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Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N'.C. I H Carolina Indian Voice "Building Communicative Fridges In /A Tri-Racial Setting" VOLUME 32 NUMBER 36 THURSDAY, SEPTEBER16,2004 *" _ A Front Page Editorial Lumbee Tribal Government, the Lumbee Constitution and the proposed budget Many tribal members arc upset about the Public Hearing on the Proposal Budget for the Lumbee Tribe on Thursday, September 9. One of the complaints from tribal members is that some folks were denied the opportunity to speak because they did not have their tribal card or did not know their number Others, however, were allowed to speak without this information The report from those taking names for the hearing was that Tribal Administrator Leon Jacobs would not allow anyone to speak without a tribal card This is very disturbing indeed The Tribal; Administrator is an employee He is not the CEO of a major corporation who can make random decisions. To begin with the Chairman nor the Council has the authority to supercede or override the Lumbee Constitution. That governing document must be abided by as it is written until it is changed. The Constitution states that the Chairman shall propose the budget to the membership during the State of the Tribe address in July. Whenever our elected officials violate the Constitution, it is up to the membership to correct the problem. In the coming weeks we will, editorially speaking, present a plan of action for the membership, the people, to take control of our government. If a tribal card was going to be required before anyone could speak, it should have been part of the announcement of the public hearing. Not many of us cany our tribal card on our person, Therefore, I will take this opportunity to raise my personal issues with the "work in progress" as Jacobs referred to the budget. The constitution does not call for the presentation of a "work in progress." My comments on the proposed budget for 2004-2005 for the Lumbee tribe will be brief. They are specifically related to certain budget items as well as how this budget was presented to the Lumbee people It appears that our government has become over laden with staff. We appear to be "top heavy." There seems to be an overlap in staff positions and responsibilities. For example, the proposed budget ere ates a new position for a Deputy Administrator. Why are we creating this position, especially at a salary of90,000 dollars. There is already a position for a Special Assistant to the Tribal Administrator A Deputy Administrator is in fact a fact an assistant. This appears to be a duplication of positions. If there is a need for the tribal administrator to have this high level of assistance, then it would seem more cost effective to hire a Housing Director which would allow the Tribal Administrator adequate tim? to perform his duties. If we had a Housing Director, then we could adjust the Tribal Administrator's salary to a less amount to reflecrduties of only a tribal administrator. The same is true with the creation of a position for a Finance Director. What is the difference in the responsibilities of a finance director and the tribal comptroller which we already have? Again it looks like a duplication of positions and duties. With both positions the tribe will be paying an estimated 65,000 dollars for a comptroller and 100,000 dollars or a finance director. This seems absurd. That is too much for the tribe to pay to oversee the tribe's accounting. Is there a need for both positions? 1 question the manner in which the proposed budget was presented to the membership. Whether it is a work in progress or not, the people should have been given a copy of the proposed budget that was approved by the tribal council to be presented. Our tribal government should be responsible for promoting the educational, cultural, social and economic well being of the Lumbee people, the proposed budget seems a clear indication that our government is more interested in creating unnecessary position with elaborate salaries and less interested in providing services to the people. It seems we keep changing players and continue to play the same game. When will services to the people and complianace with the Constitution i become the priority of our tribal government? Remembering Chad, the Warrior Chad Rachels On this day, September 12, 04, the day of you birth, we celebrate. You were victorious in all your battles because you wore the whole Armor of God. You stood firm in your beliefs and never wavered. You wore the breastplate of righteousness and it protected you from all evil. You wore shoes of peace and your peace was like a beacon lighting pathways for all those that you encountered. Your shield was your faith in God. You were victorious because you clothed yourself in the armor of God. We are remembering you on this day of your birth. Love, Family and Friends 23rd NAIA Annual Pow Wow and Fall Festival Oct.15-17 The American Indian Association of Tennessee, Inc. (NAIA) will host their 23rd NAIA Annual Pow-Wow & Fall Festival October 15, 16, and 17, 2004 at Four Corners Water Park Recreation Area. This event is located just off Interstate 1-24, Old Hickory Blvd exit, near AmSouth Amphitheater. Phil Bredesen. Governor of Tennessee, and ' Bill Purcell, Mayor of Nashville, have proclaimed October as Native American Indian Month. ' c The NAIA Pow-Wow & Fall