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Editorial and Opinion Page Sovereign Nations Must be Independent Nations demonstrated by thinking for themselves Dear Editor Thought I would check in with you to let you know 1 am still around. As always I hope 1 can give you some things to think about along the way Well, 1 guess the place to oart is at the beginning If w start anywhere else we might confuse or loose people It's great when the smoke Clciif > and things start to become a little Icarer and less confusing. The 1 .umbceand Tuscarora people of Robeson ( ounl,. have a great deal to be thank I ul for Both groups have some issues thc> need to settle before they can obtai n w hat they want 1 feel we have crane a long way. and things arc becoming eh arcr to everyone. I want to begin I y saying my heart goes out to the I uiiitve people You arc going through wliai we. the Tusenroras. havchu. th ough in the forming ofa go- c'ument Never is this ancasy thing|o.!<. .streakaway from one system (o>?;.i.-wii I lutvc ' listened to youi - and heard you saying that yon waul t?; become the Lumbee Nation ii" loneer a tribe A nation that is suiIiciem with its own government and I ?dei?, accountable to the people Yot n<>? know there arc many whowill si".d in the wav of this happdning The sui pi ising thing you have learned i- n e.mbcyourovvn people standing .< .?< .r but let us look at why and g-il'hct understanding Maybe they feel lb.- -i lose something that they ha-. unJ' thccsisting system. Some imp. v an' the power to be put in their hands tot.dly What they fail to understand i -? . ire not talking about a Holly w ood John Way nc Mov ic / Indian Government In traditional Governments leaders arc the servants of the people, not K i ngs w ho do as thc> wish The hist thing the American Goverftrrtiflit wants is Native people gov crni ngNaTtTC|)coplc T his, is because in Native (governments there arc itofetfflfcms w here all the decisions Ir^^Hdc ' Every thing is done in the open Ckn you imagine what vvonld happen if people started thinking for themselves? Politicians would have to get honest jobs Maybe this is the reason so many people arc against a Lumbcc Nation Sovereign Government When Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin and the rest of the people who borrowed this nation from our ancestors wanted in form a gov eminent they also borrowed our form of government I know some of you will have a hard time dealing with what I just said because you have been taught that Washington was the Father of this nation We must wake up to the fact that certain information is left out in United Slates history classes We must wake up to the fact certain information is left out in United States history classes. We hav c onlv been taught from one perspective. their story not ours This was not a virgin land waiting to be settled ^k yourself were not our ancestors here first .' So how could this have been virgin land'' My question is what do y ou call someone who takes something thai belongs to someone else'' What father would steal from his child just to obtain what lie wants' It is a known fact Washington so.ld Indian land that he did not hold title for. Richard Nixon nor Bill Clinton are the first presidents to lie to this nation and if we do not wake up they will not be the last In spite ol all the evil of mankind the Almighty still has his hand on the wheel and is directing our future The Tuscarorasareapartofthc Six Nations and we have a forniofgoxcmmcnt we call The Great Law. which is based on power to the people. If you think about it. isn't this what dcmocrac\ is, a gos eminent by the people and for the people? Next time you has c a dollar look at the back on the right side (no pun intended) Note the thirteen arrows in the eagle's talons This is a teaching directly from the Great Law. Benjamin Franklin was taught that a single arrow can be snapped in two. but when the arrow becomes part of a bundle its strength is increased The people of Six Nations told the colonist to be like them independent but to form themselves into a confederacy in the time of need Forms people.theTuscaroras there arc areas we still need to work on. our language, songs and traditions because ours is a spi ritual path My dream is that webuild a Long House w here all the different bands can come together A place sshcre we can come to learn our language and bring back traditions. Our main focus of coming together should never be to form a business or political system because we must first come together as the people We must come together as people w ho have the same language, songs and traditions, then we can truly become as one There arc those among us who will tell you that nothing is happening. but they fail to notice the greatest change The greatest changes in life do not come over night they arc subtle as the wind changing directions. hard to notice