Native American Oral History Interviews

This interview focuses mainly on the role that the American Indian Center plays within the Native community of Baltimore. Adolph interviews Peter Standish, a visitor from United Farm Workers who wants to partner with the Center at the City Fair to advertise a boycott. Adolph runs into Ronald Smith at a coffee shop and briefly interviews him. He then interviews Center employees, Rosa Hunt (secretary) and Elizabeth Berry Locklear (neighborhood development assistance, treasurer), along with James Locklear. Later, four students come in to play pool: Charles Locklear, Billy Barnes, Virginia Chavis, and Barbara Freeman. They give their thoughts on the schools in Baltimore, as well as their views on the demographics of schools in the area. Some other topics of discussion include farmworkers rights, adoption, and general comparisons between Baltimore and North Carolina. The Center's neighborhood development assistant Vivian Jacobs describes her work. The employees discuss the patterns of racial intermarriage in the area, as well as rent costs. Herbert Locklear, the director of the center, discusses the origins of the center and the types of programs and services that are offered there, such as dance, arts and crafts, literacy programs, and counseling. He also talks about the Baltimore school system, and the improvements that are much needed in the subject of American Indian history.

Elwell Barnes has been incarcerated for twenty-four years; his interview takes place at the Robeson County Unit of the North Carolina State Department of Public Corrections. Convicted for murder, Barnes entered Raleigh's Central Prison in 1949, and he discusses important differences between the Robeson and Central prisons. He delves into the psyche of prison life and compares how both prisons have shaped his life. He is content with the changes in prison conditions that have occurred during his time in the system, and agrees that crime is usually a product of circumstance. Elwell talks about how there are more frequent visitors since laws have changed to give prisoners better treatment, but he discusses the lack of job opportunities that inmates have after being released from prison. He receives some gifts from his work as the prison barber and crafting leather goods, but he would like to see prisoners earn wages for their work. Elwell observes that he hasn’t seen any significant racial divides or prejudice in prison. He speaks on meals and leisure activities within the facility, and outlines some social dynamics present between inmates.

Bruce Barton is interviewed by his father, Lew Barton. Bruce talks about the reasons he left Robeson County, which were related to the discrimination he faced and his need for a new environment. He discusses the importance of Alcoholics Anonymous and mentions how it has helped him, as well as discussing the benefits that an AA chapter would potentially have for the Lumbee community. The phenomenon of moving back home to Robeson County after initially leaving is discussed, as it is a common trend among the Lumbee people and was something that Bruce himself did. Bruce and Lew then speak on their intentions for their new project: a Lumbee newspaper, at this point called The Lumbee Current. The two ponder how they feel it will improve Lumbee representation, and the good that will come from giving the Lumbee a voice in media. Bruce outlines a few of the issues that he wants to discuss in the paper, such as PSU’s relationship with the community. 

Mary T. Barton (née Worriax), born in McDonald, North Carolina, discusses her family, career, and recent marriage to Lew Barton. She speaks about her long career as a teacher and briefer stints at National Geographic and Federal Savings and Loan Bank in Washington, D.C. Mary lays out her own issues with Women’s Liberation and affirms her belief in a patriarchal family structure. She briefly discusses her spiritual life at Cross Creek Baptist Church. Her and Lew recount their courtship as teenagers, and she tells of becoming interested him during school commencement in 1934. When asked what one wish she would make to improve life for Lumbees, Mary names the need for unity, and the importance of furthering education in Indian community. She also expresses hesitations about young people, but remains optimistic in the possibilities for future generations.

Fourteen-year-old Ricky Mitchell Barton discusses working at the Carolina Indian Voice, and outlines his role in helping his older siblings run the paper. He talks about the column he writes, “Would You Believe?” which is based on interesting facts he finds in books and encyclopedias. His interest in reading and learning began when he was very young; he recounts the time when he, at ten years old, began reading a book on the atomic bomb at the college library. Ricky also mentions his love of gymnastics and swimming. He talks about his love of animals, especially Siamese cats. He discusses his future dream of being a pilot, and wants to fly in a capacity that helps others. Ricky weighs in with his opinions on how the Carolina Indian Voice is doing, and gives his perspective the Old Main issue.

Mr. and Mrs. Bell and Miles Jones, members at New Bethel Baptist Church, discuss how aspects of life in Sampson County have changed over the years. Troy Bell serves as a committeeman for the advisory board of Sampson Technical School, and Mrs. Bell taught at New Bethel school. He and Mrs. Bell discuss lessened racial discrimination and the process of integration in schools within the area, as occurred with the East Carolina school integrating and becoming Sampson Technical School. Miles Jones also weighs in on the tape, theorizing that Sampson County is generally more prosperous than Robeson County, less welfare cases and poverty, due to the work ethic of those living in Sampson.

Karen Blu discusses her work with the Lumbee tribe as an anthropologist studying their history and society. She discusses her experience with interviewing members of the community and how her interest stems from the fact that this tribe is much less studied than other Native North American tribes. Karen also talks about the more subtle differences in how certain communities interact, and how Lumbees differ from the White and Black communities living in the same area, as well as discussing some of the more nuanced differences that set Native communities apart. Another major topic of discussion is the race relations of Robeson County and the extent of the discrimination that minority groups have faced in this area.

Brantley Blue discusses his career as the Indian Claims Commissioner, and explains what his job entails. He discusses some of the cases that have been filed in his Commission for tribes whose treaties have been violated. He also talks about the conflicts surrounding tribal identity within Robeson County with respect to the Lumbee and Tuscarora. He gives his thoughts on how political issues should be solved, which he thinks is through the power of voting rather than force. Additionally, he talks briefly about Old Main and its significance to the Lumbee people.

Brantley Blue and Helen Scheirbeck discuss political issues surrounding the Lumbee tribe and how they have both been personally involved in fighting for the rights of Native people. Brantley Blue serves as the Commissioner of the United States Indian Claims Commission and Helen Scheirbeck is working on a project concerning the education of American Indian children, which was funded by the John Hay Whitney Foundation. A main topic of discussion is the Lumbee Bill (S4045) and the issues they’ve had with the Lumbee Regional Development Association concerning federal recognition and funding for tribes. One of the major conflicts associated with the issue is the divide between Native groups on reservations against those who are not. Other topics mentioned include the Carolina Indian Voice newspaper, the housing programs available to the Lumbee, as well as other resources and programs that have had an impact on the area.

The tape begins with Commissioner Brantley Blue reading Lew Barton’s upcoming article for the Carolina Indian Voice about the five new Lumbee law school graduates. Lew then begins his interview with the first of these students, Henry Ward Oxendine. Recently appointed as the first Indian to the General Assembly of North Carolina after the untimely death of Mr. Frank White, Oxendine reflects on the many highs and lows of getting to that point. He talks about his time coming out of the Air Force and knowing that he wanted to further his education and instill change. Always questioning and inquiring about all aspects of the political sphere from a young age, Oxendine found himself proactive and motivated to become that person for the Lumbees. He also speaks about the younger generation, and how he feels they are more sensible in their decision-making. Henry expresses his high hopes for the future of Robeson County, and he is enthusiastic to improve his community in any way he can.

Brantley Blue's wife, Dorothy, speaks about her life. Growing up in a prominent family in Kingsport, Tennessee, she attended Milligan College and her father was also in the law profession. In her early adulthood, she lost consciousness for thirty days after a serious car accident. She met Brantley through a friend, and now supports him in every way she can. She laments on the reality of Indian discrimination and believes in Brantley's future as a federal judge, or even a Supreme Court Justice.

Elsie Mae Blue is a widow living in Maxton, North Carolina who has three grown-up children working within the state. Blue’s youngest daughter, Maxine, works as an airline stewardess, but in the off time also works as a nurse in Chapel Hill. Blue recently underwent a successful cornea transplant and two cataract surgeries, but ultimately decided it was time to retire from her job at Pembroke State University. Elsie speaks about attending Prospect High School. She considers herself a very religious person, attending Preston Gospel Chapel on a regular basis in the Maxton area. Lew Barton adds an additional footnote once his interview had wrapped up where he describes his personal experience with blindness after an auto accident. He calls for a more educated public on the issue of blindness and promotes the state organizations that offer care for the blind, such as the Governor Morehead School.

James K. Brayboy speaks with Adolph Dial about his long career as a teacher in South Carolina. Brayboy talks about how he was chosen as District Teacher of the Year and State Teacher of the Year for South Carolina, before finishing as a top five candidate for National Teacher of the Year. He speaks briefly about marrying his wife, who is White and how that caused them to move to South Carolina to avoid the prejudices and legal barriers of Robeson County. Brayboy goes into more detail about his time at Leland Grove School and what he thought about the discrimination faced by Indian students at the time.

John Brayboy gives an account of his life, talking about his wife Connee and their three sons, as well as discussing his grandfather, who raised him. He talks about working in the sprinkler business and advocates for labor unions, which are uncommon in Robeson County. He also mentions growing up on a farm and expands on what his time in the military was like. He discusses certain aspects of the Robeson community, such as the tendency of Lumbee people to be religious, as well as giving his thoughts on the reporting habits of the Robesonian newspaper. The “pan-Indian” movement and the divide between the Lumbee and Tuscarora groups are also topics of discussion, and ultimately, he suggests more education as a solution to many of the problems that the Indigenous people of Robeson County face.

Mr. James Brewington opens his home for an interview, joined by relatives Patsy and Pam Brewington, as well as fellow student Ms. Jo Ann Wynn. James discusses the integration of schools to include Native American children, and the difference in quality between the newly integrated schools and the historically Native American schools. He also shares personal accounts of discrimination from when he was a boy, and speculates on how the community has changed for the better. Patsy and Pam share their appreciation for being in an integrated school, and describe the ways it is better than the segregated school they attended previously. Jo Ann shares her experience at a different integrated school, and what plans she has after graduation if any. Mr. Brewington and the girls also reflect on a holiday called “American Indian” day, September 4, and how they felt about the festivities in Sampson County, and what it means for the community's pride in their Native American identities.

Robert Brewington talks about his life and his career in education. He speaks on his involvement in his children’s education, which feels like a privilege for him. Mr. Brewington mentions that the schools in the area are mostly lacking in the ability to prepare students for college and the workforce, particularly in the fields of math and science— as someone with a background in teaching this fields, it is especially important to him. He assesses various solutions to the problems in educating the Lumbee community, and then moves into broader issues that Lumbee Indians face. The Old Main campaign is brought up, where Robert criticizes the university administration's suppression of dissenting opinions, and he laments the disconnect between the university and the community. He emphasizes the importance of the Lumbee Bank and economic independence. Robert also calls out the more well-to-do community members like the educators for their complacency with the White power structures that leave Indians at a disadvantage. Finally, he shares a childhood memory of a grocery store in Red Springs's refusal to serve a Lumbee woman, a moment that awakened him to the reality of racial discrimination and remained unforgettable throughout his life.

Brenda Brooks, a Pembroke native, tells Dr. Proctor of her own experiences as a Lumbee Indian in Robeson County, and informs him of the general racial dynamics of the area. She emphasizes that discrimination toward the Lumbee occurs only locally, and how prejudice pervades daily life inside of the county yet is largely absent outside of it. She describes events like the Lumbee Homecoming on July fourth, and then details the political issues of the local government, including double voting and the lack of Indian representatives. She finally shares experiences from her own work on the welfare board, where she aims to bridge the gap between the people of the area and government financial assistance.

Dexter Brooks, a native of Robeson County, gives a comprehensive account of the political barriers to representational equity in the county’s governance and educational opportunities. First, he recounts his own experiences as a student in the county system, and identifies the deficits in his primary education as well as some of their possible causes. He then turns to the political issues around education at the present. He thoroughly explains the mechanics of the double voting issue, which arose from the segregation of Indians out of the city school systems and into the county system. Mr. Brooks addresses the major groups and individuals involved in the Robeson County political landscape and the barriers to minority representation in local politics. He concludes with an account of how Black and Indian voters combined their votes to get an Indian representative elected as a district representative.

Earl Brooks currently serves as an executive in the Education Department of the American Indian Study Center. He chronicles his journey from teacher to real estate and construction businessman to his career with the Center. He tells Lew about the Center’s tutoring program and the initiatives he is taking in his department to ensure Lumbee youth attend and succeed in school. They discuss other major figures invested in creating change for the Lumbee, and the conversation turns toward the broader landscape of race in the Baltimore area. Earl and Lew mention the “We-Sorts”, and discuss the factors of identity and community typical of Lumbees and of different racial groups as a whole.

Howard Brooks, the youngest of eleven children, was raised by his older sister in the Pembroke area. He describes his frustrations with the education system for Indians in the county, and recounts his own struggles to succeed academically when he began college at Pembroke State University. He eventually graduated and studied Pharmacy at Medical College of Charleston. After being rejected on basis of being an Indian by all of Robeson County's pharmacies, he interned in Charleston. Eventually, he found work in Wagram, and later returned to Pembroke to start his own drug store— the area's first to be run entirely by an Indian. Howard is also greatly involved in local politics, and gives a comprehensive account of the political system in Robeson County. He discusses the fight to have Indian registrars at precincts, and chronicles the successes and failures of Indian efforts in county politics from 1960 to 1973.

