Tribal Council holds historic first meeting at the Tribal Housing Complex
The Tribal Council of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina held their first regular monthly business meeting in the new Council Chambers at the Lumbee Tribal Housing Complex on Thursday, January 21, 2010. “This is a historic night for the Council,” said Tribal Speaker, Rev. Ricky Burnett.
The new Tribal Housing Complex replaces several other buildings the tribe rented, and centralizes programs for tribal members needing services. The Tribal Council of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina had previously been holding their meetings at the Regional Center of UNCP in ComTech Park.
“I encourage tribal members to come to the Tribal Council meetings, and not only watch their Council at work on their behalf,” states Speaker Burnett, “but also to see the new building, which I personally believe will instill pride.” The dais is in the center of the “turtle”, as the building has become known.
At the beginning of the business meeting, the Tribal Council elected officers. Reverend Ricky Burnett, Tribal District 13 representative, was elected Tribal Speaker for the 2010 Tribal Council. Mr. Furnie Lambert from Tribal District 12 was elected Vice Chairman for the Lumbee Tribe. Mrs. Linda Revels from Tribal District 11 was elected Secretary. Mrs. Pam Spaulding, Tribal District 3 Representative, will serve as the Treasurer, and Mr. Shelley Strickland will serve the Tribal Council as the Parliamentarian.
“I would like to congratulate the officers of the Tribal Council on their election tonight,” said Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett. Chairman Swett, who was inaugurated seven days earlier, attended the meeting. “I thought tonight was a good meeting, I commend the Tribal Council for changing the ordinance in regard to enrollment and services. I plan on signing this ordinance so that in 30 days the Administration will be able to assist Lumbee households in dire need.”
The Tribal Council revised the Enrollment Ordinance, which required a penalty for tribal members who did not update their enrollment by June 23, 2009. Previously, tribal members who did not update their enrollment by June 23, 2009 were penalized with the loss of receiving tribal services, as well as the loss of the right to vote for one year, after the tribal member updated their tribal enrollment information.
Now, with the passage of this ordinance, the Chairman’s signature, and after being posted for thirty days, tribal members who did not update their enrollment cards will be able to receive tribal services upon updating their enrollment information.
Furthermore, the ordinance was changed to allow tribal elders who are 55 years and older, with an updated enrollment card, an exemption to no longer have to appear before the Enrollment and Records Office once every 7 years to update their card.
For further information, please contact Alex Baker at 910.522.2202. |
