Search Site Results

Lindsey Oxendine’s inspiration to organize a literacy and reading event stemmed from a conversation she had with the mother of a fourth-grade student. “She said her daughter was picked on and bullied at school because she was a slow reader,” said Oxendine, a junior at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. “My heart was gripped with compassion for this young girl and her mother.” On Oct. 12, Lindsey Oxendine will join Arrow Educational Solutions to host a “Reading and Literacy Kickoff” event at Harvest Church in Rowland. The reading and literacy event is part of Lindsey Oxendine’s “Mentoring to Motivate” platform she adopted after being crowned Miss Lumbee this summer. Arrow Educational Solutions – www.arrowinc - offers web-based products and distributes phonics and literacy reading materials for parents and teachers. The company’s goal is to improve reading, writing, spelling and comprehension skills of students in Pre-K to high school. Arrow has two internet literacy websites with more than 400 hours of instructional activities to help students and adults improve their literacy skills. The company is owned by Dr. Reginald Oxendine, a retired UNCP professor, and an affiliate with the University’s Entrepreneurship Incubator. He said he is honored to partner with Lindsey to carry out one of the many branches of her platform, teaching youth how to read. “Mentoring has always been my passion as seeding a positive mindset into the lives of our youth is vital in today’s society,” said Lindsey Oxendine, who is studying Business Administration. “In my local church, Harvest Church, I have served as a trained student leader since the age of 16,” she said. “As a student leader I provide guidance and support to our youth in varied areas. Now that I am Miss Lumbee, it is my desire to expand my mentoring skills outside the walls of my local assembly. “Other student leaders within our assembly have agreed to unite with me in my initiative,” she said. “We plan to receive the necessary training to properly carry out our mission.” Lindsey’s long-term goal for the reading and literacy branch of her platform is to achieve early reading proficiency among the local youth and to encourage them academically, socially and economically for success. Reginald Oxendine said he encourages UNCP’s faculty, staff and students to partner with them to help improve reading, writing, spelling and comprehension skills of students in our region. “Together, we can dramatically improve the literacy skills of students,” he said. ROBESONIAN NEWS RELEASE – 10-1-16

Heating Assistance Program application dates modified due to Hurricane Matthew. For additional program information call (910) 521-2188.

Governor Pat McCrory appoints Matthew Task Force to address storm damage and recovery efforts. The taskforce met with Chairman Godwin and his staff during a visit to Robeson County and delivered a cargo van load of items donated by Department of Administration and Commission of Indian Affairs staff. Pictured from left at the Lumbee Tribe Boys and Girls Club in Pembroke are Lumbee Tribal Councilor Jarrod Lowery, Public Information Officer Rhonda Todd, NCCIA Executive Director Gregory Richardson, Lumbee Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Administration Katherine Johnson, Deputy Secretary Barbara Roper and WIOA Program Director Elk Richardson.

The state's official "career center on wheels," the NCWorks Mobile Unit and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was onsite at the Lumbee Tribal Housing Complex last week to assist individuals seeking disaster related assistance. NCWorks personnel assisted with applying for disaster unemployment benefits, registering for FEMA assistance, and job searches. The unit provides Rapid Response services and allows job seekers to gain access to career counseling, resume preparation, and free internet access. FEMA personnel provided status updates for anyone with a pending application for disaster assistance and provided support to individuals seeking to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Local citizens seeking to apply for disaster unemployment benefits can call 1-866-795-8877 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Disaster Assistance available at the Lumbee Tribe for ALL Local Citizens- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be onsite at the Lumbee Tribe Administration Building beginning Thursday, October 20, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to assist ALL local citizens seeking to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). FEMA personnel will also provide status updates for anyone who has already submitted an application for disaster assistance. The NCWorks Mobile Lab will also be at the Lumbee Tribe, Thursday, October 20, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. NCWorks is able to assist with applying for disaster unemployment benefits, registering for FEMA assistance, and job searches. Local citizens seeking to apply for disaster unemployment benefits can call 1-866-795-8877 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. The Lumbee Tribe Administration Building is located at 6984 NC Highway 711 W. in Pembroke.

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will resume member services on Monday, October 17. The Office of Tribal Enrollment and Records, Tribal Housing, Veteran Services, Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation, Enlightening Native Daughters (END), Project ACCESS, Cultural Enrichment Program and Department of Energy will resume normal operating hours from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Department of Energy will resume its Heating Assistance Program (HAP) on a modified schedule to accommodate tribal applicants.  - October 17-21, 2016: Applicant who is a veteran or elder 65 years of age or older.  - October 24-28, 2016: Applicant receiving disability assistance or household with children 5 years of age or younger.  - October 31 – November 11, 2016: Any applicant who may be eligible for assistance. The Lumbee Tribal Boys and Girls Clubs are situated throughout the tribal territory to provide community access to youth for cultural, personal and leadership development. While our communities continue to recover from Hurricane Matthew, the Lumbee Tribe will also continue its efforts to assist local citizens. ALL Lumbee Tribal Boys and Girls Clubs will be CLOSED until further notice. Member services updates will be released throughout the upcoming days.

