08/02/2025
We are incredibly grateful to Lumbee leadership, the Lumbee community, and the other communities who came together to create this event! What we accomplished together will certainly leapfrog our regions food sovereignty efforts forward!
Chairman’s Monthly Report | June 2025
Dear Lumbee Citizens,
June started off with a true exercise of food sovereignty as we participated in a meal sponsored by the Traditional Eastern Woodland Foodways Alliance (TEWFA). The event brought together over 200 community members to feast on rabbit, catfish, turkey, bison, and locally sourced vegetables. This gathering was a partnership between UNC Chapel Hill’s NCGrowth, the Lumbee Tribe, the College of William and Mary, TEWFA, and PSRC’s Indian Education program. I am thankful we can work with such a dynamic group of partners to ensure that our traditional foodways are still being promoted among our people.
I submitted my budget for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year at my annual State of the Tribe address. This year’s budget, totaling 40 million dollars, will provide for newly built individual homes for tribal members throughout the territory, provide for additional downpayment assistance for those buying a home for the first time, assist with housing rehabilitation for over 200 individuals, provide services to our youth through our 7 Boys & Girls Clubs, and many more services and programs. This budget follows the “Lumbee Focus 2035” plan that I outlined in my inaugural address, which we will continue to build on for our tribal nation over the next 10 years.
On June 20th, we said goodbye to our wonderful 2024-25 Senior Ms. Lumbee Carolyn Emanuel and welcomed in a new era with Wendy Chavis as our 2025-26 Senior Ms. Lumbee. It was a magnificent pageant and continues to showcase all the talent among our Lumbee people. Those contestants gave us a great performance and showed us why we all are proud to be a Lumbee Indian. Congratulations to our new Senior Ms. Lumbee Wendy Chavis and I look forward to a great year working beside you.
Dr. Joey Bell was a top-notch pediatrician and a world class individual, who served our community with a strong work ethic and with an abundance of love and grace. On June 16th, the good Lord called him home after a career of taking care of those most vulnerable in our community. His large hands held the smallest hands and helped them to grow as he cultivated them through the practice of medicine and healthy living. From the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma to the Catawba Nation in South Carolina to our own Lumbee Nation, Dr. Bell devoted himself to the care of countless children everyday. The loss of his presence is felt not only by his family and friends, but across our entire community. He leaves behind a powerful and enduring legacy for all of us.
I am thankful to serve as Chairman of the Lumbee Nation. I love you all.
Sincerely,
John L. Lowery
