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Thank you to Dr. Jim Jones and Mr. Jack Lowery for sharing their wonderful memories of the Battle of Hayes Pond in this live segment with Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery. The information was very eye opening about the events surrounding the battle which drove the KKK out of Robeson County on January 18, 1958. It was also exciting to see detailed accounts of the planning for the battle and even interactions with law enforcement. We truly are thankful for every family who stood up for hate on that cold day in January, 65 years ago. Their determination made a difference for our communities and for our Lumbee children. Lumbee families, we hope you will take the time to encourage all of your family members, but especially your children to watch this video! Thank you to everyone who logged on around the nation. We will have at least one additional video coming out next week. (In this photo Tribal Chairman Lowery is commenting on this photo of the historic night, which shows Dr. Jim Jones on the far right in the trench coat.) Click here to see the video https://youtu.be/NPzg8X3M9cc

As we continue to remember and celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Battle at Hayes Pond, we have an additional video of a first hand account of the event, which sent KKK members fleeing and running into the pond on that cold January night. In this video, Lumbee Businessman and former Lumbee Tribal Council Member Lonnie Revels gives a vivid account of what happened. The video, called "The Community Voices Project" gives great insight into the political advancements across the state, but especially the Greensboro area in the 1960's. In the last 5 minutes of the video, Mr. Lonnie tells the story of the Battle at Hayes Pond at video counter 1:49:30. Mr. Lonnie along with his wife Mrs. Ruth Revels helped establish the Guilford Native American Association. He also served as a member and chairperson of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. He served on the Lumbee Tribal Council and was elected two terms on the Greensboro city Council. To watch the Video, click the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOizM0YSpUs

Thank you to Dr. Jim Jones and Mr. Jack Lowery for sharing their wonderful memories of the Battle of Hayes Pond in this live segment with Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery. The information was very eye opening about the events surrounding the battle which drove the KKK out of Robeson County on January 18, 1958. It was also exciting to see detailed accounts of the planning for the battle and even interactions with law enforcement. We truly are thankful for every family who stood up for hate on that cold day in January, 65 years ago. Their determination made a difference for our communities and for our Lumbee children. Lumbee families, we hope you will take the time to encourage all of your family members, but especially your children to watch this video! Thank you to everyone who logged on around the nation. To watch video visit https://youtu.be/NPzg8X3M9cchttps://youtu.be/NPzg8X3M9cc

On this day, 65 years ago, our Lumbee People took a stand against hate as they stopped a Ku Klux Klan Rally in Maxton, NC during the legendary Battle of Hayes Pond. They didn't just stop the rally, but sent a clear message to the Klan. The KKK hate group hasn't rallied or marched in Robeson County since that day! The encounter was an armed confrontation between local Lumbee men and members of the South Carolina based Klan that was headed by KKK Grand Dragon James W. "Catfish" Cole. Cole, stirred the flames with hate speech and cross burnings, which began weeks before. Throughout the week, we will look back at what happened and why this battle is so important to our people. We will also hear from participants in the rally.

Join the Lumbee Tribe of N.C. as we remember the bravery of our ancestors at the Battle of Hayes Pond on January 18, 1958. This week is the 65th Anniversary of the historic event, which was talked about around the world. We look forward to hearing from some of our Lumbee elders that were at the battle that cold January night. The link below is a Curriculum sheet for educators and parents to share with students about the Hayes Pond Battle which took place against the KKK. Lesson plan: https://k12database.unc.edu/.../05/LumbeeFightforJustice.pdf

The Lumbee Tribe Tribal Support Services will begin host February's Talking Circle at 6:00 pm on February 7, 2023. The topic will focus on Lumbee Veterans Spouses. The location will be at the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center on Terry Sanford Drive in Maxton with a rain location of the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center Administration Building. Call 522.5055 for more information.