At the time of this interview, Roscoe Brooks has two years remaining of a prison sentence that began in 1949. While in prison, Roscoe has accomplished a minister's education, and works faithfully with the prison chapel and the Prisoners' Friend Society to rehabilitate imprisoned men. His faith drives him, and throughout the interview, he becomes impassioned over scripture and the transformative power of God. He speaks on his own experience with rehabilitation, as well as the experiences of others he has observed over the years. He discusses the characteristics successful leadership within the prison, and lauds their unit as being cooperative and restorative— for him, their prison unit is a home, and he feels that the policies and attitudes towards prisoners are more than fair.

Sally Johnson Brooks was raised around North and South Carolina as her father worked as a woods boss for Carolina Lumber Company. Living in a White neighborhood, she passed as White, and did not understand the concept of race until her mother revealed why her and her siblings were driven to the Indian school in Fairmont. She was educated at the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina, then NCCW in Greensboro, where she became the librarian. She discusses her experiences with funerary service, instances of social gathering with other Indian families, her religious beliefs, and her opinion that the Old Main should have been demolished in favor of a nicer building. She voices her opposition to double voting and to the Tuscarora movement.

Sherman Brooks is a professor of public health at Fayetteville State University. He was born in Pembroke and educated at Pembroke State University, University of Alaska, and American University before ultimately receiving public health degrees at the Universities of Michigan and Minnesota. He first discusses the topic of his graduate research, attitudes of rural populations toward birth control. He highlights the ways in which reproductive education and services do not sufficiently reach their intended beneficiary. He then details his feelings on religion and politics, centering on his experience as a candidate in the 1962 Democratic Primary for the North Carolina General Assembly. He critiques the "old guard" of Lumbee Indians involved in politics, addressing various issues and corrupt practices that he classifies as barriers to proper Indian representation. Mr. Brooks also discusses his drive to register voters while he was active in politics— which often included solidarity with Black volunteers— and subsequent suppression of Indian votes by county officials. He concludes with the first memory of Indian discrimination he remembers from childhood. 

Rand Bullard is an 86-year-old Lumbee Indian who spent much of his life farming, fishing, and hunting. He tells tales from his long and eventful life, always with the same disclaimer: "That ain't the truth, I'll never speak again!" He recounts a variety of experiences, like those from working in the cotton fields to produce the high quality cotton his family was known for selling. He also talks about other pastimes such as hunting raccoons, and recounts when he watched them rafting logs into South Carolina. Rand did not own a pair of shoes until he was twelve years old, but rarely saw the doctor— until dust in his lungs almost killed him at a young age. He speaks about his faith, and how he is not afraid of death because Christians are saved from the terror of dying. His view on race is highly affected by the fact that many White people considered him White, and although he never hid his Indian identity, he received treatment as if he was a White man. He concludes by saying a little bit about social events like corn shuckings and wood sawings.

Barbara Sampson Carter works with the Lumbee Regional Development Association, in the Adult Basic Education department. She grew up in Robeson County, and married at sixteen when she was expecting her first child. Now, at twenty-seven, she is divorced and advocates for better sex education in Robeson schools. She voices her opinions freely and openly, decrying segregationist practices still present in the county and making known her frustration with the White population's sense of superiority over the Lumbee. Barbara recounts the time she defied the rules of segregation when she went to the movies with a visibly Indian friend. She also tells of going to Fayetteville for a night out with soldiers from the military base. Finally, Barbara shares her frustrations with the poor treatment of Lumbee people in the county's social services department, as well as the struggles to create an equitable education system for Lumbee students.

John L. Carter is a member of the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association and a distant relative of the outlaw Henry Berry Lowry. Cater tells several stories that have been passed down about Lowry and his gang, including the deaths of Tom Lowry and Henry Berry Lowry, a tale of Henry Berry Lowry threatening people into not disparaging him, and the story of Henry Berry Lowry’s escape from gunfire down a river. Next, Carter discusses the history of the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association, it establishment and founding members.

Ed Kenneth Chavis is 21 years old at the time of the interview and a student at Pembroke State University in Pembroke, North Carolina. As the president of the Lumbee Student Organization, he has seen general hostility between the university and the Lumbee community. Chavis explains the significance of the Lumbee identity on the PSU campus, as well as the influence and experience of Lumbee Indians on campus for students and professors alike. Ed cites the success of the College Opportunity Program as an indicator that Native students have been disadvantaged in the education system. He discusses the relationship and interactions between the Native students and the White and Black students, and how they could all benefit through better cooperation in the future. Ed talks about the campaign to save Old Main and how it reversed the “de-Indianization” happening on the PSU campus.

James E. Chavis is a teacher who is part of the Lumbee tribe. Mr. Chavis begins by talking about the history of Indians in North Carolina and remarks on the idea of the Lost Colony. He then talks about the idea of genealogy and the concept of “Indianness”. He also discusses the relevance of the Cherokee Bill and the Siouan Bill and the distinctions between the two. Chavis provides an account of the nature of Indians being drafted in WWI and their treatment by other white and black soldiers. Later, Gerry Sider, a doctoral candidate in anthropology from New York, stops in briefly and discusses his research on the Indian population in North Carolina. His research focuses on the advocacy and political power of the Indians in America. He further remarks on the shift in style of politics from politeness to anger. Mr. Chavis concludes the interview by reminiscing on the poor conditions of the education system for children during the 1920s.

Reedie Chavis gives an account of her family. As the granddaughter of Henry Berry Lowry, she takes great pride in his legacy as an Indian hero. At the time of the interview, eight of her eleven children are living, and she laments the death of her youngest son four years prior. Five of them perform as the well-known musical group called the Chavis Brothers, and Reedie discusses their recent eight month residency at the Copacabana in New York. As a girl, Mrs. Chavis walked ten miles to school, and could not receive much education because children were needed in the fields. The history of the tribe is also mentioned and attitudes toward Native Americans are discussed, as well as mentions of segregation in public places such as in movie theaters and schools.

Reedie Chavis, widow of the late Willie Chavis, is the granddaughter of Henry Berry Lowry via her mother Pollie Lowry, Henry Berry’s youngest daughter. After providing a brief genealogy of Henry Berry Lowry’s immediate kin, she expresses her pride toward being a Lowry. Reedie gives her best account of what she thinks happened at the end of Henry's life— which remains unknown, as no reward was ever collected for his body. She discusses Rhoda Lowery, her grandmother, who was known for her beautiful appearance. Reedie's sister, Leola Lowery, also introduces herself and briefly discusses her upbringing in south Georgia.

Oscar Chavis is currently eighty-one years old, married to his wife, Margie, living in the Robeson community. Together, they have fourteen children, nine of which live in Detroit making a living and supporting themselves successfully. Mr. Chavis imparts his good health, even at his age, to farming and staying active in the fields. Oscar and Margie speak about their lineages and upbringing, specifically noting working at a young age and walking miles to school, if they were even able to get some education in. Having noted their younger years with working tirelessly for the white man, both Oscar and his wife have high hopes for the future generation with their tenacity and unlikeliness to back down. Their daughter Doris Aitson briefly speaks on her marriage to a Kiowa Native from Oklahoma and her life in Detroit.

Ward Clark discusses the history of the family-run shopping center he owns, the Lumbee Shopping Center in Maxton, North Carolina. He recalls how the shopping center began as a small furniture store, with a laundromat and then a supermarket eventually added, until it became the current large shopping center. Clark discusses some of his childhood and education, lists his family members, talks about his work as a minister and superintendent in the Methodist Church, and speaks about his hopes for the Democratic party in North Carolina.

Beverly Collins is fourteen years old and is in ninth grade at Red Springs Junior High, a recently integrated school. Collins gives her opinions on relationships, marriage, and interracial dating. She describes her hobbies of swimming, dancing, and horseback riding. She speaks about solving pollution, ending war, and the presence of marijuana in schools.

Gertha Mae Collins is thirteen years old, an eighth grader at Red Springs Junior High in the Rex-Rennert community. She speaks about her experiences at school, specifically being punished for losing her temper. She discusses attitudes about dating among her peers and how her school deals with sex education and teen pregnancy. She speaks about her opinions on various topics, including generational differences and interracial dating. After Collins’ interview, Lew Barton sings several songs and recites some of his original poems set to music, part of his Poetry in the Schools program.

Glenda Sue Collins is a seventeen-year-old twelfth grade student at Red Springs Senior High School. She discusses her family and her plans to attend Brigham Young University to be a laboratory technician. She speaks about her opinions on dating, sex, and abortion, and discusses the various relationships she has had.

Harold Dean Collins is sixteen years old. He discusses his dislike for school and how he is repeating the tenth grade. He talks about his girlfriend and his dislike of integrated schools. Primarily, Collins discusses his horse, Daisy, and his experience breaking and racing her.

Lora Collins is fifteen years old and a member of the Mormon Church. She discusses her involvement in the church, especially the youth programs and retreats. She describes her views around dating and how they intersect with the church’s teachings about dating, marriage, and drugs and alcohol. Collins discusses various points of view on interracial relationships and the differences between her generation and the previous one.

Redell Collins has lived in the Lumbee community of Rex-Rennert for thirty-seven years. He has seven children, and does construction work. He's very involved in the political and community work. Collins discusses the history of the Latter-day Saints church in the area and the changes that schooling has undergone, and the importance of educational opportunities for children. He speaks about the importance of good daycare in order for children to get a good start in school and to allow the parents to work. Finally, he speaks about the newly-established Lumbee Bank.

Lew Barton and Rev. Coolidge Cummings discuss churches in the Pembroke area. Cummings describes how he came to be a Missionary Baptist pastor and the nature of his work. He and Barton discuss other churches in the area and the charitable activities of the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association. They speak about how life has changed since they were growing up, including improvements in education, moving away from subsistence farming, and the hardships Indians have faced, as well as the medical issues they still struggle with.

Simeon Cummings discusses his work as a reverend and the relationship between the church and the Lumbee community. He discusses his family and the other families and children that attend the church he works at. Cummings mentions additions to the church building and talks about the wider network of Methodist churches and the work they are doing. He discusses increasing diversity within the church, as well as discussing people who have left the church and sometimes choose to turn back to Indigenous religions and practices.  

Harold Deese talks about his life and his family as well as talking about the treatment of Indigenous people in America. Deese discusses some of the programs that have been established to benefit the underprivileged members of the Lumbee community such as the youth corps, the literacy program for adults, and the business program. He talks about the negative aspects of assimilation and mentions the inefficiency of the local school system. Additionally, Deese talks with Barton about the campaign to preserve the “Old Main” building, a major landmark for the Lumbee Tribe, as it was a symbol of education and progress for Native Americans. 

Professor Adolph Dial discusses his career at Pembroke State University, and tells of his bountiful achievements as a leader within the Lumbee community. He gives some information about the history of PSU and how it has changed over the years, tracking how it grew from a school of just fifteen students. Adolph talks about the politics of Robeson County, and how he believes that there should be more representation for the Lumbee tribe in the county boards and state legislature. He especially emphasizes the importance of Lumbee decision makers in the education sector, since Lumbee children make up a large portion of the area’s student population. Adolph discusses the need for cooperation between the Lumbee community and the Black community to increase representation for the benefit of both groups, which have historically been discriminated against. He also mentions the spread of Christianity among Native tribes, and details the activities of the United Methodist Church.

Danford Dial is a Lumbee Indian who is principal of Prospect School. Danford gives background on the protest movement led by concerned Indian parents after their children were forced to move schools following integration. He explains the impact of this decision on the educational landscape and emphasizes the misfortune incurred by the Lumbee families involved. Principal Dial speaks specifically on the incident at Prospect School that occurred a few days prior, wherein parents demanded their children be enrolled for the school year and intimidated the school's Black teachers. The principal defends his decision to break the law and award report cards and a diploma to the sit-in students as a means of calming parents down. Later, Reverend Mangum, who is also present, comments on the exploitation involved in the gerrymandering of the districts, that allows Indian students to be taught in rural areas and not taught with White children in the city. Dial then provides personal experience the prejudice he has faced as a result of his ambitions to enter University. Dial concludes his interview with his hopes that Robeson County's education system will someday benefit students of all races equally.

Iola Dial discusses her childhood and her family—focusing on her father in particular, who was an influential preacher in the community. Iola talks with Lew about religion within the Lumbee tribe, and prevailing contemporary attitudes towards Christianity. She also mentions changing attitudes around women and dating, and discusses what dating was like when she was growing up. Iola also mentions differences in parenting from when she was a child, discussing her beliefs on punishment and family structure. She also talks about linguistic features specific to the Lumbee community, as well as common superstitions within the area.

