Chairman’s Monthly Report | May 2023
Dear Lumbee People,
In May, we joined our Lumbee Citizens in the Rowland (District 1) community to celebrate the grand opening of the South Robeson Court Administrative building at Pine Needle Senior Village. This building will serve as a gathering place for the Elder Housing Community currently in development. Once completed, Pine Needle Senior Village will have 22 homes for elders to live in a safe and affordable community. This site has been in the planning stages for a long time and I am proud to have worked with Councilman Billy “Dollar Bill” Oxendine and our tribal staff to see the community brought to life.
On May 6th, the Lumbee Tribe, along with our partners, honored our Missing and Murdered Indigenous People by participating in the annual MMIW March and rally. As Lumbee people, we have so many loved ones who have been murdered or gone missing over the years. Without closure, those wounds never heal. I am grateful to the many family members who came out and shared about their loved ones and continue to carry their memories everywhere they go. The lives of our Lumbee people are priceless; we must be our brothers and sisters’ keepers. Let us remember those that we have lost and continue to work to protect others from a similar fate.
One of the key components of our Tribal Support Services is the Peer Support program. Our Peer Support program is designed to help those who are struggling with substance abuse and addiction. In May, we held a “Night of Hope” event which highlighted and celebrated the efforts of eight individuals who are working with our Peer Support staff. At this touching event, we heard from individuals who experienced first-hand the impact of addiction on themselves and family. If you or a loved one would like to know more about our Peer Support Program, please call our staff at 910-522-5055. Please remember these eight individuals in prayer as they move forward each day on their recovery journey.
Thank you for allowing me to be your Chairman.
I love you all,
John L. Lowery
Chairman
