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LUMBERTON — A Washington, D.C.-based small business organization is looking for American Indian volunteers to take part in a U.S. Census Bureau focus group. If selected, participants are paid $75 in cash. The focus group will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in Lumberton on Jan. 21. Participants must be 18 years or older. Kauffman & Associates, Inc. is organizing the focus group on behalf of the U.S. Census Bureau. The focus group in Lumberton will be part of 11 such groups to be held across the country. The focus groups are being organized to help provide insight that could help improve the U.S. Census form and the information it gathers pertaining to American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Any information provided during this focus group will be treated as confidential. No information will be shared with others and participants will not be added to a mailing list. If participants meet the criteria, they will be provided with more details about the focus groups, including the location of where it will be held. If you are interested in participating, please call 1-855-380-2418 or email focusgroup@kauffmaninc.com.

PEMBROKE — Lumbee tribal enrollment cards now have a new distinguishing feature. The signature of newly elected Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr., prominently displayed on the reverse side of the card. Tribal members can obtain a new card at the Tribal Housing Complex on NC 711 in Pembroke. Godwin was sworn-in to office on January 7. Since then he has been busy transitioning as the leader of the tribal government. Tribal Enrollment began issuing the membership cards with an expiration date and photo during Lumbee Homecoming 2002. Tribal members must update their cards every seven years in order to keep their enrollment active. Cards must be active in order to vote in tribal elections or to receive services. Tribal members who are 55 and older receive a “permanent” card, which does not have an expiration date. Tribal members can request an updated card with Godwin’s signature even though their card has not expired. Godwin’s signature will appear on all enrollment cards during his three-year term in office. The fee for enrollment card is $5. Cards for members’ 62 and older are free. There was an outpouring of members taking an active role in their government during the recent tribal election and the hope is this will continue with the new tribal government in place. If you have any questions about the new Enrollment Cards, call the Tribal Enrollment Office at (910) 521-7861, ext. 252.

A ceremony will be held at 10 am Monday to commemorate the 58th Anniversary of the Victory at Hayes Pond. January 18 will mark the 58th anniversary of the victor over the KKK and the Battle of Hayes Pond. Several hundred Lumbee, many of them armed, broke up a KKK rally planned near Hayes Pond, south of Maxton, NC. The Lumbee confronted and routed the KKK, chasing them through the swamp surrounding Hayes Pond and out of Robeson County. The public is invited to attend a ceremony at the site of the Victory at Hayes Pond.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 14, 2016 Picture ID: Courtney Chavis, Grants Specialist (Lumbee Tribe), Zenia Delgado, HUD-VASH, Housing Support Specialist, Geraldine Veirs, HUD-VASH Housing Support Specialist, Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr., Housing Director Bosco Locklear and Grants Manager April Bryant LUMBEE TRIBE RECEIVES $185,000 GRANT TO ASSIST AMERICAN INDIAN VETERANS PEMBROKE — Help is on the way for homeless American Indian veterans in the tribal territory thanks to a grant awarded to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Lumbee Tribe is excited to announce a partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to address the homelessness problem among our American Indian veterans. The tribe was recently awarded an $185,604 grant to offer a home and supportive services to 20 Lumbee veterans. “We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with HUD and the VA to help our Lumbee veterans,” said Courtney Chavis, grant specialist for the Lumbee Tribe. “With this partnership we will be able to significantly reduce the homelessness rate among our American Indian veterans in the four-county service area.” Grants Manager April Bryant said she was impressed with the collaboration with the various organizations to meet the grant deadline. “It was a quick turn around,” Bryant said. “The grant was released at the end of October and we had to submit it by December 2. So we all had to work closely together to make this happen.” Bryant and Chavis said they were also elated to learn that the Lumbee was the only state-recognized tribe to receive the grant. And it was also the only tribe on the East Coast that was a recipient. The Lumbee Tribe was among 26 American Indian tribes that received a total of $5.9 million. The money will be used to offer a home and supportive services to homeless veterans and those at the risk of becoming homeless. The Lumbee Tribe will utilize rental properties throughout the tribal service area of Robeson, Scotland, Hoke and Cumberland counties. The grant will also be used to provide case management and clinical services provided by the Veterans Affairs Department. “We are excited to be a part of this initiative,” Bryant said. “It feels good to know that we will be able to provide a warm and safe place for our veterans to live.”

