Comments for Lumbee Sovereignty Coalition

Comment on Tribe folds bad hand by Minta Thorpe

Minta Thorpe — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:33:16 +0000

I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are very short for newbies. Could you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.

Comment on Letter to Lumbee Tribal Council by Donna Bayardo

Donna Bayardo — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 04:29:39 +0000

I truly find this is a great interesting subject. Never looked at this subject in this way. If you are planning to write some more articles relating to this subject, I will return in the near future!

Comment on Statement on the contract with Lewin International and its accompanying opinions by Chipa Wolfe

Chipa Wolfe — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:21:50 +0000

I realize this post is about ten months tardy of the original discussion but I thought I would put my two cents in just for the heck of it.

First off, I am and have always been pro-Lumbee when contesting for Lumbee Federal Recognition. Unlike the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the Western Band has been pro-Lumbee Recognition as well. However, those that elected to create a deal
with Lewin International or any other gaming organization in the cloak of darkness has indeed cost the tribe valuable footing in the world of credibility. Gaming was and remains a viable resource for prospective future endeavors but the channels of the Lumbee Constitution have been compromised at least for now. Those that signed into such an agreement can only be grateful that they may only face personal and/or political shunning versus the the yesteryear vendetta known as Cherokee Blood Law that Ridge and Elias Boudinot fell victim after relinquishing Cherokee lands to the whites. In the end I do believe all will fare well as the Lumbee have been held down by both friend and foe yet they have a legacy of proving themselves to be prideful, strong and resilient.
Once again, I realize this was an old read I am responding to but it is certainly an interesting one. I see something very interesting about to happen for your tribe in the name of Federal Recognition and you certainly deserve it. Have a happy day, Chipa Wolfe

Comment on Statement on the Lumbee Tribal Council’s Action to Sever Ties with Lewin International by Vernon Brittian

Vernon Brittian — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:18:18 +0000

Hey guys what a blog eh? I love this site. Just wanted to say thanks for the post and if anyone has time come check out mine will ya? Thanks have a great day!

Comment on An Open Letter from Arlinda Locklear, Esq., About the Lumbee Recognition Act by Sherrill Wood

Sherrill Wood — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:11:44 +0000

I think Arlinda Locklear is doing a good job keep up the good work you have my VOTE

Comment on An Open Letter from Arlinda Locklear, Esq., About the Lumbee Recognition Act by Sherrill Wood

Sherrill Wood — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:07:31 +0000

I Think Lumbee is wrong on gamimg thay are making the wrong decision.I fill like thay should put the people first for there needs,It’s hard to get them to help you with anything thay will find something wrong so thay can’t help you ,i been there for 9 to 10 years for help and it’s alway the same and the answer is NO I begin to think why..!! We are there for there needs not ourself.

Comment on An Open Letter from Arlinda Locklear, Esq., About the Lumbee Recognition Act by donald locklear

donald locklear — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:12:45 +0000

My hat’s off to Dr. Locklear for her tireless efforts on our behalf these past decades. Also, two thumbs up to the administration of the L.S.C. for the level of professionalism and leadership they have provided. I realize there is no financial gain in this and you folks are only donating your time. But know this- during this Lewin debacle,you folks were worth a million bucks! If you would not have been as relentless as you were, there’s no telling what would have happened.
My only problem is this- why is it that Dr. Locklear’s Paper to the people was edited in the Robesonian and The Fayetteville observer yet it was printed in its entirety her on L.S.C.’s website?
L.S.C., please keep up the good work, and please continue to be the Pit-bulls we need biting down on those that need it most!

Comment on An Open Letter from Arlinda Locklear, Esq., About the Lumbee Recognition Act by Brett Locklear

Brett Locklear — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:56:08 +0000

This news infuriates me, although I knew it as many others did before it leaked. When the Lumbee Council met at the UNITY Conference in Raleigh last year, I knew some covert scheming was happening. Lumbee membership, me included, should have questioned what that private meeting was and why it occurred outside of the designated territory. It later came out when the Lewin contract was unveiled and the tribal membership was not informed of the decision or the discussion of the gaming.

