Úhnyeh tíhsnęʔ Urihwehkę́·haʔnęʔ
News and Events
Rahnà·wakę·w Wahraʔtkáhryeʔ
Tuscaroras gave a presentation in Knightdale / Raleigh and Rahnà·wakę·w Donnie McDowell spoke in detail about the treaties that the NC Tuscarora hold with the government and how the government's refusal to honor our treaties affect the Tuscarora today. Through our ancient resilience, we endure.
Yakuyaθętakaré·tih
Again the Tuscarora Nation is proud of Iesha Ford for her magnificent representation. These two paintings will be displayed at the Robeson County Arts Council throughout Native American Heritage Month.
Rahnà·wakę·w Rutyá·kęʔ Kayęʔnaʔnehúʔthahθ
The Tuscarora Nation is proud of Iesha Ford as she has earned her first art exhibition, which will be showcased during Native American Heritage Month, ending on November 23. You may support her work by attending one of her showings.
Where: Arts Council of Fayetteville, 301 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC, 28301
Tayhanoʔčawá·ryehs Kę̀·neʔ Waʔękhirihę́·tyęʔ
Dave Smoke (Akwesasne Mohawk), founder of Corn Mafia, taught us about growing, cultivating, storing and preparing Tuscaroa white corn, as well as roasting gourds.
Join us when Rahnà·wakę·w of the Beaver Clan speaks of our history and treaties.
Kayęʔnaʔnatiránheʔ
Phillip Locklear (Bear Clan) was one of the first to arrive in western NC to help restore power to the Asheville area population. Phillip is the son of Chief Stan Locklear of Prospect and Bear Clan Mother Faye Locklear. The Tuscarora Nation supports Phillip in his work and remains proud of his willingness to help those in need.
Waʔaktíthaʔr haʔ Utaʔkrękęhaʔnęʔ Kakúʔę:
The significance and importance of continuing our storytelling traditions.
Anticipating a lively storytelling season, Runęhkwáʔčhęʔ Duane Brayboy was a guest on Dawn Karima's award winning Native radio program, Conversations With Dawn Karima and spoke about the importance of carrying on the storytelling component of our oral tradition.
Naryęʔnaʔnasθhará·ʔnye haʔ Yękwę̀·ruh
Caring for one another in our villages has always been a defining Tuscarora attribute and a point of pride for us. Miss Jennifer Locklear and Miss Kim Locklear regularly host meals for elders. Maxton Longhouse also regularly offers free produce boxes for anybody who needs them, regardless of race or tribal affiliation.
Kim Locklear cooks for the elders.
Elders enjoying a nutritious, home made meal.
Rarihwahà·wiʔ tíhsnęʔ haʔ Tuʔá·ka·ʔ
Dave Locklear (Deer Clan) joined Senecas from Allegany, NY at a cultural event held at Elkins, West Virginia. What is now WV was once Haudenosaunee territory and together, a Tuscarora and Senecas brought history and culture back to WV. The Kanawha River in WV and the Mohawk Kahnawake Reservation in Canada are linguistically related with the same meaning - "the rapids" & "at the rapids."
Haʔ Skarù·ręʔ Akęnháʔkye Yękwaʔteyarúhčręʔ
The Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina hosted another successful summer camp for the children. The Tuscarora women (Jennifer Locklear, Kim Locklear, Dina Sue Barton) taught the children how to make dream catchers, gourd bird houses, feather fans, hair accessories, medicines and played lacrosse. Award winning smoke dancer, Marcus Dunn, passed down his knowledge to the children.
Haʔ Kanę̀·węʔ Haʔ Uhθęʔkaráʔkye
Amidst the violence at Cedar Point and the subsequent unrest that has followed, we Tuscarora have looked for a good sign, then she appeared; the lady of the sound. At this time, we do not know from where she came, but she stands where so many Tuscaroras have for thousands of years.
On June 23rd, 2024, a delegation was sent to Cedar Point, NC to hold ceremony and pray for the continued peace of our ancestors whose final resting places had been disturbed by developers and decades of being driven over. A small group of Native women and children were attacked by neighboring locals, violating NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), The American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 and UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People). At this time, the attacker who identified himself as a Sheriff's deputy has been relieved of his job and charged with communicating threats, assualting a female and filing a false police report.
The Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina's official statement on the matter is posted below.
If you are sensitive to violence, be warned that the video does show a woman being body slammed and choked.
