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The Lumbee Tribal Council voted unanimously on November 19 to approve the nominations of Gary Deese and Alton Hagans to serve on the Tribal Administrative Court. Deese was appointed to serve a five-year term. He replaces Welford Clark. Hagans was re-appointed to the court. Robeson County Superior Court Judge Greg Bell administered the oath of office to Judge Deese and Judge Hagans. There are five members who serve on the Administrative Court. The others are Chief Judge Rodney Nichols, Judge Fedelia Locklear and Judge Karen Goins Kueny. According to the Lumbee Constitution, the Tribal Administrative Court was established to provide due process and further protect the rights of tribal members, and designed to ensure tribal members are treated equally through the administration of tribal programs. The Tribal Administrative Court hears cases dealing with the administrative issues such as housing, enrollment, and energy assistance.

Applications are being accepted for the Lumbee Tribe’s annual Toy Drive. The deadline is December 2. The applications are for parents or legal guardians of children up to 18 years old that demonstrate a financial need. An application cannot be completed by anyone other than the children’s parents or legal guardians. Any application that lists children not residing in the home or children that are not legally the applicant’s responsibility will be denied. Due to limited stock, supplies will be issued on a first come, first serve basis. If the application is approved, the applicant will be notified by telephone. Please ensure that the correct phone number is listed on the application. We will be accepting donations of new unwrapped toys until December 16th. Items can be dropped off at the Tribal Housing Complex on NC 711 in Pembroke or arrangements can be made for the items to be picked up. Click here to download a copy of the 2015 Toy Drive Application.

Harvey Godwin Jr. was elected Tuesday as the new chairman of the Lumbee Tribe, according to Sheila Beck-Jones, chairwoman of the Lumbee Tribe Election Board. Godwin received 2,221 votes, according to the unofficial results. Paul Brooks, the incumbent, tallied 1,492 votes, followed by Terry Collins, 1,257 votes; Bobbie Jacobs-Ghaffar, 252 votes; and Lynn Bruce Jacobs, 99 votes. A total of 5,321 votes were cast in the chairman’s race. Godwin received 41.7 percent of the votes. Godwin is expected to take office in January. A date has not been set. The following are the unofficial results of the Tribal Council district races: — District 1 (Gaddy, Rowland, Orrum, Sterling’s, Whitehouse and Thompson) Lakisha Spaulding Sweat (unopposed) — District 4 (Red Springs and Philadelphus) Jonathan Locklear (unopposed) — District 5 (Oxendine and Prospect) Bobby Oxendine …… 384 Don Scott …………… 198 — District 7 (South Pembroke and Union) Reginald Oxendine Jr. ……..325 Johnny Mercer ……………... 255 Anthony Miller …………….. 165 Woody Sampson …………….129 — District 9 (Saddletree) Elaine McNeil Collins ……. 199 Anita Hammonds-Blanks …. 197 — District 10 (Shannon, Rennert and South St. Pauls) Janet Locklear …………. 161 Beverly Collins-Hall ……. 132 — District 14 (East Howellsville, Wisharts and Britts) Barbara Lowery ………112 Jimmy Hunt ……………42 Sheila Beck-Jones said that any request for appeals must be provided to the Election Board by November 24. Click here to view a district-by-district break downof the votes

Click on the link below to view the Official Polling Sites for the November 17, 2015 Tribal Election. Polling Sites

