Government
The Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe of North Carolina is led by a Tribal Council; comprised of eleven tribal members who have been elected by their peers. Members of the Tribal Council, as well as members of its committees, contribute a significant amount of their personal time and energy to look after the well being of the Haliwa-Saponi Community at Home and abroad.
Chief
Ronald Richardson
I am Rev. Ronald Richardson, the son of Maxzella and Daniel Richardson. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I am married to Joyce L. Richardson and we have three children. I graduated from Eastman High School in the year 1976 then later went to Nash Tech Community College. I work as Pastor of the Essex Community Church. My hobbies include playing and teaching lead and bass guitar, drums, piano, playing sports and working with youth. "I see life as being great" I spend each day being thankful to God and others for everything that life brings. I enjoy teaching and preaching the bible. I have had the pleasure of serving as Chief of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe for about ten years. "It's just like God to give us more than we ask for"
Vice Chief
Howard Earl Richardson
I am Howard E. Richardson, the son of Prince and Maybelle Richardson. I was born and raised in Halifax County, North Carolina. I am married to Gwen Richardson and we have two children. I graduated from Northwest High School in the year 1982 then later went to Nash Technical Institute. I work as an Electronic Tech at Caledonia Correctional Institute. My hobbies include: fishing, beadwork, and Golfing. In closing, I'd like to encourage you to think about this "The decisions we make today determine the future we'll have tomorrow"
Chairperson
Melissa S. Richardson
I am Melissa Silver Richardson and I currently reside in Hollister, N. C., with my husband Marty. I am the daughter of Mack and Lori Silver, and I have one brother, Aaron Silver. I am a former Miss Title VII Indian Education princess and served as Miss Haliwa-Saponi in 1997-1998 and Miss Indian North Carolina from 1999-2001. In 1998, I graduated with honors from Warren County High School, and in 2002 graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville. NC with a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Magagement. I am employed with Nash Health Care Systems in Rocky Mount, NC as the Supervisor of Record Processing in Health Information Magamement department. Prior to this position, I taught elementary students at the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School for 3 years. I am also the member of the Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, the nation's first American Indian sorority. My passion is singing, I love to sing at my church, Mount Bethel Indian Baptist Church, and also, at Powwows with The Stoney Creek Singers. I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends. I have been actively involved in the tribal community where ever I go. It is my honor to serve my people on the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Council.
Katina Lynch
Vice Chairperson
I am Katina Lynch, the daughter of Charles and Earnestine Lynch. I have one son, Luis C. Rolon. I graduated from Northwest Halifax in the year 1990 then later went to East Carolina University & NC State University for Grauate school. I work as a Social Studies teacher at Nash Central High School. My hobbies include: beading, dancing, and meeting new people. I helped reorganize East Carolina Native American Organization at ECU in 1993. I received a Master's of School Administration from NC State University in 2010. Received Teacher of the Year for Nash Central High School for 2006-2007. I was also crowned Miss NC Native American Council on Higher Education in 1993-1994.
Ladonna Richardson
Secretary
I am Ladonna Evete Evans Richardson, the daughter of Stanley C. Evans and Dorothy M. Lynch. I was born and raised in Hollister, North Carolina. I have 2 children. I graduated from Northwest-Halifax High School in the year 1994. then later went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I work as a Dental Hygienst at Dr's Hoffman & Arthur. My hobbies include reading, painting, and writing. I am passionate about missions and I work with the children's missionary group at my chruch Mt. Bethel. I love working with kids and enjoy visiting them in the classroom. I volunteer for career days, health fairs and classroom visit teaching kids about dental health. I have been a dental hygenist for 17 years in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina . I love my work and enjoy helping others.
Jeff Anstead
Treasurer
I am Jeff Anstead, the son of James and the late Lorine Anstead. I was born and raised in Halifax County . I am divorced and have 3 children. I graduated from North West High School then later attended Nash Community College. I am employed with the Warren County School System . My hobbies include Tribal Government and time with family. I am a member of the Mt. Bethel Indian Baptist Church. Member of a National known Native American Drum Group-Red Wolf. I am a Eastern Woodland dancer. I'm the proud father of Brittany, Samantha and Zoey Anstead. I have served as a Substance Abuse Councilor and I have been serving on Council for the past 8 years .
Roena Daniel
Council Member
I am Roena Daniel, the daughter of Johnnie and Flossie Richardson. I was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. I am married to Purcell Daniel and we have four (4) children. I attended school until the year 1958. I am a House wife. My hobbies include music, bowling, and working whereever I can be assistance.
Earl Evans
Council Member
I am Earl Evans, the son of Douglas and Dorothy Evan. I was born and raised in the Haliwa-Saponi Community. I have over 20 years of formal involvement in issues impacting American Indian Tribal Governments, including government relations, development and fundraising. In addition, I have helped found several local Native youth organizations, two national organizations, the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School and I have assisted with economic development projects across the country. I have also assisted with matters including , but not limited to, federal regulations impacting Indian set aside programs, contracts, economic development, cultural and historic property\NAGPRA issues, and trust reform. In my spare time, I focus on enjoying time with my children and family.
Donzell Mills
Council Member
I am Donzell Mills, the son of Joe and Isabella Mills. I was born and raised in Hollister, N.C. I am married to Deanna Mills and we have 3 children. I graduated from Aurelian Springs in the year 1968 then later enlisted in the Army. I am retired. My hobbies include: cooking, socializing, occasional powwows and taking care of my family.
Willis N. Richardson
Council Member
I am Willis N. Richardson, the son of the late James and Collie V. Richardson. I was born and raised in the Hollister Community. I am married to Wanda L. Richardson. We have been married for 38 years and we have two children. I graduated from John Graham High School in the year 1974. Later I took several trade classes at Nash Community College and Edgecombe Community College for Small Engines and Auto Body Repair. I work as a Project Manager and Auto Cad designer at South East Fabricator, Inc. My hobbies are restoring and driving old cars. I am a member of the Twin County Cruisers where I serve as President. I have four grandchildren that I love very much: Jayla Davis 10 years old, Noah Davis 9 years old, Kaylee Lynch 6 years old, and last but not least Christopher Lynch 2 years old.
Ella Viverette
Council Member
I am Ella Green Viverette, I have been of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Council since 2003. I was married to the late Harvey Miller Grren who was an active member of the Tribal Council at the time of his death. I was appointed to finish out Harvey's term. I was re-elected in June of 2003 and I am still an active member of the Tribal Council. In 2005, I married William S. Viverette. We have 4 children. Tamakwi, Lisa, Kellie and Chadrick. We have 7 grandchildren. I am an active member of the Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Chair of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Enrollment Committe, Haliwa-Saponi Senior Citizen Group and a member of the Rural Health Group. I enjoy singing, beading and dancing. I recently attended North Carolina Wesleyan College and obtained my Batchelors of Science Degree in Business Administration in December of 2012.
Alfred R. Richardson
Tribal Administrator
I am Alfred R. Richardson, the son of Sidney Richardson and Ora Jefferies. I was born in Enfield,North Carolina and raised in Newport News, Virginia. I have been married to Judy Richardon for over 40 years and we have 3 daughters Tanya (Jason Lee, Husband), Jamie, and Audrey. We also have two (2) grandsons Johnathan and Joshua. I graduated from George Washington Carver High School in the year 1969 then later went to Maryland Drafting Institute at the University of Maryland. I work as the Tribal Administrator at the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. My hobbies include: photography, art, reading, corvettes and gardening.