Tribal Fair Brighton Princess Shadowyze and Julian B. Three pages of Tribal Fair coverage. Codene Jumper is crowned 2002 Brighton Princess. The Tribune interviews rap artists Shadowyze and Julian B. page 9 page 4 page 6 Presort Standard U.S. Postage Paid Lake Placid FL Permit No. 128 “Voice of the Unconquered” 50¢ www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXIII • Number 3 February 22, 2002 Seminoles Participate In Close-Up Foundation By Ella De Hass School Experience was developed as a WASHINGTON, D.C. — The social studies function held in Close Up Foundation was created 24 Washington, D.C. to promote awareness years ago by a resolution passed by USET and involvement of American Indian (United Southeastern Tribes) as a non- youth in Tribal/Federal Government inter- profit civic educational organization dedi- action. cated to providing a unique learning Students who met the selection opportunity for all American Indian stu- criteria were invited to attend the annual dents. The Close Up Washington High meeting of the United Southeastern Tribes Student Conference. The selec- tion criteria were as follows: 1) Enrolled member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida: 2) High School Student 10th, 11th, or 12th grade: 3) Grade Point Average 2.0 or greater: and 4) Good School Attendance. The students participated in group activities and education- al tours throughout the D.C. area. There were two large group activ- ities, which the students presented to the other tribes. The first group activity was a presentation of the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branches of the Seminole Tribe of Florida includ- ing the Constitution. The stu- dents explained their tribal gov- ernment, compared and contrast- ed it with other tribal govern- ments and with the United States government. The second large group activity was a presentation and display at the USET Conference Reception. The Seminole Youth Council worked diligently to pre- pare a USET Community Action Plan Initiative: Mishandling of Money. Alexandra Frank Close-Up participants admire the view from the See CLOSE-UP, page 3 Reflecting Pool of the Washington Monument. USET Impact Week: Rep. Kennedy Focuses on Native Issues/Concerns By Alexandra Frank and visiting tribal leaders, representatives WASHINGTON, D.C. — and liaisons for the work that they do. During the week of Jan. 28-Feb. 2, the They are helping individuals, such as Mr. Loews L’Enfant Plaza served as host to Kennedy and others, present a clear pic- the weeklong United South and Eastern ture of the issues that face Indian Country, Tribes Impact Week. because of the work they are doing to The Southeastern tribes, repre- synthesize the issues in order to discuss, sented by chairman, presidents, depart- debate, prioritize, and organize them. ment directors and/or reservation repre- Mr. Kennedy pointed out that, during the past several years, “it has been a real challenge to keep up with the amount of informa- tion coming out on issues related to Trust relation- ships with sovereign nations and the govern- ment to government rela- Elrod Bowers tionship.” “This involves every 4th Annual Kissimmee Slough Shootout single committee in the Pictures on page 16 United States Congress, from health care, educa- tion, to housing, to com- merce, to taxation you name it. Wonder Johns Celebrates 30 years Alexandra Frank “Agriculture all the way Patrick Kennedy and Joel Frank, Sr. to the Justice By Ernie Tiger are now one hundred and fifty acres Department, and all the BRIGHTON — On Jan. 3, strong and an additional eighty-five acres issues that are concurrent friends and fellow employees met at the may be purchased for future citrus devel- with the native peoples Brighton Cattle and Range to recognize opment. The Seminole Tribe’s Citrus sentatives, met to discuss, debate, argue being caught up in the Federal Judiciary Wonder Johns for thirty years of service Grove Incorporated has now become a issues and voice concerns about housing, and how they are affected by this.” for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The profitable venture for the Tribe in 2002. health, utilities and general tribal govern- Mr. Kennedy remarked that this co-founder of the Seminole Citrus “This is a very well deserved ment business. is usually out of proportion, due to the Groves and two terms as Brighton retirement for Wonder, He has always The Impact Week also serves as tribes being under the Federal system. Council Representative are just two of been true to his people and true to his a springboard of sorts for any new pro- The issues are complicated by the diffi- his greatest accomplishments while country as a veteran. He has always had grams that may prove to be beneficial to culty of getting basic facts across about working for the Seminole Tribe. the Seminole Tribe in his heart in what- the member tribes and “Wonder was instrumental in ever he does,” said Secretary-Treasurer their citizens. putting funds together for the Tribe in its Priscilla Sayen as Wonder received a The location’s