LUMBEE NEWS

Lumbee Tribe Supports Dream Catcher Project

             (August 2011)The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina took part in the Blessing Ceremony of the Dream Catcher Camp 2011, which is sponsored by the Department of Indian Education of  Cumberland County Schools.

             The summer program  was held at Camp Rockfish from August 1 – August 5, 2011. This event was made possible by a grant that the Indian Education department received back in 2009, allowing the program to operate for three summers. The camp focuses on teaching the students they need a plan for the future, whether it may be going to college, a trade school or enlisting into the military. 

              The program accepts 40 students that are advancing sophomores, juniors, or seniors from the local Cumberland County high schools of Gray’s Creek, Cape Fear, Douglas Byrd, Jack Britt, and South View High Schools.

             Darlene Ransom, Dream Catcher Project Coordinator, said “The program has done well over the past few years and it has been a pleasure working with the students. We will be taking the students on a tour of UNCP this year on Thursday, August 4, 2011. They will visit the Administration Building, some of the dorms on campus and also the cafeteria. We want the students to feel comfortable when the time comes for them to go to college and not have that uneasy feeling.”

             Ariona Chavis, 16, a rising senior at Gray’s Creek High School, has been attending the Dream Catcher Camp since it started back in 2009. Ariona says, “I have enjoyed the camp each year. I love learning about the history of my people, being around American Indian students as myself, due to the fact there are not many American Indian students at the school I attend.”

             Lumbee Tribal Chairwoman Sharon Hunt says, “The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is proud to support our youth by participating in such community and educational programs.”

             The youth also had an American Indian Heritage Day, which introduced them to “Movers and Shakers”, or professional and successful American Indians from the surrounding communities.

             The camp also hosted Team Building sessions, where students learned the importance of  team work. Camp ended on Friday, with Flute Player Jonathon Ward, a Powwow and closing ceremony featuring Bostic Locklear, Southern Eagle Singers and a pizza party.