Early Lumbee School"It is with great pleasure that I accept this noble position," Swett said during his inauguration speech. "It is a responsibility that I take seriously, and one that I will pour my heart and soul into ... because it concerns you."
Approximately 500 to 600 people attended the ceremony, which was held at the Southeastern North Carolina Agricultural Center in Lumberton.
Swett replaces Jimmy Goins as tribal chairman, who served six years as the leader of the 50,000-person tribe. Goins was barred by the tribe's term limits from seeking re-election.
In addition to Swett, newly elected Lumbee Tribal Council members Robert Earl Chavis, Terry Collins and Homer Fields were sworn in, as well as re-elected council members Audrey Hunt, Helen Locklear, Kernice Locklear and James Taft Smith.
Tribal Supreme Court Justice Gary Locklear swore them in. Swett used his father's Bible and momentarily choked up with emotion during the ceremony.
As Swett's position is analogous to that of president or governor, the 21-person Tribal Council is the tribe's legislature. All serve three-year terms.
http://www.fayobserver.com/Articles/2010/01/15/968523© History Chasers
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