Indian Times
Summer 2017 Edition
A Word from Executive Director, Greg Richardson
The summer of 2017 has been an exciting time for the NC Commission of Indian Affairs.
Training was completed for a number of American Indian foster care parents, The 2017 NCNAYO Conference was held at the University of North Carolina a Pembroke in June, A Youth Summit was held in July at the Trinity' Center, Salter Path, NC and finally, we held an Environmental Justice forum , which was sponsored by the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe, Hollister, NC.
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the New and Returning Members of the NC Commission of Indian Affairs and they are:
Tribal Members:
Marvel Welch - Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation
Larece Hunt - Lumbee Tribe
Tony Hayes— Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation ( New member)
Dorothy Crowe - Sappony Tribe
Elton Jacobs - Waccamaw-Siouan Tribe
Indian Association Members:
Daniel Locklear-President Pro Tem appointee
Jesse Jacobs - Metrolina Native American Association
Jennifer Revels Baxter - Guilford Native American Association
The Swearing in Ceremony was conducted by the Honorable Gregory Bell, Superior Court Judge, District 16, Robeson County, NC.
Budget Update
State Budget was adopted!
The Commission’s total state appropriation is $682,336. In addition to the Commission’s operational budget, this amount includes $250,000 in nonrecurring funds for the operational support to expedite the tribal recognition review process. The funds shall be used to provide additional staff support for the Commission’s state recognition efforts. Once the funding is released, we will proceed to hire staff to prepare the findings and conclusions regarding the Tuscarora Petition for State Recognition and to review other petitions pending review by the commission.
In addition, the Commission will receive $60,000 in recurring child welfare program improvement funds (2017 - 2019) to assist in recruiting foster parents, increasing the number of foster care homes and provide training to staff of county department of social services to ensure culturally appropriate services for children who are members of North Carolina state-recognized tribes.
Economic Development Program - Supporting Undergraduate Native Students (SUNS) Program
Kimberly Hammonds, Program Manager
The Commission has received the executed Community Services Block Grant Contract FY 2017 - 2018 from the NCDHHS - Division of Social Services, Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) in the amount of $55,280.
These funds are used in the operation of the Supporting Undergraduate Native Students (SUNS) Program. This will be the final year of this program as it will end at the end of this contract June 30, 2018 unless an alternative source of funding can be secured. The Office of Economic Opportunity successfully introduced and passed changes to the North Carolina Administrative eliminating direct funding to Limited Purpose Agencies, of which the Commission is considered.
The SUNS Program identifies qualified American Indian students enrolled full-time in an accredited North Carolina based community college or university and assist them in pursuit of their educational goals.
Services provided include book voucher reimbursement, semester completion, academic excellence, travel attendance and graduation incentive payments. In addition, we provide supportive services to assist students with unexpected expenses such as car repairs so they may remain enrolled in college and continue their education.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Peggy Ammons, Program Manager
The Commission has received the executed copy of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) Grant Contract from the NCDHHS - Division of Social Services in the amount of $87,736.
We are contracted to operate an education and outreach program designed to promote public awareness in American Indian communities in the designated counties of Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Halifax, Harnett, Sampson and Warren to ensure that eligible American Indian households, especially elderly and disabled individuals and families with young children, are informed and encouraged to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program services available at the local county departments of social services.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally funded program that provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills.
Priority in eligibility is given to households with:
 An elderly person age 60 or older or
 A disabled person that is receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services.
Who is eligible?
Households must meet all of the following:
 Households must meet an income test.
 Households must be responsible for their heating bills.
 Household cannot have assets/resources over $2,250.
 Households must include an U.S. citizen or eligible alien.
Program Updates Applications are taken December 1 – January 31 or until funds are exhausted for priority households and February 1 – March 31 or until funds are exhausted for all other households.
You may apply at the county department of social services where you live. They may also offer energy assistance services through the Crisis Intervention Program.
Items to take with you when you apply include:
Identity - Name, date of birth and social security number for each household member. Copies of social security cards are required.
Address - Lease/rental agreements, any other shelter expenses.
Earned Income - (Wages/Self Employment) include wages/check stubs/tax forms containing employer information for the month prior to the date of application.
Unearned Income - (Public benefits/Private retirement benefits, etc.) documents form provider, benefits award letters.