Five Lumbee Tribal Council members were among the state’s American Indian leadership who attended the Governor’s official signing proclaiming November as American Indian Heritage Month. The event was held at the Governor’s Executive Mansion in Raleigh on Friday, November 6. In attendance were Tribal Speaker Lesaundri Hunt and Council members Jan Lowery, Jarrod Lowery, Homer Fields and Janie McFarland. This year’s theme is Preserving, Living, and Sharing our Proud American Indian Heritage. "I stand proud today with American Indian leaders from across the entire state and proclaim November American Indian Heritage Month in North Carolina," Governor Pat McCrory said. "I invite all North Carolinians to take the time to honor and observe our rich American Indian culture this month." November marks a time to reflect on American Indian tribes and their significance in American history and their contributions to American culture. “The Lumbee Tribe is the largest of the eight Indian tribes that call North Carolina home,” said Paul Brooks, chairman of the Lumbee Tribe. “This is the time of the year when we can showcase our heritage and culture through programs, celebrations and activities,” Brooks said. “For centuries, Lumbee tribal members have been significant contributions to this country. It is important for our children to be exposed to this achievements so they can be inspired to break down barriers in today’s society.” Former President George Bust first proclaimed American Indian Heritage Month in 1990. North Carolina is home to more than 122,000 American Indians, according to recent data compiled by the U.S. Census. The Lumbee Tribe, which boasts 65,000 members, makes up more than half of the total Indian population. North Carolina has the largest Indian population east the Mississippi River and the eighth largest American Indian population in the United States. “We encourage individuals of all races to take time to attend these special celebrations and programs during the month of November in honor of the state’s first people,” Chairman Brooks said.

The Lumbee Tribe’s Veteran Affairs Office held its annual “Veterans Helping Veterans” Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 7. More than 250 veterans packed the gym at the Pembroke Boys & Girls Club to hear various speakers during the program. There were representatives from the Fayetteville Veterans Center, VA Rural Health and the Pembroke CBOC office. Tribal Chairman Paul Brooks gave welcoming remarks. “We are here to honor you for what you did for this great nation,” Brooks said. “It was your sacrifice that enables us to still enjoy the freedoms we have today. “ Several Tribal Council members, and local and state representatives, including state Reps. Charles Graham, Garland Pierce and Jane Smith, also attended the event.

Jonathan Kuhlman, U.S. Air Force Veteran and student at Colorado State University, was highlighted by Student Veterans of America in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Kuhlman serves as Vice President of the Colorado State University Student Veteran Organization as well the Deputy Director of Community Affairs for Student Government at Colorado State University. He is pursuing aBachelor of Science in Soil and Crops with an anticipated graduation date of May 2016. Upon graduating, he intends to pursue his Juris Doctor degree in Environmental Law. “I have tremendous pride in my heritage and it has given me the strength and motivation in continuing education to protect our Mother Nature,” Kuhlman said. Kuhlman is among more than 20,000 American Indians who are contributing to our total military force. The Department of Defense reports that American Indians make up the highest percentage of service per capita compared to other ethnic groups. Kuhlman is the son of Janet Kuhlman. He was raised in Clarksville, Tenn., right outside of Ft. Campbell Army base. Prior to moving to Colorado, he was stationed with the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Kuhlman is the grandson of Annie Ruth Jacobs from the Prospect community. He is the great-grandson of John West Jacobs and Margarette Oxendine. Kuhlman attended Purnell Swett High School from 2006 to 2008.

Robeson County Diabetes Day will be held on Saturday, November 14 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. This free community event to raise awareness will be held at the Chavis Center Annex on the campus of UNC-Pembroke. Registration starts at 8:00 am. Welcome, and workshops begin at 9:00 am; Workshops on Diabetes Education, Prevention & Care. We are expecting 150 - 200 participants. The event is sponsored by: The Robeson County Community Advisory Board, a coalition of public and private agencies and community members working together including the Center for Community Action, Robeson County Health Department, Robeson Community College, Southeastern Health, UNC – Chapel Hill and UNC – Pembroke. Together we can STOP Diabetes. Contact Whitney McFarland at (910) 671-3442.

