LUMBEE NEWS

7th Annual Youth Leadership Conference

        (November 2010) The Youth Services Department of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina hosted its 7th Annual Youth Leadership Conference from Friday, November 5th until Sunday, November 7th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

        “You are among what we call the select few,” said Lumbee Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett(pictured-left), “my advice to you would be to take advantage of everything you are exposed to here at this conference.” Select high school students from Scotland, Hoke, Cumberland and Robeson counties were chosen to participate in the conference based on a range of considerations from academic achievement to program involvement.

         After the opening assembly the students departed into separate rooms for their break-out sessions. The morning sessions included ‘Money Matters’ with Tribal Financial Education Manager Kathy Locklear and First Bank Loan Officer Gary Strickland. The students were able to learn about the importance of their money and how to manage, invest and save for the future. “You have to make the decision of will I shop today or will I save today,” said Youth Services Manager Verdia Deese as she sat in on the session. The other morning sessions were ‘College Admission Process’ with Tiffany Graham-Locklear and ‘Lumbee History’ with Dr. Linda Oxendine(pictured-right).

         After lunch the students wrapped up their afternoon sessions with an inspirational seminar with Life Coach Kim Pevia and an open group dialogue with Youth Service Coordinators John Oxendine and Terry White, and Tribal Volunteer Program Manager Morgan Hunt-Warriax. The open dialogue session gave the students an opportunity to talk about issues they felt were important or had questions about. Discussions also surrounded cultural exchanges between tribes and the importance of knowing who you are and those around you. Kim Pevia exposed the students to positive ways of facing the everyday stressors of life and school.

        “Leadership is very important, you have leadership that is right and leadership that is wrong, it is extremely important for us to identify and teach those individuals that have the potential to be great leaders of our Tribes and State,” said Tribal Administrator Dr. Lowry-Townsend(pictured-right) at the evening banquet. After the banquet the students were able to unwind from their day by attending the youth dance before they were required to retire for the night. Sunday morning service was conducted by Tribal Housing Director Bosco Locklear on making the right decisions in life. He gave examples of his own life to help the students understand exactly how the decisions they make now not only have short-term effects but long-term effects as well. For more information on the Tribal Youth Services program or the Youth Leadership Conference please contact John Oxendine or Terry White at 521-7861.