Gregory Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi) PART 1 - NCAIHC Oral Histories

Gregory Richardson was born on January 31, 1951 in the Haliwa-Saponi Indian community in Halifax County. Richardson attended the Haliwa Indian School and Aurelian Springs High School, received a business certificate from Lear Siegler Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland, obtained an associate degree from King’s Business College in Raleigh, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Augustine University. Richardson is an Army veteran and has worked with the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs since 1975.
[00:00:00-00:25:44] Richardson describes his childhood experiences in Halifax County. Richardson recalls participating in studies conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including one about ‘red eye syndrome’ and one determining if he had an Indian heritage. Richardson explains how construction work in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. led to the development of Haliwa-Saponi communities in those areas.
[00:26:27-00:48:09] Richardson describes his experience transitioning from the Haliwa Indian school to attending high school at Aurelian Springs, including instances of discrimination and attending high school reunions. Richardson recalls his household dynamic while his father was away working, as Richardson would work in his family’s field after school and help his mother.
[00:48:54-00:59:22] Richardson describes how American Indian cultural was natural ingrained throughout his time at the Haliwa Indian school, including Lumbee influences and Chickahominy influences from Virginia. Richardson explains how politically difficult the Haliwa Indian school could be, as it belonged to both Warren and Halifax counties. Richardson goes into detail about his interactions with teachers throughout elementary and high school.
[00:59:48-01:21:24] Richardson recalls some of his intelligent classmates dropping out of school due to the racial tension they experienced, but also successful bonding over sports. Richardson remembers how the agricultural department inspired him and fellow classmates to connect math and science to real life skills. Richardson explains how his parents encouraged him to attend college at the Lear Siegler Institute in Maryland. Richardson describes being drafted into the Vietnam War and where he was stationed.
[01:21:40-01:49:45] Richardson describes the social dynamics during his time in Vietnam and his emotional return back to the United States. Richardson then outlines his return to work at the People’s Bank in Rocky Mount, taking a job with the Indian Commission, and going back to school at St. Augustine’s University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree. Richardson goes into detail about the hiring process for his position with the Indian Commission. Richardson describes moving to Raleigh and his early job duties.

[@charleshancock152]

(Pi:ląhuk. Nahą:pipi Charles mįkilá:kewa. Raleigh, NC watí:wa. Míma Monacan Yesą.)
Thank you. Good day. My name is Charles. I live in Raleigh, NC. I am of the Monacan people.
(Yesą́ Nǫ:sa: Wągi:tá oho: One people, Many Cousins)
(Wita:he:hu:k meku: All friends are welcome)
We love Mr. Richardson!