Editorial and Opinion Page
Lumbee Educator Joins Call for Tribal
Unity for Federal Recognition
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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