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Senior Ms. Lumbee 2015 Angeleta Hunt crowns the new 2016 Senior Ms. Lumbee Wanda Locklear-McCall during the annual senior pageant at Robeson Community College's A.D. Lewis Auditorium. Vista Grey Locklear was first-runner up and Betty Locklear was second runner up.

Dennis Banks addresses the crowd Saturday morning at a Dillon County, S.C. convenience store parking lot before leading the “Longest Walk 5” across the state line into Robeson County, N.C. The group of walkers Banks is leading is walking from California to Washington, D.C. to bring attention to the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Indian communities. They left San Diego on Feb. 13 and are scheduled to arrive in our nation’s capital on July 15, completing a 3,600-mile trip. Banks is the co-founder of the American Indian Movement. The 79-year-old Indian activist said he was pleased with his reception. Flag bearers representing various tribes have led the “Longest Walk 5” on a 3,300-mile journey from California. The group arrived in Robeson County on Saturday and will be staying at the Lumbee Tribe’s Boys and Girls Club untilWednesday. The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness about drug abuse and domestic violence in the Indian community. Support and community volunteers are needed for the Longest Walk 5. To volunteer call Reggie Brewer at (910) 301-0351or Kim Pevia at (910) 774-6328. Donations may be sent to Louise Mitchell at 622 Wiregrass Rd., Lumberton, N.C. 28358. Money will go toward buying food for the walkers. For more information, visit www.longestwalk.us or visithttp://www.TheLongestWalk.com/ on Facebook. Shelby Strickland shares an old Polaroid photo of her and Dennis Banks from nearly 40 years ago when the Indian activist visited Robeson County. Banks returned on Saturday, leading the “Longest Walk 5” across the state line into Robeson County, N.C. The group of walkers Banks is leading is walking from California to Washington, D.C. to bring attention to the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Indian communities. They left San Diego on Feb. 13 and are scheduled to arrive in our nation’s capital on July 15, completing a 3,600-mile trip. Banks is the co-founder of the American Indian Movement. The “Longest Walk 5” came across the state line into Robeson County, N.C. on Saturday morning, led by a contingent of Lumbee and Tuscarora Indians. The group of walkers is led by Dennis Banks. They are walking from California to Washington, D.C. to bring attention to the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Indian communities. They left San Diego on Feb. 13 and are scheduled to arrive in our nation’s capital on July 15, completing a 3,600-mile trip. Banks is the co-founder of the American Indian Movement. Support and community volunteers are needed for the Longest Walk 5. To volunteer call Reggie Brewer at (910) 301-0351 or Kim Pevia at (910) 774-6328. Donations may be sent to Louise Mitchell at 622 Wiregrass Rd., Lumberton, N.C. 28358. Money will go toward buying food for the walkers. For more information, visit www.longestwalk.us or visit http://www.TheLongestWalk.com/ on Facebook. The “Longest Walk 5” came across the state line into Robeson County, N.C. on Saturday morning, led by a contingent of Lumbee and Tuscarora Indians. The group of walkers is led by Dennis Banks. They are walking from California to Washington, D.C. to bring attention to the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Indian communities. They left San Diego on Feb. 13 and are scheduled to arrive in our nation’s capital on July 15, completing a 3,600-mile trip. Banks is the co-founder of the American Indian Movement. Support and community volunteers are needed for the Longest Walk 5. To volunteer call Reggie Brewer at (910) 301-0351 or Kim Pevia at (910) 774-6328. Donations may be sent to Louise Mitchell at 622 Wiregrass Rd., Lumberton, N.C. 28358. Money will go toward buying food for the walkers. For more information, visit www.longestwalk.us or visit http://www.TheLongestWalk.com/ on Facebook. Miss Lumbee Alexis Jones performs “Lean on Me” for participants of the Longest Walk 5 Saturday afternoon at the Lumbee Regional Development Association after the group arrived in Robeson County. The “Longest Walk 5” came across the state line into Robeson County, N.C. on Saturday morning, led by a contingent of Lumbee and Tuscarora Indians. The group of walkers is led by Dennis Banks. They are walking from California to Washington, D.C. to bring attention to the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Indian communities. They left San Diego on Feb. 13 and are scheduled to arrive in our nation’s capital on July 15, completing a 3,600-mile trip. Banks is the co-founder of the American Indian Movement. Support and community volunteers are needed for the Longest Walk 5. To volunteer call Reggie Brewer at (910) 301-0351 or Kim Pevia at (910) 774-6328. Donations may be sent to Louise Mitchell at 622 Wiregrass Rd., Lumberton, N.C. 28358. Money will go toward buying food for the walkers. For more information, visit www.longestwalk.us or visithttp://www.TheLongestWalk.com/ on Facebook. Senior Ms. Lumbee Angeleta Hunt poses with Indian activist Dennis Banks on Saturday at a powwow at the Lumbee Tribe’s Indian Cultural Center. The “Longest Walk 5” came across the state line into Robeson County, N.C. on Saturdaymorning, led by a contingent of Lumbee and Tuscarora Indians. Banks is leading the group of walkers. They are walking from California to Washington, D.C. to bring attention to the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Indian communities. They left San Diego on Feb. 13 and are scheduled to arrive in our nation’s capital on July 15, completing a 3,600-mile trip. Banks is the co-founder of the American Indian Movement. Support and community volunteers are needed for the Longest Walk 5. To volunteer call Reggie Brewer at (910) 301-0351 or Kim Pevia at (910) 774-6328. Donations may be sent to Louise Mitchell at 622 Wiregrass Rd., Lumberton, N.C. 28358. Money will go toward buying food for the walkers. For more information, visit www.longestwalk.us or visit http://www.TheLongestWalk.com/ on Facebook. Red Rum, a local motorcycle group, led the Longest Walk 5 walkers into North Carolina on Saturday morning as they crossed the state line on U.S. 301 south of Dillon, N.C. The bikers relax at the end of the day after a powwow at the Lumbee Tribe’s Indian Cultural Center. The group of walkers is led by Dennis Banks. They are walking from California to Washington, D.C. to bring attention to the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Indian communities. They left San Diego on Feb. 13 and are scheduled to arrive in our nation’s capital on July 15, completing a 3,600-mile trip. Banks is the co-founder of the American Indian Movement. Support and community volunteers are needed for the Longest Walk 5. To volunteer call Reggie Brewer at (910) 301-0351 or Kim Pevia at (910) 774-6328. Donations may be sent to Louise Mitchell at 622 Wiregrass Rd., Lumberton, N.C. 28358. Money will go toward buying food for the walkers. For more information, visit www.longestwalk.us or visithttp://www.TheLongestWalk.com/ on Facebook.