From Campbell's Soup of Maxton, NC - Hurricane Matthew has significantly impacted our local communities. We want to share what Campbell has done so far, and what opportunities there are for you all to get involved. Our team is one of caring, compassion, faith and family. Now more than ever we need to come together to help our teammates, family, friends, and communities. Here’s the support that’s happened so far: · $25,000 donated to the Robeson County American Red Cross by the Campbell Foundation · Established YouCaring page to support impacted Team Maxton employees · Established site with Robeson County American Red Cross – any donations made by employees will be match 50% by the Campbell Foundation · A truckload of donated product is heading from Napoleon to our area for delivery Friday. · Maxton donated and delivered 20+ pallets of product throughout Robeson County on 10/11/16 · Additional donations are flowing out of Maxton to the surrounding areas · Pepperidge Farm Downers Grove is conducting a donation drive for supplies to be sent to Maxton for distribution in our area. · Posted article on Campbell Today to be seen by all Campbell employees asking for support. · Campbell WHQ will be making a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund for North Carolina in the coming days.

The devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew was tremendous and deadly. Families were left homeless or without electricity and businesses were destroyed. In the first week after the storm the flooding has begun to recede in some parts of our communities but our relief and recovery efforts must continue. The outpouring of generosity, love, support and prayer has been overwhelming. The prayer service held yesterday was a true testament of unshaken faith, hope and love. Through countless donations from individuals, families, businesses and tribal nations, both locally and nationally, we have been able to provide water, food, diapers and other basic supplies to those affected. Every contribution, great or small has a lasting impact and we cannot thank you enough. Meals have been provided daily as a result of the openhandedness of Campbell’s Soup of Maxton, Perdue Chicken Farms, Chase Farms, Dole Food Company and Operation BBQ Relief. In collaboration with community fire departments and churches, hot meals have been served twice daily to citizens in our communities and shelters, to include those seeking relief supplies here at the Lumbee Tribal Complex. The Public Schools of Robeson County Central Office, its transportation lot and the Planetarium was all under water immediately following Hurricane Matthew. We have and will continue to provide facility space for central office administration to assemble during their critical time of preparing to re-open schools. Robeson County Department of Social Services staff utilized the Tribal Complex today to process more than 700 benefit replacement requests for Food and Nutrition Services recipients with losses related to Hurricane Matthew. DSS staff will be onsite again tomorrow, Sunday, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. as recipients have until October 18 to request a replacement. As our local citizens emerge amid historic flooding, our communities have also emerged to help in this time of need. Relief supplies are being donated to and distributed from the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club located at 120 Youth Drive in Pembroke and are available to ANYONE in need. For distribution information contact Tribal Security at (910) 522-2183.

Dear Community, I want to take the opportunity to thank each of you for your efforts during this critical time. Our community is suffering and the smallest acts of kindness are having the greatest impact. The Lumbee Tribe Hurricane Response Headquarters is staged at the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club located at 120 Youth Drive, Pembroke. Any non-perishable donations including bottled water will be accepted and disbursed throughout the affected communities or delivered to local shelters. Tribal staff and community volunteers have persistently worked to the best of our ability to ensure the basic needs of local citizens are being met. During the past 36 hours non-perishables, bottled water and basic supplies have been distributed to local citizens. Campbell’s Soup of Maxton has coordinated with our efforts to deliver canned goods to the Purnell Swett High School shelter and will be making another delivery to the tribal headquarters today. Tribal staff and community volunteers will continue delivering available resources throughout the affected area. Emergency Management State Director Mike Sprayberry said additional resources from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Military Police, National Guard and North Carolina Forestry Services have been coordinated to cover Red Cross shelters in Robeson County. The Army Corp of Engineers will be onsite to aid and manage available resources. Duke Energy confirmed additional resources are being provided to the Robeson County Water Plant and generators would be provided to each county shelter by 7 p.m. tonight. FEMA will be providing blankets, pillows and clothing to each shelter by nightfall. I encourage local citizens who are able to volunteer to do so through any coordinated effort throughout the affected area. To inquire on volunteering with our efforts contact Tribal Security at (910) 374-9880. For your safety you are encouraged to adhere to the 8 p.m. mandatory curfew for citizens of Robeson County. Many local roads are impassable and many more will become after nightfall. Please continue to keep our community in your prayers. Harvey Godwin, Jr., Lumbee Tribal Chairman

All Lumbee Tribal Offices will be CLOSED until further notice. All essential tribal staff are requested to be on standby.

As a reminder, all tribal buildings will close at 3:00 p.m. today, October 7, 2016. Should any local citizens need to temporarily relocate, the Pembroke Boys & Girls Club is scheduled to open Saturday, October 8 at 12:00 p.m.