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I'uhlishcil oath I'Hurstiav-in^'JrtliM^ikor^JrC-y
CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
" Building Communicative Unices In A Tri-Racial Setting" I
VOL UME 28 NUMBER 46 THURSO A Y, NOVEMBER 15,2001 ^ 25*
Scenes From Pembroke's
Veterans Day Celebration
Grand Marshal Cleve Cox also served as guest speak at the ceremony held
in the town park.
In a ceremony in the Pembroke Town Park the Pembroke VFW honored
their fallen comrades ofpast wars.
Enjoying the celebration after the parade were left to right, Burnice Blanks,
Pembroke Town Manager McDuffie Cummings and Pembroke Mayor
Milton Hunt Hunt is also Chairman of the I.umbee Tribe. (Photos by
Francine Chavis)
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Miss Lumbee Jammi Lynn Lowry waves to onlookers.
Representatives of the Pembroke VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary.
Jamestown Enterprises participated in the Pembroke Veterans' Day Parade
with this float showcasing the Pembroke Cub Scouts.
Prospect School hwj honored for the best marching band in the parade.
Archie Oxendine, VFW Chaplain, is shown making the presentation.
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Little Missl.umhee Brandi Renee Chavis also participated
Purnell Swett High School received the honor for the best high school
marching hand. Archie Oxendine, VFW Chaplain is shown making the
presentation.
The Pembroke Chamber of Commerce observed the occasion.
Our Tribal Constitution
by Cynthia I.. Hunt
On Friday. November 09. 2001, the constitution of the Lumbee Tribe was
ratified as the official tribal governing document. There were approximately
over 2000 tribal members who voted in the tribe's constitutional election held
Tuesday, November 06. Now, it is important for us as tribal members to take
an in-depth look at the document that will govern I.umbee tribal affairs - our
newly adopted constitution
Preamble- The Preamble is merely an introduction to the document that
states its purpose as being to establish a tribal governmental structure.
Article I Territory and Jurisdiction - Article I defines the tribal territory and
the tribe's jurisdiction. This is one of the most important provisions in any inbal
constitution
Tribal territory is the geographic boundary of the tribe. The Lumbee Tribe
is a political entity and it is measured geographically, in terms of the land it
occupies If an individual or group of individuals own land, it is called property.
However, the land occupied by a political entity and recognized by other
political entities is called territory. This territory may be the result of a treaty,
executive order or statute. The Lumbee tribe has never had any treaties with
any governments nor have they been the subject of any executive order. In terms
of statutes, the legislation passed by the state in 1953 and the federal government
in 1956 recognizing the tribe as Lumbee does not use the term tribal
territory. However, both acts define territory by" the Indians living in Robeson
and adjoining counties .. shall be called Lumbee."
Tribal territory is defined in our constitution as "the State of North
Carolina " However, there are currently representatives outside of the state
For example, Roderick Locklear represents District 17 which includes all states
east of the Mississippi and Daucey F. Brewington represents District 18 which
includes all states west of the Mississippi. It is important to note these tribal
council members will not be removed from the tribal council because of this
language All members on the current tribal council will serve, as "at large"
council members without regard to district boundaries from which they were
elected, until the first set of elections held under the constitution, which will be
November 2003.
There was much debate and discussion regarding the defihition of tribal
territory during the process to adopt the constitution Tribal members voiced
much concern over the tribal territory being defmed as the State of North
Carolina There are many reasons for this concern The traditional and
historical territory of the Lumbee tribe has always been defined as Robeson and
adjoining counties. This definition, by no means, denies that the tribe has
considerable populations in urban areas of North Carolina or other parts of the
United States. Tribal members should know that there is not a tribe in the United
States with a tribal territory of this magnitude. A tribe's territory needs to be
restricted to its historic land base.
In addition, it is important for a tribe to have the support of governing
officials when seeking federal recognition. If the tribal territory includes the
entire state, such support will be virtually impossible to sustain. Officials will
view such a vast tribal territory as cumbersome and historically unprecedented.
Federally recognized Indian tribes, whose support is needed in our efforts to
obtain federal recognition, would be wary to support any efforts for federal
recognition if the tribal territory was so broad as to include the entire state.
Other state recognized tribes would be opposed to this for the same reasons.
Some tribes may view this as an invasion of their tribal territory.
It is imperative for tribal members living outside of Robeson and adjoining
counties to understand that they will be allowed to vote in any and all tribal
elections. Changing tribal territory does not affect their rights as a tribal
member Tribal officials, the chairman and council members, must reside in
the tribal territory. However, all enrolled Lumbees can vote in tribal elections
regardless of where they live. Lumbees who live outside the tribal territory will
vote in their home district, that is, the district they originally came from.
Lastly, tribal members now have the authority to amend the document since
it has been ratified. There is a fair and simple amendment process included in
the constitution. The first amendment to the Lumbee constitution will be to
change the definition of tribal territory to reflect the tribe's historical territory
of Robeson and adjoining counties. If you would like to participate by signing
a petition for this amendment, please telephone 910-521-2826.
Next week we will continue our in-depth look at the constitution by
reviewing the provisions regarding the tribe's jurisdiction.
Rural Broadband
Technology Center
Jane Patterson and Billy Ray Hall, leaders of the e-NC initiative, presented
a check for $500,000 to representatives of the rural Broadband Technology
Center on Wednesday, November 7, 2001, at the N.C. Rural Economic Development
Center in Raleigh, N.C. The telecenter will be located in Lumberton,
N.C., and will serve Robeson , Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke
and Scotland counties.
Pictured left to right are: Billy Ray Hall, Mark Paevar, Michael Cummings, Greg
Cummlngs, Linda Adams and Jane Patterson.
Maxton Plans
Christmas Parade
The Town of Maxton is again making
plans for an exciting and wonderful
Christmas Parade for this upcoming
holiday season. Participation in the
parade is free. You may also purchase
Booth Space for $30 for food and $35
for food and crafts and $25 for crafts.
The town office is now accepting
call in entries for the parade through
December 5, 2001. When you call,
make sure you leave a telephone number
where you can be reached and the
name of a contact. Please call between
the hours of 9 a.m and 4 p.m. The
Town of Maxton welcomes cars,
floats, bands, marching groups, trucks,
etc., in the parade. Line-up will start at
Townsend Middle School on December
8th around 8:15 a.m ,
Saturday, December 8 in the date
of the Maxton Parade For further
information call the Town Office of
Mrs. Delia Quaison at 910-844-3431
during the day.
Volunteer for Robeson
County Partnership for
Children
The Robeson County Partnership
for Children is seeking volunteers
with backgrounds in early childhood
education to assist with child assessments
for WINGS, a kindergarten
readiness curriculum. After training,
volunteers would assess selected children
currently enrolled in are day care
facilities. For more information, contact
the Partnership at 738-6767.
Oxendine & Locklear
Family Reunion
On November 24, 2001, at 1:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Deep Branch
Annex Building next to Deep branch
School we will get together for our
family reunion. Please contact; Jeff
Oxendine at 521-3346, Dollar Bill
Oxendine at 422-8129, Viola Oxendine
at 521 -4590 or Leola Oxendine at
521-8032 for more information.