Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C.
"CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
"Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting"
VOLUME 28 NUMRER\J9jj THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2001 25c
Local Gospel Music Artist Releases
First Christmas Special
by Yvonne Barnes Dial
It seems incredulous that a great artist, whether in the business of music of
art. w ould ever struggle with the fact that she or hcc\ cr possessed artist talent
For gospel singer. Charles Bell, the uncertainty and dubious feelings of his
profound talent in music kept him in a world of hesitation and doubt for years
Receiving praise and affirmation of his talent from so many people locally and
nationally, his confidence grew and Mr Bell worked diligently to sing and
produce gospel music as a ministry
Recently. Mr Bell released his first Christmas special through encouragement
of others. "I had been thinking a few years of doing the tape and had the
desire, yet it wasn't my religious conviction." stated Mr. Bell, "different people
encouraged me and i felt overjoyed and enjoyed doing it."
Realizing the beauty of Christmasand experiencing the joy it brings, he finds
"Christmas as a wonderful time ofthc year with family, fellowship, and joy in
Christ" Just as he singsof the lovcofGod in his music ministry. Mr. Bell feels
"the true mcaningChristmasisatimetoacknowledgeChrist'sbirth. the warmth
and the loving and giving spirit God has to offer"
With his confidence growth and considering Christmas as one of the most
celebrated and glorious holidays ofthc year, his decision to create a Christmas
CD special came to fruition. "I could sing and feel a connection to the words."
he states, "and 1 am pleased w ith the songs." The CD depicts a Christmas scene
w ith his grandson celebrating the Christmas spirit. "My grandson is my only
grandchild and he's special to me and everything tics in with Christmas and
family," the excited musician remarks
The Christmas CD selections include: "Silent Night." "Silver Bells," "O Holy
Night," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"" If Everyday were Like
Christmas"" Joy to the World," "Christ mas Song."" White Christmas"" Away
in a Manger" and "Winter Wonderland "
For years, Mr. Bell shared his music talent as he performed and sang with
various groups. Feeling God dealing w ith him for tw elve years to go solo, he
felt that he "couldn't get aw ay from that inner thought" as God gave him time
and patience to deal with the situation" Sharing his struggle with a Creek
Indian lady, she requested him to "be still and you will know." Wrestling with
the conflict, he later made a decision and felt a rebirth and a new beginning in
hislifc. "I could sec shortly afterwards God's ministry in my life." he responds.
Rcccivingan appointment to sing ina large church in Michigan in his earlier
solo music ministry, fear and anxiety overcame the artist to sing before
approximately 1200 people. He felt the Lord reminding him that he had sung
before small churches. He found the people receptive and felt ovcrwheipted
and blessed "God gave me a jumpstart that week and He started revealing
things to me." Mr. Bell states with a reflective surprise.
As his confidence began to build, plans w ere underway to make a gospel tape.
When his first tape was released, the response and compliments from the
people and the community were overwhelming. "1 was so glad 1 was able to
take a good compliment: the more compliments I receiv ed, the more humble I
became." responds the modest artist.
From his First tape, his major hit "How Great Thou Art", climbed to number
10 nationally in gospel musicand reached number one locally aswcll as in other
radio stations in Florida and Ohio. "I've been warmly received basically
everywhere I've gone losing." he slates, and he feels that "it's and honor and
humble feeling that God's anointing has been placed in my life." "Someone
once asked." shares Mr. Bell, "when is Charles the happiest?" The response
that was declared. "He's happiest when he's singing before acongrcgation with
God's anointing and connecting to the audience " Yet. Mr Bell informs that
some of his best singing has been spontaneous. \
With the Lord opening doors for him. he began traveling across the United
States and Canada w ithdifferent groups and churches w hile groups asked lum
to sing nationally
For six years Mr. Bell has bought a thirty minutes time period where he serves
as an announcer dnd entertainer for the gospel station WTSB at 100.9 in
Fairmont on Saturday at 6:30 P.M. He finds the experience an honor to play
much local talent. Pembroke businessman Juddic Revels approached Mr. Bell
a nd informed hi m that he would love to sponsor him for a fifteen mi nute period.
Somewhat reluctant to take the offer. Mr. Bell decided to. He learned quickly
that "we have a lot of good local talent. It gives me great pleasure to play local
groups and push their talent." He realized that for approximately twenty five
years local groups did not realize their talents. Mr. Bell feels that some of the
artists may have felt left out. More and more, he has been startled to sec more
breakthroughs and that the groups arc displaying their talents regionally and
nationally
At first Mr. Bell considered that he took the situation lightly w hen he handed
his last program after three months of his service to the main music director of
the radio station.