Anita Hammonds-Blanks Elaine McNeil Collins Anita Hammonds-Blanks was unofficially re-elected to the District 9 seat on the Lumbee Tribal Council on Tuesday, according to the unofficial results. Blanks received 218 votes and her challenger, Elaine McNeil Collins, received 204 votes. Collins has five business days to file an appeal, according to Sheila Beck-Jones, chairwoman of the Tribal Election Board. If Collins doesn’t challenge the results, then the race could be certified next week. Jones said there are 20 provisional ballots that were not counted and an additional 11 ballots that were deemed spoiled. District 9 includes the Saddletree Community. Blanks has served on the council since 2013. Blanks currently serves as chairman of the Tribal Council’s Housing and Constitution committees. The Election Board ordered a new election after it determined that four tribal members voted out of district during the November 17 election. Collins won that race by two votes 199 to 197. An automatic recount was held because tribal election law requires it if the vote difference between two candidates is within a range of 1 percent of the total number of ballots cast. After the recount, the count was 200 for Collins and 197 for Blanks. Collins petitioned the Tribal Supreme Court to place an injunction on a new election. Collins said Blanks did not provided sufficient evidence to prove any irregularities in the Nov. 17 election. The court denied Collins’ request.

Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr. Inauguration Acceptance Speech January 7, 2016 “I stand here tonight only because of the grace of God and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I want to thank past council members and chair Paul Brooks for their service to the Lumbee people. I would also like to thank Chancellor Robin Cummings for allowing us to have the GPAC tonight and the Annex afterwards.” “This university means so much to me and my family. My wife and I graduated from here, my sister (as well), my mother graduated in the 40s .. she is 90 years old. My son graduated from here .. my other son spent two years here but went to that other school that has the blue-color sky. This university means so much to our people and its with our faith in God and our education that our forefathers fought for and provided to us many generations ago stands as a beacon of what we should be doing now.” “Tonight, I pledge my allegiance, personally, and as the leader of the Lumbee Tribe with the Tribal Council, that we will partner with the University going forward and we will partner for the goodness of the Lumbee people and for all people that come to this great university. Tonight, I submit a call for action — Let’s all get ready to lead. You are here tonight because you care about your people. You are here because you care about the people here on stage, you are here because you care about your families. We all have to do this together. And with this call to action we have to consider the old path and this university represents some of the old path. Our belief in God is evident that we are a spiritual people. Our forefathers … that’s how they brought us out of the swamps to where we are now … the value of an education, protecting our Lumbee culture, hard work and integrity and honesty in everything we do and our connection to the land. “We must respect and honor the crafters of our Constitution. We must embrace the spirit of the Constitution and we tighten the loopholes and strengthen the rights further of the Lumbee people. The old path … and now the new path … “Upfront, I want to tell you that we will have an open and transparent government. The questions stands – Does our government work? It is extremely vital that there is a trust between the Lumbee people and their government. The government must do their business in the light of day, not in darkness. It must build integrity by managing public dollars .. spending dollars wisely and hold to account all dollars spent. We must see bad habits and stop them. We must be held accountable to tell the truth to the people at all times.” All levels of government, state and federal, have ways for the people to request public information such as the North Carolina Public Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act for the federal government The Lumbee Constitution, as it is currently written, doesn’t fully protect the rights of the Lumbee people and it doesn’t promote a transparent government. I promise you that we will have a Constitutional Convention to institute a system for the people to request public records from the tribal government. “This will take a collaboration between the chair and the administration and the tribal council. And this will take time and patience on behalf of all. But we must make informed decisions.” “We will have outreach. The tribal employees will be charged to go to all the Indian centers throughout Lumbee Land – from Baltimore all the way down to every county that we have. And with this outreach, they will be there to listen, communicate and inform and also listen to the people as to what needs they have, getting down to their tribal card or what services they need, in conjunction with their tribal leadership.” “Our culture stands very for firm with me and it’s non-negotiable Our elders protected our identity at all times. In our little communities, such as Union Chapel, Mt. Airy and all the communities in between, elders got together many generations ago and protected our culture and established ways of educating our people which led to this fine institution that we are sitting in today. We must study our cultural history and engage our young people to be self-determined. We will convene cultural think-tanks and round-tables to define, control and determine who we are as a people not through stereotypes of what others say we are, and not even what the Bureau of Indian Affairs say we are, but who we say we are.” “We can begin with the archeological fact and proof that Natives have been living beside Moss Neck Swamp for the last 10,000 years. We will support and promote our artists, first and foremost in culture, our musicians, we will support and grow our Cultural Center and we will try .. and this will