Larry Townsend, who serves on the Lumbee Tribal Council, has been elected Area Vice President, Southeast United States to the National Congress of American Indians. Townsend of Pembroke represents District 6 on the Tribal Council. He was elected Vice President during the 72nd annual National Meeting in San Diego, Calif. which was held October 18-23. The National Congress of American Indians is an organization founded in 1944 to be a unified voice for the American Indian people throughout the United States. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) works to protect the rights of its citizen tribes, housing, children, the health of tribal citizens, the environment and treaty-based relationships of tribal governments with the United States government. While the NCAI provides opportunities to hear from federal government officials, tribal leaders and to provide workshops on various issues confronting American Indian people throughout the United States. This event is also critical toward ensuring goals are being reached and new challenges are being identified, established and prioritized for the future. Townsend, as a Regional Vice President will bring a voice to the table to contribute regional issues, priorities, prospectives and work with the full NCAI Executive Committee Members to fulfill a variety of nationally and regionally responsibilities to ensure that NCAI remains a strong, stable organization that serve the broad and best interest of American Indians and Alaska Native tribal governments and communities throughout the United States. Townsend will represent 29 American Indian tribes throughout the Southeast. His term is for two years. “I consider it an honor and a privilege to be elected to serve our people wherever,” Townsend said. “I will do my best to represent all. If I have learned any one lesson during my tenure of serving our American Indian people it is that if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” “Working together, we can make a difference.”

Watch the event below. To view the complete article please visit the link here.

Members of Pembroke Boys & Girls Club recently took the streets to take part in a “Roadside Cleanup” Project. Seven members of the Keystone Club picked up trash along Chicken Road near the Arrowpoint Acres subdivision in Pembroke. The students filled several large orange trash bags. The Keystone Club is a program that builds character in teens by challenging youth to create and maintain high standards of character and citizenship, health and education in order for them to become responsible, productive adults. The club is for students ages 14 to 18. Community service and service projects are two of the focus areas of the club. The Keystone Club members that participated in the Roadside Cleanup Project were Isaac Fulmer, Paige Freeman, Hailey Pate, Ester Brayboy, Jerica Jacobs, Abigail Collins, Alessa Locklear, Hannah Locklear and Jarrett Strickland.

- AMENDED - LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH CAROLINA UNRESTRCITED SOLICITATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE & GROUP DENTAL INSURANCE The Lumbee Tribe is soliciting Requests for Proposals for its Group Health Insurance and Group Dental Insurance. Preference will be given to Qualified Tribal and/or Indian-owned economic enterprise or organizations. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will receive sealed Request for Proposals, mailed or hand delivered, until 3:00 pm on October 30, 2015 at the Lumbee Tribal Housing Complex located at 6984 NC Hwy. 711 West, Pembroke, NC 28372 (Attention: Grace Kelly D. Oxendine, P.O. Box 2709, Pembroke, NC 28372) Bids will be opened on November 2, 2015 in the Council Chambers at 10:00 a.m. located at 6984 NC Hwy. 711 West, Pembroke, NC 28372. All qualified proposals meeting the terms and conditions will be evaluated and approval made by the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to constitute the most responsive bid for Group Health Insurance and Group Dental Insurance requested. Oral Presentations will be mandatory and shall be scheduled for the week of November 3-6, 2015. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1. Qualification, Experience, Capacity and Resources (25%): The Offeror’s capacity and resources to perform the services described in the RFP. The Offeror’s accessibility to LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH CAROLINA. The Offeror’s demonstrated experience and success of the Offeror in providing the services outlined in the RFP. 2. Plan, Methodology, Approach and Strategy (20%): The Offeror’s approach for the implementation and operation of the services outlined in the RFP and the portfolio of services offered. Quality and feasibility of Offeror’s plans to implement the services outlined. 3. Demonstrated commitment of the Offeror to the furthering of LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH CAROLINA’s economic opportunity (10%). Qualified Tribal and/or Indian-owned economic enterprise or organizations. 4. Company Services (20%). The willingness to provide a dedicated account management team for the HR department for elevated issues, willingness to have a representative at open enrollment meetings, willingness to have a representative meet with employees during the year at LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH CAROLINA office to handle questions/problems, and quarterly and annual reporting packages. 5. Proposed Rates, Benefits, Fees and Expenses (10%): The subscriber’s monthly rates and total annual program costs. Overall benefit value compared to price, current design, and cost containment factors. 6. Oral Presentations (15%) Please contact Grace K. Deese Oxendine (910) 522-5160 for a copy of the specifications package. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and the right to waive any informalities or irregularities.