Thomas shares history and storytelling

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Just two weeks shy of the end of her reign as Miss Lumbee 2023-2024, Ashtyn Skye Thomas made a trip to Granville County to speak at Richard H. Thornton Library’s summer storytelling event June 27.

Thomas, a freshman at N.C. State University majoring in architecture, represents the Lumbee people by traveling throughout the state sharing information about the history and practices of the Lumbee.

Thomas began her program by sharing information about the eight Native American tribes in North Carolina, which includes the Lumbee tribe, the largest tribe in the state.

She explained that the Lumbee tribe got its name from the Lumber River and it means dark water. The  water is very swampy. The tribal territory spans Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland and Scotland Counties.

Thomas, wearing Native American regalia, explained to the children that she was not in costume, but was in Lumbee regalia, which represents her traditions and culture.

She said her outfit was specific to the Lumbee people because of its pine cone patchwork, a part of traditional women’s regalia.

“We are known as the people of the pines, people of the long-leaf pine,” Thomas said, “If you have ever picked up a pine cone and looked at the bottom of it, you will see the same spiral pattern that we wear on our dresses. The pine cone patchwork belongs to the Lumbee tribe. No other tribe wears this on their regalia.”

Thomas told the group about her ancestors wearing clothes made from deer and buffalo skin and fur, because they used everything they had.

As they made contact with the settlers and began trading cloth the materials for clothes changed to seed bags and burlap and soon began to get access to cotton or calico materials. Thomas said her regalia is more of a modern day look.

Thomas said history is an important part of her culture and stories have been passed down from generation to generation with storytelling.

“We didn’t write down a lot of stories but we shared them by mouth,” she said. “While telling a story in a book is important, for us telling stories by mouth is important too.”

Thomas read the book, “Chicora and the Little People: The Legend of the Indian Corn, a Lumbee Tale,” which was written and illustrated by Native Americans Arvis Boughman and Delora Cummings.

The children were mesmerized by the story and scrambled afterwards to pick out stickers Thomas brought to hand out to the participants.

Thomas said that being Miss Lumbee had provided her the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering and given her a voice to be heard on closing the gender gap in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

She is also advocates for young women through the R.I.S.E. (Resilient Intelligent young women Supporting Empowerment) program.

“This program helps young women understand how many career paths that are open to them and sets young women up to be successful,” she said. “There are opportunities to go into schools and encourage the youth to be successful and to reach for their dreams no matter what they are.”

Thomas said being Miss Lumbee has set her up for success by providing her with so many life skills. “I have learned how to communicate on so many levels, from just talking with people to being able to answer questions in an interview.”

When talking with children she stresses perseverance.

“I lost Miss Teen Lumbee to my best friend. I competed against her and she was wonderful,” she said. “It was hard and it’s moments like those that really teach you a life lesson. If I was just going to sad and be in my room all the time, you never will get anything done, you will not accomplish anything that way.”

“You have to  persevere, you have to pick yourself up every day and keep working toward your dream no matter who tells you no,” she said.

Thomas’ storytelling was part of the summer events sponsored by the Richard H. Thornton Library.

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