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On behalf of the Lumbee tribal government, I would like to extend a heartfelt Merry Christmas and wishes for a Happy New Year to all our tribal members, as well as our friends and neighbors. As we reflect upon memories of holidays past and seek to create new memories this season, let us remember those who have lost so much in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Many are still in the midst of clean-up and restoration efforts, while some will never be able to fully recover all that was lost. Our prayers continue to be with these families. I would like to also extend prayers for the safety and well-being of all our military personnel, wherever they may be. In the Spirit of the Season, be blessed and enjoy a safe and wondrous Christmas and New Year! Harvey Godwin, Jr. Tribal Chairman

December 5, 2016, DR-4285-NC NR 078 FEMA News Desk: (404) 358-2776 NEWS RELEASE North Carolina Flood Survivors: You Have More Time to File Proof of Loss RALEIGH, N.C. – If you are a North Carolina homeowner, renter or business owner with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program there’s still time to gather the information you need to file a Proof of Loss for your damaged property. Because some properties only recently became accessible, the normal 60-day deadline has been extended to 120 days from the date floodwaters first invaded your home or business. File your claim with your insurance agent and compile the information you need to support it. Photos, videos and receipts are helpful in establishing the value of your property and possessions. Check with your agent for requirements. If you had to dispose of items before the adjuster inspected your property and don’t have photos, it will help if you have the make, model and serial numbers of appliances, heaters, furnaces and water heaters that were hauled away. If you cannot prove that your belongings were brand new at the time of the flooding, the insurance adjuster may depreciate their value. Any information you can produce to show that your property was new or in almost new condition may increase the amount of your insurance settlement. If you already have been offered a settlement that you consider too low, you may appeal and submit any information you have to back up your appeal. Call the agent who sold you the NFIP policy if you have questions. If you wish to speak with a representative of the NFIP about flood insurance, call 800-621-3362 and press Option 2. North Carolina Flood Survivors: You Have More Time to File Proof of Loss-Page 2 A blank NFIP Proof of Loss document is available online. For more information on North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4285 and readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency. ### Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585. FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters. Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

As a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina you have the right to voice your opinion and the way to do this is by voting in the Tribal Election on November 29, 2016. There are seven districts that are up for election and they are Districts 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, and 13. However, five of these districts are uncontested and therefore will not require a vote. The districts that will have an election are Districts 6 and 12. District 6 encompasses North Pembroke and Raft Swamp, this seat is currently being held by Larry Townsend. Mr. Townsend is seeking for re-election and running against him is Larry Chavis. The polling sites for District 6 are Morgan-Britt Community Building 100 Oxendine Cir. Lumberton, NC 28360 and Indian Education Resource Center 818 W 3rd St Pembroke, NC 28372. District 12 encompasses Maxton, Alfordsville, and Scotland County, this seat is currently being held by Areatha Patterson. Ms. Patterson is seeking for re-election and running against her is Annie Taylor. The polling sites for District 12 are Lumbee Heritage Elders Court 16220 Lumbee Heritage Lane Laurinburg, NC 28352 and Evans Cross Roads Fire Department 1590 Cabinet Shop Rd Maxton, NC 28364. The polling sites will open at 6:30 am and will close at 7:30 pm. You must be 18 years old, have a current membership with the tribe, and reside in the one of the electoral districts to vote, unless you live outside of the tribal territory and have permanently designated one of these districts. Now is the time to vote and let your voice be heard.

The following article from The Baltimore Sun highlights how our traditions remind us and reveal who we are, helping us to carry home wherever we may roam. Click the link below for the full article. ~ ~ http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bs-fo-lumbee-cooking-20161115-story.html

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is preparing for the arrival of former President Bill Clinton. Chairman Harvey Godwin, Jr. will offer opening remarks to welcome the former President of the United States to North Carolina's Historically American Indian University (UNC Pembroke) and Land of the Lumbee. Chairman Godwin joined Senator Richard Burr in September to provide testimony during a hearing on the Lumbee Recognition Act and plans to continue his bipartisan efforts to obtain full recognition on behalf of the Lumbee people. The former President is expected to talk with students, faculty and staff about early voting in North Carolina.

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.