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Tree-planting ceremony Saturday at Lumbee Tribe’s Indian Cultural Center. Evening program to highlight tribe’s centuries old struggle for full federal recognition, honor past tribal leaders who have led the fight for full federal recognition. PEMBROKE – The Lumbee Tribe will hold a tree-planting ceremony Saturday evening at the tribe’s Cultural Center off Recreation Road in the Red Banks community near Pembroke. Everyone is invited to the ceremony, which starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday marked the 60th anniversary of the Lumbee Act of 1956 that gave the tribe partial federal recognition. The tree-planting ceremony will honor tribal leaders like the late Rev. D.F. Lowry. He led the Lumbee Tribe’s recognition efforts during the first half of the last century. Dozens of other Lumbee leaders worked tirelessly on behalf of the people for full federal recognition from the 1800s on. Those folks will be honored in the Saturday ceremony as well. Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin and Tribal Councilman Jarrod Lowery will lead the ceremony. Lowery is chairman of the tribe’s federal recognition committee heading up efforts to get the tribe’s current bill approved. “I encourage all Lumbee people to take part in the political process,” Lowery said. “The success of full federal recognition rest in part on the participation and input from the average Lumbee person.” Lowery encourages tribal members to call, email and write their United States Congressman and Senator to ask for support for H.R. 184 and S. 2285. “The success and prosperity of the Lumbee people does not hinge on the efforts of one person or a few, but on the ability for us to come together as a unified community and work toward a common goal such as full federal recognition,” Lowery said. “While we do honor, we cannot rest on the laurels of our ancestors, but put our best foot forward for future generations and for our children. Today, I call to action every Lumbee to do your civic duty and join the fight for full federal recognition.” Lowery said they will plant the tree on the lake at the cultural center to symbolize a new beginning in the efforts toward full federal recognition. “Everyone is encouraged to come out for the ceremonial tree planting as we recognize our tribal elders who have fought for our recognition. We anticipate a huge crowd for the event. God bless the Lumbee Tribe,” Councilman Jarrod Lowery said. Additional information on the program will be available on Facebook, at www.lumbeetribe.com on the web or by calling(910) 521-7861.

I want to inform the tribal membership that the Lumbee Tribe did in no way authorize R.A. Jeffries, the local Budweiser distributor, to use the tribe’s logo, website information or an image of a tribal dancer in a recent beer advertisement posted at several area convenience stores. As alcohol and drug abuse are often associated with Native American culture, the use of the Lumbee tribal brand and an image of a Native American dancer in an advertisement promoting an alcohol product is viewed as particularly offensive to Lumbee People. I made contact with officials today at Anheuser-Busch to resolve this matter. I will provide an update to the Lumbee People as more information is available. As your Lumbee Tribal Chairman, I vow to make sure those responsible for this offensive ad will be held accountable. Thank you, Lumbee Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin

Red Springs senior Antwaun McNeill was one of 17 Robeson County baseball players named first-team all-confernce. McNeill hit .301 with a team-high 16 RBIs for the Red Devils. Anton, aka “Twig,” is shown here pitching in recent action for Red Springs. Congratulations on your selection Antwaun.

