Lumbee Indians have been practicing the Christian religion for hundreds of years. We don't know exactly when it came to us, but we've been rejoicing in it ever since, using Christianity and its teachings to sustain our families and our community through both good and bad times.
Like any community, Lumbees do not all believe one particular thing; there's no way to really say "this is who we are," because we're all so different. One thing can be said about us, though: home is important to all of us. For many of the over 50,000 Lumbee Indians in North Carolina, Baltimore, Detroit, and other communities all over the United States, home is in Robeson County, North Carolina.
Robeson County is where we come from, where our ancestors originated and migrated to over time. Our extensive network of families means that we have a strong base, economically, educationally and spiritually. We have created our own churches, businesses and educational institutions to serve our own community and contribute to the county at large.
Lumbees are the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River, but we don't have a reservation or federal recognition. Our living patterns are not determined by relations with the federal governement, but by the rivers and swamps of Robeson County, our close family ties, and our desire to work hard.