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During the Lumbee Tribe’s 2023 State of the Tribe Address Chairman John L. Lowery discussed the expanded tribal budget which will be more than $38 million dollars, community projects for the coming year and many more exciting plans for the Lumbee People. Here is the full video from the State of the Tribe Address.

Join us for the 2023 Lumbee Powwow coming September 29, 30 and October 1st at the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center. We have an awesome head staff including two of the best drum groups in the nation. Ticket pre-sales will begin next week. https://www.lumbeetribe.com/fallpowwow

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina sends our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Dalton Lynch. Mr. Dalton was a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. He passed last week and will be laid to rest today. Mr.Dalton was a friend to everyone he met. We honor his memory and his contributions to all American Indians throughout North Carolina and across the nation. Please keep his family, friends and the Haliwa Saponi Tribe in your prayers.

For two days, Lumbee high school students had the opportunity to tour the campuses of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), and Appalachian State University (App State) with Project IndigeCHOICE. The students were able to not only tour the campus of UNCG and App State, but also participated in sessions focusing on campus life, navigating college, admissions, financial aid, and more. After touring and attending both campuses’ sessions, students returned home with an increased knowledge of the campuses within the UNC system and what opportunities are available for them at these schools.

The Lumbee Tribe of N.C. recently hosted a delegation of officers from the German Navy. The team spent two days experiencing and learning about the rich tribal history and culture of the Lumbee people. The officers are stationed in Washington, D.C., and work in tandem with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The connection with the Lumbee people followed a meeting with Lumbee tribal member and US Naval Command Information Officer Robert Deese, who organized a presentation for National Native American Heritage Month. After Kevin Melvin (Lumbee Tribal Historic Preservation Officer) presented additional information to the team, the German Navy delegates planned a visit the home of our Lumbee people. The visit started with dinner at Fullers BBQ and a gift exchange. The officers and their families were gifted traditional baskets created by Ms. Cindy Locklear. The baskets were filled with prayer ties created by Melvin and his family. The families of the officers presented Melvin with a goodie basket filled with German sweets and German Navy items. During their stay, the German officers and their families visited Town Creek Indian Mound, near Mt. Gilead, North Carolina. At this historical site, the delegates were able to learn about the life and social structures of American Indians in this area from hundreds of years ago, which existed well before pre-colonial history. Later that afternoon, the delegates spent the afternoon canoeing down the Lumbee River. The tour started at the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center. As an integral part of the identity of the Lumbee Tribe, exploring the Lumbee River gave the visitors an insight into the river our people are strongly culturally intertwined with and which has impacted us both past and present.

Tonight, the Lumbee Tribal Council welcomed the newly crowned Lumbee Ambassadors to the July Business Meeting. Little Miss Lumbee, Moriah Faith Jones; Junior Miss Lumbee, Riley Madison Dial; Miss Lumbee, Ashtyn Thomas and Senior Ms. Lumbee Edith Jones shared information about themselves as well as welcomed the Tribal council to the upcoming Coronation ball. Tonight Leah Lowery also shared her presentation from the National Young Scholars Program. Carolyn Locklear invited the council and community to cheer on their gospel group as they represent the Lumbee People at Native Outreach. Also, Kerry Bird and Quinn Godwin presented about the exciting things which are happening with the new North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission. They discussed specific projects such as the up and coming placement of historical markers in tribal communities across the state, recognition of historically significant Native schools across the state and projects that are spotlighting the long history of our Native ancestors and relatives in North Carolina. Also, tonight Corbin Eddings presented a detailed recap of the 2023 Unity Conference to the Lumbee Tribal Council.