at first We must be who we say we arc and not who others say we arc In other words we must do our ow n thinking and not be told what to think . This will lake time because we have been taught to think that it is belter to rely 011 someone'else than ourselves. So. to my Tuscarora brothers and sisters, take heart we arc on our way. Let us not change directions if wc do wc will lose heart To become so\ crcign one must be independent It has been said "II wc free our minds to think the way the Spirit would ltn\c us to think, then wc will become just what hcwill tunc us to be " II wc want to become the I .umbcc Nniion 01 the Tuscarora Nation as we are destined to be we must begin today Wecannol sit back and hope someone else will make it happened All great movements must start inside each one of us. 1 lease you this dare to be who you really are so you will be a strong asset io youi nation Stop being the weakest iink Learn all that you can. Read all that you can And start thinking foryoursclvcs As always. I hope I have gi\en you somethings to think about But more importantly. 1 hope I have given you some things to act upon In the True Way. Derek l.owry Handcrafted Stools & video Chairs by John Woodell On Display at Cherry's Consignment Normal Street (Across from Old Main) Local Native American Artist Please contact me if you would like your work to be dispayed to be sold. Contact: Miss Cherry McMillian. Phone: (910) 521-0620 To Subscribe To Tht Carolina Indian Voice Call (910) 521-2826. Carolina Indian Voice is published ever* Thursday b\ First American Publications 304 Normal St - College Pla/a Post Office Box 1075 Pembroke. North Carolina 28372 Phone (910) 521-2826 Fax (910) 521-1975 Conncc BraybO). Editor Subscriptions One year in NC, $20.00 Out of State. $25.00 Second Class Postage Paid at Pembroke. NC Obituary Fairmont, N.C. Mrs.Lcssic Hammonds Bell, 79, a resident of 1685 Canal Rd Pembroke. N.C. and formerly of Rt, 2. Atkinson Rd . Fairmont NC' died Monday morning. November 30, 1998 at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Lumberlon. NC She was born in Robeson County. North Carolina March 22. 1919; a daughter of the late John and Bertie Ransom Hammonds. Mrs Bell w as a member of the New Point Baptist Church. Lumbcrton. NC where she was active in the Senior Adult Class of the church Sunday school and attended the AntiochBaplist Church in St Pauls. NC. Funeral Services were conducted at " 4pm Thursday. December3.1998 from New Point Baptist Church with the Reverends Ronald Locklcar. Sterling Chavis and Gary Chavis officiating Interment will follow in the New Point Baptist Church Cemetery under the di-' rcction of Biggs Funeral Home of Lumbcrton. NC Surviving are a son. Bobby Ray Bell of Pembroke GcraldincBell of Gibson NC and Nancy Dial of Lumbcrton. NC' . one sister. Mrs. Anna Bell Morgan ol I akc Waccnmavv. NC; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren She was preceded in death by hen husband HosaBcll. fiv e brothers. Rufur" "Bud" Hammonds. Benny Hammonds \ James Hammonds. Clisby Hammonds. Norman Hammonds and Leonard Hammonds; and her children. Jackie Ra* Bell Stella Mav Bell. Bctlv Favc Bel. Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery Does having heartburn increase my chances of developing cancer of the stomach or esophagus? Rohn G. Ctinnnings. M.D.. n/l'inehuist Snigical Clinic, is tan/ certified in Cardiothoraric Singer/. Dr Cintnnings canted his medical degree al Dtike.University, ;ehere he also completed his internship and residency in General Snryeni. as recti as a I fell >;eship in Cariliothomcic A Snrgpiy M Indigestion or heartburn is a very common symptom affecting tens of millions of Americans. In the vast majority of individuals, this is a symptom requiring occasional antacids and changes in the diet. However, in extreme cases, severe and persistent indigestion can indicate a serious underlying problem with acid reflux. Over time, acid reflux can cause changes in the upper stomach and lower esophagus which increase the possibility of future cancer development. A specialist in diseases of the esophagus and stomach is often involved in such cases and if cancer is found, removal of that portion of the esophagus or stomach is usually the best treatment. To receive a free listing of lirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital physicians, call 1-800-724-2236. FirstHealth MOORH REGIONAL HOSPITAL Pinchurst, NC 28374 Hug a senior citizen today, folk 1 have two acquaintances. Both are 8. But one is flagrantly discriminated against. And that bothers me. And it should bother you, too! Since they are so similar in so many ways, I'll differentiate between the two by labeling them "Friend A" and Friend B." "Friend A" has trouble communicating his needs or much of anything else. But that's not unusual with someone his age. And family and friends are patient and kind, seemingly