take some time … to bring back our beloved “Strike at the Wind!” “We have to have involvement from everyone. We will put together a Lumbee Tribal Government Summit and with this we are going to get ideas about how we can move better forward .. how can we work with the Tribal Council, the administration … the people have to be empowered. So, tonight, I am charging you .. you are going to be empowered!” “We must first protect our elders, our youth and our out-of-school youth. Elders must be secure and comfortable. We want to create mentorships. Our young people deserve and must have mentors. I am standing here before you tonight only through the Grace of God and I had many, many mentors. I have mentors now. I have a spiritual mentor. Our children must have mentorship. And the mentors have to come from this group. We have doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, musicians … any realm of employment you can think of have to pull together and organize how we can mentor our young people. And that also includes volunteerism. No one ever became poor by giving to others. There are small groups out here that build handicap ramps, they build housing that the Tribal Council doesn’t take care of sometimes and we had the backpack program for children. I submit that we bring all our resources together and we partner with the different groups and have a more powerful influence on more people in a positive way.” “And through economic development, I think the tribe has tremendous opportunity to recruit industry and jobs here. There are a lot of companies that would like to partner with the Lumbee Tribe to build industry and to create jobs so we can create our own prosperity so we can be self-reliant and so we can have partnerships that will stand for all time. We want to put in a government in place now that many generations from now will stand, when I’m gone and (the council) is gone and new people take over and help govern, then the system will still be in place that will be positive for the people. And we must extend opportunity through prosperity.” “We must have unity. I pledge tonight to work with the Tribal Council and I will respect you for all time as my brothers and sisters and all the work that we do. We will have community meetings where we will visit each and every district that you represent, together, and listen to the people and their concerns and communicate with them. I will work and try to collaborate with all centers of powers, local, state and federal. We have Will Collins here tonight from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, who is willing, by his presence here tonight, he is ready to collaborate with the Lumbee Tribe. We will collaborate and partner with centers of education, public schools, UNC-Pembroke, the community colleges, and to the tribes that are here tonight let me say to you, I thank you so much for attending tonight .. you have my word and my commitment that we will build bridges together and that we will partner together and that we will make all of us strong.” “Lastly, let me say something that has been heavy on my heart. Social media can be a positive thing. Our campaign proved that. It can be used in a positive way and a positive instrument to bring people together for a common cause and a common purpose. But people use social media to hurt one another. Tribes .. our people within ourselves have warred on each other for many, many generations and tonight it must stop!” “We should be kind to each other. We are a beautiful people. There are different races and backgrounds that are here tonight to show their commitment to partner with the Lumbee Tribe and the other nations across North Carolina. This should be a beacon of hope that all people can come together if we choose to do so. But when you are hateful and hurtful and you destroy someone’s reputation, family or business just because you are sitting in front of a computer and you can do it with no consequences .. it’s wrong … it’s wrong!” “The night of our election, Preacher Tim challenged me to do one thing. He said to love people .. love everybody. And gave him my word that I would and I have given God my word on that. So we have a chance to embrace hope, faith and love to where we can make something positive. Nothing is going to be positive unless you have love in it … unless you feel it from your heart and your soul. And like the song said, the heart is a drum. All of our hearts beat the same way. We communicate with our spirit and our heart and that is important, but the negative things break that down and we have to get away from that. So, tonight, let’s uplift all people. Let’s have faith, hope and love. Let’s have mentors. “If one of our young people falls astray and they get on the wrong path and trust me I have been on many, many wrong paths … lets bring the old path and the new path together … let’s have mentorships .. If one of us falls to the side then we are going to pick up our brothers or our sisters up and we are going to dust them off and encourage them so they can go on the right path and go forward in life.” “So let’s bring the old oath and the new path together. I still believe in everything that I am saying tonight and I know you still believe because you are here tonight. And I know I lot of people still believe because they voted for our candidacy. And I know you care about the things we are talking about. So, if we believe in who we are and we know our path, and we have a great opportunity with 8A .. and we will talk about this in months to come .. for this tribe will become self-prosperous to the point where full federal recognition will be inconsequential. We will pursue full federal recognition, but we have an opportunity to prosperous standing alone, to where no one can say who we are, We know who we are, we know how to employ our own people .. we know how to treat our own people .. we know how to protect our own people and that will permeate all through this local area and the whole nation. “I want to thank God for this opportunity to serve the Lumbee people and for your support, patience and faith. Let me say, May God bless the Lumbee people and may God bless everyone in this room tonight. Thank you and God bless you!”