Assets/Resources - Information about household’s savings/checking accounts, property ownership (tax records) stocks/bonds, certificate of deposits, IRA’s or other accessible retirement accounts.
Heating Expense - Copy of bills
For more information, please contact NC Commission of Indian Affairs, Peggy Ammons, Program Manager, Sampson County Office, at 910-564-6152 or Cell: 910-309-0214
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Prevention Program
Lori McClain, Program Manager
Funding is received through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to establish a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program serving the Coharie, Haliwa-Saponi, Meherrin, Sappony and Waccamaw-Siouan tribal communities. Tribal organizations within the state were solicited as part of the grant and response was received from five of the tribal communities to participate in the program.
The program recruits advocates from the communities who will assist victims, build partnerships with community resources and law enforcement, and engage in prevention efforts in their tribal communities. Advocates have been recruited from all five tribes and in the process of completing training through the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) and the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA).
Section 8 Housing Updates
David Grigsby, Program Manager
The biggest challenge in our program has been staff turnover. We have lost two employees this year to other jobs outside of state government. Through the efforts of remaining staff and a quality group of temporary employees, we have maintained our leasing level.
This year we have taken the first steps toward paperless files. Several documents that we used to have paper copies of are now available to all staff through the state’s shared computing cloud. In addition to reducing paper, we are also saving some staff time and, more importantly, are able to respond to landlords and participants more quickly.
In the better late than never department, Congress finally passed the budget that will govern our spending for the calendar year 2017. We will see a modest reduction in revenues.
In most of our service area, we are struggling with the lack of housing stock. We are trying to spread the word to those who own homes that might be vacant that they can eliminate the deterioration that comes with a home being unoccupied and also receive a decent income by contacting us and getting a Section 8 tenant into the unit.
American Indian Workforce Development Program
Elk Richardson, Program Manager
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program is a federally-funded employment and training program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration/Division of Indian and Native American Programs. In carrying out its mandate and objectives, the Commission of Indian Affairs operates a WIOA Section 166 program that targets the needs of unemployed, underemployed and low income American Indians in North Carolina. Through our workforce development program, we may be able to assist you in your endeavor of furthering your education and expanding your job skills.
In our provision of WIOA Section 166 services, and consistent with WIOA law and federal regulations, program applicants who are enrolled members of state or federally recognized tribes, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians may be availed services through the workforce development program of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs.
Consistent with the veterans’ priority provisions of the “Jobs for Veterans Act” (P.L. 207‑288), and U.S. Department of Labor regulations at 20 CFR 680.650, the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs WIOA Program provides priority in eligibility determination and service provision to otherwise eligible American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian veterans. The highest preference will be afforded to WIOA Section 166 eligible individuals who are veterans of the U.S. military services.
In April 2017, the Commission submitted its Program Year (PY) 2017 WIOA Comprehensive Services Plan (CSP) to the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor. The plan was approved by Labor, authorizing program funding in the amount of $259,122 for the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
Commission WIOA Services
The commission’s WIOA program provides Classroom Training assistance, Work Experience, and Job Search and Placement Assistance services to eligible clients. In addition to these services, the program may provide supportive services such as employment related services, transportation assistance, temporary housing assistance for trainees, etc. Supportive services may be provided to overcome barriers to employment or training that have been identified in a client’s individual training and development plan, or through an appropriate contract, referral, or follow up service.
The ultimate goal of our assistance and services is to: (1) increase academic, occupational, and literacy skills among the American Indian population; (2) increase American Indian workers’ abilities to be competitive in the workforce, thus helping them to achieve personal and economic self-sufficiency, and; (3) to promote the social and economic development in North Carolina Indian communities.
Under WIOA, the commission’s service area spans 59 of the state’s 100 counties. The remaining 41 counties are designated among five other Indian grantees in the state: Cumberland County Association for Indian People; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Guilford Native American Association; Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe; and Lumbee Regional Development Association. Commission of Indian Affairs WIOA assistance is provided via field offices and staff located within the Indian communities.