Strike at the Wind! returns this weekend for two nights at Givens Performing Arts Center. The legend of Henry Berry Lowry lives again on the GPAC stage this year due to renovations which are underway at the Adolph Dial Amphitheater. The play is Friday, July 21 and Saturday, 22 at 7:30 p.m. Willie French Lowery was the force behind the music for “Strike at the Wind!” Here is a nice story about the music. The production is one of the longest-running outdoor dramas in N.C. The drama debuted at the Lumbee Tribal Cultural Center in 1976. Most the 2022 season cast is returning, including Bill Oxendine and Cheyenne Ward, who are playing the leads, Henry Berry and Rhoda. This summer’s cast is one of the largest in recent memory. The play tells the story of the Lowrie War in 1865. It chronicles the life of Henry Berry Lowrie, who led a band of men in a seven-year battle after the Confederate Home Guard murdered Henry's father and brother. Henry and the Lowrie gang exacted a vigilante justice against the Home Guard of Robeson County and those who actively oppressed the Indian people. Though the Lowrie gang were regarded as outlaws and renegades by those on the wrong end of their guns, the American Indian people for whom they fought hail them to this day as Heroes. Tickets are $10. For tickets, visit uncp.edu/gpac or call the GPAC Box Office at 910.521.6361. Doors open at 7. Click here to read the story about Willie French Lowerybesonian.com/news/289183/lumbee-willie-french-lowery-was-force-behind-strike-at-the-wind-music?fbclid=IwAR1HDj4e20t9eKcpjL53EMfE7ycjxVvoyUjouGZd7BrJX3MK2RHf-IbeNeM

This week, the Lumbee Tribe’s Project IndigeCHOICE team is sharing the world of aviation with 24 students in the Aviation Earth & Beyond Camp. The students explored the different careers within the aviation field. They toured the Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU). During the tour, students learned about each department and how they work together for the operation of an airport. Several employees, including CEO Michael Landguth and Erin Locklear, Senior VP and General Counsel, spoke about the possible careers within the airport, such as ramp controllers, mechanics, electrical and maintenance team, fire dept, police, and baggage control. The tour included a visit to Fort Liberty, formerly known as Fort Bragg. During their visit, students toured helicopters such as Apache and Black Ops, and learn about the aviation careers possible within the army. The students also visited Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, Florida. They had the exciting opportunity to sit inside a simulator, in which they experienced what it is like for an astronaut during takeoff. Students learned the history of space travel and the important part that each department plays in the assembly of a mission.

The Lumbee Powwow is just around the corner on September 28, 29 and October 1, 2023 at the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center. As a part of a fundraiser for the powwow, the committee is raffling off a traditional Lumbee pinecone patchwork regalia and a shaw. Each ticket is $5. The regalia is a size 0-2 and is sized for an approximate 5’ 4” girl. The winner will be drawn on October 1, 2023 (the last day of the powwow). All proceeds will help support the 2023 Lumbee powwow. Tickets are available at the Lumbee Tribe Housing Complex (6984 NC-711 Pembroke, NC 28372). Buy a ticket to support the Lumbee powwow! The Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center is located at 638 Terry Sanford Drive in Maxton, NC.

Tickets are still available for the “Strike at the Wind!” Outdoor Drama. Don't miss the legendary performance this weekend at UNC Pembroke’s Givens Performing Arts Center. The legend of Henry Berry Lowry lives on the GPAC stage this year due to renovations which are underway at the Adolph Dial Amphitheater. The play is Friday, July 21 and Saturday, 22 at 7:30 p.m. “Strike at the Wind!” is one of the longest-running outdoor dramas in N.C. The drama debuted at the Lumbee Tribal Cultural Center in 1976. Most the 2022 season cast is returning, including Bill Oxendine and Cheyenne Ward, who are playing the leads, Henry Berry and Rhoda. This summer’s cast is one of the largest in recent memory. The play tells the story of the Lowrie War in 1865. It chronicles the life of Henry Berry Lowrie, who led a band of men in a seven-year battle after the Confederate Home Guard murdered Henry's father and brother. Henry and the Lowrie gang exacted a vigilante justice against the Home Guard of Robeson County and those who actively oppressed the Indian people. Though the Lowrie gang were regarded as outlaws and renegades by those on the wrong end of their guns, the Indian people for whom they fought hail them to this day as Heroes. Tickets are $10. For tickets, visit uncp.edu/gpac or call the GPAC Box Office at 910.521.6361. Doors open at 7.

Several Lumbee Tribe of N.C. Departments will be closed this week on Monday and Tuesday for training. Monday, July 17, 2023 4 - 5 pm - Homeownership is Closed Tuesday, July 18, 2023 12 - 2 pm - Enrollment Closed 2 - 3 pm Energy Department Closed 3 - 5 pm Rehab Department Closed

Last week, Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery presented his State of the Tribe Address. Here are the highlights of the address and the proposed budget.