early years and saw the Citrus Industry jacket presented to him by the Council as proximity to Capitol Hill as a way to produce funds for the Tribe,” a token of his well-earned retirement. is also beneficial, many said Timmy Johns at the afternoon din- Many other gifts, including a House and Senate mem- ner. plaque presented by Alex Johns and a bers stop by to speak on The Brighton Citrus Groves, quilt made by Public Relation Director issues that affect tribes in which was first established in 1984, Maureen Vass, were also given to Indian Country. started with a small plot of land measur- Wonder to show their appreciation that One speaker Wonder Johns ing no more than forty acres. The groves day. who impressed the USET delegation with his dynamic and sincere approach to Indian Country issues was the Inside This Issue . Honorable Patrick Board Limits Assistance Letters/E-mail ........................2 Kennedy (D-RI), who Alexandra Frank By Elrod Bowers operate a nursing home and/or assisted serves in the U.S. House HOLLYWOOD — The Board living facility for profit. Community News...................3 of Representatives. L-R: Janice Osceola, Patrick Kennedy, and Tribal of Directors, at a special Jan. 31 meeting, *gave its approval for a feasibili- Patrick is the son of Liaison William Cypress. voted to further define and clarify limits ty study to construct and operate a gas Shadowyze Interview.............6 Senator Edward “Ted” to assistance. station and convenience store on the Columns..................................7 Kennedy. Assistance will be given only if Brighton reservation. The store will be Mr. Kennedy began his speech the tribe’s sovereignty and that the tribes emergency relief is necessary, which will located at the Brighton Campground site. Tribal Fair Coverage.............9 with a reference to a discussion held earli- should be dealt with as a state built on be determined by the shareholder’s Board *welcomed new Executive er that day about an issue on Indian Trust. sovereignties that have their own govern- Representative. The assistance amount Administrator Jim Edenso, Economic Sports ....................................11 Mr. Kennedy is looking forward to work- ments established to provide for their own will come out of the Board Development Director John Chaves, and ing with various tribes on the proposals peoples. Representative’s allocation fund. Chief Financial Officer David Zacher. See Casino ...................................12 they submit in order for the proposals to Government to government rela- The Board also: page 2 in this issue for a short biography be disseminated within the Congress. tions should be dealt with just as the *gave its approval for a feasibili- of the three employees. Announcements....................14 Mr. Kennedy thanked USET ty study to conducted to construct and President Keller George, the USET Board See USET, page 3 Job Postings..........................15 The Seminole Tribune 2 February 22, 2002 Board Welcomes New Executives The Board of Directors of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., in keep- ing with the reorganization of the Tribe as a whole, announce the addition of three new Executives to their Hollywood staff. Jim Edenso is now the Executive Administrator, John Chaves is in the posi- tion of Economic Development Director and David Zacher is our Chief Financial Officer. These gentlemen are the Board of Directors’ new Executive Management Team. Jim a member of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, is a share- holder in Sealaska Corporation and Shean Seet, Inc., both are Alaska Native Corporations. Mr. Edenso has a BA Degree in Business Finance and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. His experience includes serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Alexandra Frank Financial Officer of Sealaska L-R: John Chaves, Jim Edenso, and David Zacher. Corporation, as well as serving as a mem- ber of the Sealaska’s Board of Directors. His experience includes planning, financ- David Zacher grew up on a farm- Caribbean Area Administrative Manager ing, and consulting. He served as the ing and ranching operation in Eagle Butte, and Controller for 14 years in San Juan, Treasurer/Deputy Commissioner for the South Dakota, on the Cheyenne River Puerto Rico, for H.B. Zachry Company State of Alaska Department of Revenue. Sioux Indian Reservation. David graduat- from San Antonio, Texas. The Caribbean John Chaves is an enrolled mem- ed from college in Aberdeen, South area included Puerto Rico, the Dominican ber to the Laguna Pueblo Tribe of Laguna, Dakota with a Business Administration Republic and the Virgin Islands. New Mexico. He came to Florida in Degree in Accounting and a minor in These gentlemen have extensive Saltwater fish, Oogelahch lahleh November, 1973, as a Co-Director and Economics. backgrounds in their fields and will do an English and Miccosukee language Co-Founder of the Florida Governor’s He spent several years working excellent job for the Board and the Ernie Tiger Council on Indian Affairs.