHlue,
both of Raleigh.
Rep. Sutton
?
attends
Education
Consortium
Representative Ronnie Sutton,
Democrat of Pembroke, recently returned
from Point Clear, near Mobile,
Alabama, where he had his first
meeting with the Eisenhower Consortium
for Mathematics and Science
Education Board of Directors
Recently appointed to that board, he
was attending the Regional Coordinating
Board meeting February 4th
and 5th The federally funded
Consortium's purpose is to promote
improvements in education reform
and an emphasis on mathematics
and science education "
The Consortium consists of members
from throughout a six southeastern
state region. The regional board,
commonly known as SERVE (Southeastern
Regional Vision for Education)
consists of North Carolina.
South Carolina. Georgia. Alabama.
Mississippi and Florida There arc
board members from each state on
the regional board
Teaching Fellows
Finalists Announced
Seven students in the Public
Schools ofRobeson County havcbccn
selected as 1997 Regional Finalists
for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows
Awards by the North Carolina
Teaching Fellows CommissionMarcus
Andrew Hunt will represent
Purncll Swett High. Mia Lynn Chavis
is a student at South Robeson High,
William Curtis McGirt, III and
Sakika Dcnisc Mitchell arc students
at Fairmont High and James
Lawrence Biirncy, Montoya S Regan,
and Shanita Wcndcttc Woolen arc
students at Lumbcrton Senior These
students will goon to regional screening
at UNC-Pon February 15th
As many as 400 high school seniors
arc selected each year as Teaching
Fellows who receive $5,000 a
year for their college education for a
maximum of 4 years when they agree
to teach in North Carolina public
schools after graduation
Seventh Generation
Warriors' Society
Organizing at NC
Indian Cultural Center
Native American youth ages 1215
are encouraged to join the Seventh
Generation Warriors' Society
being organized at the North Carolina
Indian Cultural Center
The Seventh Generation Warriors
' Society combinestraditional values
with problem solving mcthodstocope
with today's pressures
Are you looking for an alternative
way to cope with the Concerns in
your life'1 IF you arc. contact Alexis
W Locklcar, Program Dircctor.thc
North Carolina Indian Cultural Center,
One Recreation Center Road.
P O Box 2410. Pembroke. NC 28.472
Phone (910) 521-243.4
Activities Planned
at NC Indian
Cultural Cetiter
Feb. /J-Artist Karl Hunt will be
giving a class on Native American
Pottery manufacture. Learn to make
Native American Pottery with experienced
artist Karl Hunt, and learn
the ways of our ancestors.
"Young Drum" will play the sacred
drum, and explain to today's
youth the importance of it in today's
society. Come experience the excitement
of Native American music as
we worshipthe C reator through da ncc
and song. You are invited to bring
your own Native American instrument
and play along!
Feb. 22-Paleo Dwellings Learn
to construct the home of a Palco
Indian and learn more of the first
.people to inhabit the North Carolina
Continent. Visit the Paleo Camp in
construction, taste foods cooked in
the open pit fire!
Upcoming events. Youth Rally,
Skate night, canoc race, leadership
training, youth against drugs and
alcohol .
These events will be held from 12
noon until4 P.M.. on thcabove dates
There is no admission fee and the
public is cordially invited
Robeson County
Retired School
Personnel to Meet
Robeson County Retired School
Personnel will met at the Calabash
West in Lumbertonon Tuesday, Feb
18 at 11 a.m. The election of delegates
to the state and national convention
will be held. All members
are encouraged to attend
Local Student
Teaching in
Jeffersony ISC
Emily Rose Crain, daughter of
Mr and Mrs. Willjam Lee Crain of
Pembroke, NC is tow student teaching
at Ashe Central High School,
Jefferson, NC. She is participating
during the spring semester, January
through May in the student teaching
program at Appalachian State University,
Boone, NC. In this program
students devote approximately fifteen
weeks to student teaching in the
teaching area in which they have
been preparing.
Miss Crain is teaching Art, Grades
k-12 under the supervision of Mrs
Pat Morrison
Miss Crain graduatedfrom Pumcll
Swctt High School in 1992
- Valentine Special ~
Planned at Green
-Leaf Restaurant
The Green Leaf Restaurant at Exit
Inn. 74-95 Exit 14, will be having a
Valentine's special for couples The
special will run from Feb 10-Fcb 15
from 5:30 P M? until 10:00 P M
The special will include 2 rib-eye
dinners with baked potato or fries,
salad, tea and dessert There will also
be a rose for the first 24 ladies Men
arc encouraged to bring their favorite
lady out and get her a rose with
dinner for only $19 95 a couple
For further information call
Carolyn Hunt or Myrtle Joncsat 7376.330
or 521-8701 or 738-8248
Reunion to be Held
The Dcseccndants of Wcldon and
Jennie Dial will gather on March 2(>.
1997 (Easter weekend) from 12-5 at
the North Carolina Indian Cbltural
Center, Pembroke
Everyone is encouraged to bring a
covered dish, family photographs,
family Bibles, etc For more information
contact Nora Dial-Stanley at
910-924-2867 or Katban l.ocklcar at
910-521-2048