Rez Car Show Teaching Hammock Youth Conference “Looking Back at the Seminole Trail” Page 3 Page 13 Page 14 Presort Standard U.S. Postage Paid S. Florida, FL Permit No. 1624 “Voice of the Unconquered” 50¢ www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXIV • Number 11 August 15, 2003 2003-2004 Seminole Princesses Hollywood Youth Conference Visits Historical Sites “Looking Back at the Seminole Trail” ORLANDO — Members of the Hollywood Youth Conference journeyed back in time, visiting the historic grounds of Fort King, Castillo de San Marcos, and the infamous Dade Battlefield. "Looking Back at the Seminole Trail" offered Seminoles a look into their distinguished past. From July 7 through 11, Children and adults learned about the brave warriors who refused to relin- quish their land, their homes, and their way of life. The Seminoles fought back against the U.S. Army and never signed a treaty, which is why the Seminoles are known as "The Unconquered." On Tuesday July 8, Chairman Mitchell Cypress, President Moses B. Osceola, Hollywood Council Representative Max B. Osceola, and Michael Kelly Hollywood Board Representative David DeHass Dan Osceola prefers using cypress wood for his carvings. spoke to everyone in attendance. They stressed the importance of the Youth Conference and wanted each and everyone to get something out of it. "As a youth, we didn't get much of a chance to see all these historic sites. We only read about Recapturing Our them. You all have the opportunity to see history," said Mitchell Cypress. Moses Osceola stated, "The staff has planned Identity Through some great things for you this week. Be sure to learn as much as you can." Max Osceola added, "Last year the Hollywood Youth Conference emphasized education. Arts and Crafts This year, you're going to learn about famous battle- By Michael Kelly fields and great warriors. Even though we were out- HOLLYWOOD — Event Coordinator Vivian Delgado understands the importance of her culture. She See LOOKING BACK, page 14 also realizes that it can slowly disappear. On Saturday August 2, she and dozens of other traditional artists held the first "Recapturing Our Identity through Arts and Crafts" event to make sure that doesn't occur. "If we don't teach the younger people, it will be forgotten. It's getting hard to find people to make Seminole art, especially the patchwork," said Vivian. The event offered the whole tribal community a chance to learn, or just to brush up on their art and craft skills. Vivian added, "There's almost a generation of people, mostly in their 30's and 40's who missed out on making the artwork." See ARTS, page 4 Big Cypress/Immokalee Paula Cassels Youth Conference (L) Jr. Miss Seminole Stephanie LeeAnn Hall and (R) Miss Seminole Cherelee Kristen J. Hall By Alexandra Frank DUCK KEY — The site for the Big Cypress/Immokalee Youth Conference was held at the By Paula Cassels Princess. beautiful Hawks Kay Resort. The 4-day event featured HOLLYWOOD — On Saturday, The other pageant participants were: Fitness Walks, Games, Arts and Crafts, and a Poster August 9, Cherelee Kristen J. Hall and Jimi Lu Huff, Jenni-Jo Wendi Billie, Kayla Contest. Stephanie LeeAnn Hall were crowned Miss Leigh Bowers, Jennifer-Diane Chalfant, Amber Also included in the conference were "Topics" for Seminole and Junior Miss Seminole at the 46th Anochee Craig, Serena Michelle Green, Codene discussion and lecturers for "Tribal Government and Miss Seminole Princess Pageant, held at the Shine Jumper, Kurya Louise Kippenberger, Programs," and "Follow Your Dreams." The conference Hollywood Tribal Auditorium Christine Elizabeth McCall, Jeanie Austin ended with an awards segment on the last day. Cherelee Kristen Hall, of the Big Osceola, and Brittany Smith. The tribal Government and Programs panelist Cypress reservation, was announced as the Check out the next issue of the included Joe Frank - Forestry, Danny Jumper - 2003-2004 Miss Seminole Princess. Seminole Tribune for the "behind the scenes" Broadcasting, Joseph Martin - Citrus. Stephanie LeeAnn Hall, also from Big story and photos of this year's Miss Seminole Cypress, prevailed over nine other contestants Princess Pageant. Virginia Mitchell The panelist gave information into the jobs they Darion Cypress poses next to a cannon. perform what type of education is needed. They also spoke for the title of 2003-2004 Jr. Miss Seminole about what their jobs require them to do. The panelist also spoke of the satisfaction of working in a tribally run program that benefits its tribal See JUMP, page 9 Graduating Seniors Are Treated to Bahamas Trip By Elrod Bowers Jennie Jo Billie- Billie plans to attend and help the Tribe,” said Billie. PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS — On Miami-Dade Community College and prepare for Megan