LUMBERTON -- The Lumbee Tribe says it's closer than ever to federal recognition. The Robeson County based tribe is making a concerted effort to get its bill passed in the Senate before the legislative process ends for the year.
The Lumbees were recognized by Congress in 1956 but were denied any financial benefits. Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett says support from both North Carolina senators and the Bureau of Indian Affairs puts the tribe in a good place for achieving recognition this time.
Swett estimates recognition could bring up to $100 million a year to Robeson County and significantly impact not just those in the tribe.
"Not just Robeson county, the four county area, but the whole southeast because of the economic potential it has," said Swett.
Swett told News 14 that the bill would not authorize gaming. The National Association of Town Watch sponsors the organization of National Night Out which brings together 37 million Americans in 15, 000 communities. The purpose of National Night out is to strengthen communities, instigate involvement in crime and drug prevention programs, strengthen police and community relationships, and to symbolize the community message to criminals that they are cohesively fighting back. Although this event was established 27 years ago by the National Association of Town Watch, this will be the fourth consecutive year that the Lumbee Tribe has hosted its National Night Out. "This is a way for our Lumbee youth to express that they are concerned about drugs and violence in their community," stated Tobacco Cessation Coordinator April Bryant. Along with free food and entertainment, the Lumbee Tribe will be encouraging not only tribal members but all community members to establish a Community Watch Group in their communities. There will also be appearances by guest speakers advocating toward this message. Anticrime programs are available for community members to get involved in such as the Homicide and Motor Vehicle Death Prevention Program offered by the Lumbee Tribe. The Robeson County Sheriff's Department also has anticrime programs available in which officers will be on site to provide more information about. According to Bryant, this event strengthens the community because it shows people coming together for one purpose. "It is important for all community and tribal members to attend," said Bryant, "I am expecting approximately 400 people to attend and join in the movement." All Tribal Boys & Girls Clubs will be participating in this one night event and Tribal employees will be conducting games for students. Partners for the event include the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Tribal Tobacco Cessation Program, Town of Pembroke, Lumbee Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Homicide and Motor Vehicle Death Prevention Program. For more information on this event please contact, Tobacco Cessation Coordinator April Bryant at 910-522-2189.
Loading...
5:39
Lumbee English2by NCLLP31,001 views
I think, from what I have last read, the Lumbee Tribe cannot provide sufficient documentation to the IBA (Indian Bureau of Affairs) to be recognized as a tribe? I'm not sure if there is any new update.
Gentilejedi 2 months ago