Metrolina Native American Association

06/22/2026

🌞 Metrolina Native American Association Summer Assistance Program 2026 🌞

Metrolina is excited to give back to our community this summer!
We are offering:

✅ Summer Camp Reimbursement – up to $300 per child

✅ $100 Gas Cards – limited to one per family

To qualify for the summer camp reimbursement, families must:

Be a current Metrolina member

Complete the application form

Provide proof of camp registration and payment

Deadline is August 1, 2026 ‼️

This program is our way of supporting families during summer break and helping our youth participate in enriching opportunities.

If you are interested in applying, please email [email protected] and a form will be sent directly to you.

For additional questions, please contact Tonia Deese, who will serve as the point of contact for this program.

We look forward to supporting our community this summer! ❤️

06/22/2026

On Saturday during the NCNAYO Powwow, Metrolina Native American Association was honored to host two youth specials in memory of Mr. Jessie and Mrs. Barabra Locklear.

Thank you North Carolina Native American Youth Organization for allowing us the opportunity to recognize these two individuals and their lasting impact on Native communities.

Thank you to the families for supporting these specials and allowing us to honor your loved ones. It was especially meaningful to have Mrs. Barbara Locklear’s granddaughters present to support and help judge her honor special. What a beautiful moment, and we are grateful to have been a part of it.

Thank you to our judges, Sandon for serving as Emcee, and the committee for putting on an amazing powwow. Congratulations to all the young dancers who participated!

06/16/2026

This Saturday at the NCNAYO Annual Powwow at Campbell University, the Metrolina Native American Association will have the honor of hosting two Youth Dance Specials to recognize and celebrate the lives of two individuals whose love and dedication touched countless Native people and communities.

🪶 Boys Special (All Categories) – In honor of Mr. Jessie Jacobs, a man who spent much of his life serving Native people. Through his many roles, he planted seeds in the next generation, always believing in our youth and working to ensure our culture and communities would continue to thrive.

🪶 Girls Special (All Categories) – In honor of Mrs. Barbara Locklear, a true example of a matriarch. Her life was devoted to Native people, and she held a special place in her heart for the youth. She encouraged, taught, and lovingly guided so many young people, taking them across Indian Country to powwows and sharing with them the beauty and importance of our traditions. Her wisdom, kindness, and unwavering love left a lasting impact on generations of Native families.

Each special will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.

We invite all who are able to join us this Saturday as we honor two beautiful lives and celebrate the legacies they left behind.

“Those who plant seeds of love and culture leave a harvest for generations to come.” 🫶🏽

06/02/2026

We hope to see you all on Friday.

06/02/2026

On Saturday, CMS hosted its End-of-Year Celebration for Native students, and Metrolina was honored to be a part of this special event.

We were excited to provide meaningful gifts created by local Native artists and vendors. This year, our elementary and middle school graduates received beautiful beaded ropes, blankets, and books. Our graduating seniors were presented with custom star quilts in their school colors, embroidered with their school name and graduation year, a keepsake to honor their hard work and achievement.

A special thank you to all of the vendors and artists who partnered with us to provide such high-quality and meaningful gifts. The event also featured delicious food catered by Deidre Mallow, arts and crafts led by local North Carolina artists, and educational opportunities highlighting the Native tribes of North Carolina.

Congratulations to all of the graduates! We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to seeing all that you achieve in the future.

A special shoutout to Jessica Strickland for doing a phenomenal job organizing this event. Your dedication to Native students and families helped make the day truly special.

We are already looking forward to next year’s event

Artist/Vendors:

Beaded ropes: Madison Locklear Oxendine
Blankets: Danielle Perez
Star Quilts: Misty Wolfnecklace
Books: Pharrah Graham

05/25/2026

This Saturday we have 2 very important events that we would love the community to come out and attend.

More details can be found on each flyer.

Saturday 11AM- 1PM - CMS End Of Year Celebration

Saturday 1PM- 3PM- Metrolina Annual Community Meeting

05/21/2026

The NC Commission Meeting will be held in Charlotte, NC and we encourage any community members who are interested and able to attend to come out and be present.

📍 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Harris Alumni Center – Tate Hall8688 Johnson Alumni Way, Charlotte NC 28223

📅 June 5, 2026

⏰ Meeting Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

🕘 Please arrive by 9:30 AM

If you have any questions please reach out to us directly.

05/19/2026

As the Lumbee community continues discussions surrounding gaming and the future opportunities for the Lumbee Tribe, a new information site has been launched to provide detailed information and resources.

We encourage everyone to take time to read through the information carefully, learn more about what is being proposed, and become informed before casting opinions or making decisions. This is an important matter that could have long-term impacts for our people and future generations.

As you review the information, we also encourage community members to think critically and write down any unanswered questions you may still have. Open discussion and informed decision-making are important, and every voice matters.

Link:

Learn more about the upcoming The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina amendment vote.

05/16/2026

If you are unable to attend the Federal Recognition Celebration today and have any specific questions about the absentee voting process, voting in general please drop them in the comments or send us a message. We will get them answered today.

‼️Reminder MNAA will have printed applications on hand starting Monday for community members to pick up‼️

05/14/2026

Please make sure you read the information the Lumbee Tribe Election Board page is posting. This is information for absentee ballots, and voting locations.

If you plan to attend the Federal recognition celebration this Saturday, there will be a booth with information so make sure you visit them if you have any questions. 

‼️ Metrolina will have applications printed for community members to pick up, please let us know if you need one.‼️

Contact Carly Graham
(704) 942-0765
[email protected]