In this interview, Elisha Dial and Betty Rogers share their perspectives on education in Hoke County and how it has evolved through the years. Mr. Dial recalls when he went to school in a one-room schoolhouse, and the childhood memories he developed there. He then goes on to talk about getting the first school for Native American children started in Hoke County and the process of building and hiring. Mr. Dial also shares personal anecdotes about beach trips and activities as a young boy, since the schools weren’t completely developed and he only received about three months of education. Mrs. Betty Rogers, granddaughter-in-law to Mr. Dial, details her experience as a senior English teacher at the newly integrated Hoke High. She theorizes how education has changed for Native American children in recent times, and critiques what more can be done to ensure a well-rounded understanding of history as it relates to race and identity.

Herman Dial discussed his family history in education, with the majority of his family members being current or former schoolteachers. As a Robeson County commissioner, Dial also spoke about his own attempts and desire to restructure the county’s school system. The campaign to save Old Main was also a topic of conversation, and Dial expresses disappointment in the building burning down. Herman provides an overview of Lumbee activism in recent history and talks about new initiatives like the LRDA. Lew and Herman discuss Pembroke State University and its relationship to the Lumbee community.

Adolph Dial interviews members of the Hunt family and Reverend James Dial at Charles Hunt’s home in Baltimore. Reverend Dial discusses the racial makeup of area churches, and Charles’s mother Mary Revels Hunt weighs in. Ten-year-old Milton Hunt speaks on schools. Adolph questions each of them on whether they prefer Baltimore to Robeson, and the group animatedly weighs pros and cons of each place. Sixteen-year-old Zelma prefers rural life to urban. John Willie talks about his work and sparks a debate over unions. Finally, twenty four-year-old Eartle enters the home and discusses his work with the Bureau of Recreation. They end with a group discussion of racial identities in Baltimore.

John Wesley Dial and his wife talk about the differences in present-day education, church, and society from when they were children. They are initially accompanied by Mrs. Dial’s sister, Mrs. D.E Lowry (Sarah), who discusses her views on her uncle Henry Berry Lowry and what he accomplished in his life. Sarah recounts the generally agreed on story of what motivated Henry Berry in his actions and if she had been to his deceased family members’ resting places. Lowry also talks about the local leadership of W.L. Moore and her appreciation of his sermon style. Mr. and Mrs. Dial go on to elaborate on what they believe happened in Henry Berry Lowry’s death. Mr. and Mrs. Dial briefly talk about recent changes in race relations with regards to Supreme Court decisions. Mr. Dial then shares his experience in the few years of schooling he had and any school related events he attended. He also describes community gatherings that involved labor and socializing, and Mrs. Dial discusses two of them, quilting and soap-making, in detail. Mr. and Mrs. Dial then talk about their upbringing in the church, and their opinions on the youth and the way they act and dress.

Mary Ellen Dial, wife of N.H. Dial and the mother of the interviewer, recounts her family history and events that shaped her life. In discussing her childhood, she talks about her school life, and her father W.L. Moore’s career as both an educator and a reverend. She briefly touches on her views of spirituality with remarks on how she has heard the spirits of friends that have passed away. She also discusses the memory of the Shake, a devasting earthquake that occurred in Charleston, South Carolina. She then recalls the legacy of Henry Berry Lowry, a well-known and respected Lumbee outlaw. Mary Ellen and Adolph end by discussing various members of their extended family.

Randolph Eddings has lived in Robeson County most of his life, and recalls moments where being a Lumbee Indian has created moments of friction for him. He explains that his features are much lighter, resembling his White father, and that this was both an advantage and a disadvantage while living in Robeson County and elsewhere in America during his service in the Army. He discusses the way that his race has affected his experiences in the workforce and in civil society, particularly in the experience of going to public places like the movie theater. He finishes the interview by saying that he does not believe discrimination has gone away for his son's generation, though it is less direct than it was when he was growing up.

Ray Elk, a member of the Oglala Sioux tribe from the Pine Ridge reservation, shares his views on the Lumbee community as someone who was not originally from the area. He discusses how he arrived in Pembroke when he was serving in the army, and how he eventually found a job that led him to move to Baltimore, Maryland. Elk mentions his education and his experiences as a student at Pembroke State College. He also talks about the Indigenous communities that live in Robeson County and Baltimore and how they have changed over the years.

Barbara Freeman, who is thirteen years old, tells the names of her parents and siblings. She explains some differences between the rural town of Lumberton, where she was born, and the city of Baltimore, where she lives. She talks about some school subjects and the sports she likes to play.  

This audio recording consists of two separate interviews, one with Genevieve Gaither and Jeanette Walker.
Genevieve Gaither is an assistant principal with the Baltimore City School system for seven years. She discusses programs made to help minority students make progress in school if they’re disadvantaged educationally. She talks about problems with discipline, and how parents need to be more involved with the schools to help correct such problems. She also mentions her thoughts on children’s lack of racial biases, and that she feels certain ideas and name calling comes from things the children hear at home and not from inherent racial prejudices.
Jeanette Walker is a teacher’s aide with the Indian Education Program and works with tutors and teachers to help students struggling in class. She talks about her motivation for working in the program and the problems she sees with students. She discusses her family, the opportunities in Maryland, and the cost of living in both cities. She also describes her children’s pride in their Indian heritage and the work her husband does for a living. Finally, she discusses the generation gap, and her perception of the next generation of children, saying she believes they’re more educated than prior children, and that they’re more perceptive.

Gailya “Gay” Godfrey is a Lumbee Indian woman from Robeson County who has lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband for thirty years. In this interview with her brother Lew Barton, she tells about her children and then discusses her hobbies of playing guitar, composing poetry and songs, and growing African violets. Godfrey performs a lullaby which she wrote after the birth of her youngest daughter. She discusses her opinions on the women’s liberation movement, and recalls her time in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. She and Lew Barton discuss the changing racial composition of Robeson County, and she outlines her connections to other Bartons from the area. Finally, the two reflect on issues in enumerating Indians in the census due to many Indians being categorized as White.

Mary Godwin resides in the Saddletree Community in North Carolina. She has traveled extensively and lived in seven states prior to returning to North Carolina. She is part of Jehovah’s Witnesses, having joined due to their interest in studying the bible. She talks about experiences she’s had as a Lumbee in other states, from segregation due to her race to moments where she was treated well because she was a Lumbee. She notes that things have changed much in fifteen years and is hopeful that future generations will be more racially tolerant and accepting. She and Lew discuss the Lumbee community’s growth in recent years, including getting better job positions and trying to improve themselves. She talks about changes to farming techniques with industrialization.

Greg Goins identifies as a Robeson County Indian, choosing not to take a side with any specific name like Lumbee or Tuscarora. Marilyn Taylor interviews him at his place of employment, the ABC store in Pembroke. He chronicles his educational journey, and how he attended Pembroke State University for a period of time out of high school before serving in the Navy out in California for two years. Now he balances his job and his family life as he returns to school to obtain a business degree. Greg and Marilyn discuss discrimination against Indians in Robeson County, as well as alcohol use in Robeson County. The two touch on a variety of other issues.

Mary Lee Goins begins by stating how grateful she is to live in the Prospect area of North Carolina, noting its historic and sentimental value. She speaks about her time in the education system, both as a student and teacher, spending twenty years teaching first grade at what eventually became Hawkeye School in Hoke County. Now, she oversees a local service station with her family, and is an active member of Prospect Methodist Church—she takes pride in having only missed one Sunday in eighteen years of membership. While referencing the church, the interview wraps up with Mary and Adolph remembering a local reverend, D.F. Lowry, who was adamant in the passing of the Lumbee recognition bill in 1956. She concludes by saying she hopes to do more for the Lord in 1974 than in 1973.

Edneral, or Edna, Hammonds describes her work at the Agricultural Extension Service in Lumberton, North Carolina, as a nutrition aide. She works with low-income families to improve their diets and teaches food preparation skills. She and Lew Barton discuss the social conditions of Indians in Robeson County and prejudice against Lumbee Indians. Hammonds shares her thoughts on the women’s liberation movement and considers the ways Indians are and are not fighting for equality.

Lonnie Hammonds discusses his businesses raising and selling chickens and hogs. A year before this interview, injuries sustained in a car accident left him unable to work, and due to his leave the farm is only raising chickens. He describes the quality of the land he owns and the process of planting crops on it, and the mechanics of raising forty thousand chickens, from vaccinating them to the egg-laying process. He speaks about the intensive process of raising hogs, and how farming and animal-rearing practices have changed over his lifetime.

James Harding is a politically-minded 22-year-old belonging to the Tuscarora Tribe. In this interview he discusses racial dynamics within his school between Whites, Blacks, and Indians. He further elaborates on the Indian identity in relation to portrayals of Native Americans within the movie industry and its consequences on the Native community. He also discusses the politics and history of the split within the Tuscarora tribes. He compares the faction dynamics of the Tuscarora to that of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black Panthers, and states that he is allied with the Howard Brooks faction, which is a more militant faction. Harding also discusses contemporary ideas on interracial dating.

Lola Haskins, wife to Richard Haskins and mother to five children, has lived in various locations across the United States. Recently, however, she made it back home to Robeson County, where she works in sales. She describes her home, and her friendly community. She gives her deep devotion to God and her Faith, discussing her affiliation with the Jehovah's Witnesses. Lola believes that people need to trust God and love God. Lola explains how times have changed in her religion, and how Robeson County has warmed up to the denomination. She also explains how her religion and work include all three races, allowing all to coexist.  

Aileen Holmes operates a beauty salon in the Robeson County area. She does this work in addition to being a political figure for the Lumbee. As a member of the Board of Education, Holmes is aiming to create a better educational environment for students at a younger age to have all the resources for further education as they grow up. Speaking about her family dynamics, she emphasizes that her and her husband support each other unconditionally and try to consistently educate each other as well as their children. Lew briefly speaks with the clients that have come for beauty services at Aileen’s establishment. Aileen and Lew recall the important of Lumbee education internally, where the community originated from, and how to keep the younger generation’s mind interested in their own complex culture.

Aileen Holmes has recently been elected as a member of the Robeson County School Board after a contentious election that resulted in her becoming the first Lumbee Indian member of the board. She discusses her election, her Christian faith, the Tuscarora movement, her experience with racial discrimination, and her vision for better schools and a more equal society in Robeson County. She also speaks of her job as a beautician at her own business, Saddle Tree Beauty Shop.

Betty Jo “Jojo” Hunt grew up in Robeson County, attending Green Groves Elementary School and Pembroke High School before furthering her education at Pembroke State and completing law school at Duke University. She talks about her close relationship with her parents, and examines her family dynamic regarding how decisions are made. This leads into a broader conversation about how education levels affect the experiences of life in the county. Additionally, Betty Jo traces how her relationship to religion and the church evolved throughout her upbringing. The topic of race is brought up, and she discusses her experiences with discrimination towards herself and other Lumbee. Betty Jo voices her support for contraception and advocates for a more politically active community.

Dixie Hunt is an English education student at Pembroke State University. While waiting to hear the results of the student government election, she discusses her recent crocheting hobby as well as the candidates for the elections. Hunt describes teachers she has had at the university and her love for the city of Pembroke. She discusses her career goals and her opinions about interracial relationships and abortion.

Elmer Hunt is a photographer at Pembroke State University, who also takes photographs for local newspapers and businesses. He discusses how he got started in photography and the types of cameras he has used. He recalls his service in World War II and moving to Robeson County when he returned, where experienced racial discrimination for the first time. He describes how he has never felt any particular attachment to the label “Indian” or “Lumbee,” and gives his opinions on the Tuscarora movement in Robeson.

Etta Jane Hunt, the wife of Peter Hunt, discusses her seven children and twenty-five grandchildren. She speaks about the nature of the Prospect community, which is nearly one hundred percent Indian, and discusses the controversial integration of Indian schools. She and Lew Barton recall what life was like when they were young, especially pocking cotton, and discuss those who held records for the most cotton picked. Mrs. Hunt works as a maid in a Prospect school, and discusses the racial makeup of the students and teachers.

James Hunt works in the North Carolina State Department of Corrections, Robeson County Unit. He discusses his time working the department of corrections and various services that the department offers, such as educational opportunities, Sunday church services, and work programs. He compares his unit to correctional facilities in other states, which he claims have worse conditions than the institutions in Robeson County. He describes the daily operations of the unit and how it has changed over time. Finally, he speaks about his experiences retrieving escapees, and discusses the use of bloodhounds.

Peggy Hunt is the daughter-in-law of Peter Hunt. Peggy is nineteen and has two baby boys. She discusses her experiences in school and then leaving school to marry, and describes changing practices in discipline, fashion, and women’s rights. She and Peter Hunt then discuss the old practice of a man “hollering” to his girlfriend. Peter Hunt then discusses elements of Lumbee folklore, such as totens, which are omens of a person’s death. He further describes beliefs around spirits protecting buried treasure and conjure women. He then discusses history he lived through, including the first cars and airplanes, land development, and integration.

Note: Throughout the interview, the initials “PH1” are used for Peggy Hunt, and “PH2” indicates Peter Hunt.

