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October 27-28, 2023
Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶
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October 27-28, 2023
Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶

Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. If you would like to contribute to SFA’s oral history collections, please send your ideas for oral history along with your CV or Resume and a portfolio of prior oral history work to info@southernfoodways.org.

< Back to Oral History project: Lumbee Indians of NC: Work and Cook and Eat

ORAL HISTORY

Emma Locklear

Lumbee Fish Market

Emma Locklear began managing Lumbee Fish Market soon after her uncles, Matthew and Joseph Jones, opened the business in 2007. When Joseph fell ill and Matthew, a pastor, felt called back to the church, Emma took over the business. Lumbee Fish Market sits between the most bustling Town of Pembroke, and the wide and rural Prospect community.

She splits her time between the Lumberton Correctional Institution, where she works as an officer, and the fish market, where she works with most of her family members. With the proximity to so many swamps and rivers, fishing is abundant in Robeson County. Each day local fishermen bring in catch from the Atlantic Ocean and its tributaries: shrimp, flounder, perch, catfish, mullet, and the very popular spots and croaker. Emma sells to nearby restaurants and customers, and also cleans fish brought in by those who’ve spent their day fishing on many of the nearby swamps and rivers.

Date of interview:
2014-07-29

Interviewer:
Sara Wood

Photographer:
Sara Wood

Download Transcript

“

I get to work with my mom. Some people don’t get to see their mama every day. I get to see mine every day. Family is important to me. I love my family and I want to make sure that my family was took care of." - Emma Locklear

Other Project Interviews

Interview

The Old Foundry Restaurant

The Old Foundry Restaurant offered a place for Lumbee Indians to sit down and eat without being asked to leave. It also…

Interview

Lumbee Homemade Ice-Cream

Lumbee Homemade Ice-Cream is owned by Glenn and Dorsey Hunt, who serve collard sandwiches, chicken boggs, and ice cream…

Interview

Callie’s Convenience Store

Callie Locklear opened her restaurant, Callie's Convenience Store, in Pembroke, NC in 1987. Some of her specialties…

Interview

Fuller’s Old Fashion BBQ

Eric Locklear is owner of Fuller's Old Fashion BBQ, with locations in Lumberton and Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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