Tuscarora fights for hunting rights

Record Number: 
BLOG040
Citation: 

Pitts, Myron. "Pitts: Tuscarara fights for hunting rights." Fayetteville Observer. January 30, 2011.

Annotation: 

Kendall Locklear believes his status as a Tuscarora Indian gives him unlimited rights to hunt and fish on the tribe's land north of Maxton. Some state wildlife officers believe otherwise.

The legal battle began in 1998, and was set to continue on January 27, 2011. Locklear was cited for killing a bear in Robeson County. Sixty people came out to support Locklear as he entered the courthouse to finish this legal fight.

The trial was continued by Locklear's lawyer. However, Locklear was not informed of this until later. Meanwhile, outside the courthouse, an unidentified man rallied Locklear's supporters.

Locklear has taken his cause to the Internet, posting seven short YouTube videos about his troubles with the wildlife officials. The videos reveal the real issues, the disrespect for the North Carolina band of Tuscaroras.

The Robeson County Tuscaroras are not officially recognized by the state and are not part of the larger Lumbee tribe. The U.S. government recognizes only the Tuscarora tribes in Lewiston, N.Y., and Ontario.

Kendall Locklear said on the video that the state should "recognize who we are and give us back our birthright. It is our birthright, not a privilege. That's what we want back as Tuscarora treaty Indians."

First Appeared in 1994 Book?: 
no
Category Tags: 
Publication Type: 
These libraries have back years of this newspaper. Check the library catalog of the library of your choice to see if the year you need is available.