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Retired Air Force Col. Phil Locklear was the guest speaker Monday morning for the Lumbee Tribe’s inaugural Memorial Day ceremony at the Cultural Center. More than 200 people attend the ceremony. A group of military veterans from all four branches joined Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin in a wreath-laying ceremony at the veteran’s memorial. And, family members of Lumbee soldiers killed in war placed more than 50 American flags around the veteran’s memorial on the lake. “It’s truly an honor to be here to honor our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Godwin said. “I think it’s important for us to pay homage to these brave men in uniform for what they did to keep our country free. And, we have to make sure we share their stories with others so that their brave legacies live on. We celebrate their lives today and say thank you for what they did.” Dozens of local Lumbee, Tuscarora and other Indian veterans from Robeson and surrounding counties gathered around the veteran’s memorial by the lake as Col. Locklear gave a synopsis of the importance of veteran’s day. Col. Locklear drew applause from the crowd as he described the characters that shape the United States soldier, especially character and integrity. He recalled the days of his youth in the 1970s, dreaming of the day when he would fly an airplane for the Air Force. “I can remember being in the tobacco field and cucumber field watching those C-130s from Pope (Air Force Base) flying over head,” Col. Locklear said. “I told myself I would fly one of the military aircraft one day. Through hard work and perseverance I was able to do just that.” Col. Locklear commended the chairman and the tribe for hosting a ceremony to honor the veterans. He said our country must never forget the sacrifice these brave soldiers made. “They paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” Col. Locklear said. “What does that mean? That means they never came home. We grieve with the families of these men and women today. We have to always remember what they did for us all.” One of the oldest living veterans in the ceremony was retired educator Roland Coulon, a Mohawk Indian who was a prisoner of war in the Korean War. The crowd gave Coulon a rousing applause when he was introduced. Coulon, a reserved man who shuns the spotlight, said he was pleased to see these veterans honored. Many of the Korean War veterans like Coulon were never recognized after coming home from the bloody fighting in Korea, which came to be known as “The Forgotten War.” Coulon and the late Marvin Lowry were both captured and brutalized in Korean prisoner of war camps. He rarely talks about his wartime experiences, only with fellow veterans. Wednesday morning provided him plenty of opportunities to talk. “I just think this is wonderful,” Coulon said. “The tribe has done a great thing here. The soldiers killed in wars must be recognized. I’m just happy to see this ceremony.”

Monday, May 30th at 11am Cultural Center

The Qualified Bidders List for the Rehabilitation Program is now currently open for new applications. The Bidders List is only open twice a year, in January and in June. Any tribal member or American Indian who would like to place their name/business on the Qualified Bidders list for the Lumbee Rehabilitation Program must submit an application to Nichole Dial at the Tribal Housing Complex. Applications may be mailed or hand delivered, but must be received at the Tribal Housing Complex by 3 pm on Friday June 10, 2016. Applications can be mailed to Post Office Box 2709, Pembroke, NC 28372 or be submitted at the complex at 6984 NC Hwy 711 West in Pembroke, NC. Further information or an application may be obtained by contacting Nichole Dial at 910-522- 2213.

Long Lance is another man of Lumbee descent discovered by Dr. Kevin Locklear of Arizona during research for his doctorate degree. This remarkable man’s birth name was Sylvester Clark Long. He was a native of Winston Salem.Like yesterday’s post of Ormer Locklear, Long Lance was a pilot during World War 1. He served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His grave is behind the War Memorial Monument. Long Lance was also a student at Carlisle Indian School with Jim Thorpe and a few Lumbees from Robeson County in the early 1910s.In the 1920s, he worked for a Wild West Show and became immersed in the Native American culture to the point of learning to speak Cherokee fluently.He was also regarded as one of the leading journalists of his time as well as a silent movie star like Ormer Locklear.In 1930, he was in the movie The Silent Enemy under the name of Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance.Suffering from alcoholism and depression, he committed suicide by gunshot in the home of silent film actress Anita Baldwin.

LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH CAROLINA RESTRICTED SOLICITATION THIS INVITATION IS RESTRICTED TO QUALIFIED TRIBAL AND /OR INDIAN OWNED ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE RE-ROOFING OF 22 (TWENTY-TW0) UNITS . THIS IS A SINGLE PRIME SOLICITATION FOR LICENSED GENERAL CONTRACTORS: The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will receive SEALED BIDS, mailed or hand delivered, until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 7 th , 2016 at the Lumbee Tribal Housing Complex located at P.O. Box 2709 ( 6984 NC Hwy. 711 West) Pembroke, North Carolina 28372; ATTN: Grace Deese Oxendine . Bids will be opened and read aloud on Tuesday, June 8 th , 2016 at 11:00 am in Conference Chambers located at the above The Lumbee Tribe is soliciting sealed bids for qualified contractors to remove and replace shingles on 22 units. This work will be performed at Red Hill Apartment complex at 4982 Red Hill Road Maxton NC 28364. Contractors will be responsible for all permits, materials, labor, utilities and removal of debris for the entire project. Contractors must submit documentation of:  General Liability insurance coverage- $500,000  North Carolina General Contractors License (with proper classification)  Workers’ Compensation- $250,000  Surety bid bond, certified check, or letter of irrevocable credit specified for each particular job, equivalent to 5% of the bid price  Statement identifying business as Indian owned and operated  A list of subcontractors and material suppliers.  NOTE: ALL BONDING COMPANIES MUST BE ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY’S LISTING OF APPROVED SURETIES Bids not containing ALL listed items will be deemed incomplete and unacceptable. All qualified proposals meeting required terms and specifications will be evaluated and approval made by the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to constitute the most responsible bid for the services requested. A firm fixed price contract award will be made in writing to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. As stated in 2 CFR part 200.320 (C) (2) For contracts exceeding $150,000, the selected contractor will be required, within 14 calendar days, to produce a payment and performance bond for 100% of contract amount. Contractor is responsible for a builder’s risk insurance policy for each project. 75% of all subcontracts and material suppliers shall be with Tribal and /or Indian-owned economic enterprises and organizations. The submitted list of subcontractors/material suppliers cannot be changed without written permission from the Owner. Contracts may be terminated for improper subcontracting, failure to supply wage or sales tax information, or false certification as to subcontracting with Tribal and/or Indian- owned economic enterprises and organizations. Contact Grace Oxendine at 910-522- 5160 at the Lumbee Tribal Housing Complex located at (6984 NC Hwy. 711, Pembroke, NC 28372) for blueprints and specifications on these homes. A refundable $200 deposit is required for blueprints and specifications. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals presented and the right to waive any informalities or irregularities.

A Lumbee Indian, Lieutenant Ormer Locklear, was a pilot in the United States Air Service during World War I. Locklear would go on to become the world’s greatest wing walker and all-American actor/stuntman. He was one of the biggest actors during the silent film era and was killed after crashing his plane while filming a movie on Aug. 2, 1920. He was only 30.

The LUMBEE Tribe of North Carolina, North Carolina Military Business Center and the University of North Carolina – Pembroke will host the 2016 Lumbee Nation Economic Development Summit on June 1-2 in Pembroke, North Carolina. When. June 1-2, 2016 Where. The University of North Carolina – Pembroke 1 University Drive, Pembroke, NC 28372 Campus Map Purpose. Building New Economic Opportunity The LUMBEE Nation will feature access to Tribal leaders, members of Congress, Federal agency leadership, state and local elected officials and top business leaders. Attendees will benefit from high caliber networking, teaming opportunities, business development sessions, a Business Tradeshow and an American Indian Artisan Market. The event, strongly supported by the State of NC, will be a conduit to new opportunities for today’s American Indian enterprises. The Summit will include the a traditional exhibitor trade show and expo with Native American businesses showcasing their products and services – to include will include an American Indian Art Market with Native American vendors showcasing their wares. Art Market booth locations are available on first come first serve basis. This event is expected to draw participants and provide an outstanding opportunity to network as well as showcase your products and services to Native American businesses doing business across the country. Exhibitor booth locations are available on first come first serve basis. Summit Partners include: Lumbee Regional Development Association North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs Robeson Community College Robeson County Economic Development Commission Small Business and Technology Development Center Procurement and Technical Assistance Center Registration click here Flyer click here Agenda click here Sponsorship click here

Rest in peace to Mr. Murrill Morris Lowry, one quite remarkable man. I had to privilege of doing an interview with Mr. Murrill five years ago at his home in Indianapolis, Indiana. He shared some wonderful stories with me. Mr. Murrill was the first Lumbee to obtain a Ph.D., was a college professor and was the Public Safety Director for the City of Indianapolis. There were only a few police officers working for local municipalities here in Robeson County at the time he was named to the post in 1973 in Indianapolis, one of the largest cities in America. He was reserved about his own accomplishments, and remarked his proudest accomplishments in life were seeing his children graduate from Ivy league colleges, including two who were valedictorians at Harvard. Mr. Murrill was no stranger to honors. He was the first valedictorian at the first Pembroke High School, which opened in 1939 as the first nationally accredited Indian school in America. He was one of 118 UNC Pembroke college students drafted into World War II. He was seriously wounded and nearly died in combat in France in 1945, remaining hospitalized until 1946. A guy who truly represented his Lumbee people and his country well…RIP Mr. Murrill…

Kay Littleturtle delivers a stirring honor song during the tribe’s veteran’s memorial program Wednesday. About 120 people attended the program, featuring guest speaker Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. Kay Littleturtle delivers a stirring honor song during the tribe’s veteran’s memorial program Wednesday. About 120 people attended the program, featuring guest speaker Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

Byron Jones, commander of the Pembroke VFW post, presents a $1,000 check as a donation to the new Indian memorial to Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. Over was the guest speaker at a program the tribe hosted Wednesday at the Boys and Girls Club to discuss the new veteran’s monument. About 120 people, mostly veterans, attended the program.

Larry Townsend, the Rev. Gary Deese, and Furnie Lambert of the Lumbee Warriors Association pinned a Lumbee Warrior’s pin on Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. Gover was the guest speaker at a program Wednesday the tribe hosted at the Boys and Girls Club about the new Indian veteran’s memorial scheduled to be built in Washington D.C. in three years. About 120 people attended the program.

Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C., presents Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin with the book “Warriors in uniform” after a program to announce the new Indian veteran’s memorial in our nation’s capital. Over was the guest speaker. About 120 people attended the program at the tribe’s Boys and Girls Club.