We, the undersigned members (speaking on behalf of my children) of the Lumbee community, respectfully ask the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Tribal Council to consider creating a temporary or provisional status for local Lumbee individuals and families whose tribal enrollment applications are currently pending or who have not yet been enrolled.

Additionally, we respectfully request that provisions be established to allow current enrolled members to access housing assistance, even if they previously received assistance more than ten (10) years ago and still occupy the dwelling. Policies should reflect the ongoing needs of families and support long-term housing stability within our community…

Many Lumbee descendants with strong family ties, documented ancestry, and lifelong connections to our community are being forced to wait years before they can fully participate in tribal programs, benefits, and elections. This delay creates unnecessary hardship for families who have always identified as Lumbee and who are already active members of our community.

Lengthy enrollment wait times leave many Lumbee families without access to vital resources, cultural connection, and representation. Families with strong documented ties to the tribe should not have to wait years to participate in the community they have always belonged to.

The current wait harms families because:

1.) Children miss out on youth programs, scholarships, cultural events, and tribal support during important years of their lives.
 
2.) Families may be unable to access emergency assistance, housing help, educational support, or other tribal resources while waiting.

3.) People can feel disconnected from their identity and community despite being raised in Lumbee families and communities.

4.)Members are unable to vote in tribal elections or have a voice in decisions that affect their own families.

5.) Elders and parents may worry they will not live long enough to see their children or grandchildren officially recognized.

6.) The delay creates stress and division when some family members are enrolled and others are not.

7.) Young adults lose opportunities for college support, internships, leadership programs, and tribal employment while waiting.

8.) Families may go without important medical and health benefits while waiting for enrollment approval.

9.)Parents may struggle to afford doctor visits, dental care, vision care, mental health services, and prescription medications for themselves and their children.

10.) Elders and individuals with chronic illnesses may face financial hardship from the cost of prescriptions, specialist visits, and ongoing treatment.

11.) Some families delay getting needed medical care because they cannot afford out-of-pocket costs without tribal assistance.

12.) Current housing policies should be amended to allow enrolled members to receive assistance when facing hardship, even if they previously received down payment or housing assistance over ten (10) years ago, as long as they still reside in the home. Members should not be denied support due to outdated restrictions, especially in situations where insurance companies deny coverage or fail to provide adequate assistance. Policies must reflect real-life circumstances and ensure families can maintain safe and stable housing.

We respectfully request that the Tribal Council consider:

• Creating a temporary “pending member” status for applicants with documented Lumbee ancestry and residency and also allow local Lumbee residents to apply immediately especially minors who are enrolling in college and have medical disabilities. 

• Allowing pending members access to certain tribal programs, emergency assistance, educational resources, health-related benefits, and cultural events while applications are under review.

• Allowing pending members the right to vote in tribal elections if they can provide proof of ancestry and local residency. Improving and speeding up the enrollment process to reduce current wait times.
  
  •Giving special consideration to children, elders, veterans, and families facing financial or medical hardship.

We believe these changes would strengthen the Lumbee community, keep families connected, and ensure that deserving individuals are not left behind while waiting for official enrollment approval.

Thank you, 

Julie L. Sampson