(March 2010) The Lumbee Tribe attended the 35th Annual North Carolina Indian Unity Conference in Raleigh, NC from March 11 until March 13, 2010 hosted by United Tribes of North Carolina for the purpose of bringing all voices and resources together to combat issues crucial to American Indians across the state of North Carolina.
“If we, as tribal nations, along with our local school boards and communities, are to raise and produce healthy, responsible students for the 21st century we must continue to invest in ourselves through programs such as this ,” stated Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett as he addressed those in attendance. United Tribes of North Carolina is a nonprofit corporation established in 1982 by the NC Commission of Indian Affairs. According to a statement on United Tribes of North Carolina, its purpose is to provide greater coordination and unity among the Indian tribes and organizations of the state, to promote educational, economic, religious, charitable and cultural activities for Indian people.
“Our youth Keynote Speaker and Facilitator this year was Chance Rush who attended Oklahoma Baptist University and has established himself as a four-time NAIA All American, a two-time national champion and collegiate national record holder,” explained President of United Tribes, Gladys Hunt. This year United Tribes hosted a youth track with the objectives to provide unity and opportunity, education and culture, strengthening of leadership skills, and a feeling of ambassadorship for their tribes.
According to a statement, United Tribes of North Carolina is directed by a Board of 14 Directors who are representatives of state recognized Indian tribes, organizations, the NC Commission of Indian Affairs and Legal Aid of North Carolina, the Indian Law Unit. United Tribes has sponsored the North Carolina Indian Unity Conference since 1983. Various panel discussions were in place during the conference, ranging from Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and Everyone Counts: The 2010 Census to Special Needs Indian Children: Healthcare Resources to Know and Weaving Innovative Educational Opportunities for American Indian Students.
Elizabeth Qua Lynch, a Hailiwa-Saponi from Warrenton, NC was crowned Miss Indian North Carolina 2010-2011Friday night, March 12, 2010. Lumbee youth to receive scholarships were Olivia N. Bullard for the Raymond L “Pete Spotted Turtle” & Mrs. Estelle Clark Memorial American Indian Scholarship, Lelia Kenworthy for the Mrs. Katie V. Robbins American Indian Memorial Scholarship and Layla Locklear for the Mr. Willard and Mrs. Pearlie Emanuel Locklear Memorial American Indian Scholarship. The following students were recipients of the Members of Lumbee Tribal Council of North Carolina Scholarship: Jessica L. Oxendine, Corey Barton, Chelsea Lambert and Jeremy Britt.
The 36th Annual North Carolina Indian Unity Conference will be held at the Hilton North Raleigh at 3415 Wake Forest Road from March 9, 2011 until March 11, 2010. For more information or questions concerning the conference please contact, Mrs. Gladys Hunt at 910.486.8442 or ccaip@netzero.com.
Various panel discussions were in place during the conference, ranging from Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and Everyone Counts: The 2010 Census to Special Needs Indian Children: Healthcare Resources to Know and Weaving Innovative Educational Opportunities for American Indian Students. 