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article54303440.html

Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr. will be in attendance at the US Capitol on Tuesday as President Barack Obama delivers his final State of the Union address. Godwin will attend as a special guest of U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, who represents North Carolina's 8th Congressional District. Robeson and Scotland counties are among the counties in the district. Godwin said he is elated and considers it a privilege to represent the Lumbee Tribe on such a prestigious and national stage. The State of the Union address will be televised live at 9 pm. Godwin began his three-year term of office this week. He was sworn-in before more than 1,200 tribal members at the Givens Performing Arts Center on Jan. 7. A representative from Congressman Hudson's office attended the Inauguration Ceremony and made a special presentation to Chairman Godwin during the ceremony. He won the chairman's race during the November tribal election. Godwin is the owner and CEO of Two Hawk Employment Services, LLC and Two Hawk Workforce Services. He is chairman of the board of directors for the Robeson Community College Foundation Board. He also serves on the board of directors for the Lumber River Workforce Development Board. He is chairman of the Julian T. Pierce Memorial Scholarship at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Amended Date LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH CAROLINA RESTRICTED SOLICITATION THIS INVITATION IS RESTRICTED TO QUALIFIED TRIBAL AND /OR INDIAN OWNED ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ( FIVE ) SINGLE FAMILY HOMES 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, January 19th,2016 at the Lumbee Tribal Housing Complex located at P.O. Box 2709 ( 6984 NC Hwy. 711 West) Pembroke, North Carolina 28372; ATTN: Anthony Holden . Bids will be opened and read aloud on Wednesday, 20th, 2016 at 11:00 am in Conference Chambers located at the above address. The Lumbee Tribe is soliciting sealed bids for contractors to construct Five (5) single family homes. These homes will be constructed on scattered sites and on tribally owned land located within the tribal territory. Contractors will be responsible for all permits, materials, labor, and utilities 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) (iv). 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 Anthony Holden at 910-522-2223 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. AH

PEMBROKE — Harvey Godwin Jr. paused on stage after taking the oath as the new chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. He stood proudly as the audience rose to their feet and cheered inside the Givens Performing Arts Center. An official for UNCP estimated more than 1,200 attended the event. Godwin Jr. vowed to build unity among the three branches of government and empower tribal members to evoke positive change throughout all tribal communities. “We will have a transparent and open government,” Godwin Jr. said. “We will build bridges with other tribes and make us all strong. We must have unity.” Godwin Jr. and six council members were sworn in during a ceremony at the Givens Performing Arts Center on the campus of UNC-Pembroke. Godwin won the chairmanship during the November 17 tribal election. The new council members are LaKishia Spaulding Sweat, District 1; Jonathan Locklear, District 4; Bobby Oxendine, District 5; Dr. Reginald Oxendine, District 7; Janet Locklear, District 10; and Barbara Lowery, District 14. The outgoing council members are Evan Davenport, Robert Chavis, Terry Collins and Homer Fields. Chairman Godwin Jr. brings more than 20 years of business and managerial experience to his new role. He is the owner and CEO of Two Hawk Employment Services, LLC and Two Hawk Workforce Services. He is chairman of the board of directors for the Robeson Community College Foundation Board. He also serves on the board of directors for the Lumber River Workforce Development Board and is chairman of the Julian T. Pierce Memorial Scholarship Fund at UNCP. Chairman Godwin Jr. gave an inspiring speech which was interrupted by several standing ovations. “Let’s lift up all people .. If you see our young people going down the wrong path, let’s pick them up and mentor them … we need more mentors for our youth.” Godwin also promised to revive culture, build on current educational programs and improve the economic status within the tribe by creating jobs with the tribe’s new 8A certification. Dozens of local state and local dignitaries attended the inauguration, including many representatives from the state’s American Indian tribes and organizations. Representatives from U.S. Reps. Richard Hudson and Richard Burr’s office were also in attendance.