Digital Scholarship and Initiatives

Harvey Godwin, the chairman of the Lumbee Tribe, signed a partnership agreement between the tribe and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the NC Division of Emergency Management. “‘This is the first time that such an agreement between a state recognized tribe and a federal agency, in this case FEMA, has been signed,’” Godwin said. “‘This is something that has only been available in the past to federally recognized tribes” (para. 3).

The partnership is an effort to help the region recover from Hurricane Matthew, so the pact will help everyone in Robeson County. Five FEMA and state Emergency Management employees will stay in Robeson County for the next 3 months to work with the tribe on hurricane recovery efforts.

Godwin has been making more efforts for federal recognition in the last few weeks. Godwin has recently spoken to Congress and White House staff, saying he believes recognition could come before the end of the calendar year, potentially getting more funding for the Lumbee Tribe.