PEMBROKE — The Public Schools of Robeson County Superintendent and Lumbee Tribal Chairman recently met to discuss how both entities will continue to work together to support student success.
PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson took this occasion to express his continued
support for Indian Education services and programs and to uphold the required meaningful consultation efforts with the Lumbee Tribal government.
The meeting, which took place on Sept. 21, included discussions centered on the continuous strong partnership between both entities and how critical effective communication is both internally and externally.
Chairman John Lowery and Superintendent Dr. Williamson agreed that both organizations have a history of working together to support student learning. The two leaders also emphasized their commitment to the same purpose of working together as one team with the same goal in mind, which is student success.
“We are committed to supporting our students and working alongside our community partners in education including the Lumbee Tribe to provide resources and the best educational opportunities for our students,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson.
“Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education members and I also strongly support cultural enrichment activities such as those provided in the Indian Education Program,” Williamson said.
Chairman Lowery said that PSRC and the Lumbee Tribe will hold three consultation sessions each year to ensure continued communication, working together on a strong vision for Indian
Education, and meeting Federal government guidelines on meaningful consultation.
The district also plans to arrange quarterly meetings between PSRC social workers and counselors and members of the Lumbee Tribe, Williamson said.
The school district will continue to provide transportation to Lumbee Tribe Boys and Girls Clubs, according to Dr. Williamson.
The school district will carry on its work with the Lumbee Tribe to support student learning. There are several ways in which this work is being carried out.
One example is the partnership between the district and the tribe through Project IndigeCHOICE, which is a program made possible through a United States Department of Education grant awarded to the Lumbee Tribe. Through the program, which aims to support student achievement, tutors assist American Indian students in K-12 schools across the district to bolster math and reading skills.
“PSRC educates a majority of our Lumbee students and I am proud of the collaboration we have
had with numerous programs and projects. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr.
Williamson and the School board, along with the Tribal Council, to move Indian Education
forward and to continue to close the gap on learning achievement,” Chairman Lowery said.
Another example is the partnership between the PSRC Indian Education Program and the tribe as the two entities support the Indian Education Cultural Academy. The academy includes classes that educate students on Lumbee Tribal culture and traditions. Students learn about jewelry, American Indian language, beadwork, regalia making, and drum and dance. Members of the tribe typically support the program for children in grades 3-8 with ED506 forms. Students also served through the Cultural Academy attend Old Main STREAM, CIS Academy and Southeastern Academy.
In addition, PSRC students participate in cultural activities sponsored by the tribe including events like powwows.
After PSRC leaders met with members of the North Carolina Department of Instruction’s Office of Federal Programs, it was determined that the Federal Programs grant application did not provide a link where consultation documentation could be uploaded as part of the application process. The link will be added to the application process this year.
Chairman Lowery stated that the Lumbee Tribal Council is working on a resolution for consideration that will assist in defining the expectations of consultation and overall working together for Robeson, Hoke, Scotland, and Cumberland counties.