Leader says group feels welcome and appreciates reception after 3,300 miles on the road PEMBROKE – Dennis Banks said he has never seen anything quite like the reception the Lumbee Tribe gave him on Saturday – except witnessing the birth of his child. While it’s hard to compete with someone watching their child’s birth, the thunderous roar of a dozen Harley Davidson motorcycles leading the way across the South Carolina line for protest walkers Saturday morning definitely left a lasting impression. And, the dozens of enthusiastic Lumbee and Tuscarora Indians who joined in the walk with the prominent Indian activist left their mark as well. “I want to say thank you to the Red Rum motorcycle club for leading the way for us,” Banks said shortly after reaching Robeson County along U.S. 301 just south of Rowland. “There’s no greater feeling than having your brothers alongside you. The way you owned the road in front of us protecting the walkers was awesome. “We finally felt it. We felt welcomed. An old man is not supposed to cry, but I can’t help it. This is the first time we’ve felt this way.” Banks is leading a group of about 50 natives from across the United States on the “Longest Walk 5,” a 3,600-mile trek that started in San Diego, Ca. on Feb. 13 and ends in Washington, D.C. on July 15. And, on the 140th anniversary of his tribal ancestors’ defeat of Lt. Col. George Armstrong and the U.S. 7th Calvary at the Battle of Little Big Horn, Banks continued to praise his Native American people for their hard work and encourage them to continue the battle. “This land will always be ours,” Banks said. “We have a big job ahead of us. If we don’t forget our past and forget our roots, we will be victorious.” Banks said the purpose of the walk is to bring attention to the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in Indian communities. He talked candidly about the brutal murder of his granddaughter and encouraged others to join him in spreading a message to end drugs and the violence leading to thousands of deaths among Indians annually. The walkers will be in Pembroke until Wednesday. The Lumbee Tribe will provide shelter and food until they continue on their journey. The group will tour several historic sites while in Robeson County. They are scheduled to meet with tribal leaders and community members to discuss the issue of drug abuse and domestic violence in the Indian community. It will not be all work and no fun. The group is scheduled to attend several Lumbee Homecoming events this week. The Lumbee Regional Development Association hosted them for lunch. The walkers said air conditioned building was a huge relief after 3,300 miles on the road – many in temperatures approaching triple digits. Organizers fed them a traditional Robeson County Indian meal of chicken and pastry with sweet tea, croissants and salad. They attended an afternoon powwow where Banks and the others were honored for their work on behalf of Indians nationwide. Jeff Hunt is a Tuscarora tribal chief in Robeson County. He said he remembers meeting Banks when the American Indian Movement Banks helped co-found came to the Robeson County Board of Education to protest for Indian schools. Hunt was 13 at the times. “I remembering standing on the steps watching him,” Hunt said. “I have been really inspired by Dennis Banks through the years. I want to give thanks to him for all he’s done for the Lumbees and Tuscaroras. We are one Native people and a strong people because of men like him. Thank you my brother for being my brother. He’s a hero to our Indian people.” Support and community volunteers are needed. To volunteer call Reggie Brewer at (910) 301-0351 or Kim Pevia at (910) 774-6328. Donations may be sent to Louise Mitchell at 622 Wiregrass Rd., Lumberton, N.C. 28358. Money will go toward buying food for the walkers. For more information, visit www.longestwalk.us or visit http://www.TheLongestWalk.com/ on Facebook. Dennis Banks Native American activist, educator Dennis Banks is a Native American leader, teacher, lecturer, activist and author. He is an Anishinaabe born on Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Banks is also known as Nowa Cumig. Born: April 12, 1937 (age 79), Leech Lake Indian Reservation Organization co-founded: American Indian Movement Children: Darla Banks, Tokala Banks, Janice Banks, Tiopa Banks, More Books: Ojibwa Warrior Movies: The Last of the Mohicans, Older than America Grandchildren: Martina Day, Phillip Day, Cameron Day, Tayaira Day Contact: dennisbanks.org

