Carolina Indian Voice

by Edwin H. Mammen, 2006

Carolina Indian Voice, a weekly newspaper published in Pembroke, was established on 18 Jan. 1973. It serves the interests of the Lumbee Indians in Robeson County, who make up approximately one-third of the county's population. Bruce Barton, who served as editor, founded the paper with a $500 loan. Its masthead states that the paper is "Dedicated to the Best in All of Us," and the Carolina Indian Voice refers to itself as "the newspaper for all Indians and their friends everywhere."

Barton's editorials, under the title "As I See It," have argued for greater Indian representation in the county educational system, local government jobs, and all aspects of public life. The Indian Voice's usual eight pages include a front-page feature, an editorial and opinion page, and such regular columns as "Educational Views," "According to Scripture," and "Pembroke News." A columnist with the pseudonym Ol' Reasonable Locklear contributes from time to time, "depending on his gout." A mix of local advertising supports the paper. Barton was succeeded as editor by his sister, Connie Braboy, in 1988. As of the early 2000s the newspaper's weekly circulation was approximately 6,000.