Mike Miller, Senior Director of Operations at Campbell Soup in Maxton, toured the Lumbee Tribe’s headquarters earlier today with Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin. The chairman he was pleased to have Miller as a special guest at the tribal office. He said it’s important for the tribe to develop corporate partnerships to let others know what the tribe offers to the community.“It was a pleasure to have Mr. Miller with us today,” Godwin said. “I think it’s important for our tribal government to reach out to the various businesses and organizations within our communities to keep them informed on what our tribe is doing. We have a lot of wonderful activities and functions and we need to make sure we keep everyone informed about what the tribe has to offer.”Godwin said it is especially important to reach out to businesses and companies like Campbell Soup. The major food manufacturer prides itself on its long-standing commitment to the communities where they live and work.Campbell Soup donated more than $2 million in food locally last year, Miller said.And, a group of local Indians called the Maxton American Indian Network, volunteered at this years Dance of the Spring Moon powwow May 6-8. The three-day event at the Lumbee Tribe’s Indian Cultural Center drew thousands of spectators and organizers say the Campbell Soup volunteers greatly contributed to a successful event.Godwin explained the tribe’s governmental process to Miller as they toured the spacious council chambers. He also took the Campbell Soup executive through the tribe’s enrollment office and other departments before heading to the Boys and Girls Club next door.Kelvin Melvin is the manager of the Pembroke club. He gave Miller a brief history of the tribe’s Boys and Girls program during a tour of the facility, which is located just behind the main tribal complex.Melvin pointed out during his presentation to Miller how one club member convinced his father to donate a pallet soup to a recent food drive the club sponsored. The member who raised the most can goods was awarded a prize, which the child won hands down.“He had a definite advantage,” Melvin said laughing.The tour concluded in the spacious full size gymnasium adjoining the Boys and Girls Club’s main building.Campbell Soup’s Maxton plant has been honored numerous times through it’s nearly 35-year history in Robeson County.The United Way of North Carolina honored the soup manufacturer with its Spirit of North Carolina Campaigning for Excellence award two years ago after the company’s 850 Maxton employees pledged more than $200,000 to various Robeson County and Scotland County United Way activities in Robeson and Scotland Counties. Campbell Soup also donated hundreds of bicycles and thousands of pounds of food to families at Christmas. The Maxton soup company also sponsors teams on the annual Relay for Life event, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.In addition to the plant’s annual involvement with United Way activities, Mike Miller, Senior Director of Operations at Campbell, serves on the United Way of Robeson County board of directors and Meredith Hale, Senior Manager of Human Resources, serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Scotland County, according to the Campbell Soup website.Company officials say that they “are proud to continue our commitment to our local communities and are proud of our Maxton employees for bringing that commitment to life in so many ways,” according to the website.

Lumbee Pride!!! That is what we are all about. Let us all know that this is a symbol of pride for our people. And, let’s all represent our tribe with a sense of pride that reflects this great symbol. Let’s always defend our pride and our people. We are a great people and let’s never forget that. The Lumbees are some of the most beautiful, talented, and intelligent people God ever created. Let’s always be sure to support one another and lift our fellow man up like our ancestors did a long time ago.

Customer service is what Lanedra Strickland, left, and Kristie Revels, right, are all about. These women are the faces and voices of the Lumbee Tribe. The pair are known for their excellent customer service skills, greeting visitors to the tribal complex with friendly voices and warm smiles. Lanedra is the main office receptionist and Kristie is the Tribal Housing Office Manager. Lanedra is the daughter of the Rev. Jimmy and Brenda Strickland. She lives in Pembroke with her 18-year-old son. Lanedra has worked for the tribe for about a year.Kristie is the daughter of Wesley and Sharon Revels. She lives in Pembroke with her daughter and two sons. Kristie has worked for the tribe for nearly five years. Anyone looking for information on tribal services and programs may reach Lanedra or Kristie at (910) 521-7861 or visit on the web