Lieutenant Rucious Hunt works at the North Carolina State Department of Public Corrections. He discusses how the institution operates, focusing on changes that have been made over the past years. A number of programs have been implemented to support the rehabilitation of inmates, including work release programs, day and weekend passes, increases in resources available to inmates, and reductions in punishments. Hunt describes racial dynamics within the facility, minor and major rule violations, and recreation opportunities.

Tim Hunt is thirty-eight years old at the time of the interview and has lived in Baltimore, Maryland for seventeen years. He’s lived in the city for so long that he explains that he feels Baltimore is more home to him than North Carolina. As a husband and father of four children, he speaks on his financial trouble and his painting business that recently shuttered. He discusses the lack of jobs in the city, how he feels about the new housing projects, and gives his thoughts on the nature of Baltimore's Lumbee community.

Norma Jean Jackson is a recent Hoke County High School graduate. She wants to start college to study to be a social worker, but has not yet found a job to fulfill the fieldwork element of the program. Her first year at Hoke High was the first year of integration at the school, and she discusses her experiences going to school with students of all races, which were generally positive. She describes what her daily routine was in high school, and recounts the crowded buses she took to school. Norma addresses the generation gap, talking about her belief that younger and older individuals are beginning to understand each other better.

Rose Mary Jackson is a 16-year-old student attending Hoke County High School. Rose Mary is a very active student in her school, and participates in a variety of clubs and sports. Rose Mary talks about how integration provides greater opportunities for Indians to be academically successful in high school. She also reminisces on her family; Rose Mary talks about her brother David, who is currently in the Navy, and her recently deceased father. At one point, her siblings chime into the interview as she discusses her life and relationships. Rose Mary finishes the interview with advice for the young people to maintain an optimistic attitude and make the most of life so that you can be successful and happy.

Teddy Jacobs is member of the Lumbee tribe. He has a handicap as a result of having polio when he was five, and now lives with mobility issues. Jacobs discusses his life, upbringing, and Lumbee identity. He grew up with a large family and is attempting to finish night school to earn his GED. He hopes to attend Robinson Tech Business Administration and become a bookkeeper, or otherwise have an office job that will allow him to work without requiring physical labor. Jacobs comments on his difficulties receiving accommodations from county social services, and feels that the system discriminates against Indians. Lew and Teddy observe that Lumbee Indians stick together and maintain their identity extremely well, and believe that even those who move away will always have their Lumbee ties.

Viola Revels Jacobs is wife to Reverend R. B. Jacobs and mother to five children. She has been married to her husband for forty-one years. Her interview takes place at the Super Dollar Store in the middle of Pembroke, a store she has managed since it opened six and a half years ago. She speaks about running the business and raising her children; her husband is in poor physical health, making her the sole caretaker in the home. Viola opposes abortion, but thinks that children should receive sex education early in life. She recounts her experiences as the wife of a minister in the Missionary Baptist Church, and has a discussion with Marilyn on different types of preaching. Viola reminisces on how Robeson County has changed over the course of her life, explains what her Lumbee identity means to her, and shares her beliefs as to what should happen to improve life for the Lumbees.

John Robert Jones serves as the chairman of the Robeson County Board of Elections, and is the first Lumbee Indian to have been nominated as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. First, he discusses his family, detailing how his younger brother, Sonny, died tragically in a skydiving accident some years back. He then talks his many roles in the Lumbee community, which include: an investor in a social hall called The Stable for the Lumbee youth, the chairman of the Robeson County Elections Board, and one of the initial tri-racial investors in the Lumbee Bank. He provides an extensive history of political turmoil over Lumbee representation in the county government. John R. Jones laments the impact of Indian discrimination on the individual morale of the Lumbee Indian, citing President Andrew Jackson's actions as a prime example. He chronicles the complex racial dynamics in Robeson County's party politics, calling the Lumbee a "convenient race," as those in power can classify them as White or non-White to suit their own purposes.

Miles S. Jones, Sr. gives a brief genealogy of his relatives. He then speaks on his upbringing in Sampson County, where he attended New Bethel school. He details his experience as a lifelong farmer, and his service in a hospital for the injured during World War I. He mentions the Spanish influenza outbreak, and briefly considers his opinions on modern issues like welfare.

Lew Barton interviews his stepmother, Rosa Jones. The two first address the violent crime that occurred close to Jones's mobile home in the early hours of that morning. According to the limited information gathered by neighbors, the owner of the mobile home park had been shot by one of three brothers. From there, Barton and Jones discuss Lew Barton's father, who sired around twenty-one children over the course of his life. They recount a tragic sawmill accident in which the senior Barton witnessed a man die, but also remember happier moments with Lew's father. They tell ghost stories they had heard in the community, and reflect on certain words specific to the Lumbee community that appear in Rosa's vocabulary. They conclude by talking about cotton-picking, which Rosa loved to do— even asserting her ability to pick four hundred pounds in a day.

Mr. John Henry Lee talks about his later experiences in life and his strong sense of community with the Lumbee despite being Black. Mr. Lee talks about how Pembroke has changed over time and his opinion on whether it is safe for the non-White population. He shares what he remembers about the late Martin Luther King Jr. and how his legacy continues to shape the relationship between the Lumbee and Black populations in Robeson County. Mr. Lee recalls how bathrooms, theaters, ice cream shops, and even hot dog stands used to be segregated and how things have changed since the implementations of the Civil Rights Act. Mr. Lee later discusses his personal affiliation with religion, and local politics on the topic of the current sheriff of Robeson County and corruption. He finishes with praise of Henry Berry Lowry and the coming together of the racial groups in Robeson County.

Archie Locklee and his wife Lula first discuss their five children and describe their success in life. Two of their sons hold major positions in the armed forces, one in the Navy and one in the Air Force. Lula mentions the family’s impoverished beginnings, and recalls her determination for her children to attend school and succeed. Archie Locklee comments on his father’s involvement with the Burnt Swamp Association, and Adolph Dial asks him about the history of the Lumbee’s name. The Locklee’s explain how people traveled trough Robeson County in the past. They share many stories told to them about the Lowry Gang by people that knew Henry Berry Lowry. Archie holds a firm conviction that Henry Berry should have a monument in Robeson County to celebrate what he did for the Lumbee people.

Arnold Locklear is one of three Lumbee Indian law students who graduated the week during which the interview took place. Locklear and Barton connect in Washington, D.C, and talk at length on their shared home: the Prospect community in Robeson County, North Carolina. They discuss the distinct sense of community among those from Prospect, as well linguistic factors unique to the area. They also talk about current issues among the community in addition to discussing aspects of Prospect’s past. The two provide a detailed outline of the community's origin from the Lost Colony, and name specific historic sites that are still known in the twentieth century.

Barbara Brayboy Locklear is interviewed at the store she owns, Friendly Indian Trading Post. Barbara loves arts and crafts, and describes her attempts in years past to create a craftsman’s association in Robeson County. She showcases some of the works from local Lumbee artists, as well as some that she sourced during her time living in the Southwestern United States. Barbara then talks about the members of her family—first her siblings, the Brayboys, many of whom received Masters degrees and have altogether excelled in their fields. Barbara then speaks about her husband Horace Locklear, the first American Indian lawyer to practice in North Carolina. She congratulates the current class of law school graduates from the community and speaks on the ways her husband paved the way. Barbara gives her opinion on conditions in the Robeson public school system, and briefly discusses her husband’s decision to send their children to St. Patrick’s parochial school in Lumberton. She voices unconditional support for saving Old Main.

Mrs. Barbara Collins Locklear, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Redell Collins, talks about her identity, recent life events, and advice for other young people in her community. Mrs. Locklear starts off sharing her recent change in status from single to married, and the addition of her son Bobby Ray to the family. She gives her opinion on marrying young in the community, as she and others have done, and altogether would not recommend this life choice to others her age. Mrs. Locklear attends the integrated Red Springs Senior High School and compares her educational experience there with a previous segregated school she attended. She mentions recent events that have contributed to racial tensions within the community, and how this impacts social life at the high school. Mrs. Locklear talks about possible prejudices amongst teachers and students, and if she feels the effects of these prejudices. Finally, she speaks on her family’s religious affiliation with the Mormon Church and its role in the surrounding indigenous communities.

Lew Barton speaks with Reverend Barto Locklear, a seventy-year-old minister at Rock Grove Baptist Church with a long and meaningful career in and around Robeson County. He has built and renovated at least four churches in his years in the ministry, and speaks of each project with great dedication and reverence. He most recently worked at the church of the Smiling Independents, a fourth racial group recognized in Robeson County for many years. This brings him and Lew into a retelling of the history of the Tuscarora movement, to which Barto Locklear belongs in some capacity. They discuss the Tuscarora, legislation for recognition of the area’s Natives, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and its takeover by AIM, and the Old Main campaign.

Miss Betty Locklear talks about her life as a bachelorette, and the accomplishments she has achieved so far in life. She begins by talking about the job she currently holds at First Union National Bank service center. She speaks on the recent integration of professional workplaces, and says she does not necessarily feel any prejudice from her peers or supervisors. Betty then goes on to compare the cultural practices of White Americans and Indigenous Americans, and how it has influenced the difference in approach to education, ways of living, and other social aspects. Betty does not necessarily agree with Women's Lib, but sees some good in it. She shares thoughts and personal experiences with interracial dating, giving her opinion on how men from other communities have treated her. Betty also weighs in on education, and how the schools are lacking in subject matter like sex education, which she feels students need to grow into adults. Betty shares a story of being away from Robeson County and still being able to recognize a fellow Lumbee Indian. She finishes by talking about her two year service in the Women’s Army Corps, and how being Lumbee benefitted that experience.

Bobby Locklear recently won the Democratic primary for a Robeson county commissioner seat, making it highly likely that he could win the general election without Republican opposition. He describes what the voting population is like in the Lumbee area of North Carolina, and the tactics he and fellow politically active folks took in registering citizens of the community. Bobby lists his accomplishments in civic organizations like the VFW and the Jaycees. He speaks with Lew about a recent Homecoming Day within the town, where thousands of Lumbee Indians came back to Robeson County for a parade and celebration. The familial ties of Robeson County are shared, and it is shown how strongly people feel about living there, often moving away for work or family, but always coming back in their later years. Lew's fledgling effort to start a newspaper for the Lumbee Indian is mentioned, and observations on religion within Robeson County are shared.

Carnell Locklear is thirty years old and an active member of the American Indian Movement and is the secretary treasurer of the Eastern Carolina Indian Organization. He discusses the groups’ activism, involvement in movements like the campaign to save Old Main, and future plans to encourage community among Indians. He explains the experience of being Indian in Robeson County and the negative attitudes political leaders have had toward Native people in the county. He also mentions the difficulties of finding a consistent meeting location, as many places have closed their doors on Native activists.

Nineteen-year-old Carol Jean was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina, but has lived in Baltimore since she was very young. She has attended many schools, and is now a student at Patterson High. She expresses a neutral attitude to the issues of pot and sex education in schools, and asserts that she does not want children. Carol Jean attends West Cross Street Baptist Church. She agrees with "every bit" of the Women's Lib movement, and is unsure of what she wants to do after graduation.

Reverend Locklear begins by reminiscing on his 1948 election as the first Lumbee mayor of Pembroke. In his years as mayor, he happily reports that he only had to break one tie between the half Indian, half White board of four commissioners. He then talks about an outstanding member of his upbringing, Reverend W.L. Moore, and how he turned to him as a role model. Next, he referenced the Indian community’s resilience and determination that made them so successful in the changing local society. He believed the Robeson County Lumbees had a stronger influence, experiencing more political footing due to their increased numbers compared to surrounding counties. Finally, Locklear remembers his adolescent schooling in Prospect, with one room and one teacher instructing every grade.

Curt Locklear is the owner of Pembroke Hardware and husband of Catherine Locklear, a former schoolteacher. He is currently forty-nine years old and has nine children with his wife, speaking to the current population explosion and how busy his home is. Locklear describes his civic involvement in the community, recently having run for the Board of Education but lost by a big stretch. He also discusses his involvement in the movement to save Old Main from recent attacks as well as setting up a financing business with other local businessmen. Locklear uses the word pride quite often throughout his interview, noting it as the utmost important aspect of seeing the Lumbee population continue to grow, inspire, and education the Pembroke community.

Dewey Locklear discusses his work as the Operations Officer for the Lumbee Regional Development Association (LRDA). He outlines how the organization has helped the Lumbee community, and goes through the various goals and programs in the works at the LRDA. He traces the history of the LRDA and the various services they offer, focusing in particular on  business management assistance and the adult education and literacy programs. Dewey also discusses how the LRDA advertises their information, such as through radio and television programs. Finally, he talks about long-term goals for the LRDA, such as expanding services for senior citizens and improving community unity. 

