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A letter from the desk of
James Hardin, Executive Director of LRDA
Lumbee
Homecoming: A Marquee History and Heritage Legacy
Lumbee Homecoming has always been about history. It has become the
marquee event for the Lumbee people over its 44 year span. This celebrative
history of our Southeastern Woodlands native history and survival, and amazing
achievements since the founding of this state and nation to modern times is
beyond comparison throughout all of America’s Indian Country.
We are truly blessed by having to never
bare the burdens of being residents of an Indian reservation.
We
have still, even without so called “federal recognition,” our ancient tribal
“village” sense of family, community, pride, and even unity when our rights
come under attack as a people.
Books could be written and great Lumbee leaders credited for the
federal and Indian Country tribal fights the leaders of LRDA engaged in, in
Washington and even Raleigh, since 1968 for Lumbee inclusion in the Great
Society anti-poverty programs that evolved from President Lyndon Johnson’s
administration up to today. Most of the
programs tribal members still benefit from today come due to these battles
fought in the decades of the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
Winning many of these federal, state, western tribal anti-Lumbee
opposition, and even local rights battles lead to a renaissance of pride, and
recognition of our own political clout when united as a people, out of which
Lumbee Homecoming has emerged as the marquee annual gathering for showcasing
our pride, and unique heritage and history.
To help shape our own positive tribal self-concept as a people, in
spite of naysayers, and to perpetuate our heritage and identity for our
children’s sake, as a people and tribe, is what Lumbee Homecoming is all
about. It also showcases our many economic, educational, social, and cultural
contributions to our county, state and nation as a people of a strong work
ethic and strong spiritual values system centered on the importance of church
and family.
We hope that you will enjoy all the events planned for this 44th
Lumbee Homecoming. On behalf of
the Lumbee Regional Development Association board of directors and staff, we
welcome the public and all tribal members to share in our culture during
Lumbee Homecoming 2012!
James Hardin, Executive Director
Lumbee
Regional Development Assoc. Inc.
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