The work is almost done on Donald and Roshawna Deese’s new home on Preston Road in the Preston community near Pembroke. Lumbee tribal contractors put the finishing touches on the driveway earlier today. Anthony Holden is the tribe’s director of new construction. He said work on the house should be completed in about two more weeks. Construction of the 1,537-square-foot home began March 9. Roshawna Deese said she was pleased with the progress contractors have made. She said she seriously considered selecting house plan No. 7 before deciding on plan No. 8 earlier this year. “This was the plan I liked when I first saw it,” Deese said. “It was a difficult decision because I liked things about both of them. I just think it’s beautiful.”The Deese family lived in a 14x70 two-bedroom two bath mobile home with their three children. She said they added a new room about five years ago. The new home has four bedrooms and two baths. And, the home features one special amenity that greatly influenced Deese’s decision to select plan No. 8 in the end.“I love the front porch,” she said. “That’s what got me. And, I like the fact that it has four bedrooms. I wanted one for each child.”Patrick Lowery was the contractor on the home. She said he has been great to work with throughout the building process. Lowery is a veteran builder who has worked for the tribe for several years.“Patrick is a good contractor,” Roshawna Deese said. “We couldn’t ask for anything better. We have no complaints. Everything has been good.”Despite the rainy weather this spring, construction workers have managed to keep the project on track, according to New Housing Director Anthony Holden.And, Deese has made several changes to the original plans, including getting an upgrade on stainless steel sinks, countertops, cabinets and light fixtures. She said she went with all LED lighting, which cost more.To compensate for the added expenses, she has agreed to pay for her own appliances. For now, she is ready to move into her new home.She is looking forward to playing with her children on the plush living room carpet.“It’s been a long time coming,” she said with a wide smile. “I can’t wait.”For more information on qualifying for a new home through the Lumbee Tribe’s New Housing program, call Director Anthony Holden or Housing Manager Kathy Locklear at (910) 521-8621 or visit on web.

Lumbee Tribe housing inspector Patrick Hunt checks a new construction project on Preston Road near Pembroke in March. Construction on the new home is almost complete. New Construction Manager Anthony Holden said the tribe’s housing department inspects new construction projects daily to ensure that contractors are following building codes. Holden said the tribe sets its codes in accordance with the county’s building codes, but inspects daily to make sure contractors are using quality materials and building the homes to the highest possible standard. The Lumbee Tribe recently completed work on six houses that started last year and has another five under construction. The tribe recently accepted bids on four new homes with construction set to begin this week, according to Holden. He said he expects to get bids for four additional houses in August. For more information, call Anthony Holden or Kathy Locklear at (910) 521-7861 or visitwww.lumbeetribe.com on the web.

Construction on this new Lumbee tribal house on Preston Road is almost complete. New Construction Manager Anthony Holden said the Lumbee Tribe recently completed work on six houses that started last year. This is one of five new homes under construction. Holden said the tribe recently accepted bids on four new homes with construction set to begin this week. He said he expects to get bids on four additional houses in August. For more information, call Anthony Holden or Kathy Locklear at (910) 521-7861 or visit www.lumbeetribe.com on the web.

The exterior construction on this new home the Lumbee Tribe is building on Whistling Rufus Road in the Prospect Community near Pembroke is almost complete, as well as the interior work. The Lumbee Tribe recently completed work on six houses that started last year, according to New Construction Manager Anthony Holden. This home is one of five under construction. Holden said the tribe recently accepted bids on four new homes with construction set to begin this week. He said he expects to get bids for four additional houses in August. Anyone with questions about the Lumbee Tribe’s new housing program may reach Anthony Holden or Kathy Locklear at (910) 521-7861 or visitwww.lumbeetribe.com on the web.

Ashley Barton is an administrative assistant for the Lumbee Tribe’s eEnergy department. She has worked for the tribe for four years. Ashley started working in the energy department in March after having previously worked as mentor coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club. She said she really enjoys her job because she has a chance to help fellow tribal members. “I just think it’s wonderful getting to meet such a diverse segment of the Lumbee community,” she said. “We get to meet Lumbees from all over the United States.” Ashley is 31 and is a 2003 graduate of Purnell Swett High School. She lives in Pembroke with her three children. Ashley is the daughter of Roger Barton and the late Teresa Barton. Ashley said the mission of The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Department of Energy is to serve as a service institution for American Indian families in Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties by addressing household heating and cooling issues through safe, healthy and educational initiatives. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides families and individuals with cash benefits toward their household heating and cooling source. The payment is sent directly to provider on their behalf. For more information, call Patrick Strickland, Department of Energy Manager at (910) 522-2206 or send an email to on the web.

Congratulations Judge Dale Deese on your new position as district court judge in Robeson County. The Lumbee people are prou.d of how well you have represented us through the years. Best wishes on your new job