McGee family surprised to learn their home was a milestone for the Lumbee Tribe’s new home construction program FAIRMONT – Bobby and Jenny McGee had no idea their new home marked a milestone for the Lumbee Tribe’s housing program. Tribal housing officials had no idea either until a recent check of housing records reveled it is in fact the 175th house built through the tribe’s new home construction program. Anthony Holden is the director of the tribe’s new construction program. He led a group of tribal officials who met with the family on June 4 to congratulate them on the milestone associated with their new home. They shared a huge cake with a picture of the tribal logo, a new home and vintage photos of tribal elders. Candle numbers “175” burned atop the cake on the McGee’s island countertop in their spacious new kitchen. “It gives us great gratification to know that we’ve helped that many people get into quality homes they can call their own,” Holden said. “This is just fabulous making sure our tribal members get into nice homes. We are working hard to build the highest quality home at the lowest price. To reach 175 homes for our Lumbee families is great, especially considering we are getting them in new, energy-efficient homes. It just makes us want to do more to help the people.” The McGee family moved into their new three-bedroom two-bath ranch home about three months ago. The home is on Turkey Branch Road a mile north of Fairmont. District 2 Tribal Councilman Terry Hunt of Fairmont said he is pleased with the growth and development of the tribal housing program. He said it’s always great to help families like the McGees. “It’s a great thing,” Hunt said. “It’s an honor to do that and wonderful to be able to help our people.” The McGees were initially undecided about which of the tribe’s eight house plans they liked best until they eventually fell in love with plan No. 1, a 1,448-square-foot beauty wrapped in brick. They live in the home with their 16-year-old daughter Courtney. The notion of having a more spacious, modern living facility was especially appealing to Courtney. She is a rising senior at Fairmont High School with plans to attend college to pursue a career in the medical field after she graduates next spring. “I love it,” Courtney said. “It’s a nice home and it has way more room.” The McGees have been married for four years. They met on the job at Gaston Sealey Co., where both sale farm implement supplies. Bobby McGee has worked there for 13 years and his wife has been there six years. “The love just blossomed from there,” said Bobby McGee, in between acknowledging the laughs he gets from Janis Joplin’s 1971 posthumously-released No. 1 song that made his name famous. Their new home is only a few minutes away from their job on property originally owned by his wife. They said the family had little room in the 14X80 three-bedroom two-bath singlewide mobile home where they previously lived. “We love the house,” he said. “The mobile home was cramped, but the house has much more room.” McGee said he was familiar with many of the tribe’s programs when he applied for tribal housing assistance in 2012. His parents, Bobby Sr. and Elizabeth Oxendine McGee had received rehabilitation assistance earlier to install new vinyl siding, shingles, windows, doors and a heating system in their home. He said he initially went in to apply for down payment assistance to purchase a doublewide mobile home. McGee said he changed his mind about getting the doublewide after he met with Mona Rimberg, a veteran housing specialist who has worked at the tribe for 13 years. Rimberg still remembers the conversation nearly three years later. She says she is greatly satisfied that everything fell in place for the McGees to get their new home. “It makes you feel better when you have a family qualify and get a new home,” Rimberg. “We go over all the programs with them and let them know their best option.” Buying a doublewide for $80,000 at a high interest rate over 30 years was not this family’s best option, she said. Now, the family has a $488 monthly payment over 30 years on a stick-built home versus a payment between $900-$1,200 on a mobile home that may not last over the life of the mortgage. A conversation between Bobby McGee and Rimberg about down payment assistance turned into a lecture on the tribe’s housing program options. “We make sure they understand the program and what works best for them,” Rimberg said. McGee smiles as he strolls across the porch of his new home. Looking back on the whole process, he said he is pleased with how tribal workers like Rimberg and Holden helped his family and others. He has a brother who is now applying for services. “I think the program is great,” McGee said. “I’m glad they are helping our people. I know a lot of people who have been helped. I think its great and our people are well blessed to have these kinds of services available to us.” Holden said the Lumbee Tribe recently completed work on six houses that started last year. There are now five 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 for four additional houses in August. Anyone with questions about the Lumbee Tribe’s new housing program may reach Anthony Holden or Housing Manager Kathy Locklear at (910) 521-7861 or visit www.lumbeetribe.com on the web.