To determine eligibility for the commission’s WIOA Section 166 program, a program application must be completed and submitted to one of our WIOA offices. The commission’s workforce development staff in the Coharie tribal area field office (Sampson County) is Sue Faircloth (Sue.Faircloth@doa.nc.gov); (910) 564-6726. Our Waccamaw-Siouan tribal area field office (Columbus County) is staffed by Carolyn Crocker (Carolyn.Crocker@doa.nc.gov); (910) 655-8708. Individuals seeking workforce development services can contact one of our offices or an office of one of the above service providers closest to them, or contact the nearest NCWorks Career Center office, which can be found on the internet at:
https://www.ncworks.gov/vosnet/ContactUs.aspx?tab=4&pu=1 Newsworthy
North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs Membership Sign American Cancer Society’s ’80% by 2018’ Pledge:
Partnership to Help Close the Gap for Colon Cancer Screenings in Disparate Communities
Raleigh, NC – On June 2, 2017, the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs Membership put pen to paper, signing the American Cancer Society ’80% by ‘18’ Pledge, declaring their commitment to promote colorectal cancer screening within the American Indian community.
“Community leaders from all over the state voted unanimously to take steps to eliminate colorectal cancer as a major public health problem,” said Greg Richardson, Executive Director, NC Commission of Indian Affairs. “Working together to increase screening ultimately prevents lives from being lost to colorectal cancer.” The Commission of Indian Affairs consists of 21 representatives of the American Indian community, two representatives appointed by the General Assembly, one representative or their designee appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources and the Commissioner of Labor.
The number of men and women 50–75 years within the colorectal cancer screening age range served by NC Commission of Indian Affairs is 23,110. The anticipated project will serve all American Indian tribes of North Carolina, including one federally recognized tribe and seven state recognized tribes. The federally recognized tribe is the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the state recognized tribes are the Coharie Indian Tribe, Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Meherrin Nation, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony Indian Tribe, and
Waccamaw Siouan Tribe.
The NC Commission of Indian Affairs maintains an ongoing relationship with American Cancer Society through participation in our signature event, Relay for Life and other mission programs. “We at the American Cancer Society are excited about the commitment, and look forward to an ongoing relationship with the Commission through this important opportunity to support increasing awareness and decrease colorectal cancer disparities” said Health Systems Manager for Primary Care, Dorothea Brock. One key component of the action plan is to collect information about CRC screening in the American Indian community that would supply vital information not only to the American Cancer Society, but also to the Commission of Indian Affairs as it fulfils its mission to provide aid and protection to North Carolina’s American Indians and to serve as a voice for and to the American Indian population.
Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation accepting grant applications
The board of advisors of the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation accepted grant applications for projects funded from its community grantmaking fund this summer.
Grant funds are available for nonprofit organizations that serve general charitable needs in the Cherokee Community. Applications were accepted through August 8. for more information about the foundation visit nccommunityfoundation.org . For information
Greg Richardson, Executive Director NC Commis-sion of Indian Affairs signs American Cancer Society 80% By ‘18 Pledge as ACS Health Systems Manager Primary Care, Dorothea Brock looks on. regarding foundation grants contact: The Regional Director Katie Crumpler (828) 538-4299 .
The Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Foundation was founded by a group of committed citizens to serve as a local resource to meet community needs through permanent endowments that fuel grantmaking.
Tax-deductible contributions, made payable to the Eastern Band of Cherokees Community Grantmaking Fund, can be mailed to the North Carolina Community Foundation, 3737 Glenwood Ave. Suite 460, Raleigh, NC 27612. Contributions can also be made online at nccommunityfoundation.org.
Staffing Updates
Indian Child Welfare Program
Annie Frances, with the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe was carried over into the summer as Director of the Indian Child welfare Program. This positions was slated to end June 30, 2017, however, due to the availability of carry forward funding, we were able to employ her through September 1st. However, Annie will be leaving the Commission to continue working on her doctorate. This position will be fill.
Section 8 Housing Program
Brad Martin, member of the Sappony Indian Tribe, has been employed as a full-time Housing Inspector and will cover Granville and Person Counties. Mr. Martin previously worked in this position as a temporary employee.
Leta Patrick, a member of the Waccamaw-Siouan Indian tribe has been employed as a Housing Inspector and will cover Sampson and Columbus Counties.
Karon Joseph, a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has been employed as a full-time housing inspector and will cover the counties of Halifax and Warren Counties.
