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Editorial and Opinion Page Lumbee Educator Joins Call for Tribal Unity for Federal Recognition i % : ir._; < > ucar rvmss ^uunee, I want to support the recent call by Leon Jacobs for tribal unity in the face of possible federal recognition. Leon is a widely respected leader He is known by Indian people all over the nation He has been the Tribal Manager for two different tribes, and has run Indian Housing on a national level for many years. Leon's fetter of August 7 reached my heart It hasbroken my heart for the past few y cuts that the two leading bodies involved in the Lumbcc Tribe will not get together and work out their differences In retrospect, it was a mistake for LRD A to be chartered ^s a state corporation, and later to earn nonprofit status under the IRS But the thinking when LRDA was chartered in the late 1 %()"s was not that the tribe could ever gain federal recognition People kind of knew in the backs of their minds that we had been turned down for federal recognition in the 1930 s The magnificent petition for federal recognition put together by Lumbcc River Legal Services ten ycarsagodocumcnlshowthenanic different kept the tribO;ftoh) gettjng federal recognition in 193R__ 6nc faction wanted the name "Lumbcc." the other faction wantcdthcname"Chcrokcc.'"and the sponsors in the Congress threw up their hands and did nothing. That is a crying shame. We should have had federal recognition for the past 60 years. It is ironic that the same thing is happcningagain now It is a difTcrent script, with different actors, but the result is the same It is the haves versus the have-nots again This time the haves are the LRD A board, which has almost all the federal grant dollars, against the Tribal Council, which has almost nothing In 1977 a bunch of us were at the NCAI meeting in Dallas. An important thing happened at that meeting having todo with the tribe, and one having to do with me. We all met in Judge Brantley Blue's room the second night, and had a general discussion There were about 12-15 people in the room. Brantley said something about what a shame it was that we did not have federal recognition, and thai wc deserved it. I responded with the comment that (he group w hich had gone to San Diego five years before "had gone without a plan, with no contacts, in cold with no preparation That is why the vole against thcl.umbeeameiidmcnt was something like 55 tribes against, and only three for the amendment " Brantley, who had been my uncle's besf friend w hen they were boys, and W.J Strickland said wc needed a plan to bring about federal recognition 1 told them that given ten years, and the right kind of work, wc could bring the tribes around to support Going into the NCAI meeting in 1972 with no preparation was an invitation to disaster 1 had been on the West Coast long enough to know that So I put a plan together 1 made ten copies ofit.andcirculatcdcight copies in a very tightly controlled manner All of them were marked not for reproduction The plan called for the Lumbce leadership to reach out and cultivate the leadership of the other tribes That did happen, after a fashion, over the next ten years When the next vote by tribes came, in 1987atNCAIin Rapid City, the \otc was strongly in support of recognition So except for the anli-Lumbcc tribes, which arc pesky but not strong enough by themselves to defeat the legislation, tribal opposition has been removed. There is a good chance to move the legislation through both Houses of the Congress in short order It is a shame that the Tribc is not ready to move on it now By the time I drew up the plan. I had been livingon the West Coast for ten years I had heard all the jokes, ribs, and leasers the other tribeshadabout thcLumbccs "You guys aren't real Indians." Crows would tell me "You don't speak your language " "Xou guys aren't real Indians." they would say "You don't have federal recognition." "Youguysarcn't real Indians." they would say. "You have to much natural rhythm." As 1 visited with Leon and his beautiful family at Lcdyard. CT a couple of months ago. he shared his frustration over dinner with, nic "What can w c do lo gel the two factions together to work this thing out?" heasked me. "I w ishI knew. Leon." I told him. So 1 w as glad to see his letter to the editor. 1 want to echo his call for unity, for the two sides to get together and talk and work out a relationship Has that happened yet? Do we want to be the laughing slock of Indian Country? That's what we will be if this present situation continues I want lo appeal to both the Tribal Council and the LRDA Board of Directors to negotiate an agreement for federal recognition Why not bring in a professional negotiator or facilitator to help the process along. Docs each side know what the other side wants? If not. just finding that out would be a start. We havehad a numbcrofLumbccs working with the other tribes around the najion in the past 30 years:Leon Jacobs. Linda Locklcar in Srtn Diego., Karma Torklep in Seattle. Gene Brayboy and Dr Bobby Brayboy in Indian Health Service. Mary Brayboy in Indian Education, and the late Jo Jo Hunt, among others, they ha\c served as valuable contacts They have almost totally removed the strong tribal opposition lo Lunibcc recognition which existed 30 years ago 1 am more frustrated about the Lumbcc recognition situation than about anything else in my life 1 hope it is resolv ed soon Yours Truly. I)ean Chavers Along the Robeson Trail by Dr. Stanley Knick Director, UNCP Native American Resource Center (Author's Note: After this timely announcement, we will return to discussion of the prehistoric context of the Lumbee.) Along with cooling weather and the arrival of the fall semester comes Indian Heritage Week. This series of events is held each year during the third week in September, and is aimed at celebrating the proud Native American heritage of this fine educational institution. This year's events begin on 16 September with Indian storytelling in the Performing Arts Center at 10:00 AM. The storyteller this year will be Barbara Braveboy-Locklear. Public school teachers and students of preschool through grade five are encouraged to attend (teachers should call Ms. Daystar Dial at 521-6282 to make reservations for their classes). There will be no admission charge, and the general public is welcome. This event is sponsored in part by the Robeson County Indian Education Project and the Performing Arts Center. Also on the 16th will be our annual campus powwow, held in the quadrangle beside Old Main Building beginning at 4:00 PM. Grand entry will be at 5:00 PM. Featured will be traditional Native American music and dance, arts, crafts and foods. Host drum will be Stoney Creek. Head male dancer will be Bo Goins, and head female dancer will be Brandi Warriax. Master of Ceremonies will be North Carolina Indian Commissioner Ray Littleturtle. This year's powwow will also have some delightful musicid visitors. Our Social musical guests at the powwow" will be the international recording group Ulali (pronounced; you-lah-lee). Ulali features three Native American women: Purafd (Tuscarora), Soni (Maya/Apache/ Yaqui) and Jennifer (Tuscarora). These women deliver a mystical and sweeping sound which blends traditional and contemporary indigenous music. They appeared on the soundtrack of the Turner documentary series, "The Native Americans," and with Robbie Robertson on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno." They have performed throughout the Americas and Europe, sharing the bill with such artists as IndigoGirls, Buffy Saint Marie, Floyd Westerman, The American Indian Dance Theater, Sting, Richie Havens, The B-52's, Jackson Brown and John Trudell. They were featured on the Smithsonian's CD entitled "Heartbeat: Voices of First Nations Women," and will be on the up-coming release "Aboriginal Women's Voices." Their album, "Mahk Jchi" is available nationwide. Indian Heritage Week activities will continue on Wednesday the 17th with the showing of a feature film, "Dance Me Outside." This excellent film is a seriously funny look at modem life among a group of young adults living in an American Indian community. The film will be shown in the Chavis University Center lounge a( 8:00 PM. There wijl be no admission charge. On Thursday the 18th there will be a lecture entitled "Contemporary Issues Facing Native Americans," presented by Dr. Stan Knick. This discussion will be held in the Chavis University Center, room 213, at 2:30 PM. On the evening of the 18th, there will be a dance beginning at 10:00 PM in the Chavis Center Lounge. The DJ will be Otara Mills. Admission for UNCP students will be $1 (guests $3). Indian Heritage Week activities are coordinated and sponsored by the Native American Resource Center and the Native American Student Organization, and are supported in part by the UNCP Office of Student Activities, Lumbee Regional Development Association and by a grant from the Grassroots Arts Section of the North Carolina Arts Council. loin us for any or all of these events as we keep the spirit of Native American heritage alive here at The University. For more information, visit the Native American Resource Center in historic Old Main Building, on the campus of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Red, White, Black and Yellow by John "Tall Bird" Marshall What do these colors mean? To the true Indian Traditionalist they represent many things, a few of which being: the four directions, the sun. spring and summer showers. the night, long snows, sacrcdncss. life death, purity, the bloodshed of our people, and much more. But to all people, these four colors have much to do with mi xed race classifications. How do mixed race classifications affect us as the Lumbcc Nation? How docsil affect us as individuals? Arc we true to our race? Do sonic of us slide into a different classification orsocicl) solely for the pri\ ileges and benefits offered by other races'' Many may have difficulty in determining exactly which race classification we should be It is not for me to answer these questions for others. However, as individuals, we must answer these questions for ourselves. I have heard it said: "Some arc Indiansonly one weekend ayear" How shameful! To those people I ask. "Where is your pride?" "Where is your heart?" By answering these questions ourselves, we can strengthen the movement of unity among our people, i.e., diverse groups, organizations. businesses, and. yes. even as a tribe In the year 2(X>0 under the Clinton Administration. Americans will be allowed to classify themselves by chccki tig-off (in the appropriate space) multiple racial categories Will this divide us further? Will it unify us and provide us with greater unity and strength'' Your guess is as good as mine The racial and ethnic categories will include American Indian. Alaskan Native. Asian or Pacific Islander. Black. White, and Hispanic. Many American Indians will have to search their hearts laboriously before deciding which classification they will check Again. I ask. "Where is vour heart?" Only there will you find completeness In speaking