UNC Health Southeastern Fitness Centers, Lumberton, NC (2025)

12/17/2025

Last cycling class of 2025! 🔥

12/17/2025

UNC Health Southeastern proudly congratulates the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina on the historic achievement of full federal recognition, now awaiting the President’s signature. This long-awaited milestone reflects generations of perseverance, advocacy, and cultural pride. The Lumbee people have called southeastern North Carolina home for centuries, maintaining a strong identity, traditions, and community presence despite facing prolonged barriers to formal recognition. The passage of the Lumbee Act of 1956 acknowledged the Tribe by name, and decades of continued advocacy since that time ultimately led to this moment of long-overdue affirmation.

This achievement is especially meaningful to UNC Health Southeastern, as many of our teammates, providers, patients, and community members are Lumbee. Federal recognition creates expanded opportunities for access to healthcare services, resources, and partnerships that can support improved health outcomes and strengthen the overall well-being of the Lumbee people and the region we serve, together.

As the benefits of federal recognition take shape in the months and years ahead, we are confident this historic step will yield lasting positive impact for generations to come, advancing health, opportunity, and prosperity not only for the Lumbee community, but for southeastern North Carolina as a whole.

UNC Health Southeastern President & CEO Chris Ellington and the Board of Trustees extend their sincere congratulations to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina on this remarkable achievement and celebrate alongside you as this historic chapter opens a promising new future!