Herbert Locklear, raised in Fairmont, received an education at Pembroke State University and taught before moving to Baltimore and becoming a social worker. Now, he works with the food stamp division of Baltimore City. He additionally works at the American Indian Studies Center, an institution geared towards allowing American Indians to gather and learn about their heritage and culture. Herbert and Lew Barton discuss assimilation, Pan-Indianism, and the role of the Indian in American popular culture. 

Janie Maynor Locklear talks in depth on her efforts as an activist on behalf of the Lumbee Indians, particularly within the Robeson County School System. She attributes this in part to her family's extensive history in the teaching profession. She also discusses at length the Save Old Main movement and her central role as an organizer of it. She comments on the national attention the issue received, and the support they got from important Native American figures and groups. Additionally, local politics is a common theme throughout the interview, with Locklear explaining how many Lumbee Indians have begun to align with Republican politicians.

Lew Barton speaks with Jerry Locklear, a twenty-two-year-old learning the restaurant trade at the new Council Fire Indian restaurant on South Broadway in Baltimore. Jerry discusses his family of twelve, and goes into detail on the differences between rural and urban life. He moved to Baltimore four years ago after graduating from Magnolia High School, and intends to return to North Carolina when he finishes his training. He voices support for the women’s lib movement and discusses his personal experience of not having dated outside of the Indian race.

Joyce Locklear is the first Lumbee executive secretary at the Robeson County Board of Elections. She has been working at the County Board of Elections since April 10, 1972. She was motivated to make a change to how the Lumbee were treated by the county system, especially as there had been no Indians working in the office. Joyce discusses the increase in Native and Black representation on the board since the 1972 election cycle, and the steps that have aided in this. She also comments on the importance of voting, and how voting machines have scared away important minority voters in the county. She then discusses how she has experienced workplace racism as a result of being Lumbee. Joyce concludes the interview with commentary about how the physical facilities in the building she works in are not adequate, and how she struggles to perform her job in that environment.

Linda Locklear just started her education at Pembroke State University, and speaks on the classes she took in the summer while looking forward to her course load in the fall. She sees herself becoming a corporate lawyer and was first inspired to do this when she visited the Lumberton courthouse and saw a lawyer in action. She shares her views on going steady, and showcases her love for art and reading, noting some of the books that she has enjoyed in and out of classes. Linda and Marilyn discuss many political ideas, and Linda voices her support for legalization of both marijuana and abortion. Finally, she asserts that if she could change anything about the world, she would add more understanding and communication, believing that this would vastly improve society’s human relations.

Lindburg Locklear discusses politics, education, and leadership within the Lumbee community. He talks about not getting an education past the fifth grade, and outlines his belief that a lack of education can be held responsible for many social problems among the Lumbee. Lindburg believes that stronger, literate religious leadership is needed to lead the Lumbee people; he sees weak religious leadership as the reason American Indians have not had a civil rights movement to the extent that Black Americans have. Lindburg discusses his own involvement in local politics in the past few years. Additionally, he tells Marilyn about the local Jaycee chapter, of which he is a member, and the kind of work they do around the county.

Mrs. Nancy Locklear and Ms. Violet Chavis provide a brief ancestry of their families, dating their relatives back to the Civil War. Mrs. Locklear shares that one of her uncles fought with the Union in the north. She also reflects on her upbringing of being one of twenty-three children, and how her father raised them in a strict and religious household. Mrs. Locklear recalls what it was like to go to school, pick cotton at her childhood farm, and attend church meetings. She briefly gives her opinion on Henry Berry Lowry’s impact on the community, and critiques the modern schooling method and its effect on children.

Paul Locklear discusses his career path in the music industry, and his current career as the owner of a used car dealership. He talks about his early days on the radio stations around Robeson County, and his subsequent experiences travelling around the country as a companion and eventual manager for the Chavis Brothers from 1952 until 1963. Paul tells some stories about his time in the entertainment industry, and how being out of North Carolina affected the way peopled treated him. He met many people of many backgrounds and races while traveling, and he talks about how this reshaped his worldview. He explains why he ended up returning to Robeson County, and describes what has changed within the Lumbee tribe while he was gone. He also discusses the treatment of Native Americans in the United States, and how segregation has affected his community, as well as how conditions have improved over the years. Overall, Paul advocates for self-determination among the Lumbee, and believes they can succeed in anything they apply themselves to, if they can keep doubt from stopping them.

Plummer Locklear Jr., born and raised in Hoke County, works for the county Department of Social Services. He attended Hawk Eye School and was among the first in the county to graduate high school. Plummer serves as the precinct chairman of the Democratic party for Antioch township. He speaks on issues of Indian discrimination within the county systems. He also talks about his wife and two daughters and mentions his belief that families should try to have less children than in the past due to rising costs of living.

Reese Locklear discusses his career in the Army Education Center at Fort Bragg. He traces back his long history of teaching in Robeson County, and discusses education's importance in the political landscape of the area. Reese also worked with the Tri-County Community Action agency, which aims to alleviate the effects of poverty in the region. He and Lew have a conversation about the role of race relations in the recent history of Robeson County's education system as well as in government entities like the anti-poverty agencies. He also discusses the thoughts of the Lumbee community on a variety of topics such as land ownership and traditionally large families.

Susan Locklear discusses her upcoming marriage to an Italian man called Charlie. She talks about her family and her fiancé as well as her fiancé’s career at an auto shop. She is also asked about how marriage and relationships are viewed in the Lumbee community, and how younger people are educated about romantic relationships. Lew questions her about the generation gap between younger and older people, and the lack of communication that can sometimes occur between generations.

Vivian Locklear discusses her family and her move to Baltimore from Robeson County at a young age. She compares city life in Baltimore to rural life in North Carolina, and discusses the differences, such as the lack of need for a car in the city. Vivian mentions her four children, and talks about how her own childhood. She discusses the Indian population where she lives in the city, and the sense of community they have. Vivian also talks about her church, West Cross Street Baptist, and their upcoming fundraising event.

Wanda Locklear is twenty years old and a recent Pembroke State University graduate in elementary education. She has also won several beauty pageants, most recently winning the title of North Carolina Blueberry Queen. She discusses her experiences competing in pageants, the travel she’s done after winning, and her pride as a Lumbee Indian. She also discusses the interest that the American public has showed towards her Lumbee background, and how happy she is to be able to inform people about the tribe as a result of her travels.

William C. Locklear begins by reflecting on growing up in a large family, where his father was the first Indian mayor of Pembroke and his mother was a teacher. He tells how his father instilled a motivation among all twelve children and made education a priority. He went into army work at a young age, and upon his return became a teacher. The Indian community being there for one another was a consistent topic for discussion as the close-knit relationships were tested due to the adversity still being faced throughout Robeson County at the time. Locklear also shares his thoughts about the racial divide in the area, especially relating to land ownership and how difficult is for minority group to gain acreage. He concludes by commenting on the diminishing size of families in his generation compared to his parents'.

Mrs. Willie Locklear, granddaughter to Henry Berry Lowry, gives a brief account of her memory of her grandmother Rhoda and the story that was passed down about the death of Henry Berry Lowry. She recalls the names of his children, and if his disappearance left a lasting impact on them. Mrs. Locklear also speculates about the validity of the prominent story surrounding Henry Berry’s death, and a key item which was shown to his wife after the news came to her. In naming Henry Berry’s children, Mrs. Locklear comments on Henry Berry Lowry Jr., the cause of his death, and his children that she may never meet.

Dannie Leach Lowery, grandson to Henry Berry Lowry, gives his perspective on growing up with his grandmother. He discusses her relation to one of the most notable disappearances in the Lumbee community. Mr. Lowery gives his opinion on what could have happened to his grandfather, and what he believes could have happened in Henry Berry Lowry's final days. He also talks of any knowledge his grandmother shared in relation to Henry Berry’s death, and how people would come to tell her stories of what they believe happened. Mr. Lowery later talks about his occupation as a farmer, what his daily work entails, his religion, and how his commitment to the land has influenced his health and old age.

Evelyn Jackson Lowery references her upbringing with eight other siblings, and notes her close-knit relationship with her parents. She also talks about her role as the homemaker, cooking for and otherwise tending to her four children. She speaks in opposition to the main tenets of Women's Lib. They also speak about farming, and how technological changes over the past few years have impacted the local tobacco and cotton industries. Finally, Evelyn recalls her time at various schools, but focuses on Hawkeye High School in particular. Another school, Gibson, was a White school with a very low Indian population, and this led to some prejudice-based issues with one teacher. Integration is a topic referenced in this interview at many points, and Lowery does express desire to a return to traditionally Indian schools as were around when she was young.

Junebug Lowery is eighteen years old and has lived in the Baltimore area for two months. He discusses dating and finding employment in the city and compares his experiences in Baltimore to his upbringing in Robeson County. He talks about his family and recounts his time at Piney Grove school, mentioning that he dropped out after ninth grade. He and Lew Barton ponder the decline of farming in favor of other fields such as the restaurant industry, which Junebug intends to enter.

Lloyd Lowery is ninety-years old and lives in Saddletree Community. He speaks on his upbringing and tells stories passed to him by his elders, many of which relate to his own kinship to Henry Berry Lowry and the whereabouts of the outlaw.

Nina Lowery is nineteen years old and moved from Robeson County to Baltimore when she was eight. She quit school in ninth grade, and is now about to start waitressing at the new Council Fire restaurant at the American Indian Studies Center. She shares her desire to return to North Carolina, and gives a brief opinion on a number of issues relevant to the day, like quality of education and the woman's role in the home.

Phyllis Clark Lowery works as the secretary at Pembroke State University's Human Service Center. Splitting her upbringing between Robeson County and Atlanta, she notes the greater number of educational opportunities in the urban area as compared to the rural county schools. As a Lumbee Indian, she felt neutral and unbothered by the tensions between White and Black students in the newly integrated Atlanta schools. While she works for human services, she continues her schooling as a high-school senior, and loves playing sports in her free time. At nineteen years old, she is recently married, and speaks with the interviewer regarding her husband’s work as a junior engineer at Southport, and her and her husband's familial connections to the Lowry gang. She speaks on her desire to have children in a year or so, and does not want to pressure her children too harshly to succeed. She wants to continue serving her community by interacting with local people, and may incorporate social services into her future plans.

Claude Lowry, a Lumbee man bearing a lifetime of experience working with various Native groups, talks about the history of the Lumbee people. He begins with a brief chronology, tracing the origins of many Lumbee surnames in the area. He discusses the controversy over the consolidation of the Lumbee name as the official name of the group, and how he played a vital role in its selection. He later discusses the significance and impact of the Lowry gang, and briefly talks about how they should be commemorated for their good deeds. He concludes the interview with the importance of the Lumbee name and how it embodies other tribal lineages present in the area, such as the Cherokee, Tuscarora, and Waccamaw. He ends by sharing some brief anecdotes from his travels to visit other reservations and communities.

Crossie Lowry gives an account of her life and what Pembroke was like when she was growing up. She talks about selling land for the building of Pembroke State University, but not receiving proper compensation for the transaction. She also talks about her love of fishing, as well as experiences she’s had with illness, such as having typhoid fever. She mentions the churches in the area and talks about the new construction that she has seen within her lifetime, and discusses the growth of the area. She talks about Old Main and how important it is to the community, as well as the sacrifices people made to contribute to its construction.

Mr. Dawrie Lowry talks about his personal beliefs and the struggles he has faced throughout his life. He details his history with poor health, and ponders whether he has faced racial discrimination for his Native identity while being treated for his conditions. Ultimately, he thinks life for Indians has improved as time goes on. Dawrie speculates if his origins can be traced to Henry Berry Lowry, and shares his opinion on the violent acts being attributed some indigenous groups of people like the Tuscarora. He discusses his religion, and how his faithful way of living has benefitted him. Mr. Lowry also debates how his mindset could potentially help others in living a positive life despite adversity, and he defines what being proud of one’s Lumbee identity means to him.

D.F. Lowry is a Methodist Reverend in North Carolina. He is among one of the men responsible for the Lumbee Bill, which gave recognition to the Lumbee people as their own separate group. Reverend Lowry explains his theory of the origin of the Lumbees, involving the White’s Lost Colony. He then cites some history of tribal members’ activities in the community, as well as participation in the Revolutionary War. Additionally, Reverend Lowry walks the listeners through the procedure and rhetoric he utilized before the judge in the North Carolina legislature to get the Lumbee Bill passed. He concludes the interview by criticizing the fact that legislators allowed White students to enter the Pembroke State College only after passage of the Lumbee Bill.

Reverend D.F. Lowry provides a history on the religious affiliations and timeline of organizations created around and within the Lumbee community since the Civil War Era. He talks about the Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches, how they divided when states seceded from the north, and how each group approved of new leadership. Rev. Lowry references two early leaders, the Reverends W. L. Moore and H. H. Lowry, who were chosen as delegates to represent the Lumbee at a religious conference. He then recalls how this event precipitated the split in preference for Methodist versus Baptist teachings among the Lumbee. Rev. Lowry shares a few anecdotes from family and friends who claim to have seen Henry Berry Lowry before his passing, and he concludes with the mystery surrounding his actual cause of death and burial.