Suddenly feeling God's disappointment in his casual approach, he realized
that hedid not demonstrate hisbest "1 was starting to grow ." he stated, "those
weresomcofmygrowingpains." Afterwards, he received callsfromtheelderly
that they were blessed and some were became Christians as a result of the
program
While working on a backhoe. the idea sprang quickly in his mind to build a
music studio. Looking through others and witnessing great talents among so
many people, Mr.
Bell decided to build the studio, not only to produce his own w ork, but also
to grant other groups and individuals the opportunity to display and release
their talents professionally. Amazed at the talent of a young artist, Chris
Locklear. Mr. Bell had the desire to reach out to Chris and help him expand his
gifts as he performed on the keyboard with the Scott Sisters. Presently. Chris
serves as the manager for the studio. The Lord has really shown me that it is
aministryandmanysoulshavebccntouchedandblessed," responds Mr. Bell.
Various groups Mr. Bell has performed with include: J.D. Sumnerand Stamps
from Nashville. Tennessee, The Jordanaires from Nashville who also served
as backup forElvis Presley . Dottie Rambo. and The Happy Goodman Family
Dev clopingan interest in musicbegan at an early age for Mr. Bell w hile being
Brewington Promoted
to Major in Air Force
Eric TsaliBrewington hasbeenpromoted
to the rank of Major, United
States Air Force, effective 01 October
2001.
A native of Robeson County, North
Carolina, the Major entered the U.S.
Air Force as an AFROTC Distinguished
Graduate in 1990 after graduating
from Pembroke State University,
Pembroke, N.C. His first assignment
was astheSectionCommande r/Adj utantforthe95lhFighter
Squadron, 325*
Fighter Wing. Tyndall AFB, Florida.
In 1993, hctransfcrrcdoverseastothe
67"1 Special Operations Squadron,
352n<l Special OperationsGroup (SOG)
at Royal Air Force Alconbury. United*
Kingdom where he served as the
Squadron's Chief of Current Operations
He later served as deputy chief
for Group Current Operations. 352 *
Special Operations Group. RAF
Mildenhall. United Kingdom in 1996.
His deployments include Operations
Provide Promise in 199.3. Deny Flight
in 1994,andJoint Endeavor in 1996. He
served as an Air Staff Officer of the
Joint Special Operations Air Component
(JSOAC). San Vito Air Station.
Italy. JSOAC's multi-national mission
supported NATO air combat operations
in Bosnia-Hcr/.ogivina w hich directly
contributed to the Dayton Peace
Accords and other operations in East
ern Europe ana Alrica.
Before assuming his current position,
the major wasselectcd forthe Air
Force Institute ofTechnology (AFIT),
Education With Industry (EWI) program.
where he served with Lockheed
Martin Astronautics in Denver, Colorado.
His next assignment was to
Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB) w here
he was selected as a Contracts manager
forthe Joint Surveillance Target
Attack and Reconnaisance (JSTARs)
program. While there he later chosen
as the contracts lead for the Tactical
Air Control Party Modernization
(TACP-M) Program. From August
1998 to June 2001. he held the collateral
position of the Native American Equality
& Diversity Program Manager.
His current duty is the Chief of Specialized
Cont racts Flight, 3ri Contracting
Squadron, 3rf Wing, Elmendorf Air
Force Base, Alaska. He is responsible
for all contracting actions supporting
all forward ope rati ng bases in the Alaskan
region to include the President's
National Missile Defense Program, and
remote radar sites throughout Alaska
with the North American Defense
(NORAD)
His awards and decorations include
the Joint Commendation Medal. AF
Commendation Medal with two oak
leaf clusters. AF Achievement Medal.
Joint McritoriousUnit Award with one
oak leaf cluster
Outstanding Unit Award with one
oak leaf cluster. Air Force Organizational
Excellence Award. National
Defense Service Medal. Armed Forces
Service Medal. AF Overseas Long
Tour Ribbon. AF Longevity Ribbon
with one oak leaf cluster. AF Training
Ribbon,' and the NATO Medal with
one oak leaf cluster.
He is the son of Ted and Geraldinc
Brew ington of Pembroke. The Major
is married to Miss Mary Jane Brooks
Brew ington and have four daughters:
Erika Ana'cia. Meagan Leigh, Kristin
Arclia. and Laurel Tsali.
James Hardin Elected
Vice Chairman of the
Tribe by Acclamation
by Darlen e Jacobs, Public Relations
Chair Lumbee Tribal Council
At its regularly scheduled meeting,
the Lumbee Tribal Council affirmed
the Tribal Constitution referendum
held onNovember6th. Certifyirigthc
referendum was the Tribal Elections
Board. Chaired by Rev. Larry Locklear.
Councilman Delton Oxendinc (District
7) was elected Speaker as required
by the newly adopted Tribal
Constitution The Speaker's role and
responsibility is to set tribal meeting
agendas and preside over the council
meetings.
By acclamation James Hardin (District
l.JJwaselectedas Vice Chairman.
