N.C. 3-14-2023

Visited an art expo today by the Lumbee Indian tribe. Such beautiful things. Wish I had some of these talents. Also learned quite a lot about the history of the tribe. They are comprised of Algonquian, Iroquoian and Siouan people's. 55,000 members today they are the largest tribe in N.C. and 9th largest in USA. Archeologists have found artifacts dating back 12,000 years B.C. I could go on and on. Quite a history and so interesting.

In 1958 the KKK (including their grand wizard) visited to "put the Indians in their place" . Hundreds of Lumbee showed up to only 50 Klansman. The KKK ran away. The Lumbee have their own government and Tribal Council is based in Pembroke. Truly a caring, spiritual and dynamic group. The curator gave us kits to make smudge pots and dried gourds to decorate. So cool!