Tribal Council Selects New Leaders 
The transition of power was smooth and without controversy on the first meeting of the new 2011 Tribal Council of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. According to tribal law, the Tribal Council is required to elect new officers at its January meeting. The Parliamentarian of the 2010 Tribal Council, Mr. Shelley Strickland, called the meeting to order and after the Pledge of Allegiance and reading of the Preamble of the Lumbee Constitution opened the floor for nominations.
The officers of the 2011 Tribal Council of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina are as follows: Tribal Speaker, Mr. Steve Sampson(pictured right); Vice Chairperson, Ms. Sharon Hunt; Secretary, Mrs. Linda Revels; Treasurer, Ms. Pam Hunt and Parliamentarian, Mr. Shelley Strickland.
“I would like to congratulate the new officers,” said Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett, “and I look forward to not only working with these new officers but also with the entire Tribal Council on advancing the interests of the Lumbee Tribe”.
In other business the Tribal Administrator announced that members of the Keystone Group of the First Nations Boys and Girls Club in Tribal District 14 had been one of ten clubs in the state selected to participate in the National Keystone Conference in Orlando, Florida in March. They were the only American Indian club selected in the South East.
“This shows that our youth are excelling and making strides in the areas of academics, career preparation, community service, and teen outreach,” said Tribal Administrator, Dr. Rose Marie Lowry-Townsend.
Also in the Tribal Administrator’s report was an update about the success of the newly opened Indian Health Clinic in Pembroke at the Angel Exchange on highway 711. The clinic has seen over 26 patients in its first six hours of operation. The clinic is open only on Thursdays from 5 pm until 8 pm until additional volunteers can be recruited. Clients are seen on an appointment basis, and interested American Indians should call 910-521-0059 for more information. You do not have to be a Lumbee tribal member to receive services offered through the clinic but, there are income guidelines.
In another report Tribal District 1 representative Mrs. Audrey Revels Hunt, Chairwoman of the Education, Culture and PR Committee of the Tribal Council, shared the new print “Connections” by Patricia Brayboy that is being sold as a fundraiser. The funds will be used to start an education endowment that will award scholarships. Only 300 prints were done for this charity, and all are personally signed by the artist. Prints may be viewed and purchased at the Tribal Housing Complex on highway 711 in Pembroke. For further information on how you can purchase a print contact Alex Baker at 910-522-2202.
The final action of the new 2011 Tribal Council was the schedule of Tribal Council meetings for the remainder of the calendar year. The February meeting of the council will be held in Scotland County, District 12 at a location to be confirmed. The June meeting will be held at Soaring Eagle in District 3. The September meeting will be held at Four Winds in the Saddletree community, District 9, and the December meeting will be held in Cumberland County, District 13, at Cape Fear Baptist Church.
For more information concerning the Tribal Council of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina please contact Candice Collins at 910-522-2191 or Alex Baker at 910-522-2202.
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