Dr. Fuller Lowry and Peter Brooks educate one another on the history and genealogy of the Lowry, Oxendine, and Brooks families. He chronicles his father Calvin Brooks's recollections of Henry Berry Lowry's life and capture, when Calvin was held in the smokehouse with other relatives by those looking for Henry Berry. Dr. Lowry also provides background on the Hope and Pates schools. Peter Brooks then shares about the Brookses, speaking of his great-grandfather's participation in the Revolutionary War. The two reminisce on other significant people in the county's history, and Mr. Fuller's eldest son Earl, who became one of the first medical doctors among the Lumbee Indians and worked personally with notable military figures and President Eisenhower. Dr. Lowry gives an anecdote of a trip he and his wife took to Wyoming, where they visited a Methodist Church and the Devil's Half Acre.

Jason Lowry speaks about his position as director of admissions at Pembroke State University. He first speaks on the historical narrative of his great-uncle, Henry Berry Lowry. A graduate of Pembroke State College himself in 1948, Lowry looks fondly upon how the campus has grown over the years that he has worked there, pinpointing greater diversity in the accepted students. Lowry speaks about the educational experiences of his son and daughter, and reflects on his wife Roberta's three decades of service in the local education system. Jason contemplates discrimination he has felt during his upbringing and job, but rejects feelings of resentment, and instead looks optimistically to the changing mentalities regarding race that he has witnessed within his community over past years.

Janie Maynor Locklear speaks to children at the Odum Home, a children's home run by the Southern Baptists Association that was once exclusively for Native children. Jerry, Mace, and Danny Lowry are all interviewed about Pembroke Elementary and what they learn there. Jerry Lowry is an eleven-year-old in the fourth grade and spent some of his upbringing in Hoke County. Mace Lowry and Danny Lowry are both twelve years old, in the sixth grade; Mace previously attended Fairgrove school, and Danny attended West Hoke before moving to Michigan. All three discuss their teachers and the Native history they have learned in school. Though they all consider themselves “Indian,” all three have learned very little about Native history, learning only about Columbus discovering America. Janie Maynor Locklear gives a note between interviews where she expresses distress due to the state of the area’s education system. The boys also share the limited knowledge they have on the Tuscarora movement and the burning of Old Main.

Libby Sue Lowry is a Lumbee Indian attending Pembroke State University. She hopes to get her master’s degree and teach at a college level one day. Lowry discusses the importance of Old Main to Lumbee students attending the university. Lowry, throughout her interview, remarks on the importance of adding more Indian professors at the school, as well as adding Indian focused courses. She also feels strongly about the importance of communication and partnership between Pembroke State University and the surrounding local community. She and Lew discuss issues of PSU faculty disrespecting Lumbee students, referencing a particular incident where a professor referred to Miss Lumbee in a derogatory manner.

Shirley Lowry is heavily engaged in civic activity in and around Pembroke while also being a teacher in the Pembroke public school system. Previously running for the Robeson County’s Board of Education, she did not let her defeat get in her way as she highly regards the campaign process as a joyful learning experience. Lowry cites religion and education to work simultaneously in creating a better future for the Lumbee children, despite differences in equity. She emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with people of difference ethnic backgrounds to gain a more well-rounded view of the community and be a resource to think differently on how to approach problems. All in all, Lowry hopes the university and community that it’s a part of can work together to create the best outcome for its student, and give breath to the new generation of changemakers.

Tryon Lowry gives an account of his life and his thoughts on the modern Lumbee community. He talks about going back to school while trying to raise two children with his wife, who was formerly a teacher. He discusses the jobs that he has had, as well as his political work with Governor Holshouser and the Jaycees. He also gives his opinion on some contemporary issues, such as abortion and women’s liberation.

Betty Jane Oxendine Mangum grew up on the Pembroke State College campus in Robeson County and faced discrimination as a Lumbee Indian. She discusses her marriage to her husband Albert Mangum, who is the brother of the local Methodist pastor Bob Mangum. She describes the difficulties of marrying a White man as a Lumbee woman. Betty reminisces about living and working as a teacher in Michigan, where racial intermarriage was tolerated and she faced less discrimination. She discusses her work with the United Methodist Church on the Commission for Religion and Race, and speaks on the state of racial equality in America. Betty gives her thoughts on the American Indian Movement (AIM), and ponders what life will be like for the next generations of Lumbee.

Reverend Mangum is a White minister in the Methodist Church who has served many churches in Robeson and surrounding counties. After many years of living and working among the Lumbee, he considers the community to be his own. Reverend Magnum fiercely makes the case for social and political justice for the Lumbee people. He also details the long history of the fight for equitable education and voter representation in Robeson County; in particular, Reverend Mangum recounts the difficulties in instituting Lumbee representatives into the county board of commissioners, fighting "double voting" and eventually instituting minority representation among the county election registrars. He provides detailed statistics of racial disparities in education, income, health, and employment from a pamphlet he and others created with data from a 1968 study by a North Carolina state Study Commission. Reverend Mangum gives a comprehensive overview of political barriers to Lumbee recognition, and speaks of tentative efforts to fight these barriers in court. He also discusses the work of the Church and the Community Center, an organization he leads to provide support for community members via poverty assistance, education, childcare, organization meetings, et cetera.

Dobbin Ashford Evans Matthews is a student at Pembroke State University who discusses being older than his university cohort due to enrolling late after his military service. Dobbin expresses his life goal of becoming a counselor to young boys who find it hard to adjust in their communities. He talks about his social life, dating, and other extracurricular activities available at the university. On the topic of interracial relationships, he works through his own beliefs, those of the older generation, and how the idea of divorce has shifted societal expectations on marriage. Mr. Evans Matthews also engages in discussion on hobbies in the arts, and his thoughts on birth control and homosexuality. He speaks about dealing with grief after his brother was murdered. He finishes the a brief family history and his hopes for children in the future.

Rev. Dawley Maynor briefly recounts his life, including his work in the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association and as a teacher at Piney Grove, New Bethel, and Magnolia School. After legislation allowed education for Native students in 1885, Reverend Maynor served as a delegate on a legislative committee that oversaw admission policy into the Robeson County schools. He discusses his family and their various experience with education in Robeson County and tells of his father giving a few dollars to the effort to build the earliest iteration of Pembroke State University.

Earlie Broncia Maynor, the mayor of Pembroke, speaks on his life, his political accomplishments in local government, and his new position as executive director of the North Carolina Commission for Indian Affairs. When he entered the office of mayor, he got to work upgrading the town's water and sewer systems, and walks Lew through the financial and logistical barriers he faced along the way. He outlines the funding he has received from the state and federal governments toward a new housing project, and expresses his excitement for a new plant building trailer-type homes in Pembroke that will bring more than a hundred jobs to the town. Earlie recounts his travels around the state for the recently founded Commission for Indian Affairs. The Lumbee region is represented alongside the Siouan, Coharie, and Haliwa areas of North Carolina on the Commission. Earlie names representatives from the Lumbee that were instrumental in getting the Commission going, then acknowledges people from elsewhere in the state that have been involved.

Elizabeth Oxendine Maynor came from a family of schoolteachers, and recounts her many years teaching school, mostly in Robeson County. She speaks about her father, James W. Oxendine, and how he learned to tan leather, build wooden shutters, and make wine to supplement what the family earned from their farm. She then tells about her mother and the foods they ate, both on regular days and holidays. Elizabeth remembers the significance of the Old Main building as the first brick building the Lumbee in Pembroke had, and she names the other members of her graduating class at Pembroke High School in 1924. She details her husband's service in World War II, and recounts the joyful day they found out World War I was over and her siblings could come home. She names some of her former pupils that are now well known in the community. Elizabeth concludes by describing some major events that took place in the Old Main building, such as funerals and box suppers.

Jeffery Maynor is a prominent figure in the world of Lumbee business. He is a business specialist with the Lumbee Regional Development Association (LRDA), and helped to launch the Lumbee Businessman’s Association. Jeffery speaks on the role of investment and entrepreneurship in Robeson County and the surrounding area. He talks about his family, many of whom are teachers, and recounts his departure from the teaching profession, finding financial wellbeing more important for Lumbee growth than improved education. He discusses his beliefs about the attitudes of the Lumbee people, and how the Christian values of the area, in his opinion, sometimes prevent Lumbees from achieving as much as they could. He explains the initiatives he has started for the LRDA, and talks further hopes for business advancement. Jeffery shares an anecdote of when he very reluctantly led a protest march to save Old Main.

Minnie Maynor is the secretary for the education program at the American Indian Study Center. She’s lived in Baltimore for seventeen years, and originally moved there looking for job opportunities. Prior to the start of the education program, she served as the bookkeeper for the alcoholism program with the Center. Minnie has also worked in medical settings, and recounts that period of her life. She discusses with Lew the lack of knowledge about American Indians in Baltimore, especially when she first moved to the city. They talk about the harmful stereotypes perpetuated by TV, and the misunderstandings that occur when they introduce themselves as American Indian. Minnie also talks about the things she’s had to relearn while working for the Center, and how much she enjoys working with the program.

Dr. Waltz Maynor discusses his upbringing and education at the Indian schools in Pembroke. He talks about his father— a teacher, farmer and conservative Democrat who lived through the Depression— and his mother, a housewife. He had four siblings, but his extended family members often stayed with him, so he considers his upbringing as being in a household of twelve. He describes the schoolyard games he played at Pembroke Elementary, many of which involved a “whipper”. Dr. Maynor then speaks on high school social functions and sports teams. He recounts his short time at Ohio State University and his subsequent mathematics degree at Pembroke State College. He then went to UNC Graduate School under a National Science Foundation scholarship. He has taught school in Maryland and at Fairgrove School in Pembroke, as well as Sandhills Community College and Appalachian State University. He received doctorate in educational research at Duke, and now works in higher education administration at North Carolina Central. He intends to continue this career path. He concludes by discussing how his relatively isolated upbringing in Pembroke affected his worldview when he left Robeson County.

Cindy McMillan is seventeen years old, and lives with her mother Annie Ruth Lowery and step-father Dorman Lowery. She has four half-siblings. Cindy is a student at Magnolia High School, where her favorite subjects are English and Biology. She explains how her school has recently integrated, and does well to treat Black, White, and Indian students as equals. Cindy hopes to become a plane stewardess after high school, and if she does not make it then she plans to join the Air Force. She expresses her general support for interracial dating. Cindy explains how she wants to put her career first, and travel around the world before she finds a husband and starts a family. She opposes the use of marijuana, though she knows people who use it. Finally, Cindy and Lew discuss prejudice and ways to overcome it. Cindy hopes to reach out to others with her compassionate and welcoming personality, which she views as a God-given gift.

Velma Michuson, being interviewed on the job at the Powwow Drive-On in Pembroke, NC, cares deeply about the state of the Old Main building. Her father, B.W. Lowry, donated land for the construction of the building on Pembroke State University campus. She recounts the town selling box suppers to fund the Old Main's construction, and explains the deep connections of the building with Lumbee history. The most pressing issue, however, concerns the fire that had recently burned the Old Main. Velma, who thinks that the loss of the Old Main has caused more grief among the Lumbee than any funeral could, gives a comprehensive account of what could have happened, and speculates whether the fire was intentional. She disparages those who want to erase the Lumbee from the area, speaks on the movement to save the Old Main, and praises Republican Governor Jim Holshouser for his swift action to find those responsible for the alleged arson.

Vardell Miller is a disabled war veteran, and a father to three daughters: Blanquitta, Judith Ann, and Angela. He is separated from his wife and now lives at Dial Terrace, an affordable complex under the Pembroke Housing Authority. Vardell recollects how the Depression years affected him and his parents, especially hindered when his parents could not afford to let him finish college while he was studying at Pembroke State University. After not being able to finish school, he joined the Army, and he shares memories from his experience going into the European theater of World War II. Vardell explains what it is like living in this apartment complex, and describes Lew's unit in great detail. He appreciates his housing greatly, and shares how conveniently located Dial Terrace is, as it is within walking distance from Lumbee Bank, stores, a barber shop, and more.

Mrs. C. H. Moore and Rose Carter are sisters in their eighties, daughters of Everett Sampson. They recall elements of life when they were young, including social events such as log rollings, quilting parties, and corn shucking. They discuss the teachers they had and identify respected leaders in the Lumbee community.

Harbert Moore speaks about his education, including his experience in school growing up and the state of public schools for Indian children at the time. He explains his community work with the Methodist Church. He details the creation of the local Jaycee chapter, which won project of the year and second place project in the state for their work rebuilding a South Carolina church. He feels that Indian people should fight hard to get ahead, but not forget the people who are not as fortunate. He explains local politics and elections with an emphasis in Indian representation and population in politics. He ends by saying that he is pleased with the amount of Indian pride he has seen, and that he hopes to unite the people of Robeson County.

