UNCP to host several events to celebrate 57th annual Lumbee Homecoming
UNC Pembroke invites the public to celebrate the 57th annual Lumbee Homecoming, June 26-July 4, in Pembroke, NC.
As one of the largest annual gatherings in southeastern North Carolina, Lumbee Homecoming showcases the rich history and vibrant culture of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Each year, thousands of Lumbee citizens and visitors gather to enjoy traditions such as collard sandwiches and grape ice cream, purchase Native art, attend a parade and powwow, witness the crowning of the Lumbee ambassadors and enjoy fireworks. This year marks the first homecoming since the Lumbee Tribe was fully federally recognized on December 18, 2025. For a full schedule of events organized by the Lumbee Regional Development Association (LRDA), visit lumbee.org/lhevents.
UNCP will host several events during Lumbee Homecoming to celebrate Lumbee history and culture. Established in 1887 to train Lumbee teachers, the university is in the heart of the Lumbee community and has a historical mission of service to the Lumbee and other Indigenous communities. All UNCP events listed below are free and open to the public.
Ongoing Exhibition: Poet Tonya Holy Elk
The Museum of the Southeast American Indian is hosting a special exhibition featuring the poetry of Tonya Holy Elk, the 2026 Lloyd Oxendine Artist-in-Residence. Holy Elk is an Indigenous author, poet, scholar and storyteller from North Carolina. She is a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, with family ties to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Her work reflects the strength of Native communities and the deep connection between land, memory and spirit. Holy Elk’s poetry collection Roots & Blooms and the forthcoming Soul Food honor ancestral roots while engaging contemporary struggles, resilience and renewal.
The residency honors Lloyd Earl Oxendine (1942-2015), a pioneering Lumbee artist and advocate for Native American art. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about the museum, visit uncp.edu/museum.
Tuesday, June 30: Lecture – Who’s Your People: A Brief History of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Dr. Lawrence T. Locklear (Lumbee), director of Southeast American Indian Studies at UNCP, will offer an overview of significant periods and events in Lumbee history, including the Lowrie War, the establishment of UNCP, the adoption of the tribal name of Lumbee in 1952 and the victory over the Ku Klux Klan in 1958. He will also discuss important aspects of Lumbee identity and culture.
The lecture begins at 4 p.m. in the Museum of the Southeast American Indian on the first floor of Old Main.
Thursday, July 2: Dr. Helen Maynor Scheirbeck Memorial Lecture
Dr. Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee) is the dean of the School of Education & Social Policy and the Carlos Montezuma Professor of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. He will deliver the third annual lecture honoring Dr. Helen Maynor Scheirbeck (1935-2010), a trailblazing Lumbee political scientist, educator and community organizer.
The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum of the Southeast American Indian located on the first floor of Old Main.
Dr. Scheirbeck was instrumental in shaping American Indian education and policy at the national level. She assisted with the founding of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to chair the Indian Education Task Force and served as the director of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare Office of Indian Education. Dr. Scheirbeck also assisted in developing the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act (1978), was appointed head of the Indian Head Start Program and served as assistant director for public programs at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Lumbee Scholars & Academics will serve as a co-host.
Friday, July 3: UNC Pembroke closed
UNC Pembroke, including the Museum of the Southeast American Indian, will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.
Saturday, July 4: Visit the Museum of the Southeast American Indian
Visit the Museum of the Southeast American Indian from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy family-friendly activities, including engaging with the museum’s exhibits, participating in free crafts for kids, and purchasing items at the gift shop. Be sure to view the special exhibit on the 50th anniversary of the outdoor drama Strike At The Wind!, which tells the story of Lumbee hero Henry Berry Lowrie and the Lowrie Gang, and make your mark on the Lumbee art mural!
Saturday, July 4: Visit the Museum of the Southeast American Indian
Visit the Museum of the Southeast American Indian from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy family-friendly activities such as engaging with the museum’s exhibits, participating in the craft center, enjoying interactive activities for kids and purchasing items at the gift shop. Be sure to view the special exhibit on the 50th anniversary of the outdoor drama Strike At The Wind!, which tells the story of Lumbee hero Henry Berry Lowrie and the Lowrie Gang.
Saturday, July 4: Native Strong Coalition Powwow
Following the Lumbee Homecoming parade, join the Native Strong Coalition Powwow, featuring Native dancers, music and vendors, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Quad next to Old Main. This celebration is hosted by UNCP student organizations (Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Native American Student Organization and Phi Sigma Nu Fraternity) and showcases Native talent and tradition in the heart of campus.