The 8th annual Senior Ms. Lumbee Pageant set for June 27 at Robeson Community College PEMBROKE – The 2016 Senior Ms. Lumbee Pageant will be held June 27 at the A.D. Lewis Auditorium at Robeson Community College in Lumberton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the pageant starts at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Admission is only $5 for seniors ages 55 and older, and military members with valid identification. Children 5 and under will be admitted free. There will be no advance ticket sales. Bobby Deal Family will be the pre-show entertainers. Dylan Deal and “By Faith Alone” will also provide special entertainment throughout the show. Lumbee Tribal employee Bobbi Jo Oxendine is the pageant director. She has overseen the pageant since 2010. “I believe this will be one of the tribe’s best pageants ever. The talented group of contestants in this year’s event is probably the most competitive group I’ve worked with in the six years I’ve directed the pageant,” Oxendine said. Angeleta Hunt of Fairmont is the reigning Senior Ms. Lumbee. She won the June 29, 2015 competition in a field of four other contestants, Mona Swett Canady, Betty Oxendine, Joan Blackwell and Betty Locklear. Hunt said meeting people and interacting with others at various events during her reign have been most rewarding. Delivering meals to elders in the community and listening to their stories always intrigued her she said. One particular event that stands out was the day she met James Moore and heard him reciting a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem word for word. “That really left a lasting impression on me,” Hunt said. “I also remember one of our elderly women reading scriptures from the Bible. That touched me. The heritage we have and where we come from and where we have gone is remarkable. We have elders out there like them carrying it on. That interaction is what has really stuck with me.” Mollie Jacobs won the first Senior Ms. Lumbee title in 2009. Her rendition of the song “We’re having the time of our lives” is one of the iconic moments of the pageant. She went on to compete in the North Carolina Indian Senior Citizen Coalition pageant later that year. She passed her crown down to first runner-up Helen Campbell who served as Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Senior Ms. Lumbee for the remainder of the year. Jacobs remains an ardent supporter of the pageant. She said she enjoyed her brief, but historic reign as the first Senior Ms. Lumbee. “It gives the elders something productive to do,” Jacobs said. “We have a lot of things to share. We can teach the children things they are not taught at home. I think it’s wonderful.” There are four Lumbee women vying for the Senior Ms. Lumbee crown. The 2016 pageant contestants are: * Contestant No. 1 is Vista Grey Locklear of Maxton. Her talent is singing. * Contestant No. 2 is Betty Jane Locklear of Pembroke. Her talent is singing. * Contestant No. 3 is Joan Blackwell of Lumberton. Her talent is art demonstration. * Contestant No. 4 is Wanda Locklear McCall of Spring Lake. Her talent is singing. Contestants will compete in a talent and regalia competition, in addition to an on stage question and answer interview segment. The talent competition is normally the most popular portion of the Senior Miss Lumbee pageant. Talent presentations are limited to four minutes. Oxendine said contestants’ scores would not be available until after the pageant. She said contestants who want to see their scores would need to make an appointment with her. “No one will be allowed to pick up a participant’s score sheets from the office or view the scores on their behalf,” Oxendine said. “This is a confidentiality issue that we must to adhere to.” For more information please contact Bobbi Jo Oxendine at 910-522-2196 or visit the Lumbee Tribe’s website at lumbeetribe.com on the web. Sr. Miss Lumbee winners since 2009 * 2009 Mollie Jacobs, Helen Campbell 2010 Eva Oxendine 2011 Linda Lowery 2012 Eleanor Chavis 2013 Mable Moses 2014 Joyce McMillian 2015 Angeleta Hunt * Mollie Jacobs went on to compete in the North Carolina Indian Senior Citizen Coalition pageant later that year. She passed her crown down to first runner up Helen Campbell who served as Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Senior Ms. Lumbee for the remainder of the year.

