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Southern Sun Singers

Southern Sun Singers are a southern plains style drum group from North Carolina. Southern Sun Singers are a Native American/multi-cultural group of young men and ladies who love to sit around the drum and sing. Giving joy to the dancers through our music brings us joy as singers. Most of the songs we sing are original songs written by various members of the group. Before each event, we always thank the Great Creator for the opportunity to sing. Without him our voices would not be strong, our spirits not as high, and our minds not as clear. Every song sung is in His honor. We want people to notice the dignity and respectability this group has for the Native American way. One of our favorite sayings is "We Do Dignified." We want to be remembered for our music, but also for our attitudes and presence around the drum. We sing because we love to sing. We come from all walks of life to unite as one voice, one beat, and one spirit around the drum. Nothing can make us feel better.

It has been said by one of the drum Honorary Elders that Southern Sun is a drum of doctors, lawyers, and Indian Chiefs. This is a very good compliment regarding our drum group. Along with being a good sounding drum group, we succeed in our professional lives as well. We actually do have doctors and lawyers around the drum. Linwood Watson (Haliwa-Saponi) is in his last year of Medical School at East Carolina University. Erin Locklear(Lumbee) is in Law School at UNC Chapel Hill. Clyde Ellis is a professor in the History Department at Elon College. Joe Liles is an art teacher at the North Carolina School of Science and Math. Brian Simmons(Coharie), Billy Hunt(Lumbee), and Chris Conner(Lumbee) are all attending North Caroling State University pursuing degrees in Engineering. Brian is a junior in Civil Engineering. Billy is a junior in Mechanical Engineering. Chris is a sophomore in Computer Science. Houston Locklear(Lumbee) works with a telephone company in Pembroke. Jody Cummings(Coharie/Lumbee), just took the BAR and is currently working in Washington DC. His brother, Jason(Coharie/Lumbee), graduated last spring from NC State and is currently at Princeton University getting his PhD in Chemical Engineering. So, Ray Little Turtle was right. We do have doctors, lawyers, engineers, and educators around Southern Sun, which we take great pride in.