The primary role of this position is to
replace the Chairman if something
happens and he cannot fulfill his obligation.
Hewillalsoprcsidcovcrthe
council meetings in the absence of
the Speaker.
Under the Constitution, the role and
power ofthcTribal Chairman changes.
All executive powers, includingimplcmentation
and compliance with annual
budgets resides with the Tribal
Chairman. Additional functions include
certification of rcfcrenduins and
ordinance by the general voting membership
that affect the fundamental
rights or interests of the tribe. In addition,
underthe Constitution, the Chairman
has the power to veto any ordinance
enacted by the Tribal Council.
From Committee Reports, Rev. Jimmy
Hunt, Chairman ofthe Housing Committee.
announced that the deadline
forhousing applications isDecembcr
14; the tribal council reviewed a proposal
for guidelinesdntheconductof
council members and conflict of interest
present by Councilwoman Rosa
Winfree (District 16). Chairofthe Ethics
Committee. In addition. Councilman
CraigMcMillanofthe Economic
Development Committee presented
Bylaws for the Lumbee Tribal Development
Corporation; Lonnie Revels
(District 15) Chair of the T ransition
andPcrsonnel Committee, provided a
policy and procedures proposal; and
Darlene Jacobs reported committee
recommendationsfortheTribal Seal
. In other action, the Tribal Council
took great pride to honor and recognize
the historical significance and
accomplishments of the first Native
American Sorority and Fraternity.
Alpha Pi Omega Sorority and Phi
Sigma Nu Fraternity. Chairman Milton
Hunt presented both organizations
with framed resolutions passed by
the Tribal Council and signed by the
Chairman and Secretary.
The Council heard public comments
surroundingefforts to amend thcLumbcc
Constitution in definingthe territory
as Robeson and surrounding
counties from the current identification
of the State of North Carolina.
All Lumbee tribal members are encouraged
to attend council meetings
that arc held the third Saturday of
every month.
Kelvin Oxendine Makes Second Lieutenant
Kelvin Oxendine has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S.
Air Force after graduating from Officer Training School (OTS) at Maxwell
Air force Base, Montgomery, Ala.
During the demanding 12-week course, cadets arc trained to be top quality
Air force officers through an extensive curriculum comprised of classroom
work, lectures, and exercises to develop leadership, team building, and officer
skills. They receive instruction in military training and application, professional
knowledge, human behavior, defence studies, leadership studies and
management, communication skills, and physical fitness, and a field training
deployment.
Oxendine, a communications officer, is thee son of Jerry and Elizabeth
Oxendine of 8972 W. Highway 72 W., Pembroke, N.C.
He is a 1991 graduate of Purnell Swett Senior High School. Pembroke, and
a 2001 graduate of Troy State University through the military extension program
at Fort Walton Beach. Fla.
N.c. Indian cultural Center
Presents: Winter Festival "New
Beginning"
Welcome to a New Beginning of the North Carolina Indian Culture Center
at Pembroke. North Carolina, off 1-74.
there are new committees with a new beginning at the Center, and we are
asking all that can join uS in our adventures of new programs, starting with
"Winter Festival- New Beginning".
Top name personnel have been invited to share in an open house fund raiser
for the Center. Come and meet them and us on December 8th, starting at 9:30
a.m. until might fall. On December 7th at 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. we are
hosting on All School Day.
December 8th is the Grand Finale. Parade of VIP's. Indian Dancers and
Drummers and Gospel Singing of Local artists.
Come be with us. There will also be food and games.
Thank You
Public Relation Chairman; NCICC
Martin A. Lacy <
Pembroke Twilight Christmas Parade
sponsored by the Town of
Pembroke, the Pembroke Chamber of
Commerce, and the Pembroke Civic
Club is planned for Thursday. December
13,2001. Line uptime at 3:30
p.m. and the parade will begin at 4:30
p.m. The parade line up area will be
at the UNCP Pembroke Performing
Arts Center and end at the Pembroke
Elementary School. Criteria for the
parade includes Marching Units,
Bands, Queens. Floats, and the special
attraction will be the Robeson
County Sudan Tomcats Funny Cars
and the main attraction will be Santa
Charles Bell, local gospel music artist, releases his first Christmas
Special. Seated with Mr. Bell is his grandson, Jake Garrison
Lock/ear, age 2.
raised in the Saddletree area until he reached the age of nine. From a young
age he sand continuously at the church he attended and other churches he
visited Yet. as most teenagers discouragement overshadowed his life and an
elderly gentlemen approached him and lifted his spirits with, "Charles, you
have a million dollar voice " Receivingsuch positive reinforcement provided
a boost for him at that moment. "I had a few low points in my life A lady once
came to me and said. "1 enjoy your singing: God has given you a wonderful
talent." stated Mr. Bell. Sharing the praise and acknowledgment of his talent
which others revealed to him exhibited a sense of how blessed he felt and
responded with. "It was the power of God." Realizing that "God has a person
in everyone's life to inspire that person." He enjoyed playing the guitar by ear
and later developed an interest in playing the piano, and at age twenty five he
began to plav and sing at his church.
