AIHC Presentations and Schedules

2025 AIHC Schedule of Events

Gipson Plaza

*Artifact in collection
**Hands-on activity

Hosts/Emcees

  • J. D. Moore (Waccamaw Siouan) and Sandon Jacobs (Waccamaw Siouan)

Arena Director
Main Stage Coordinator

  • Patrick Green (Lumbee)
  • Becky Goins Mintz (Lumbee)

10:45–11 a.m. 

11:30–11:50 a.m.

Blessing of the Arena and Grounds

Contemporary American Indian Vocalist

  • Itãi White (Lumbee)

11:50 a.m.–Noon

Opening Drum Songs

  • Southern-Style Drum Group: Southern Sun Singers (Intertribal)
  • Northern-Style Drum Group: Stoney Creek Singers (Intertribal)

Noon–12:30 p.m. 

Grand Entry 

Roll Call of State-Recognized Tribes/Organizations
  • Coharie Tribe
  • Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)
  • Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe
  • Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
  • Meherrin Indian Tribe
  • Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation
  • Sappony
  • Waccamaw Siouan Tribe
  • Cumberland County Association for Indian People
  • Guilford Native American Association
  • Metrolina Native American Association
  • Triangle Native American Society

Flag, Veterans’ Song, and Posting of the Colors

  • The Lumbee Warriors

Blessing of the Ceremony

Welcome and Special Recognition of Dignitaries and Sponsors

Gipson Plaza, Dance and Music Stage

12:30–3:30 p.m.

Powwow Dances (Intertribal) 

  • Female Head Dancer: Page Freeman (Lumbee/Coharie/Waccamaw Siouan)
  • Male Head Dancer: Nakya Leviner (Lumbee)

3:30–3:45 p.m.

3:45–4 p.m.

Retiring of the Colors  

Closing Song 

Gipson Plaza, Resources

11 a.m.–4 p.m.

  • America 250 NC: Office of Archives and History
  • Archaeology Dig Activity: Office of State Archaeology**
  • Cordage: Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site**
  • Corncob Darts**
  • Food Vendors
  • Johnston County Indian Education Program
  • Lumbee Tribe
  • North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission
  • Sappony
  • State Library of North Carolina Government and Heritage Library
  • Scuffletown Suppliers
  • Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership
  • State Archives of North Carolina
  • The Lost Colony
  • Triangle Native American Society
  • Wake County Indian Education Program

East Building, Level A, Demonstrations

11 a.m.–4 p.m.

  • Information Desk
  • Ribbon Work and Clothing Designs: Tabitha Jacobs-Polanco (Lumbee)
  • Silverwork: Brian Lynch (Haliwa-Saponi)
  • Basketmaking: Cindy Locklear (Lumbee)
  • Pottery: Senora Lynch (Haliwa-Saponi)*

East Building, Level A, Education Gallery/Lobby, Demonstrations and Resources

11 a.m.–4 p.m.

  • Quilting: Coharie Quilters and Members of the Sappony*, **
  • North Carolina Museum of History Associates 
  • Take-Home Craft Kits
  • Wheel of History**
  • Information Table/North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs

East Building, Level A, SECU Auditorium, Panel Discussions

1–1:45 p.m.

North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission Oral History Project

Panelists: 
  • Kerry Bird (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate/Lumbee)
  • Quinn Godwin (Lumbee)
  • John Horan
  • Mikayah Locklear (Lumbee)
  • Annabeth Poe

2–2:45 p.m.

Traditional Designs within Contemporary Art: NC Tribal Graphic Artists

Moderator: Sharon Berrun (Haliwa-Saponi)
Panelists: 
  • Idalis Dial (Coharie)
  • Raven Dial-Stanley (Lumbee)
  • Satarah Lewis (Lumbee/Tuscarora)
  • Makayla Littleturtle (Oglala-Lakota)
  • Evynn Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi)

3–3:45 p.m.

The History of the Powwow Movement in North Carolina

Moderator: Sharon Berrun (Haliwa-Saponi)
Panelists: 
  • Ricky Burnett (Lumbee)
  • Tony Clark (Katehnuaka)
  • Priscilla Jacobs (Waccamaw Siouan) 
  • Joe Liles
  • Archie Lynch (Haliwa-Saponi)

East Building, Level B, Demonstrations

11 a.m.–4 p.m.

  • Hunting and Fishing Tools and Furs: Sharn Jeffries (Occaneechi)
  • Shell Carving: Antonio Grant (EBCI)
  • Three Sisters Garden To-Go Bags: Sheila Wilson (Sappony)**
  • Rattles, Cedar Boxes, and Stone Pipes: Henry Lynch (Haliwa-Saponi)
  • Drawing and Painting: Karen Lynch Harley (Haliwa-Saponi)
  • Ribbon Skirts: Norma Jean Locklear-Richardson (Lumbee)
  • Wampum and Dream Catchers: Julian Hunter (Meherrin)
  • Stone Carving: Freeman Owle (EBCI)*
  • Bandolier Bags: Ernest Grant (EBCI)
  • Traditional Headpieces and Attire: Terry White (Lumbee)
  • Pine-Needle Baskets: Jamie Locklear (Lumbee)
  • Meherrin and Eastern Woodlands Regalia: Patrick Saurez (Meherrin)

East Building, Level B, Gallery 3

12:45–1:30 p.m.

Historical Clothes in a Modern World 

  • Martin Saniga (Sappony)

Storytelling and Book Presentations (ASL translation available)

2–2:20 p.m.

  • Gwen Locklear (Lumbee)

2:30–2:50 p.m.

  • Pharrah Graham (Waccamaw Siouan)
    Book: One State. Many Tribes. Activity Book

3–3:20 p.m.

  • Gwen Locklear (Lumbee)

3:30–3:50 p.m.

  • Tonya Holy Elk (Oglala-Lakota/Lumbee)
    Book: Roots and Blooms