The unofficial results of the Lumbee Tribal elections say that Purnell Swett, a former school administrator, is now chairman of the Lumbee Tribe. He will take office in January, 2010 and serve a three-year term.
Purnell Swett received 3,371 votes; Tony Hunt, 2,758; and William Terry Campbell, 649.
Woolverton, Paul. “Unofficial Tally shows Swett new Chairman of Lumbee Tribe.” Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Website. <http://www.lumbeetribe.com/Press%20Room/2009%20ELECTIONS/2009Elections.html>.
On Thursday, October 22, 2009, the bill calling for federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe was approved by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The next step would be a vote on the Senate floor.
If the bill is passed, the Lumbee will be eligible to receive up to $800 million in federal funds over five years.
“Senate Committe Advances Lumbee Bill.” Fayetteville Observer. October 23, 2009. www.fayobserver.com
North Carolina Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr introduced a bill to the Senate on October 1, 2009, to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The bill will be referred to the Indian Affairs Committe.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians still opposes this path to recognition, claiming that the Lumbee should go through the formal process with the Office of the Interior.
“Senate bill calls for recognition of the Lumbee.” Asheville Citizen-Times. October 1, 2009.
To view the full this bill, along with details, go to http://thomas.loc.gov
In the “Search bill summary and status” search box, search “Lumbee”
Choose S. 1735.
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke celebrated its joint study abroad program with University College of the North in Canada with a celebration on October 6, 2009. The celebration took place at the Native American Resource Center in Pembroke, North Carolina.
The University College of the North was selected to partner with UNCP because of their compatibility as schools that serve indigenous and First Nation students. For UCN, these are mostly the Cree.
The plans for this program include joint classes via video chat, summer trips to UCN, hosting students in Pembroke, and semester-long trips.
“UNCP begins program with University College of the North.” The Laurinburg Exchange. September 25, 2009. <http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/>
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has approved its 2010 budget. The $13 million budget includes a 67% increase in stipend for Tribal Council members as well as a 3% increase in cost of living for the tribal employees.
A breakdown of the 2010 budget:
$7.63 million for housing rehabilitation
($4.5 million from federal stimulus package)
$4 million for home ownership
$1 million for administration
$335,000 for public services
$306,000 for elder services
$1,234,861 for youth services
$173,868 for for veterans services
Shiles, Bob. “Tribe OKs budget, pay hike.” The Laurinburg Exchange. September 22, 2009. <http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/>
The movie “Looking for Ms. Locklear,” written, produced and directed by Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, premiered at the Galaxy Cinemas in Cary, NC on August 29, 2009.
The movie tells the story of the search for the duo’s first grade teacher, Ms. Locklear, in whose class they first met. The search takes place through interviews and word of mouth, and eventually brings them to the midst of the Lumbee Tribe and the tribe’s fight for recognition.
The premier featured a musical performance and a question and answer session.
Gregg, R. “NC Movie ‘Looking for Ms. Locklear’ Debuts on Saturday.” Raleigh Telegram. 25 August 2009. http://www.raleigh3.com/
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has qualified to receive $7.2 million dollars in tax credits. The money will be used to build 50 homes in the Tribe’s Arrowpoint subdivision.
To qualify for leasing a home, a family must make at or below 60 percent of the national median income. The homes will be available for a fifteen-year lease and are single-family.
Construction is projected to start in late October, 2009, and will create about 75 new jobs.
“Lumbee Tribe to build 50 homes.” Fayetteville Observer 28 August 2009.
The Lumbee Guaranty Bank in Robeson County, NC, has received a 5-star rating from BauerFinancial, Inc.
The 5-star rating is BauerFinancial’s highest rating, and is given to banks that show the most financial solidarity. The information is gathered from quarterly financial reports sent in to the bank rating company.
To access the press release for this story, go to www.bauerfinancial.com/home.html
Select the “Star Ratings” tab at the top of the page. Enter “North Carolina” into the state category and Lumbee Guaranty into the bank name.
Reports of BauerFinancial’s analysis of Lumbee Guaranty Bank are available for order. Prices vary by level of detail of the report.
“Lumbee Guaranty Bank Receives BauerFinancial’s 5 -star rating.” Press Release.
The Lumbee Tribe has been awarded $4.7 million from federal stimulus funds. Plans for allocating the money have been submitted to Housing and Urban Development and are awaiting approval. The Tribe plans on spending the money this way:
- $2 million will be used to build a Tribal Boys and Girls Community Center in districts 6, 7 and 8. The facility will also be used as a disaster center in case of a national disaster.
- $1 million will build an Elder Site in Tribal district 13.
- $650,000 will go towards trasitional housing for tribal members in Hoke, Cumberland, Scotland and Robeson who are affected by unforseen disasters, such as a fire.
- $525,000 will build a a boys and girls club and community center in Tribal District 4.
- $500,000 will help the Tribal rehabilitation program.
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