Prayers Met With Brutality: We Can't Get Over What Has Never Ended.
Tuscaroras, Occaneechi and allies made prayers and ceremony for the disturbed remains of our ancestors at Cedar Point, Carteret County, NC, because prayer is our way. It is important to pray that our ancestors' final resting place is protected and that we pray they are at peace. After locals converged on a group of defenseless Native women, children and elders, they were physically attacked by locals with guns.
After most visitors had left the prayer site, only eight women, children and an elder man remained when locals descended on the Natives with weapons, anger and violence. One Tuscarora woman was body slammed on the ground by a white male who identified himself as an Onslow County Sheriff's deputy. As he was choking this unarmed woman, her children attempted to pull the man from on top of their mother and in the struggle, her son received significant damage to his hand. When she fled to her truck with her two children, the same man chased them and punched the teenage girl in the face after she jumped in the bed of the truck. Another Tuscarora woman got her phone from her vehicle to record the violence and had a gun put in her face. After law enforcement arrived, the gun wielding man was allowed to put his gun on the dash of his truck and leave. As more locals descended on the public property where the ceremony was held, the Natives were called "trash" by them. Armed only with prayers and sweetgrass, the Natives were attacked in a hate crime for nothing more than being Native. The case is being actively investigated as a crime.
This story is corroborated by video footage and repudiates the sensationalistic "violent Indian uprising" fabrication reported by homeowners in the nearby subdivision to WRAL news.
Still we pray for that our ancestors' final resting place is no further disturbed.
Tuscarora Press Conference at NC House of Representatives
The Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina held a press conference at the NC House of Representatives on May 21, 2024 in support of HB 970. One hundred and thirty-nine years is a long time to wait for justice.
Waʔwnatukę́hti: Tuscarora Land Acknowledgement
Tuscarora Nation citizens Yeręhyahukáʔthaʔ Eudora Locklear and Runęhkwáʔčhęʔ Duane Brayboy speak a land acknowledgement in Wilmington, NC on May 1, 2024 at the request of the internationally renowned band Portugal, The Man.
The Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina was invited to open the City of Raleigh Earth Day festival for the second year at Dorothea Dix Park. This included an invocation and a demonstration of our social dances. The also dedicated a tree planting and shared the history of the Tuscarora ancestors on the land. Additionally, we had an education table where we shared our history, culture and present day issues with members of the public. More than 12 Tuscarora Nation of NC members participated.
A Conversation With Dr. Dawn Karima
March 13, 2024: Dr. Dawn Karima (Mvskoke/Cherokee) speaks with Runęhkwáʔčhęʔ Duane Brayboy of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina about reclaiming the sacred, education, history, language and more.
Please use the "GoFundMe" button to go to the GoFundMe page for the Clause family of the NY reservation. Any contributions will be deeply felt and appreciated.
Haʔ Skarù·ręʔ Yękwaʔteyarúhčręʔ Thwaʔká·yè·ʔr
Knowledge is power and power strengthens our nation.
Yeręhyahukáʔthaʔ Eudora (Turtle, Saddletree) and Vanessa (Deer, Maxton) enjoying the conference with immediate family and tribal family.
"In the light of the truth, the past is illuminated."
~Tuscarora
Historic Native nations overwhelmingly have two or more names; the one we call ourselves and the one(s) our allies, neighbors or enemies called us: Skarù·ręʔ, Tuscarora, Mongoack/Mingo, Aniʔskalaʔli are names we are and have been known by.
Syà·wę awę·tękę́·haʔnęʔ hà·neʔ účʔaht haʔ Skarù·ręʔ.
A basic Tuscarora map to show the extent of our traditional territory via our language.
Runęhkwáʔčhęʔ explained the origins of our names and migration across Turtle Island.
Bringing The Community Together
This event will have limited seating, so registration is required.
Contact: skarure.language@gmail.com
*MMIW ALERT*
Have you seen Ginger Locklear? If you have any information on Ginger's whereabouts, please contact the Hoke County Sheriff's office at 910-875-5111.
Yękwahsáʔnęʔ
*This will be a Tuscarora community event to bring families together.
*Camping on Friday and Saturday nights.
*The ride will begin on Saturday morning at TNNC grounds at Maxton and food will be served after the ride on Saturday.
*Bring your own horse.
Haʔ Kayehwíhsneʔ Kakunę̀·węʔ: The enduring influence of Ulali.
