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Thank you to everyone who came out tonight for the Lumbee Tribe's Annual "Lighting of the Turtle." It was cold, but it was a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season with wonderful Christmas music sang by Senior Ms. Lumbee Wendy Chavis Locklear and some hot chocolate, and of course good fellowship with our people. Stay warm and many blessing as we go into the Christmas Season.

Thank you to the Church of All Nations, Pastor Albert Skinner in Alabama, for your kindness to help families in need. Today, Christmas came extra early as Mrs. Dee Prins drove all the way from Alabama to the Lumbee Tribe to deliver 104 stockings for children for the Christmas holiday. This outreach began 35 years ago. These stockings are filled with a Bible, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, socks, Christmas toys, books, and crayons. The overall goal is to share the stockings with children who might not get anything for Christmas and to share the story of Jesus and his birth.

Congratulations to Rev. Asturn Bartch, who is one of our newest homeowners. Rev. Bartch moved into his new home in the Shannon Community a few days before the Thanksgiving holiday. He built through the Lumbee Tribe Homeownership program and received a 1% interest rate on his loan for his 3-bedroom home. Rev. Bartch said the 1% interest rate was what caught his eye. “It don’t take but a few minutes to start the application,” said Bartch. “I was in the process of trying to find a new home with Red Door or a modular, but the interest rate and the Lumbee Tribe was so willing to help.” The Lumbee Tribe Down Payment Assistance program also offers down payment assistance of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to approved applicants. The down-payment assistance program is now open nationwide to Lumbee Tribe enrolled members. For more information about the various housing programs call 910.521.7861 or visit https://www.lumbeetribe.com/housingdept

Landowners, please join us for an interactive session on December 4, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 PM at the Soaring Eagle Tribal Building, located at 422 Norment Rd. in Lumberton, NC. This meeting is designed to support landowners in strengthening stewardship and long-term care of their lands. Connect one-on-one with experts offering tools, resources, and technical guidance to promote sustainable and productive land management. Topics Include: • Conservation Easements • Regenerative Agriculture • Land Restoration & Forest Stewardship • Food Safety & GAP Certification Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../landowner-meet-greet ...

Last week, Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery, Speaker Alex Baker, and other members of the Tribal Council and Supreme Court attended the 82nd National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in Seattle, Washington. This annual gathering of Tribal Leaders enabled the Lumbee delegation to participate in discussions on health care, education, economic development, and tourism. The delegation also met with other tribal leaders from the Southeast and helped elect an Area Vice President and an alternate.

The Lumbee Tribe Health & Human Services Department invites community members to join a supportive and empowering Talking Circle focused on raising awareness and promoting healing around sexual assault. The event will be held on Monday, December 1 at 11:00 AM at the Pembroke Boys & Girls Club, located at 120 Youth Drive in Pembroke, NC. This safe and confidential space is limited to eight participants to ensure a meaningful and personal experience, and each participant will receive a gift card. If you’re interested or would like more information, please call (910) 785-2165. This event is proudly sponsored by Enlightened Native Daughters – Sexual Assault.

The Lumbee Tribe’s Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources continues to advance important work across our communities since its establishment in 2022. The department has: • Established the Culture Center Fall Garden • Implemented Summer Garden Projects at Boys & Girls Club sites • Installed garden beds at the Stedman Housing community • Completed construction of the Agriculture Clean Room • Formed the Siouan Language Committee • Published the Lumbee Farmer Directory • Secured four new grants to support agricultural and cultural initiatives Grants funded include: • Soil & Water Conservation – $206,000: Regenerative agriculture and Lumbee GAP training • NC Nature Conservancy – $214,000: Longleaf pine restoration, youth education, native plants, and equipment • USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure – $503,000: Cold storage, freezers, and food processing • Sovereign Equity Fund – $40,000: Food boxes, supplies, and outreach We remain committed to uplifting Lumbee families through sustainable agriculture, cultural preservation, and community-driven initiatives.

The Lumbee Tribe’s Department of Health & Human Services continues to expand vital programs and initiatives that strengthen the well-being of our people since its establishment in 2024. The department has: • Hosted the Tribe’s first Peer Support Certification Course • Installed Narcan boxes in high-risk areas • Developed a Community Readiness Plan on substance use and overdose trends • Completed a Tribal Health Assessment highlighting mental health and chronic disease needs • Launched a Data Sovereignty Initiative, creating Tribal Research Review and Health Boards • Began the “Food is Medicine” program promoting traditional Lumbee foods for better health Grants funded include: • SAMHSA – Community Readiness: $35K for mental health & substance use prevention • Circle of Cultures: $65K for culturally based tobacco prevention • Enlightened Native Daughters (END): $100K for support to Native women & children affected by violence • END – Sexual Assault (OVW): $233K to expand assault services & outreach • American Heart Association – Healthy Heart: $9K for healthy eating & heart disease prevention • NIH – iCRISP Project: $570K to build research on substance misuse & pain management • Harm Reduction: $245K total to reduce opioid misuse • Peer Support Program: $150K/year for culturally based recovery & mental health • Blue Cross Blue Shield – Well Being & Health: $100K for tribal health improvement • Healthy Blue: $18K for Tribal Health Assessment Survey • Food Is Medicine: $1.5K for traditional & healthy eating promotion Our commitment to improving health outcomes, expanding culturally grounded services, and empowering Lumbee families remains stronger than ever.

Congratulations to Brentana Locklear, who is one of our newest homeowners. As we continue to celebrate the contributions of Native People during American Indian Heritage Month, for our Lumbee People, that includes putting families in homes. The Lumbee people have been known for decades across the region for their home craftsmanship and building skills. The Lumbee Tribe of N.C. is continuing that legacy as we build new homes and neighborhoods across our four-county Tribal Territory—Brentana shares about the application process and how he was able to customize his first home. Down payment assistance may range from $10,000 to a maximum amount of $20,000 to approved applicants. The down-payment assistance program is now open nationwide to Lumbee Tribe enrolled members. For more information about the various housing programs, call 910.521.7861 or visit https://www.lumbeetribe.com/housingdept

Elders you are invited to a Healthy Holidays Clinic Day on Friday, December 5, 2025 at the Pembroke Boys & Girls Club on 120 Youth Drive in Pembroke, NC. The free event is from 10:00 am till 1:00 pm. Lunch will be provided as well as a variety of free health screenings and fall and Chronic Disease resources education. Also, the First 50 seniors will receive anti-slip shoes. The event is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, FastMed, Minority Health Quality Forum, and the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. #LumbeeTribe

Here are more photos of the fellowship, good times and all the good medicine from the N.C. Museum of History’s 30th annual American Indian Heritage Celebration in Raleigh on Saturday. Our Lumbee Citizens from all across the state took time to visit and catch up with relatives from across the Southeast. It truly showcased Native Culture throughout the state. The museum also took time to honor Emily Grant and the people who started this amazing event, as well as to celebrate those first artists who exhibited and have been here all 30 years. It was a beautiful day to be with our relatives and celebrate being Native. We are here!

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Housing Complex and all Tribal Offices will CLOSE on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in observance of Thanksgiving. Our offices will REOPEN on Monday, December 1st at 8:00 a.m.