Festival is the main fundraiser of the year for this unique organization. NAIA is a non-profit organization that serves more than 15,000 Native American Indians living throughout Tennessee. This unique educational cultural event is also sponsored by NAIA as part of their Support the Arts in Tennessee program. Friday Oct. 15,from 10a-3p, NAIA offers free admission to all school children and educators with special interactive programs planned. As one of the largest pow-wows east of the Mississippi River, this event draws American Indians and visitors from across the United States and Canada and attendance is usually between 13,000-16,000 during this three day event. The general public is encouraged to attend this spectacular event which features Native American Indian dancers in full regalia, musicians and singers, modern and traditional foods, and a special Arts & Crafts Demonstration Village. Additionally a tipi village will offer visitors a glimpse of early life in America. Admission to the NAIA Pow-Wow is very reasonable: Adults ($5); Children 6-12 ($3); Children 5 & under (Free) and Senior Citizens 55+ (Free). All proceeds fund the NAIA Education/Scholarship Fund and NAIA Emergency Relief Fund. For further information, please call the Nashville office at 615-2329179. NAIA welcomes one and all! Cultural classes being held - The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will hold Culture Classes every Tuesday at the Sattlctree Community Building in Lumberton and Thursday at the Lumbee Regional Development Association in Pembroke. The classes are held from 6 until 8 p.m. and are free of charge. These classes promote native dancing, culture awareness and, arts and crafts sessions. For more information please contact a Tribal Youth Coordinator, John Oxendine or Rob Jacobs at the Tribal Office at (910) 5217861. Report to the Lumbee ' Tribal Membership Article VII section 1(a) of the Lumbee Tribal Constitution requires the Tribal Council to conduct a public hearing or hearings on the annual tribal budget proposed by the Lumbee Tribal Chairman before the tribal budget is enacted into law. i On Thursday, September 09,2004, the Lumbee Tribal Council held a public hearing on the proposed budget at the Lumbee Tribal office. There were approximately thirty to forty tribal members in attendance, excluding staff members. Several tribal members presented comments regarding their concerns over the proposed budget. Th<S main focus of concern from tribal members was the proposed salaries for some positions. For example, many raised the issue of a proposed salary of $ 105,000 for a Financial Director, as well as questioned the need for both a Financial Director and Tribal Comptroller. One person speaking questioned the fact that the Lumbee Tribal Constitution requires the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year be presented to the tribal membership in a State of the Tribe Address in the first week of July and why that mandate was not followed. Chairman Goins presented his first State of the Tribe Address in July during a fund raiser for federal recognition. The event, which cost $50 per person to attend, was held at the Southeastern Farmers Market in Lumberton, however, his Address did not include a proposed budget. Other tribal members presented comments thanking the Lumbee Tribal \ Housing Program for the services they had received. In addition, several tribal members commented on the youth and cultural programs being administered by the Tribe. They spoke on the benefits these programs provide to the tribal youth. Comments made relative to the fact the tribal membership was not provided a copy of the proposed budget prior to the hearing, as well as the fart they were not provided a copy of the detailed budget outlining specific salaries during the hearing, were well received by those present. Many tribal members felt they should have been given a copy of the budget outling specific salaries, fringe benefits for employees, and the amount of the per diem for Tribal Council members. Some tribal members who wanted to speak at the public hearing were not allowed to do so because they did not have their tribal enrollment card and did not know their tribal enrollment number. When some of the Tribal Council members were questioned concerning this require- ] ment, they commented and said they had no knowledge of such a | requirement. According to the staff person responsible for signing | in those wishing to speak, this directive was given by the Tribal , Administrator. However, this requirement was not published with < the published Notice of the Hearing. Further, the Tribal Administra tor had no authority to determine the conduct of the public hearing oi i establish any requirements on who could speak The Administrator j is part of the Executive Branch of the Lumbee Tribal Government. ? In conclusion, it was apparent from the public hearing on the pro- < posed budget that the Lumbee Tribal Council should fulfill their leg- f islative duties as required by the Trjbal Constitution, and adopt an t ordinance governing the acceptance and enactment of a Tribal Budget. It is their responsibility as the legislative branch of the Lumbee Tribal Government to enact laws to govern this process. If such an ordinance had been in place, the hearing on the proposed budget would have taken pla<x in a timely manner, and there would have been no confusion in the,'conduct