Lumbee Tribe Boys & Girls Club Trip to Claxton,GaTrip

Youth travel to clean and sing at burial grounds


The First Nation Drum Group of the Lumbee Boys & Girls Clubs recently completed their summer cultural outreach project. The youth went to Claxton, Georgia and cleaned an ancestral burial ground.

I am really proud that the drum group chose this project. Actually, I believe after being a part of it, that the project actually chose them, because while we were there cleaning, singing and honoring our ancestors with tobacco, it was such a spiritual moment, said Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins. It really touched my heart.

Tribal members during the late 1800 and early 1900s went deeper south, following the turpentine trade, until finally settling and creating a community of Lumbee tribal members in the area of Claxton in Georgia.

This trip was historic, states Tribal Council member Welford Clark. This is the first time in modern era that the drum has been back and beat in honor of our ancestors that we know of.

While the tribal community ended during the 1920s, ancestors remain buried in our traditional ways facing the East and were left with a cedar tree for shade. The cedar tree has since been cut down and only seven markers remain. The wooden markers have succumbed to the elements; however, oral tradition teaches that at least 14 others rest there as well.

The drum group included Ryan Oxendine, Quentin Oxendine, Landon Brewer, Austin Allen, Davey Lowery, Chadd Scott, Triston Petrie, Marissa Hunt, Jawanna Jacobs, Tracy Scott, Ventina Jacobs, Karolyn Clark, Paige Hunt, Aubrey Williams, Blake Locklear, Chris Locklear, Trenton McMillian and Jullen Baxley.

The drum group cleared the weeds, honored each marked burial with tobacco and honored the site with song. The group, named First Nation, is a character and culture component of the Lumbee Boys & Girls Clubs. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina currently operates three (3) clubs throughout the territory. One in East Lumberton named First Nations, another in Hoke County named Hawkeye and one in Pembroke.

Further information about this project or the Lumbee Boys & Girls Club may be obtained by contacting Youth Services at the Tribal Office at 910-522-5176

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Lumbee Indians
• Claxton Georgia
• Indians of Georgia
• Lumbee
• Georgia
• Native Americans
• Lumbee Burial Grounds

[LumbeeGal5]

I love this- but one part hurt a little- "While the tribal community ended during the 1920s" - We are still here! True, we dont live in Pembroke NC. But we still live on the land our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents worked. It breaks my heart to see the tribe view us as dead- we thrive! We still speak the language! We are still an extension of our brothers and sisters in NC! I swanny we are! :)

Please please please visit us more often! :)

[chino2g]

Good to see positive programs like this for the young people.