State Recognition
New Positions - The Commission will be hiring personnel to staff the Commission’s State Recognition efforts. Potentially, there will be three positions, a director, genealogist and a clerical support person. Initial plans are to fill these positions as temporary employees. Anyone who has related work experience and is interested in any of the positions, should contact Greg Richardson at (919) 807-4441, by September 30th. Youth News
Summer Interns
Hanna Beers, a student at East Carolina University worked on the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Prevention Program as our Summer Intern assisting in the planning of the 2017 Teen Summit.
Governor’s Pages this Summer
Four American Indian students participated in the program this summer.
 Aiyana Lynch, Haliwa-Saponi
 Daniel (DJ) Wilson, Haliwa-Saponi
 Keely Jones, Lumbee Tribe of NC
 Kameryn Locklear, Lumbee Tribe of NC
2017 NCNAYO Conference was held at UNC-Pembroke, June 20-23, 2017
The North Carolina Native American Youth Organization hosted it’s 38th Annual Conference at UNC-Pembroke in Pembroke, NC. This year’s conference was entitled “How Bright Will Your Star Shine.”
This conference focuses on American Indian educational and career opportunities, promoting healthy lifestyles, inspiring American Indian youth to lead more productive lives, and promoting leadership development and positive self-esteem.
2017 Teen Summit was held August 20-22, 2017 at Trinity Center, Salter Path
The Teen Summit was a success. The students gave it a 10 out of 10. The group was small with 15 students, from both state recognized and federally recognized tribes.
Workshops were on Healthy relationships, social media safety, Title 9 regulations, understanding the cycle of violence and cultural awareness activities. Some students saw the beach for the first time, some picked up a sewing needle for the first time, and some were exposed to cultural activities for the first time.
Also, a presentation was done for the southeast regional meeting of Executive Directors for the Council for Women. A presentation was done on our program, and on what to expect in the future. Information on State and Federal Tribes was also presented.
Coharie Youth of Sampson County receive Oral Health Care
The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Oral Health Section-provided 17 exams and 70 sealants to Coharie youth. The average cost of a dental sealant is $45.00. The Coharie Tribe received free dental care worth $3,745.00. The Coharie Tribe and hopes to expand the program to offer duplicate services at their Harnett County Center next year.
Announcing 37th Annual NC Indian Senior Citizens Coalition Conference - November 3, 2017
The North Carolina Indian Senior Citizens Coalition will host the 37th Annual “Elders Keepers of Our Culture” Conference on November 3.
Time: Noon - 9:00pm
Location: Holiday Inn I-95
1944 Cedar Creek Road
Fayetteville, NC
910-323-1600
Agenda includes workshops, banquet and a highlight, Ms. NC Indian Senior Citizen pageant.
For more information or to register for the event, please contract Jesse Jacobs at (704) 458-9209.
Save the Date
September - December
LIEAP Energy Education Events - FREE EVENTS, Location TBD local tribal communities
October 6 - 8
Meherrin Indian Pow wow
Meherrin Tribal Grounds
852 Hwy 11 N, Ahoskie, NC
Contact: Patrick Suarez at (336) 416-4913
Vendor Contact: Linwood Hall at (202) 281-7097
meherrinpowwow@gmail.com
Tomahawk Motel: (252) 332-3194 or tomahawkmotel@gmail.com
October 20 & 21
Waccamaw-Siouan Tribes 46th Annual Pow-Wow
7239 Old Lake Road, Bolton, NC
Contact: (910) 655-8778 or
Email: siouan@aol.com
November 3
37th Annual North Carolina Indian Senior Citizens Coalition Conference
Holiday Inn I-95
1944 Cedar Creek Road
Fayetteville, NC
Contact Jesse Jacobs at (704) 458-9209 or Email:jeaglenc@gmail.com
November 10 & 11
20th Annual St. James Waccamaw-Siouan Festival
St. James Community
3245 Old Northeast Road
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
Contact: Hattie Campbell at (910) 646-1817 or (910) 641-1476 or hcampbell1948@centurylink.net
November 18
2017 Indian Heritage Month Celebration
NC Museum of History, Raleigh, NC
919-807-7900
December 1
NC Commission of Indian Affairs Quarterly Commission Meeting, Location TBD
Daphne Pinto, Administrative Assistant
919-807-4442 or daphne.pinto@doa.nc.gov
December 1
Triangle Native American Society & Wake County Indian Education Parent Committee Christmas Social
The Capital Church, Garner, NC
7:00pm - 11:00pm
https://tnasweb.org/
Fall Meetings & Events