Ojibwe artist Patrick Collins was inspired to memorialize Tuscarora acapella women's group Ulali in art. These paintings were on display at the Santa Fe Indian Market this year. Shelayna Collins is photographed with her father's art.
Yękhiyaʔnuʔnęʔkę́heʔ
The Tuscarora Nation mourns the loss of one of our own. Roy Maynor was a descendant of the "Original 22."
Yakuʔtikęhrí·yu·
Congratulations are in order for Lakola Cook (Bear Clan), as she has earned the position of Assistant Principal at Magnolia Elementary School. Lakola previously served as an Academic Coach at Magnolia. This appointment is the inevitable result of her stellar résumé.
Lakola is a graduate of UNC-Pembroke (MSA, Administration and BS, Mathematics) and has been awarded Teacher of the Year twice.
Lakola is the daughter of Chief Cecil and Mazell Hunt of Neyuręʔaʔnúʔknę (Saddletree) and is also a mother and wife.
The Tuscarora Nation is proud of Lakola. She brings honor to the people.
Haʔ Á·khweh Utáʔnakę·w Kanę·ʔnú·ʔkye
Jennifer Kreisberg (Deer Clan) was invited to perform at the world premiere of "The Lakota Nation vs. United States" on Monday, June 26 in New York City. She performed her new song "Naká·yè·ʔr Sihskę̀·nęʔ." Also in attendance was Tadodaho Sid Hill (center). Neyeręhyurę́ʔthaʔ continues to represent the Tuscarora with honor.
Neyeręhyurę́ʔthaʔ
Jennifer Kreisberg (Deer Clan) was commissioned to write and perform a song with world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the Our Common Nature: An Appalachian Celebration concert. This music event took place in Knoxville, TN on May 26 & 27. Jennifer performed a collection of songs from her solo career, including “Deer Song,” “Have Hope” and the newly commissioned song “Naká·yè·ʔr Sihskę̀·nęʔ.” As an original member of Ulali and as a solo performer, Jennifer continues to make the Tuscarora proud.
Waʔnyękhinęherá·thęʔ haʔ Rahθęʔnyéha·ʔ.
Rahθęʔnyéha·ʔ Christopher Lowry was honored at our powwow on Saturday, May 13. Chris is the eldest son of George and Leah Lowry. He earned his Masters of Science degree in School Psychology in December, 2021 at Marion Francis University and graduated with a specialist's degree in School Psychology in May, 2023. He is currently working in the Public Schools of Robeson County as a School Psychologist. Chris may next pursue a Psychology Doctorate in Health Psychology.
Rahθęʔnyéha·ʔ Chris is a Tuscarora language speaker and direct descendant of many influential Tuscaroras who fought to preserve our nation. He continues their path to bring us honor.
Rahθęʔnyéha·ʔ Chris Lowry (right) is photographed with Beaver Clan Chief, Stan Locklear.
Congratulations are in order for Orenda Locklear! Orenda (Deer Clan) is a recipient of the 2023 United Tribes Scholarship Award. She has remained constant in her quest of becoming a veterinarian since she was a girl. Healing the animal people is an honorable pursuit and the Tuscarora Nation wishes all success to Orenda (photographed with her parents On'yas and Vanessa Locklear).
We will be known by the footprints we leave behind. Seneka Locklear (January 6, 2001 ~ January 19, 2022) was a beloved son of the Tuscarora Nation. He brought us honor. We are pleased to announce that Senekakę́heʔ will be honored at the 2023 Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, NM on April 28 & 29.
Ęčiʔnwaʔteyarúhčręʔ haʔ Kę́·ʔnęhs nà·weʔ.
You are welcome to join us at our 40th annual powwow on May 12 & 13, 2023. We will have vendors, food, Tuscarora arts & crafts, as well as traditional Tuscarora singing and dancing.
Nęyękwatkęhá·ʔnyeʔ haʔ Uyę́ʔkweh Tikarihúʔnę·
Award winning smoke dancer Marcus Dunn will be teaching and organizing a smoke dance society.
Classes are held at Maxton Longhouse every Tuesday between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., except the second Tuesday of the month.
This is offered to Tuscarora citizens.
It's a Good Day To Dine at Prospect Cookhouse.
For many years, Prospect cookhouse has operated on Fridays, between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., offering home cooked meals. The Tuscarora nation can claim many accomplished cooks and some operate the Prospect cookhouse.
Address:
85 Twinkle Lane, Maxton, NC, 28364
