That Time I Was An Indian: A Kid Story

Before I can begin to tell this story, we have to get some terminology straightened out...

These are American Indians.

This is a Native American- White people who claim to be "part Cherokee."

This is John Oxendine, former Insurance Commissioner of NC... A Lumbee Indian.

You probably recognize her, she's also a Lumbee- From Red Springs, NC.

This is Anwar Robinson... also a Lumbee.

I guess a little historical background is in order. The Lumbees are a tribe of American Indians who live primarily in Robeson County, North Carolina. The US federal Government consistently refused to recognize them as a legitimate tribe until the 1990's. Their tribal history is fascinating and goes a long way to explaining their often un-Indian appearance. According to tribal legend they are descendants of the Croatans... The same as from the "Lost Colony," on Roanoke island in Virginia. From what I was told by many Lumbees, the Tuscaroras were advancing from the north to make war on both Indians and settlers alike. The settlers were gathered up and taken by the tribe into the swamps of what is now southeast North Carolina. Both ethnic groups intermarried over the years and slaves who had run away into the swamps were also welcomed. This makes for a very interesting ethnic mix. The most prevalent surnames in the area are Locklear (such as Heather in the picture above), Lowrey, Hunt and Oxendine. Interestingly, the Croatans still live as a separate ethnic group, in Sampson Co., NC, but have the same surnames as the Lumbees.

My history with the Lumbees began in late 1982, I had moved to North Carolina from Texas with a friend to work on a hospital in Statesville. He went to work as a pipefitter and my specialty was drywall. I got hired by one of the drywall companies but couldn't find tools. I took a job sweeping floors until I was approached the second day by a man whom I believed to be black. "You that boy from Texas that does drywall?" He asked. I replied that I was and he instructed me to write down what tools I needed and was assured I would have them the next day. he introduced himself as Welton Locklear. I later learned he was Indian. I went to work finishing for him- he had plenty of hangers. I quickly was running his finishing crew. They went back to Pembroke on weekends and I soon began accompanying them. I became friends with them and was adopted into the tribe as "The Italian." (pronounced Eye-talian). My friend, James Earl Lowery remarked a year or so later: "You ain't no white man- You just another sorry f**king Indian!"

Another friend, Johnny Locklear (Blue-eyed Johnny) and I rented a big farmhouse together where we lived with his wife Virginia, their 3 daughters and my girlfriend, Claire. Johnny was actually married to two women so he did some bouncing back and forth... his wives were cousins- you figure that one out. I enjoyed being an Indian very much. I lived there for a couple of years until my popularity with my friend's wives made it necessary for me to relocate. I would have never considered doing anything but after they kept inviting me over (mostly while their husbands weren't around) things became a bit dicey so- disgression being the better part of valor- I moved to Florida.

GIF by @papa-pepper