getting the biggest thrill when occasionally he manages to utter an intelligible or recognizable sound. "Friend B" has trouble communicating his needs or much of anything else, too. And though it is not Carrv I pwU Rnrtnn uncommon among tnose in nis age Le>vis "arton bracket either, far too often his family, friends or caretakers become frustrated and aggravated by his frequent inability to articulate his wants or needs. Some to the point of being downright mean and/or abusive to him. It is not unusual or uncommon for "Friend A" to have trouble controlling his kidneys or bowels, occasionally having an accident in his clothes. And almost always, his caretakers go about the business of washing and dressing him with a most times happy and joyful heart. But, let the same thing happen to "Friend B" and more times than not his caretakers are disgusted and repulsed when having to clean and dress him, a lot of times not even bothering to try and conceal the disgust or repulsion. Because of the clumsiness and lack of coordination which oftenjiines affect those in his age bracket, "Friend A" is notorious for breaking "stuff' in the house. And many times his caretakers condone such behavior and attribute it to part of the natural process of growing. They may grin and write it off to his mischievous nature, and try to keep things out of his reach in the future to avert a repeat of such disruptive behavior. But let "Friend B" break something because of his clumsiness, or lack of coordination and control of his movements, which can also be attributed to his age, and far too often his caretakers become angry and scold or reprimand him, sometimes to the point of being abusive. It's one of the mysteries of the Universe. Although both are 8, similar or identical behavior on the part of each far too often will result in positive repercussions for "Friend A'* and negative repercussions for "Friend B." The a retakers claim to love "Friend A" and be concerned for his wellbeing. And the caretakers of "Friend B" claim to love him and be concerned about his wellbeing too. But obviously "Friend A" receives preferential treatment and "Friend B" far too often is discriminated against. And it's not right! I won't keep you in suspense any longer, folk. "Friend A" is 8 (months old). And "Friend B" is 8 (decades old). "Friend A" is a baby. And "Friend B" is an old person, if I might be allowed to be politically incorrect. On the surface, the only difference which could account for "Friend B" so often being treated so differently is their age. Traditionally, a baby in this country is doted on. And an old person is far too often mistreated. Far too often the caretakers of "Friend B" act like he and his oftentimes out-of-control behavior or conduct is a burden. And they far too often have no qualms about letting the senior citizen, "Friend B," know that he is a burden to them in particular and society in general. In short, far too often in this country, folk act like senior citizens such as "Friend B" have outlived their usefulness.That they can no longer make a worthwhile contribution to society. It's as if young folk in this country have a monopoly on living. My mother raised nine of her own children and helped raise two more. And she watched helplessly as strangers threw dirt over the lifeless bodies of two of her children. "She's not the same," someone once told me. And she's not. How could she be when a part of her lay buried in the cold and clammy ground in Texas and another part near Burlington, NC? Sadly, this country seems geared to cater to the needs arid wants and likes of young folk. And that's not right or fair to those in our midst who have been privileged to grow old. Folk, we in this country of plenty should be ashamed of the oftentimes flagrant lack of tolerance far too often shown for our seniors citizens who should instead be treated with respect and dignity. Heck! It's well and good to hug a child today and say, '"I love you." But it would be equally as good to hug a senior citizen and let them know we love and respect them too. Indeed, all of us should make a vow to be kinder and more respectful of the senior citizens with which we interact every day, If so, we might be helping reverse the shameful trend in this country today of far too many of us being intolerant of old folk. Let's treat them better, folk, if we are guilty of being intolerant. They deserve no less treatment. We'll talk again, folk. Carolina Indian Voice Call (910) 521-2826. Injured At No Fault Of Your Own? Don't Risk Being Victimized Twice! ARNOLD LOCKLEAR ARLIE JACOBS GRADY HUNT BRIAN K. BROOKS MARK IOCKLEAR Your Winning Team Locklear, Jacobs & Hunt is only a Phone Call Away Attorneys Committed To Your Interests 203 SOUTH VAviCE STREET - PEMBROKE, N.C. 521-3413
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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