PEMBROKE — The chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina says that plans by the Lumbee Tribal Council to establish a “Tribally Designated Housing Entity” violates the tribe’s constitution.
“In 2001, the tribal membership, after years of dissatisfaction with private non-profits administering tribal programs and services, voted and adopted the Lumbee Constitution that mandates how tribal programs and services are delivered,” Paul Brooks said in a statement that was sent to The Robesonian on Friday. “I am appalled that this Tribal Council would take this unconstitutional action in a power grab with total disregard for our tribal constitution adopted by over 9,000 tribal members.”
At a special meeting on Thursday, 15 of the 20 council members present voted in favor of hiring attorney Brian L. Pierson, an expert on Indian housing issues, to provide information to the council concerning the process of establishing the entity that would allow an independent board — rather than the tribal government — to receive federal housing money and oversee administration of the tribe’s housing programs. Currently, the financial management and administration of housing programs is the responsibility of the tribal chairman and executive branch of the tribal government.
Funding for the attorney’s services would come from federal funds, according to the resolution passed by the council Thursday.
“As your tribal chairman, I am committed to the membership to defend their voice and vote against this act of treason, with total disregard for our history, customs, and rule of law through interpretation and court ruling by our Supreme Court,” Brooks said.
Those council members voting against the resolution hiring the consultant were Terry Campbell, Larry Campbell, Terry Hunt, Lesaundri Hunt and Helen Locklear. Steve Sampson was not at the meeting.
Councilwoman Louise Mitchell said the action taken Thursday was just for “planning.” She said that after the consultant presented all the information about how the entity can be structured, it would be up to council members if they want to establish a housing entity, and if so how it should be structured.
Speaker Pearlean Revels said that the action was not in retaliation for Brooks’ re-election on Nov. 13 as chairman. Brooks and the council have been at odds for months on several issues, including housing.
APPALLED
As a member of the Lumbee Tribe and a Former Council member of the Lumbee Cheraw, which is the same tribe, and same people along with Rev. Dr. Dalton Brooks chairman.
The first Constitution that was passed by the Tribe is not the one we have now, it is the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, because of our political power house, of which our chairman Paul Brooks is apart of (to my understanding, he was involved in secret meetings for gaming, and the Lewin Contract, at which Jimmy Goins got all the blame for. Now our Chairmen Paul Brooks is appalled, when he himself has done unconstitutional ACTS. As I see it, it’s OK for him. When his hand is called then everybody else is wrong or in violation. The Tribal Council is the legislative branch, they have to know what is going on with the programs, and how the funds are disbursed, they have to over see that everything is imbalance because they are responsible for the budget along with the chairman which is the executive branch that means they have to work together, one can’t take over the other. Please remember The Lumbee Tribe not just a self serving group.
As I see it We the LUMBEE people should be APPALLED!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Doreen Sampson
Brooks in my opinion is the Lesser of TWO Evils. When the public found out about Goins and those 7-8 nonprofits he was operating while Chairman. No wonder no one wanted him back in there. If theyw ould investigate the speaker and her two faces they would find out how bad she wanted Goins back in there in regard to that money.
I think a special hopusing deparment is in order. After all the people he was fired who worked for the tribe for year these past 30 days.
Get it to where people don't have to fear for their jobs. Have all workers HUD certified. Then, maybe Brooks will go back to Scotland County to operate his NUSING HOME BUSINESS and we won' hear from him anymore. Revels can go back to selling her insurance.
Brooks looks mad!