Led by two of the most respected Lumbee leaders in the country

2025 North Caroliniana Society Award

One of North Carolina's most prestigious cultural honors — awarded for long and distinguished service in the encouragement, production, enhancement, promotion and preservation of North Carolina. Past recipients include Paul Green, William Friday and other giants of North Carolina public life.

A Woman of the Dark Water

Her award keynote — "A Woman of the Dark Water: A Pathmaker and A Wisdomkeeper" — was delivered at UNC Pembroke on April 13, 2025. The North Caroliniana Society published it as a monograph honoring her life and service to the Lumbee people.

Lumbee educator

Dr. Lowery has dedicated her life to education and community in Robeson County. She is a member of the North Caroliniana Society — an organization whose membership includes the most distinguished contributors to North Carolina's cultural and civic life.

Featured in lumBEES: Women of the Dark Water

One of six extraordinary Lumbee women whose life stories were presented in the theatrical production "lumBEES: Women of the Dark Water" at Cape Fear Regional Theatre — a production honoring Lumbee women from the Indian Schools through desegregation.

First Native American woman before the Supreme Court

In 1983, Arlinda Locklear became the first Native American woman to argue a case before the United States Supreme Court — successfully defending the right of the Sioux people to try their own residents for crimes committed on reservation territory. She argued multiple landmark cases for tribal sovereignty and land rights.

Nearly four decades for the Lumbee — pro bono

From 1987 until federal recognition was finally granted in December 2025 — nearly four decades — Arlinda Locklear provided pro bono legal representation to the Lumbee people in their fight for federal recognition. She testified before Congress multiple times. She never stopped, even when pushed aside by tribal leadership in 2010 after they signed a secret gaming deal with Lewin International.

2026 Lumbee Homecoming Grand Marshal

The Lumbee Tribe itself selected Arlinda Locklear as the 2026 Homecoming Grand Marshal — the tribe's highest community honor — and then asked members to vote on a gaming amendment she opposes.

Duke Law · American Bar Association · Multiple honors

JD from Duke University School of Law (1976). 2012 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award from the American Bar Association, calling her "an inspiration" to Native American women lawyers. Honorary doctorates from SUNY Oneonta, NC State University and the College of Charleston. Julian T. Pierce Award for equal justice.