Quick hits: Lumbees need unity, Elkmont doesn't need hikers

N.C. Lumbee chairman: Unity needed

"The Lumbee tribal chairman in North Carolina is calling for unity in the tribe's fight for federal recognition even as some members are trying to unseat him," according to reports.

"The Fayetteville Observer reported that Chairman Purnell Swett called for unity Tuesday during his first State of the Tribe address. Swett didn't refer to federal recognition during his prepared remarks, but saved his comments for the end of the speech.

"He says the tribe is at a critical point in the federal recognition process and must work together. ..."

Hiking discouraged at Elkmont area in Smokies

"Officials at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are discouraging hikers from using the Elkmont trails through the end of August," says the AP.

"They cited the repaving of all connecting roads to the popular trails, and limited parking. Additionally, a clubhouse in the area is being renovated.

"A news release from the park encouraged visitors to take advantage of the other 750-plus miles of trails in the Smokies. ..."

Quick hits: Lumbees get new chair, Bobcats on a roll and State Farm drops beach insurance

Lumbees welcome new tribal chairman
"Lumbee Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett took office on Thursday in a ceremony punctuated with a beating drum, cheers, praise for God and continued commitment to pursue full official tribal recognition from the federal government," says the Fayetteville Observer.

" 'It is with great pleasure that I accept this noble position,' Swett said during his inauguration speech. 'It is a responsibility that I take seriously, and one that I will pour my heart and soul into ... because it concerns you.' ..."

These Bobcats are getting hard to ignore

"The Charlotte Bobcats are 14-4 at home this season. Their best previous home record after 18 games is 10-8. These are the only seasons in which they were above .500 at this juncture," writes the Charlotte Observer's Tom Sorensen.

"I'm not sure what the difference is. Perhaps it's the fans. There were about 7,500 at Time Warner Cable Arena Tuesday for Charlotte's thrilling comeback victory against Houston. ..."

State Farm drops insurance on barrier islands

"State Farm is dropping protection for homeowners whose insured property is on one of North Carolina’s barrier islands," says the Jacksonville Daily News.

"Approximately 140 homeowners in Onslow, Carteret and Pender counties will be receiving notices of non-renewal, according to Russ Dubinsky, the spokesman for State Farm Insurance Company of North Carolina. ..."

Lumbees want ancestral river's name to change

The Lumbee's Tribal Council recently passed an ordinance asking the General Assembly to change the name of the Lumber River "back" (in their opinion) to the Lumbee River. The Lumbees say that "Lumbee River" is the ancestral name.

"Under the ordinance, tribal leaders are now referring to the river by its ancestral name in all correspondence and tribal publications," said The Robesonian.

But even if the state approves the change, to become recognized as the Lumbee River at the federal level the tribe would have to make a requestto the U.S. Board of Geographic Names, the federal board with the responsibility of maintaining uniform geographic name usage throughout the federal government. To approve changing the river’s name, the board would have to be convinced that the name change requested by the tribe is more than just an act to correct or re-establish historical usage.

Significant documentation exists that before the early 1800s American Indians in the region called the river the Lumbee — an Indian term that refers to the river’s dark color.

According to Stan Knick, director of the Native American Resource Center at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, both Angus McLean, a N.C. governor from Lumberton, and Hamilton McMillan, a member of the state General Assembly, referred to the Lumbee River in the 1880s. And according to Wikipedia, the poet John Charles McNeill, who lived from 1874 to 1907, used the Indian name Lumbee in his writings about the river.

“I think it would be a great idea to change the name of the Lumber River back to its original name,” Knick said. “This river is very important to the Lumbee tribe, especially the stretch that flows through the part of the region still home to so many tribe members.”

Jimmy Goins, chairman of the Lumbee Tribal Council, also supports renaming the river.

"Personally, from a historical aspect, I think it would be something nice," Goins said. "It would be a good gesture toward the Lumbee tribe."

State Rep. Ronnie Sutton, who is Lumbee and represents Robeson County, said last week that he thinks it may be difficult getting state legislation approving the name change.

"My feeling is that this wouldn't be popular with everyone. I don't think all of the people in the county and state are going to rally around this," Sutton said. "I have not yet taken, or been asked to take, an official position and I have no personal opinion at this time. Before I take a position I will want more information ... I'm not opposed to it, but I'm not out waving the flag for it either."

Lumbees get federal support

From the Associated Press ...

"A North Carolina Indian tribe that has sought federal recognition for years now has support from the federal agency that oversees tribal matters, which the petitioners say may signal a shift under the new president.

"Lumbee leaders attended a congressional Indian affairs committee hearing Wednesday in Washington on a bill that would give the tribe federal recognition, which would include federal funds, The Fayetteville Observer reported Thursday. The bill was proposed by Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-NC, who lives in Lumberton, and now is supported by the Interior Department.

"McIntyre told committee members that some have raised concerns about whether the Lumbee people are true Indians. He said those statements were 'a weak attempt to try and confuse the issue of federal recognition. ... The only tribe in America left in legal limbo is the Lumbee.'

"Federal status for the tribe would bring it millions of dollars for housing, health care, education and development. The Lumbee tribe is the largest east of the Mississippi and most of its 55,000 members live in the Robeson County area. ..."

This is very good news for the Tribe.