Henry Moore goes through the genealogy of his grandparents, W.L. Moore and Mary Catherine Oxendine, the first Lumbee teachers in the area. His grandmother was the first female Lumbee teacher, and his grandfather was the founder of Pembroke State College. He verifies the lineages and speaks briefly about Henry Berry Lowry’s contribution to the Indian population, believing that had he not done what he did, the Indian race might have been nonexistent thereafter.

Thad Mull recently became the general manager of the Robeson Historical Drama Association. Raised in Texas, he was involved in theatre across the country before quitting to focus solely on the restaurant business. He speaks on the ongoing effort to produce an outdoor drama in Robeson County about the life of Henry Berry Lowry. He reveals that the drama, entitled Strike at the Wind, has a completed third draft of a script by Randolph Umberger at UNC Chapel Hill. Thad outlines the difficulties in finding outdoor location for the production due to noise, and recognizes the contributions of Pembroke State University to the production. He provides his contact information for those who would like to get involved in the drama. Finally, he provides some insight into his experiences as a new resident of Robeson County, holding a generally positive opinion of life there.

Clifton Oxendine is a History Professor at Pembroke State College. He is regarded as an expert on Lumbee History, and comments on a variety of different aspects of the Lumbee culture. He summarizes the findings of his master’s degree thesis, which discusses the two proposed theories of the origin of the Lumbee tribe. Professor Oxendine also comments on the legacy of the Lowry gang and its impact in the area. He concludes the interview by addressing the future of the Lumbee people, and the conflict between identity and discrimination that affects many Lumbee Indians.

David Ertle Oxendine is a recent graduate of Pembroke State University, with a BA in History. At the time of the interview, he has not decided what he will pursue with his career, but knows he wants to work for the state or federal government. He discusses student life at PSU and the opportunities available for Lumbee students. He also compares the facilities and resources at PSU with other neighboring universities, specifically mentioning the traditional disciplinary measures and procedures at PSU when it comes to opposite-sex interactions in the dormitories. He then discusses instances of the faculty exercising their power and authority over the students in a harmful way. Oxendine concludes with criticizing PSU on their handling of financial aid for Indian students, but overall believes PSU is a fine institution.

Glenn Oxendine is a twenty-year-old lifelong resident of Baltimore with familial ties to Robeson County. He finished high school in Idaho and came back to Baltimore, now working at the American Indian Study Center to learn the restaurant business and hopefully one day have a business of his own. He voices opposition to U.S. troops being sent to fight in the Vietnam War and states his loose affiliation with the Catholic Church. He advocates for self-determination amidst the Indian community and gives advice to the next generation of young people.

Lloyd Oxendine is a visual artist and the owner of the American Art gallery in New York city and his interview focuses mainly on his mission of scouting out and displaying the work of American Indian artists. He’s been able to reach a wider audience through being featured on the Today show as well as several publications on art. He talks about his pride in being a Lumbee Indian and how discouraging it is when Lumbees are ashamed of their heritage, as well as how Lumbee people are often not encouraged to pursue art. He discusses his experience with different attitudes toward Native people in Robeson County compared to New York City, where many people have never met an Indigenous person and are therefore more accepting. Lloyd also mentions the misconceptions that many non-Native people have about Native art and how modern artists are challenging these stereotypes.

Luther C. Oxendine is a retired teacher and the president of the local Concerned Indian Parents Organization. Education, in a way, is his lifeblood, especially because his father founded the Oxendine school. In this interview, Luther gives in depth commentary on the current state of the education system in Robeson County. He discusses racial integration and how it has affected classrooms and social relations, as well as how it has affected Pembroke State University specifically. Luther also talks about the county’s issues with gerrymandering, and the imbalance of power between the school board and the rest of the people. He laments the ongoing legal fees incurred by their attempts to seek justice for the Lumbee in court. They also talk about the movement to save Old Main, which is a significant cultural landmark for Lumbee people, but some non-local students were apathetic towards the movement since they had no connection to Old Main. Throughout the interview, Luther voices opposition to the forced integration of a couple years prior, and views it as overwhelmingly detrimental to Lumbee children.

This is Lew Barton’s last recorded interview in the Robeson County area. He gives a short preface that details his own beliefs and personal experiences around Mormon thought and broader Native history. The tape then moves into an Elder John Parker and his wife, whose name is not stated. Elder Parker gives sermon-like teachings on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and talks about his and his wife’s duties in North Carolina during their eighteen-month mission. He shares findings from the ruins of Central America and talks about the great Indigenous societies of the North and South American continents. He stresses the prominence of Native Americans in the Church and explains the Mormon belief that Native Americans are God’s chosen people. Elder Parker cites a number of scriptures from the Bible to enhance his points.

William “Bill” Paul discusses his life and his career in the film industry. He mentions his parents and siblings and talks about his childhood in Pembroke, North Carolina, and his distant relation to the outlaw Henry Berry Lowry. He discusses leaving home at the age of eighteen to pursue a career in Hollywood and talks about his work in films as both an actor and a producer. He mentions that he hopes to produce television specials about the Lumbee people, using material he has collected. He also discusses his plan to set up a non-profit organization that would help young people in the community who are trying to get into the film and television industry.

Bessie Ransom is seventy-six years old at the time of the interview and has been heavily involved with the local community. She is a retired schoolteacher and began working in 1914. She taught for a period of forty-three years, in various communities. After she retired from teaching in 1956, she began helping small farmers file their farm income tax in order to receive Social Security benefits. She didn’t charge for this service, which also included driving clients to and from meetings. She also chaired a committee that worked to sign up local people for Medicare, and surveying those in the community looking for work.

Vicky Ransom discusses her family, her life as a student at Pembroke State University, and her involvement in local pageants. As Miss Lumbee and Miss Young Republican, she has had many opportunities to travel and have an influence in politics. She also talks about issues involving young people, such as the debate over voting age, drugs, dating, and the Women’s Liberation Movement. She discusses her future plans for getting her degree and starting a family. She advocates for more young people to get involved within the university as well as within the local community.

Thelma Reid is a waitress at Bethlehem Trading Post, and daughter to Mr. And Mrs. Cofield Reid. She is currently seventeen years old and quit school the year prior to work full time. She has five sisters and three brothers. Reid voices support for the women’s liberation movement, and expresses her love for gospel. She also discusses her time in an integrated school, and the factors that made her lose interest in getting a high school education. Reid references school often throughout her interview, noting integration has changed the quality of education students receive.

Larry Revels is twenty-two years old at the time of the interview, and has recently returned from his time in service, stationed at both Vietnam and Germany. He was part of the Signal Corps and was trained in machine repair. He discusses his time in Vietnam and the reputation of American soldiers overseas. He also talks about the recent change in the voting age and the involvement of young people in civic engagement. He discusses the state of racial relations in Pembroke State University and Robeson County and the involvement of the Indian and Black residents more in politics.

Nancy Revels speaks about her upbringing. She is the niece of Henry Berry Lowry, but heard very little talk of him from her father as she was growing up. She credits her parents' rearing skills and their abundance of food on the farm as reasons for multiple of her siblings to have lived past one hundred years old. Growing up on the farm, Revels and her family supplied almost all of their own food, buying only coffee and sugar. Religion is another topic for discussion, and Revels explains her decision to join New Hope Methodist Church when she was saved as a teenager. She attributes much of her spiritual and educational life to her brothers, as five of them were preachers and all but one taught school as well. Lastly, she discusses how doctor visits and funeral practices were carried out in the area.

Ester Ann Richardson is twelve years old. She speaks about being a student at Pine Chapel Elementary School and describes how some Black students bully the Indian students. She sings several songs and discusses her involvement in Mount Gideon Baptist Church. She recalls incidents of racial prejudice and bullying at Eastman High School, where she will be attending, and describes her education and career goals. Richardson prepared a list of subjects to speak about, and goes on to discuss them: God, life, herself, her parents, sewing, poetry, and drawing.

Gideon Richardson is a Haliwa Indian living in Hollister, North Carolina. He is seventy-four years old, and takes care of his eight-year-old wife, who is very ill. Richardson has an integral part in the Saint Gideon Baptist Church, and he speaks about the Baptist churches in the area. He discusses his many children and grandchildren and the history of the Haliwa Indians, led by W. R. Richardson. He recalls changes to education after integration and changes in childrearing practices since his youth.

Willie Richardson is a Haliwa Indian. He is seventy-four years old and involved with Mount Gideon Baptist Church in Halifax County. Richardson discusses his proud lifelong self-identification as an Indian, and how he resents people attempting to label Indians as Black. He discusses racial dynamics in the county, including his disappointment with school integration at the cost of Indian schools. He feels that there is a lack of community support for the Haliwa Indian Club that results in a lack of Indian representation in government and healthcare positions. Finally, he describes elements of his faith and his church.

Elias Rogers talks briefly about his childhood and life in Robeson County, but mainly focuses on his career with the Lumbee River Electric Membership Cooperative. He discusses his experiences on the board of directors and the discrimination he faced when running for reelection. One of the other members tried to keep him from being on the board again by using proxy votes in a way that was not allowed. Because of this, Rogers hired attorneys to fight against this discrimination and was still in the middle of this legal fight at the time of this interview. He hoped that this would inspire other Native Americans to stand up to racism.

Elaine B. Ross, who is originally from Pembroke, North Carolina, lives in Rockville, Maryland and works in Washington, D.C. She discusses her experiences working as the secretary for national Indian Claims Commissioner Brantley Blue. Ross also shares her observations and opinions on the sociopolitical affairs of Indigenous Americans in the United States. Ross comments on her family, education, and upbringing. She describes how she has maintained social ties to the Lumbee community in North Carolina and in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Finally, Ross comments on dating, and offers her opinion of the Women’s Liberation Movement and women’s employment opportunities.

Dr. John Tennyson Russell talks about his experience moving to Pembroke to be a professor at the university, and how this has been a cultural adjustment for him along the way. He details his degrees, and discusses how his studies in divinity and psychology have contributed to his teaching methodology at PSU. Dr. Russell also states his belief that the upbringing of people in Robeson County impacts their participation in primary, secondary, and university education, and he is working to help students feel comfortable speaking out in class. He later talks about his experience with the Lumbee people and gives his initial thoughts on their physical appearance, religious beliefs, and political activity, as well as the possible conflict with the Tuscarora activists. He finishes by sharing his views on the racial interactions of Pembroke, characterizing the political movements as he seems them and commenting on the economic growth of the area as it relates to the growing university community.

Cora Salling split time between North Carolina and Baltimore as a child, but has now been a permanent resident of the city for many years. She works as the hostess and head waitress at the new restaurant that is soon to open at the American Indian Studies Center on South Broadway. She shares that, although there are disadvantages to life as a Lumbee Indian in Baltimore, her children are generally treated well by their peers in school. She discusses the renovations occurring in the Dundalk neighborhood of Baltimore County, an area historically populated by majority Lumbee tenants. She speaks against the Women’s Liberation Movement and laments the greater presence of vices like alcohol in urban life compared to rural areas.

Betty Sampson, daughter of Lero and Delesslie Locklear, chronicles her life growing up in Pembroke. She attended Pembroke State University for two years before marrying Herbert Sampson, grandson of well-known Robeson County police officer Herbert Lowry. Now that the youngest of her three children has entered school, Betty has returned to PSU to finish her teaching degree. She and Lew Barton discuss changes in educational and disciplinary practices from the recent past to the present day. She voices her support for integration at PSU, while understanding the need to support the Indian students at the university. The interview concludes with a monologue by Lew Barton. He announces that shortly after the Betty, Mr. Bill Paul arrived to inform him that the Old Main building was burning. Lew, with great emotion, recounts the hundreds of distraught Pembroke residents that gathered to watch the building burn.

Danny Sampson is a fifteen-year-old student at Pembroke Junior High. During his interview, he is working his job at the police station, where he answers the phones and washes the cars twice a week. He expresses a modest amount of respect for the Tuscarora movement, though he identifies as a Lumbee Indian. Danny is unsure about what career he would like to have, but does not particularly enjoy police work, and considers being a truck driver. He discusses his favorite movies and TV shows, as well as the cats, dogs and horses he takes care of at home.

Gary Sampson discusses his career in the Department of Corrections working with inmates. He gives information about his family, who moved from Robeson County to Baltimore, Maryland, and then recounts his time in the Navy. He discusses the tendency of people to gravitate back to Robeson County after leaving, and how a person’s sense of identity can affect their outlook on life. Gary himself rejects any specific racial identity, opting instead to see the common humanity and individuality present within all groups. When discussing his job, he mentions his goal of making prisons more humane and providing a more constructive environment that can help with the reformation of prisoners. Additionally, he talks about his opinions against regimented, institutionalized learning, and explains why he dropped out of Pembroke State University.

Margaret Sampson has been a teacher in Robeson County schools for thirty-seven years. She talks about her own education at Pembroke Elementary, Magnolia School, and the Normal School for Indians. She then shares her experiences teaching first through fourth grade at Pembroke Elementary, Deep Branch Elementary, and Union Elementary in Rowland. She also gives her thoughts on Old Main and discusses how education in the county has changed since she was young, especially with the recent integration of Robeson County schools.