As a businessman. Mr. Bell w orks with a commercial industrial businesses
in concrete with partnership with Express Concrete Construction and Pine
View Enterprise.
Mr. Bell attends Liberty Holiness Church and regularly provides music and
displays his talent in the church.
He is married to Annette Bell and has a son, Ricardo, who is employed with
the Robeson County Sheriffs department, a daughter. Tammy Bell Locklear
who works with the County Youth Counselor Services, a son-in-law, Allen
Locklear who teaches physical education at Prospect Middle School, and one
grandchild, Jake Garrison Locklear. age two.
For more information about Mr. Bell's new release ofhis first Christmas tape
andCD.youmay contacthimat980PhiladelphusRoad, Pembroke, N.C. 28372,
phone number 910-521 -4676. The purchase of the tape is $ 10.00 and the CD
sellsfor$12.00.
Our Tribal Constitution
by Cynthia L. Hunt
Last w eek we discussed the amendment process to change the Lumbee
Tribal Constitution. This week it was my intention to continue our review of
the document by completing our discussion of jurisdiction included in Article
I. However, tribal members have raised additional questions regarding the
amendment process, I feel it is very important for us to addressthese concerns
as they arise,
Before 1 begin. 1 would like to remind everyone that the transition into a
constitutional form of government will takctirnc and serious thought. It is not
going to happen overnight. We must be patient in this endeavor. Itisimportant
for us as tribal members to educate ourselves on our official governing
document, the Lumbee Tribal Constitution This will allow for a smooth
transition process and allow us astribal members to make informed decisions
regarding tribal matters. Further, agood understanding of ourconstitution will
allow us to ensure that the Tribal Council is accountable to the tribal
membership. Please remember, while the Lumbee tribe has always had an
informal governmental process, this is the first time we have had a formal
governmental structure. In addition, it is up to us as tribal members to make
sure it is an effective government for all.
Last week someone raised concerns about the statement I made regarding
the fact that all tribal members would be allowed to vote in tribal elections
regardless of where they lived. The Lumbee T ribal Constitution guarantees
EVERYtribalmemberthe right to vote. Please note, ArticlcIIofthedocument
addresses Membership and spel Is out w ho is ent itled to vote i n tribal elections.
Section 4 of Article II specifically states, "the voting general membership shall
consist of those enrolled members who arc cightccn(18)yearsofageoroldcr."
There is no residency requirement for voting. The only residency requirement
included in the constitution is for those persons serving on thcTribal Council.
Tribal Council representatives must reside in the district they were elected to
represent. This language is included in Article VII Section 3. Also, please note
that the Tribal Chairman is required to reside in the tribal territory.
Some may ask how tribal members who live outside thetribal territory will
vote for a Tribal Council representative if there is not a separate district
provided for them. First, the Lumbee Tribal Constitution requires the Tribal
Elections Board to adopt regulations governing voter registration. They will
be required to adopt rulcsand regulations governing this procedure. All tribal
members will be required to register with a district For example. I live in South
Pembroke, therefore. 1 would register in the district that includes South
Pembroke.
Tribal members living outside the tribal territory, currently defined as the
state of NC. would register with their HOME community. To illustrate this
{joint, please allow me to use a personal situation of which 1am familiar. 1 have
a co-w orkcr who resides in District six (6) orother words North Pembroke. My
co-worker has numerous relatives, enrolled in the tribe, living in New York.
Virginia and New Jersey. Both she and her relatives consider their HOME
community as North Pembroke. Therefore, when they register to vote in tribal
elections, they wouldall register in District six (6) because that isthcirHOME
district. Thai is the area they identify- with to maintain tribal relations.
Maintaining tribal relationsand contact with the tribe isvery important. It
is a requirement to be enrolled with the Lumbee tribe A person applying for
enrollment in the Lumbee tribe must be able to demonstrate that they have
maintained contact with the tribe. Failure tomaintaincontact with thctribecan
result in disenrollmcnt This language has always been pan of the Lumbee
Tribal Enrollment Criteria, and it is included in the Lumbee f ribal Constitution
under Article 11 Section 2 The requirement of maintaining tribal relations is
important because it protects the tribe from individuals having remote tribal
ancestry who themselves, in every sense of the word, belong to other ethnic
groups and who may be more numerous than the entire legitimate tribal
membership. ...
Lastly, again I would like to ask all tribal members to contact their Tribal
Councifrcprcscntativc and ask them to appoint the Lumbee Tribal Elections
Board as required by the Constitution Next week we will take a look at the
numbers needed for a petition to amend our tribal constitution