The 2016 Senior Ms. Lumbee Pageant Contestants Contestant Number #1 Vista Locklear Contestant Number #2 Betty Locklear Contestant Number #3 Joan Blackwell Contestant Number 4~ Wanda Locklear -McCall

Congratulations to Furnie Lambert on his new appointment as North Carolina Chairman for the Commission of Indian Affairs. The retired U.S. Marine continues to represent our people well.

The Lumbee Tribe filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement and unfair and deceptive trade practices against Anheuser-Busch and R.A. Jeffreys Distributing Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The lawsuit is captioned Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina v. Anheuser-Busch, LLC et al, Case No. 7:16-cv-00148-BO. The lawsuit was filed because of the confusion and outrage created by advertisements for Budweiser and Bud Light which prominently include the Lumbee Tribe’s name, logo, and “HERITAGE, PRIDE & STRENGTH” slogan as well as Tribe-related imagery. In the advertisements, the Lumbee Tribe’s name and trademarks appear in close connection with the Budweiser and Bud Light trademarks in a manner that suggests that the Lumbee Tribe is promoting the sale of Budweiser and Bud Light. Members of the Tribe and others in the community mistakenly believed that the Lumbee Tribe gave its permission for the Tribe’s name and trademarks to be used to sell alcoholic beverages and were offended because alcohol abuse is often associated with Native American culture. The Lumbee Tribe did not give Anheuser-Busch or R.A. Jeffreys Distributing Company its permission to use the Lumbee Tribe’s name or trademarks. The Tribe has requested that the advertisements be removed immediately and filed the lawsuit to ensure that they are.

Senior Ms. Lumbee Angeleta Hunt with two admiring young fans, Aiyana, 9, and Brylan, 1, of the Prospect community near Pembroke. Senior Ms. Lumbee Angeleta Hunt with two admiring young fans, Dannagun, 6, and Dannah, 3, of the Union community near Pembroke

Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin and Tribal Councilman Jarrod Lowery moments after planting the Lumbee Tribe’s “Federal Recognition Tree” at the Lumbee Tribe’s Indian Cultural Center on Saturday. The tree was planted to honor the memory off all the people who have worked on the tribe’s efforts at full federal recognition through the years. A group of about 50 proud Lumbee tribal members join tribal officials in celebrating the planting of the federal recognition tree, highlighted by comments from Chairman Godwin and Councilman Lowery. God bless the Lumbee Tribe.

A huge thank you to all who came out for the tree-planting ceremony at the Lumbee Tribe’s Cultural Center this evening. Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin, Senior Ms. Lumbee Angeleta Hunt, Tribal Councilman Jarrod Lowery and Tribal Councilwoman Barbara Lowery are all smiles at the tree after the final scoops of dirt were thrown.

Lumbee Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin shows documents pertaining to the original Lumbee petition for federal recognition in 1888. His great-grandfather, Quinn Godwin, was one of the 45 men who signed the document. The chairman has vowed to fight for the Lumbee people for full federal recognition.