J.A. Sharpe, Jr. is the editor of the Robesonian newspaper, inheriting the paper from his father in 1947. Sharpe has lived in Robeson County almost all his life and gives his views of the interest in Indian history, population decline, and race relations in the community. He discusses two notable events in the county that garnered national attention, one run-in with the Ku Klux Klan and the community push to restore the Old Main building on Pembroke University campus. Included with the interview is a section on Lumbee musical expression, and Lew Barton’s son Ricky Barton recites an article about a Lumbee album containing songs and chants from the tribe.

Omalene Locklear-Steen lives with her husband and two children in North Carolina, and identifies as a Lumbee Indian. She discusses her employment at Woods department store, where the interview takes place. Omalene talks about her family, as well as the ongoing issue she had with the absence of her first child’s father and the difficulties of having a child outside of her marriage. She gives her opinion on topics including the education system, religion in public schools, integration, marriage, and abortion. She also shares her thoughts on how the Lumbee people should respond to social and economic adversity. Omalene ends by voicing her preference for country and western music.

Cathy Stone was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a small community on the outskirts called Matthews. She was married three years prior at the age of seventeen, and is now separated from her husband. Stone voices her support for Women's Lib, citing the gender difference in pay scales, and discusses the growing trend males breaking into female-dominated industries like nursing, and vice versa. She gives her thoughts on marijuana and its prevalence in Charlotte. She and Lew speak on the youth culture of the present day, touching on the difference in dances between different generations, as well as her favorite current music artists. Finally, Stone argues that the people in more metropolitan cities were less humble and fuller of themselves as compared non-metropolitan areas, making Charlotte closer in culture to cities like New York than the surrounding rural areas of North Carolina.

Sgt. Robert Stone discusses his job at the North Carolina Department of Corrections and discusses new opportunities that are available to inmates, namely the Work Release program that allows imprisoned individuals to earn money and spent weekends with their families. Sergeant Stone emphasizes the need to treat inmates as human beings, and addresses the ideas about criminals held by the general public. He and Lew Barton also discuss prison reform and gun control. He chronicles the many changes that have happened in the prison system over the years, and how the treatment of inmates has generally improved. This is especially due to the addition of education and work opportunities for people who are incarcerated, and a better accountability system between inmates and officers.

Earl Homer Strickland, the sixth child in a family of eleven, talks about his experiences growing up in Pembroke and moving away to attend college at University of Massachusetts at Amhurst. As someone interested in political science and sociology, he muses on the challenges faced by Indians in society, and outlines his goal to attend law school as a means of aiding with these problems. Though he is no longer religious and finds some tensions between the two domains of his life, he outlines his ultimate goal of combining the best parts of his rural upbringing and his time in the university setting, so that he may live a balanced and fruitful life.

Patricia Strickland is a seventeen-year-old student who tutors younger children at the American Indian Study Center. She discusses her experiences with tutoring, as well as giving her opinion on other aspects of the education system. She mentions differences between the level of difficulty in Baltimore schools as compared to schools back in North Carolina, where she found the curriculum to be easier. Additionally, she talks about her involvement in sports at her school and her thoughts on the generation gap between students and their parents and teachers. She also discusses the diversity at her high school and how other students tend to view Native Americans through a stereotypical lens.

W. J. Strickland—whose first name often puzzles people, as it is merely the initials "W. J."—grew up in Pembroke and the Philadelphus community, and attended Pembroke State University. For many years, he worked for the B. F. Goodrich company after it relocated to Robeson County and hired Indians at a time many industries would not. Through the Jaycees, he got involved in the Pembroke Housing Authority, and remained an active participant in politics from then on. W. J. describes how he became disillusioned with the Democratic Party and became a Republican, and recounts the general political happenings of recent years. He speaks on the Save Old Main movement and ponders possible routes for Indian self-determination in the coming years.

W.J. Strickland discusses his involvement with the Coalition of Eastern Native Americans and talks about their mission as an organization. He discusses the tribes involved in the organization, and Strickland also talks about the history of some of the tribes, such as the Wampanoags and the so-called "Wesort" population in Maryland. Strickland goes into extensive detail regarding the unique challenges that these communities face, and provides a comprehensive general picture of Native discrimination on the east coast. Lew and Mr. Strickland have a lively intellectual discussion about their careers as researchers and activists for Native rights. In discussing CENA, he talks about their goals and how they plan to continue expanding their influence, such as with hiring more staff and the publication of their monthly newsletter.

Tired of people using his common name to write checks on him, Nathan Stricklin changed the spelling of his last name to distinguish himself from other Stricklands in the area. Coming from a family of thirteen children, and fathering six of his own, he worked in the credit business at the Pembroke FCX for many years before deciding to do something different. He opened the new Wood's department store with credit from the Lumbee Bank, and now manages fifteen employees at the store, dedicating himself to his work in every way he can. He discusses the importance of employment in improving the condition of Native Americans, and voices his opposition to the reservation system and the Tuscarora movement. He shares his concerns with the treatment of the Lumbee in Robeson County, namely the refusal of school superintendent Young Allen to act for positive change, as well as the clear disparities between school conditions in Pembroke versus Lumberton.

James Bruce Swett talks about the service station he owns in association with American Oil. He gives details on his wife and their four children, and touches on how he and his wife raise and discipline them. He discusses his childhood, and his father, who is a well-known Missionary Baptist preacher in the community. He talks about his experience as an Indian, saying he finds the treatment of the Lumbee to have generally improved since he was young, and then gives his some of his thoughts on the women’s liberation movement. Finally, he affirms his faith as a Christian and emphasizes tolerance and love between neighbors.

Purnell Swett is a thirty-nine year old member of the Lumbee Indian tribe who attended Pembroke State University and, at the time of the interview, works in the U.S. Office of Education in Washington D.C. He discusses the work he has done in this department, listing various programs targeted at aiding Indian groups across the country, predominately fixing the education and economics standards of the Robeson County area. He also shares his biological history, describing the impact his father, Reverend Thomas Swett, had on the community. Despite all the roles he has filled, Swett notes his principalship at Rex-Rennert as the one he is most fond of because he was able to see first-hand the educational discrepancy within Indian children, enacting a lifelong feeling in him that wished for change for the Lumbee population.

In the first half of the interview, fourteen-year-old Mary Taylor begins by talking about her life in Baltimore, and how it compares to life in North Carolina. She says that her parents are strict, but that she enjoys going out dancing. She tells how she and her peers approach and discuss their identities as Indians. Mary explains that although she believes her Indianness to be an asset, she sometimes feels prejudice from her classmates and teachers because of her identity. In the second half, eighteen-year-old Flora Nancy Locklear expresses similar experiences grappling with her identity as an Indian, and believes it to be a liability to her and her family. She shares her experience as a student at Patterson High School. She speaks a bit about current fashion trends, and compares the trends she sees in Baltimore and North Carolina. She also likes going out dancing, and talks about some of her favorite music.

Pam Taylor tells the names of her parents and siblings, of which she is the second oldest. She explains that she sometimes has problems with students making negative remarks about Indians at school. She shares that her favorite subject is U.S. History, and that she thinks more should be done to create interest in Indians. She also describes how she doesn’t think older generations listen to younger generations or take their advice. She generally opposes the Women's Lib movement, and thinks that men and women should stick to their respective jobs and skills.

Fanny Tyler is seventeen years old at the time of the interview. She has lived in Baltimore, Maryland her whole life. Fanny now works for the American Indian Study Center, typing and checking up on truant students in their network. She plans to go to college and wants to be a physical education teacher in the future. Fanny shares that she likes dances such as Indian dances and the Funk. She talks with Lew about sex education, the details of common interracial relationships in Baltimore, and voices her belief that women should be independent.

Alta Mae Warriax, originally of Robeson County but now living in Charlotte, talks about family and her life in the city. She mentions her current hobbies as well as her involvement with the community and the local church. A main topic of discussion is her ongoing career as a piano teacher, primarily to younger students. She and Lew discuss their mutual love of music and share their feelings on many different genres. They pay particular attention to holiday music, which leads to their thoughts on the commercialism prevalent during the Christmas season.

Larry Warriax shows off his Victrola record player from 1902, and selects records from the 163 in his collection to play for Lew. He plays from a variety of genres, with Country and Western singers like Gene Autry, Mac O’Dell and Bob Wills. He also includes barbershop quartets, minstrel songs and Christian hymns. Larry plays well-known songs of the era from Bing Crosby, Stephen Collins Foster and George Gershwin. Larry’s collection includes a number of folk songs like “My Wild Irish Rose” and “Turkey in the Straw”. He puts on a couple of wartime marches and songs from the Civil War and the World Wars, like “Bell Bottom Trousers” and “I’d Like to Give my Dog to Uncle Sam.” Larry spends some time talking about the mechanics of the record player, including volume control, winding the machine, and changing the needle. He ends by playing two songs from the Doobie Brothers as an example of modern music.  

Edward Watkins III is the head of the Human Services Center at Pembroke State University. He talks about his family and mentions his United States military service. He discusses the educational and community outreach services that he and the Human Resources Center are involved with in North Carolina. Mr. Watkins gives his opinions of abortion, advocating for better sex education and available contraception. He discusses trial marriages and Women’s Lib. Ultimately, Ed supports the Zero Population Growth theory, and goes into some detail about his thoughts. He concludes by speaking on suicide among college students and why it is so prevalent.

Lew Barton interviews Sandra Wearins, a seventeen-year-old Lumbee woman living in Baltimore, Maryland. Her family moved to the city nine years prior, and she prefers it to living in the country. Though her family had reservations, she married young, and now has two children. She hopes to complete her schooling at the Indian Study Center’s night school, and then work as a social worker in the near future. She discusses her hopes for parenting her daughters and voices her support for the women’s equality movement. She talks about joining the Baptist Church and the problem with alcohol she feels Indians have. Sandra explains feeling disconnected from people her age, for having married young and for being religious while they aren’t.

Colonel Frederick Weber served throughout Europe and Pacific Asia in World War II. Participating for fencing and the modern pentathlon, he was a member American Olympic Team for multiple Olympic Games, including the 1936 games in Berlin. After his long military career, he served multiple positions in the community. He was elected the mayor of the Lumber Bridge community, and worked for Pembroke State University, at one point serving on the faculty as a counselor. Now, he ventures to improve community affiliation to the Republican Party as the chairman of the party’s county executive committee. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on health, ecology, racial discrimination, marijuana, education, and the future of younger generations.

Daniel W. Wilkins is the assistant manager of an ABC store in Pembroke, NC. He served in the airborne infantry for twenty-one years before moving back to Pembroke with his family. While away from Robeson county, he spent time in Alaska, as well as other places around the country. He discusses the drastic changes in race relations in the area from when he was a child to when he returned after his military service. He describes his pride in his children escaping segregated schooling and the prejudice he experienced by attending integrated military schools. He discusses his opinion on a number of social issues, including the portrayal of Indians in movies, alcohol and marijuana, and abortion, and the segregation of churches.

Victor Wolf is a professor of economics at Pembroke State University, and is the head of the department of economics. He was born in Norway, and moved to the United States in 1955, where he has since made a home and a family. He found work in Pembroke through a teacher's agency, and now lives here with his wife and son. Victor admits that the lack of quality education in the county puts Lumbee students at a disadvantage. For the most part, Lumbee students perform below the average in his classes, but there are exceptional students that perform very well. He discusses how economists play an advisory role relative to politics, and resists giving a value judgement on whether unions are beneficial to the economy. Wolf gives his personal views on disciplining children, the Women's Lib movement, and marijuana— he makes a point to explain that these views are his personal, not professional, opinions. He touches on homesickness he feels for Norway, but insists that he is happy with his life in the United States.

James Woods is a full-time minister for the Cherokee Chapel Holiness Methodist Church. He’s very active in the Lumbee community and is a member of the board of directors for the Lumbee Regional Development Association, an organization involved in educational and economic development for Lumbee people. Woods notes that he wishes they had more funding available to send people to school for medicine, and discusses how they’ve been able to receive more funding for their programs. He also discusses a legal case filed locally that involves restrictions placed on the Lumbee about their school districts, and explains that there is not proper representation for the Lumbee on the Robeson Board of Education. They also talk about the strides the Lumbee have made in recent years, including having some younger people becoming lawyers and doctors, and the success by the community in preserving the Old Main building. 

Lew Barton interviews nineteen-year-old Larry Worriax about his experience playing music and being in a band. Larry talks about prejudice that may arise surrounding any group of people he plays for, from D.C, where he grew up, to Robeson County. Throughout the interview, Larry plays guitar and sings songs such as “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix, “The Angels Listened In” by The Crests, “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash, and “My Special Prayer” by Percy Sledge, sometimes with some help from Lew on the tambourine. They talk about Larry’s brother Buddy, who had recently been a car accident and was in the hospital for a broken back. They discuss different genres of music and stereotypes for those in bands, such as long hair and a tendency to do drugs.