Otero- Otero will be attending July 23-27, Chairman Mitchell Cypress treated law school. Emory University in the fall to study Medicine. seven Seminole high school graduates to a fun- “This is a good opportunity to study law “I want to thank the elders,” said Otero, filled, five-day vacation at the Atlantis See BAHAMAS, page 16 Resort in the Bahamas. Graduates Aaron Frank, Brittany Yescas, Gregory Thomas, Issiah Billie, Jennie Jo Billie, Megan Otero, and Pete Osceola were recognized at a July 25 ban- quet dinner by Tribal officials Chairman Mitchell Cypress, President Moses Osceola, Big Cypress Councilman David Cypress, Fort Pierce Liaison Sally R. Tommie and Naples Liaison O.B. Osceola, Jr. Also on hand to honor the gradu- ates, and provide information on educa- tional opportunities, were Education Department staff David Brown (Employment & Training) and Lynn Himebauch. During the ceremony, each gradu- ate received a certificate, award and shared their plans for the future with those in attendance. Aaron Frank- Frank, of Lakeland, will be testing for his third- degree black belt in November. Frank Alexandra Frank plans to attend Polk Community College to Seminole artist as work. study Engineering. Brittany Yescas- Yescas plans to attend Broward Community College to study Nursing. Inside This Issue . “I have to thank my parents for Letters..............................................................2 getting me this far,” said Yescas, “and I’m Health..............................................................7 looking forward to helping my Tribe and my people.” Job Opportunities ...........................................9 Gregory Thomas- Thomas will Announcements.............................................11 attend Johnson & Wales University in the fall, and major in Hospitality/Business. Education ......................................................13 Issiah Billie- Billie is considering Elrod Bowers Hollywood Youth Conference .................14-15 applying to Haskell University to study Graduates and Chaperones arrive at Blue Lagoon Island. Physical Education. The Seminole Tribune 2 August 15, 2003 Native Intelligence By Jack D. Forbes nizing Yahshua’s (Jesus’) sacrifice into their thinking for, after all, strange tradition appeared in the Middle East, specifically Yahshua was very much like a Native American in his emphasis in Kanaan (Palestine) almost 3,000 years ago. This tradi- upon sharing meals and food, healing the sick, living simply, Ation is what I am calling “religionism,” an equivalent of going to Nature for visions, being an adversary of the rich and racism. powerful, and praying in private. In the latter, a person or a group is judged primarily on Certainly Yahshua can stand with all of the other great their physical characteristics and/or ancestry and they are discrim- teachers and healers who have come before and have been here inated against on that basis. In religionism a person or group is since, beings like White Buffalo Calf Woman, Sweet Medicine, judged according to their form of worship or belief and is dis- Quetzalcoatl, and countless others. This ability to respect and to criminated against for that reason. perhaps incorporate, and not to seek exclusivity or domination From an American perspective, religionism is a very new over others’ beliefs, is a sign of civilized behavior, in my judg- phenomenon, brought over here only since 1492 by Europeans. ment. It is what distinguishes those who wage war for religious We are all familiar with the manner in which Catholics, most sameness from those who respect the Creator’s many voices. It is Protestants, Mormons, and others have attempted to either sup- what avoids hierarchy and the power of priests and those who seek press traditional American spiritual values (often with very bloody secular power by means of spiritual slavery. pogroms), or have attempted to convince First Americans that they The Hebrew Bible (the “Old Testament” to Christians) must “convert” exclusively to a single Middle Eastern-European sadly provides us with many examples of how “religionism” sect, with no mixing or combining. evolved in the Middle East. For example, there is the case of The willingness to murder, torture, punish, discriminate, Elijah (Eli-yahu) who challenged 450 prophets of the Canaanitish and “high pressure,” all for conversions to this exclusivity is not deities to a religious duel. In the story, Eliyahu won the duel and merely perverse, but in a very real sense, insane (from the immediately ordered the Israelites to capture the rival priests, Indigenous perspective). whom he proceeded to slaughter in cold blood. Similar bloody, It is safe to say, I think, that Native American peoples murderous deeds are, unfortunately, often characteristic of the have generally believed that