Deception is a nasty thing; this is exactly what has occurred with past leadership of the tribe – both administratively and within the council. Secret meetings, personal political agendas, and personal gain have caused us so much. Is it right for these individuals to continue to halt our progress? Should they be the face and voice of the tribe? Are they truly qualified? I have advocated for years that tribal leadership should be leaders and should possess the necessary skills to be effective and efficient in their position. To be leaders, they need to know how to lead, how to listen, and how to engage their constituency. I’ve yet to see this in Lumbee leadership. Why do we continue to allow people to be our leaders when they do not possess the necessary skills lead?

It pains me and is embarrassing when the Lumbee leadership continues to negate who we are as a people. This leadership is prohibitive and hazardous to the progressiveness of the tribe and only showcases personal agendas. Too much is at stake to continue to sit idle and allow this to continue. We have a right and a duty to challenge the Council’s intent and their integrity? This behavior surely warrants that.

Some people want to blame Arlinda for many things. Personally, I commend Arlinda for taking a stand and providing the evidence that so many of us needed to confirm our suspicions of Jimmy Goins, Leon Jacobs, and so many Council members. Thank you, Arlinda, for breaking the silence and sharing the truth.

Now, I have one final question and thought… should the Lumbee people brings forth charges against Jimmy Goins, Leon Jacobs, and the Council for dereliction of duties and breaking their oath to the Lumbee people?

Comment on An Open Letter from Arlinda Locklear, Esq., About the Lumbee Recognition Act by Wendy Lowery Jones

Wendy Lowery Jones — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:04:29 +0000

Arlinda,
Although I have only met you in passing as a child, I have recognized you as a hero among our people my entire life. You are considered a “household name” that anyone who has ever had an interest in the advancement of Lumbee people recognizes. Despite the current situation we have found ourselves in, I’d like to thank you for your relentless dedication to Lumbee people and Native Americans everywhere. After reading the article in the Fayetteville Observer today, I felt compelled to reach out to you and express my appreciation for all you have done for us and will continue to do. You are a true inspiration to me and our people. Thank you for expressing your concerns and issues publicly, your courage and strength to do so is admirable at the very least. As a young, well educated professional and member of the Lumbee tribe, I am most concerned about the direction we are heading. I’d truly like to take a more active role in the progression of our tribe along with many of my friends and family who feel the same way, but due to the current political schematics, most people my age that could make a tremendous difference have chosen to back away from getting involved, which is a travesty on a whole other level.
I hope that your recent comments will open the eyes of many and that you will continue to serve as a leader, hero, and voice for our people.
Thank You,
Wendy Lowery Jones

Comment on An Open Letter from Arlinda Locklear, Esq., About the Lumbee Recognition Act by ed

ed — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 04:21:24 +0000

I would love to be able to point the finger at our local leaders and talk about how their special interests are their first priority and that federal recognition is a means to make them more powerful or richer but the real truth of the matter is this political system that we have to use.

Is it truly a democratic system or is it a system to keep the politically powerful in power?

How many times have we been at the brink of federal recognition and just ran out of time? This is not the first time nor, I believe, will it be the last time.
The powers that be in capitol city have used us and will continue to use us. They will continue to throw a few dollars our way to keep us fighting among ourselves and pretend to be working so hard for us but will always need just a little more money and a little more time to accomplish federal recogniton.
I hope that we can help to elect senators and congressmen that will be as hardworking for our cause as Mike McIntyre seems to be.

We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors in DC. We have been a political football for someone in DC for a long time.
I am not proposing that we give up on Federal Recognition but we should be very cautious with whom we are dealing in DC and know that they have OUR best interests at heart.

Study my brothers and sisters and know who are your representatives and if they can truly represent your views and not come up short when it counts.