Posted on 06/17/2004 12:38:04 PM PDT by Constitution Day
Men seek to establish Tuscarora nation in N.C.
The Associated Press
June 17, 2004 1:43 pm
ELM CITY, N.C. -- Three Tuscarora Indians have settled in tents in eastern North Carolina and decided to seek land, artifacts and self-governance they say are due to them under treaties made with their ancestors.
Timothy Jacobs, Harless E. Smith Jr. and Billy Mac Locklear, bought about 10 acres near Elm City for their self-declared nation.
"This is something we didn't start yesterday," Smith said. "We've been working on this all our lives."
They plan to add permanent buildings, such as a cookhouse and sweat lodge, and would also like to build houses on the land.
More Tuscaroras, maybe up to several hundred, are coming to Wilson County from Robeson County over time, Jacobs said. An estimated 6,000-plus Tuscarora live in Robeson County.
"This land is crying for us to come back and save a little piece of it," Locklear said. "The Tuscarora are moving back to Wilson County because this is where our home is."
The Lumbee Act of 1956 requires all American Indians in Robeson and neighboring counties to be designated Lumbee Indians. Lumbees are still lobbying for full federal recognition and benefits.
These Tuscarora maintain they have a rich history in North Carolina with a language, ancestral lands, religion and government and are not Lumbees.
The Tuscarora plan to set up on native lands under the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act, Jacobs said. The act allows the Tuscarora to return to their native lands to survive, he said.
They will seek to recover their lost lands or seek monetary reparations, the rights to govern themselves, and the right to sovereignty, Jacobs said. They also want to reclaim Indian artifacts, remains and graves.
The group would like to eventually open businesses, he said, but not necessarily offer gaming. They threaten a lawsuit if negotiations fail.
The Tuscaroras have already met one roadblock. The Elm City Town Board turned down their request Tuesday to put an office rental trailer and temporary power pole on the land. Board members said they wanted more information and asked Jacobs to attend their July 13 meeting.
In October, representatives of the Tuscarora Nation plan to hold a large Native American spiritual gathering at the Elm City land, Jacobs said.
The main topic will be their status in Wilson County and how other tribes can help the Tuscarora re-establish themselves here.
Jacobs has a history of activism. He was 19 years old when he helped Eddie Hatcher take over the newsroom of The Robesonian newspaper in Lumberton on Feb. 1, 1989.
Using sawed-off shotguns, they held the newsroom hostage until Gov. Jim Martin agreed to investigate alleged local government corruption in Robeson County.
Jacobs was found not guilty after a federal trial, but the state indicted him on kidnapping charges. Jacobs fled to New York, where he was given political asylum on the Onondaga Reservation. He later accepted a plea bargain.
------ URL for this article: http://www.heraldsun.com/state/6-491955.html
An, of course, the ancient casino buildings...
LOL! Beat me to it.
This town is about 8-10 miles from my office.
I have mixed feelings on this, as my grandfather Baker is descended from some of the Tuscarora who remained here in eastern NC rather than going to NY state.
Does this mean I can open a casino one day? (smile)
CD
Heh! You read my mind!
Not sure if the neighborhood has improved all that much to be moving back. These guys would be better off getting together with that bunch of Mohawks in Canada who want to remove the "blood quantum" for a one-time-only thing, then reorganize with the oldest customs.
This would include eliminating some of the laws established by Deganawidah and his disciple Hiawatha and allow for the return of that all important ceremonial cannibalism.
As a Haudenosaunee, and a "Mohawk" in particular, I'd respectfully request that you post proof of this allegation, or retract...
A note from Tennessee about the Lumbee Tribe.....
This week an ethnic group known as the Mullengeons are gathering here to discuss their heritage. There is a lot written about them in recent times, including the fact that they fled literally to the Tennessee hills and mountains to escape persecution in North Carolina.
Their precise origin is a mystery, but many have AmerIndian blood and some of it is thought to be Lumbee blood. there is some thought that the Mullengeons are remnents of very early European visitors, including Portugeese and English survivors of failed colonies...... including the "Lost Colony"
If the foundation of a nation is successful in Wilson County and a casino is opened...... expect homecoming migrants from East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Thanks for the ping. Personally, I think they are S.O.L. Their people moved to New York and from what I understand gave up to any claims in N.C.
Too bad so sad.
- Sept 1711, Chief Hancock captures John Lawson, Baron Christoph von Graffenried, leader of the Wiss and Germon colonists at New Bern; and a black servant. Lawson was executed.
- Sept 22, 1711 - Chief Hancock kills 120 colonists, took others captive, burned houses, and seized crops and livestock in Bath County.
- White settlers retaliated
- Jan , 1712 - Col. John Barnwell (S.C. company) capture Ft. Narhantes after bitter battle
- Peace conference ends in tragedy as Col Barnwell's troops kill 50 Tuscarora men and seize over 200 women and children as slaves.
- Chief Tom Blunt is promised control over his own tribe if he will assist the Colonists.
- Chief Blunt captures Chief Hancock and the colonists execute Hancock
- March 21, 1713 - Col James Moore (S.C. troops) attack Ft. Neoheroka killing or capturing ove 900 Tuscarora. Survivors forced into reservation in Hyde County
Excavation of Ft. Neoheroka- 1717 - Bertie Co. Indian Woods Reservation given to Chief Tom Blunt.
- 1717 - Many Tuscarora Indians left North Carolina to join the Five (Iroquois) Nations in New York.
- 1748 - Survey further restricts and defines the reservation
- Historical Letters
- 1760 - More Tuscarora chose to move to New York.
- 1766 - Lease and subsequent land deals show 18,000 acres but in actuality over 58,000 acres, leave the Tuscarora only 2,196 acres
- 1803 - Last of Tuscarora depart for New York. Remaining descendants blended into the population
- 1831 - Deed written in Niagara County, N.Y. (7 chiefs) gave up their rights to the land in Bertie County.
- 1917 - Tuscarora Chiefs from New York visit Bertie at the end of the 150 year lease
So...they think they're going to get a lot of Southern Baptists to gamble?
Like I said: "S.O.L."
I don't know all the history (see timeline above), but that what I thought before I read it.
Heh. I think you'll see a lottery here before any casinos.
Still waiting for you to provide me with some documented facts that back up your claims that some Mohawks want to bring back ceremonial cannibalism... tap... tap... tap...
Hi! I am planning on escaping the socialist hell commonly called Sweden in about three weeks (give me a minute to scream HOORAY!!!!!!) to go back to NC--I want to be on the list, and if anyone is in the Triad area, I'd love to know! I am hoping to see if I can volunteer a few hours a week for the GOP, or something to help out!
Ping list please!
They need a separate nation to do that?
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