New members of Lumbee Tribal Council honored at ceremony

By Aaron Woods
Staff Writer

Six new members of the Lumbee Tribal Council and one incumbent were sworn into office Jan. 19.

Photo by Aaron Woods The new members of the Lumbee Tribal Council were sworn in on Jan. 19. The new members from left are Sharon Hunt, Pam Spaulding, John Lowery, Wendy Moore-Graham, Richard Locklear, Shelley Strickland, incumbent Frances Dale Chavis. District Court Judge Jeff Moore can be seen administering the oath of office on the far right.

The incoming members are Sharon Hunt and Pam Spaulding representing Lumberton Districts; John Lowery, Frances Dale Chavis and Wendy Moore-Graham representing Pembroke Districts; Richard Locklear representing Hoke County; and Shelley Strickland representing Scotland County. Tribal Speaker Lawrence Locklear, Special Assistant to the UNCP Chancellor, introduced them.

Earl Carter, Keeper of the Fire and member of the Lumbee Tribal Elder's Council, performed a traditional Pipe Ceremony.

District Court Judge Jeff Moore administered the oath of office and each new tribal council member was pinned by Tribal Speaker Locklear and presented a traditional Prayer Tie by Tribal Elder Carter.

The beat of traditional drums and singing of honor songs marked the installation of the new members and represented respect for the past while looking ahead to new leadership for the future.

Guests at the ceremony included Greg Richardson, executive director; Ray Littleturtle, member of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs; members of the tribal advisory council; Renee Hunt, Robeson County clerk of court; the Honorable Ray Pennington, mayor of Lumberton; and Judge Moore.