of unity, harmony and race classifications. I am reminded of other articles written to the "C.I V." appealing for harmony and unity within our Tribe Such articles have been written by Leon Jacobs. Dr Joseph Bell, Ronnie Sutton, and Many others that arc too numerous to mention To all these concerned Indian Citi/ens. I applaud you! More than ever before, the people arc calling for community unity and support for federal recognition. To our tribal, community, and / state officials, hearourworefs Our people have spoken! To Congressman Mike Mclnt\rc. thanks to sou and your staff for supporting thc"HRI 154 Bill." a new approach to the "Indian Federal Recognition Administration Procedures Act of 1997". If passed, this Bill will be instrumental in obtaining federal recognition for all qualifying American Indian Tribes Do your part today, write Congressman Mike Mclnlyrc cncoutaginghiscontinucd support in federal recognition and in the "HRII54 Bill" Address vour letters to Congressman Mike Mclntyrc 1605 l-ongworth Building. Washington. D C. 20515-3307 or Fax to (202) 225-5771 AHO! Cookie's Corner I Inita May nor Clark A Tribute to "The Peoples Princess," Diana Many of us were saddened by the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Her death not only left a emptiness in Britian but indeed the entire world. The world including her two sons. Prince William and Prince Harry ,are still in mourning. It has indeed been a long time since a person was loved and cherished somuch. Hcrdcath reminded nieofwhcn 1 was smallof" the shot heard around the world. Many young ladies for once in a century had a princess as a "role model". Princess Diana was not content with being a "figure head" like the rest of The Royal Family. She had a quest in life that she stated on a television interview She said" Someone has got to get out there and love her people". A person is known by thcirworksonlhis Earth. Wc all saw for ourselves how well she was loved and respect by not just the British people, but the entire world Wc saw just how "cold and cruel the Royal Family could be". And it was just like she had previously staled in a television interview. Princess Diana lived her life " like a candle in the wind, thccandlc mighthavc blown out. but her legend never will. God bless her children, the futurc of Britian ^5 By Shown left to right Teresa Freeman, Jeremiah Jacobs (chitil). Christopher Jacobs, Distiny Tubbs (child), Melissa Jacobs, Huynes (iraham, abd Etta McMilliait. Waccamaw Siouan Village Dedication Ceremony Held The North Carolina Indian Housing Authority held its Dedication Ceremony for the Waccamaw-Siouan Village on August 25,1997 at the WaccamawSiouan Development Association. The event was a joyous occasion with families receivingkeysto their new homes. the NCIHA's dedication was the first Mutual Help Homes for the Waccamaw-Siouan people "The Mutual Help Program (M HP) is for Native American families of low income status to hav e the opportunity to own a home via HUD dollars." states Dave McGirt. Executive Director. NCIHA "In this program, familicscntcr rent toown agreements with the housing authority based on 15% of their annual income. Compare this to pur rental program where payments arcbascdon30%orfamii> income and you have a great program for natives to own a home Families must meet certain HUD income and familv requirements to participate in the program." added McGirt. This project is a 12 unit development built on scattered sites whcrethcfamilieschoosetheloca tion (this can be done on family land) of their home. The development is being done in phases ana 3 families have already moved into their new homes. Speakers at the dedication ineluded Hayncs Graham Sr.. Board ; Chairman of the NCIHA Board of Commissioners. Lila Spaulding Board Member of the NC Commission of Indian Affairs. Ossic . Jacobs. Waccamaw-Siouan Tribe ; Elder. Rosco Jacobs. Vice Chair man Waccamaw-Siouan Tribe. * James P. Jacobs, or the Cumber- * land County Association oflndian ; People. HB. Surles.Coharie Intra-; Tribal Council Member. Priscilln Jacobs. Chief of the Waccamaw-! Siouan Tribe. C.W. Williams. ! Chair of the Columbus Board of; Commissioners. Sammy Jacob' Columbus Count) Board of Comntissioncrs Member. Dcinpscv ; Herring. Columbus Counts Man-; agcr. Ray Lowe, retiredColumbus County Administrator. Dave! McGiri Executive Director of the; NCIHA. Gregory Richardson. Ex-; ccutivc Director of the NC Com-' mission of Indian Affairs . . ilf, - ? . ;> ' . 14th AnnUal Indian\ Trail Pow wow/ Cultural Festival Sept 26-28 Metrolina Native American Assoc. Non-profit (3C) Organization, serving 10 counties in thQ Metrolina Area, proudly presents thej 14th Annual Indian Trail Pow-Wow^ September 26-28,1997, at the Indian] Trail School, in the Indian Trail, NC'.? Over twenty-fiye Artist and Trad-i crs, Dancers, Singcrsand Drummers! from all over the US and Canada will] be performing through out the event ] the Pow-Wow opens Friday, Sept." 26 from 5:00 p.m. to, 9:00 p.m. ori? Saturday we will open at 11 a.rti, andj close at 9 p.m. On Sunday, open at 11] a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations at the gate* will be appreciated. I Thank You in advance for youfj support in the effort to inform thp] public. ] .1 Injured At No Fault Of Your Own? Immediate Help Is Available Your Winning Team Locklear, Jacobs & Hunt is only a Phone Call Away! Attrorneys Committed to Your Interests 203 SOUTH VANCE STREET - PEMBROKE, N.C. ' . ' 521-3413 Ui
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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