Press Release – Chief Legal Officer Announcement Pembroke, N.C., January 13, 2023 – Lumbee Tribe Holdings, Inc. (LTH) has named Heather McMillan Nakai as its chief legal officer effective January 3, 2023. In this role, Heather will lead the company’s efforts regarding contracts and other negotiations, dispute resolution, and policy matters across all of the LTH family of companies and affiliated organizations. She will report to LTH Chief Executive Officer Joshua D. Malcolm. With a juris doctorate from UCLA School of Law and bachelor’s degree in History and Native American Studies from Dartmouth, Heather has dedicated the past 16 years to representing the interests of tribes with respect to state and federal government matters. Heather began her career at the Indian Health Service as a policy analyst before transitioning to the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) where she spent 14 years as a staff attorney for the Oklahoma and Phoenix regions analyzing complex legal issues and drafting federal regulations to assist various tribal gaming interests in attaining and maintaining compliance across a wide spectrum of business operations. “Heather is an accomplished and highly skilled attorney whose practice of law has enabled her to assist tribes throughout Indian Country. We are extremely pleased she has decided to join an organization dedicated to bringing economic prosperity and opportunities to Lumbee Tribal members – her people,” said Mr. Malcolm. In addition to her professional endeavors, Heather has served the Lumbee Tribe in numerous capacities including as a member of the Constitutional Reform Committee and a consultant to the Federal Recognition Committee. Heather’s work resulted in an opportunity to challenge the Department of Interior’s interpretation of the Lumbee Act of 1956. “I have had a very rewarding federal career and I am now looking for an opportunity to use my expertise to contribute more directly to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina,” said Heather. Heather is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe and grew up in the Allenton community. She currently resides in Lumberton with her husband, Benjamin, and their daughter. About Lumbee Tribe Holdings, Inc. Lumbee Tribe Holdings, Inc. (LTH) is headquartered in Pembroke, North Carolina and serves as a holdings company for several subsidiaries – Lumbee Tribe Enterprises, LLC; Lumbee IT Solutions, LLC, dba Lumbee Federal Solutions, LLC; and Lumbee 56 Construction, LLC, dba Lumbee 56, LLC – who are committed to providing world class services to a diverse array of government customers. Established in 2011, LTH is wholly owned by the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and provides economic resources to the Lumbee Tribal Government for the benefit of its Tribal members.

The Lumbee Tribal Enrollment Department is experiencing some technical difficulties. If you are planning to visit the department today, please be prepared for longer wait times. We are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

The Lumbee Tribe Housing Complex and all Lumbee Tribal Offices will be closed Monday, January 16, 2023 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Thank you for to everyone who came out tonight for the Lumbee Tribe Inauguration Ceremony - Tribal Council elect. The Lumbee Tribal Council had seven members who were sworn in and three outgoing. Sworn in was Gerald Goolsby, Pam Hunt, Kristie Revels – Hunt, Yvonne Dial, Kathy Oxendine Hunt, Josephine Chavis-Doss, and Alex Baker. The outgoing Tribal Council members are Larry Chavis, Corbin Eddings, Shelley Strickland and Ricky Burnett. Thank you to Tobacco Road Drum members and John Oxendine for honoring the council tonight with special music. Thank you to the Lumbee Warriors Association and Sr. Miss Lumbee and everyone who made this evening special.

Congratulations to newly sworn-in NC House Representative Jarrod Lowery. Rep. Lowery was sworn in this afternoon in a ceremony in Raleigh. He will represent District 47, which comprises most of Robeson County and is in the Lumbee Tribal Territory. Rep. Lowery is a former Lumbee Tribal Council Member. He is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of N.C. He is also the brother of Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery. He is the sixth Lumbee to hold a seat in the N.C. General Assembly. Many blessings to him and his family.

Does your child need additional help in Reading or Math? The Project IndigeCHOICE Tutoring Program provides FREE tutoring for Native youth in the Lumbee Tribal Service Area of Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland Counties. Please visit https://indigeCHOICE.lumbeetribe.com/ to register for this awesome opportunity and to learn about additional services offered by the Project IndigeCHOICE Grant.