of the public hearing. In accordance to the governing document, once the Tribal Chairman has proposed the-budget to the general membership, his part in that process is complete. At this point the Council reviews the budget and conducts a public hearing. Tribal members should be aware of their rights under the Tribal Constitution that allows them to initiate a proposed ordinance. We encourage the tribal membership, as well as members of the Lumbee ! Tribal Government to become familiar with the Lumbee Tribal Constitution. , Tribal News Correspondent J Cynthia L. Hunt Lifestyle center offers water fitness 1 instructor certification course A national certification course for water fitness instructors will be offered at the Southeastern Lifestyle Center, 4895 Faycttcville Rd in Lumberton on Saturday, October 16 firom 9:45 to 4:00 p.m. Anyone 16 years and older who has an interest in becoming a certified water fitness instructor may, attend Cost is $189 per person for the primary level course and $2 L9 per person for the advanced level course for experienced instructors The registration deadline is September 24. Call Jim Thurman at 738-5433 to register or for more information. I Remembering I Pollie Oxendine Polite Oxendine Grandma's love knew no boundaries. When we were bom, you opened your arms wider to encircle all those that you knew. You opened your arms a little wider to receive God's love. You loved your God through song and praise. Your actions taught us to love and worship Him also. What a great gift to give those that you loved and held dear to your heart. We remember you in love on your birthday, September 5, I 04. Family and Friends of Pollie Oxendine First Baptist Church, Fairmont celebrates 135 years of service Services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 22- Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004 lev. Chester Hopkins, Jr, Pastor Schedule Wednesday : 7 .00 pm - Youth Banquet ( Minister Anthony Faison, Speaker) Thursday: 7:00 pm - Associate Ministers' Praise and Worship Night (Music by Jonesvitle Baptist Mass Choir) Friday: 7:00 pm - Gospelfest 2004 (Deacon Bennie McCormick, Prcsider) Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm - fun day. Games, and a Fellowship Picnic 4:15pm-5:30 pm-Memorial Service and Presentation of J. 3. Johnson Scholarship Winners Sunday 9:45 am - Sunday School ? 11:00 am - Morning Worship - Rev. Chester Hopkins, Jr., Speaker 1:00 pm - Fellowship Dinner (House of Joy) 4:00 pm - Anniversary Message - Dr. J. G. Everett, Pastor of Mill Branch Baptist Church, Speaker and Music by Mill Branch Baptist Church Choir Rev. Hopkins and First Baptist Family invite you Help us Celebrate Methodist men to host annual fish fry The Methodist Men of Chestnut Street United Methodist ChiJrch of Lumberton, will host their annual fish fry on October 1, 2004 between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00 PM. The tickets are $5.00 and are available from any Methodist man at the church office. The proceeds from this event will go to scholarships, youth activities, scouts and mission trips. The church is located on the comer of Chestnut and East Eight Streets. Takeouts are available. Family practitioner joins SRMC Medical Staff T racy E. Bullard, M. D., has joined Robeson Health Care Corporation and the medical staff of Southeastern Regional Medical Center. She is based at the Julian T. Pierce Health Center in Pembroke, A native of Robeson County, Dr. Bullard earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and continued her education at UNC Chapel Hill, where she earned a medical degree in 2001 This summer she completed a three-year residency program at the Duke/Southern Regional Area Health Education Cdntcr in Fayettcvillc. Dr. Bullard said that there was never any doubt that she would return borne to practice medicine. She is a recipient of a scholarship loan from the SRMC Foundation, which is offered to medical school stuJents and allied health professionals who plan to return to the local :ommunity to practice. "My goal is to work with patients to improve total health-physical, nental and spiritual," Dr. Bullard said. The N.C Academy of Family 5hysicians has recognized her for her outstanding and compassionite patient care. >he is the daughter of Linbergh and Baibara Bullard. Dr Bullard and ter husband, attorney Gregory Bullard, and their son, Ethan, make heir home in Lumberton. Poetry contest seeking Pembroke entrants The Talent Literary Guild is sponsoring an amateur poetry contest, free to everyone. There are 50 prizes in all, including a $ 1,000 00 grand prize "We arc delighted to sponsor this contest," says Thomas Grey, Poetry Director. "Poets deserve opportunities to exhibit their work and get recognition We hope our contest will encourage new poets to share their art" To cntfrr send one poem 21 lines or less: Free Poetry Contest, 1257 Siskiyou Blvd, PMB 4, Ashland, OR 97520, you may also enter online at www.frcccontest.com. Poems may be written on any subject, using any style. The deadline for entering is September 25, 2004. The editors reserve the right to aublish the winning poems online. A winner's list will be sent to all intrants. ^ Call: 910-521-2826 PO Box 1075 Pembroke, NC 28372
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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Sept. 16, 2004, edition 1
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