PEMBROKE — Members of the Lumbee Tribal Council pledged Thursday during a swearing-in ceremony to work together and with the tribe’s administration to carry out policies and administer programs that will benefit all tribal members.
“This is a great day to be an Indian,” said newly elected Councilman Ricky Burnett, who previously served on the council for six years. “The only way to come together is if we stand together.”
Burnett and six other tribal members were sworn in for three-year terms on the 21-member Tribal Council during a ceremony held at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s business incubator in downtown Pembroke. About 150 friends, family, other tribal members, and members of the community attended the ceremony that marks the beginning of the council’s new year.
Lumbee Supreme Court Judge Mattew Scott administered the oath of office to Burnett, who represents District 13; Janie McFarland, District 2; Alton Locklear Jr., District 3; Larry Chavis, District 6; Jan Lowery, District 7; Corbin Eddings, District 8; and Ann Taylor, District 12.
Outgoing District 13 Councilman William Maiden had a strong message for the members of the 2017 council.
“This is all about we. If you are in this for I, I, I, you need to get off (council) now. Get behind the administration,” said Maiden, who could not seek re-election because of the tribal constitution’s provision prohibiting elected officials from serving more than two consecutive three-year terms.
Outgoing District 6 Councilman Larry Townsend had similar words for the council.
“Work hard to be a true legislative government,” said Townsend, who has been active in American Indian issues since 1976. “Make this a government for all of the people and not just for a certain part of the people.”
The ceremony, which lasted about 40 minutes, included a color guard from the Lumbee Warriors Association. Wanda Locklear McCall, Senior Miss Lumbee 2016-17, sang the national anthem. The drum group Warpaint also performed. The Rev. Steve A. Strickland served as master of ceremonies.
In addition to Townsend and Maiden, outgoing members of the council include are Areatha Patterson, District 12; and Daniel Jones, District 8. Jones and Patterson weren’t present at Thursday’s ceremony.
Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr., who just finished his first year in office, said during his brief remarks that the Tribal Council and administration working together have accomplished a lot for the Lumbee people over the past year.
“This has been a hard learning experience for me,” Godwin said, “but it has been the best year of my life.”
Godwin thanked the council for providing the money needed to make improvements at the Lumbee Cultural Center, which the tribe has purchased from the state, and noted that plans are in the works to provide additional affordable housing for tribal members. He also said that through government certification, which allows the tribe to pursue federal contracts, new jobs will be created that will benefit the Lumbee Tribe and the region.
Councilman Locklear Jr., who was sworn into his second three-year term Thursday, called on tribal members to support their government.
“Defend your government,” he said. “We are here serving the people, but we can’t do it without your support.”
