www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXIX • Number 3 March 28, 2008 Jaryaca Baker Crowned Tribal Museum 2008 Brighton Seminole Princess Attains Interim 2008 Brighton Jr. Miss Rumor Juarez Also Crowned Accreditation Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki to be First Accredited Native Museum By Chris Jenkins Justin Gopher Wins BIG CYPRESS — The Seminole Tribe of Red Man Bull Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum made history on Riding Invititional Dec. 7, 2007 after receiving notification that the muse- Page 18 um will soon join the ranks of a relatively short list of nationally accredited museums. This was a day the staff had been waiting anxiously for, as the Tribe’s museum will become the first Native American muse- um to be accredited, gaining interim status. According to Museum Director Anne McCudden, this is an accomplishment only 10 percent of museums nationwide achieve. She explained that the final recommendation could take up to a year from the American Association of Museum’s (AAM) Accreditation Commission. In preparation, a Museum Assessment Program Grant application was submitted to the AAM, which is designed to help museums Team Seminole assess their strengths and weaknesses, and plan ahead. McCudden said five important criteria were Participates in 2008 also involved along the way to complete the accredita- Broward Heart Walk tion process. These steps included: owning a physical Page 20 collection, being educationally and interpretively trained, having a professionally trained staff in place, maintaining certain hours of operation, and being open to the public for at least a two year period. “It makes us be more productive as a staff,” McCudden said. “Institutionally it has been extremely beneficial. We are now fully-functional.” The entire process has been slow, but progres- sive, according to Chief Historic Resources Officer Tina Osceola. “There were employees along the way who were not completely on board in the beginning,” BC Seniors Attend See MUSEUM, page 4 Annual Valentine’s Day Party Mary Huff Signs for Page 15 Letters . 2 Sports . 17 Softball Scholarship Health . 20 By Susan Etxebarria Education . 22 OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Softball star and Announcements . 25 high school senior Mary Huff was honored at a signing Casino. 31 party, held at Okeechobee High School on Feb. 15. She and her friend and teammate, Lauren Throop, signed their letters of agreement for scholarships to play softball together at St. Petersburg College in St Petersburg, Fla. Tribal Council “Mary is an awesome person,” said Kim Hardgraves, head coach of the Brahma Bulls softball Meets in team, the Lady Bulls. “She always goes above and Susan Etxebarria beyond in whatever she does.” (L-R) 2008-2009 Brighton Seminole Princess Jaryaca Baker and Brighton Jr. Miss Princess Rumor Juarez. “To earn a full ride scholarship is a big deal,” added Hardgraves. “Mary didn’t want anyone to give Immokalee her college tuition, she wanted to earn it.” By Susan Etxebarria right now because I know they are nervous,” said 2007- And earn it she did. The cafeteria at the By Chris Jenkins BRIGHTON — Contestants were aglow with 2008 Brighton Seminole Princess Amber Craig. school was full of family, friends, supporters, coaches, IMMOKALEE — The Tribal excitement at the 30th anniversary of the Brighton The 2007-2008 Brighton Jr. Miss Seminole and teammates, there to honor the achievements of Council met in the Senior Center on the Seminole Princess Pageant, held Feb. 14. Crowned as the McKayla Snow also encouraged the contestants. both girls. Beaming with pride was Huff’s grandmoth- Immokalee Reservation on Feb. 19 for a 2008-2009 Brighton Seminole Princess is Jaryaca Baker. “I would like to welcome everyone here tonight er, Lottie Baxley of Brighton. special meeting. They passed 27 resolu- The 2008-2009 Brighton Jr. Miss Princess is Rumor and say to all the girls, ‘Good luck,’ ” said Snow. Huff had scholarship offers from other col- tions on the agenda including: Juarez. Chairman Mitchell Cypress took a moment to leges to play ball including Florida State University. Resolution 14: Service line agree- Emcee John Madrigal introduced guests and recognize the girls’ parents. But these offers had her playing only one position and ment (2,100’ x 10’) between Florida Power contestants, then outgoing Brighton Seminole Princess “Brighton has always had good parent involve- she wanted to play the whole game. She said that’s one and Light and James Tommie-Brighton Amber Craig gave some words of wisdom. ment in all the kids do, whether it a princess pageant like reason why she chose St. Petersburg College, because Seminole Indian Reservation; “I can relate to what the girls are going through they will let her both pitch and hit. Resolution 15: Service line agree- See PRINCESS, page 10 When Huff spoke at the signing party she ment (917’ x 25’) between Glades Electric explained both she and her friend and teammate Cooperative, Inc. and Howard Jimmie- Throop made a pact to go forward to play college ball Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation; together. With a telling smile she explained their Resolution 16: Issuance of a one Wilson Inducted in Women’s Hall of Fame choices. day beverage permit for the retail sale of “Lauren and I have always been best friends beer only at the Seminole Youth Ranch and we decided long time ago we would go together to Bull Riding Event sponsored by the Broward County Coalition Honors Board Rep. UCLA, then it was Arizona, then it was Texas,” she Immokalee Youth and Live Stock said. “As we got older, we got closer to home.” Programs located on the Immokalee By Chris Jenkins achievement only adds to an already long list, but it also Huff was already playing varsity softball by Seminole Indian Reservation; FT. LAUDERDALE — Hollywood Board of makes her just the second Seminole woman to achieve such her freshman year at Okeechobee High School. She is Resolution 17: Service agreement Directors Rep. Gloria Wilson has worked hard to serve her an honor. She joins her aunt and Tribal pioneer Betty Mae a four-year letterman. She has been a pitcher, played with Burns and McDonnell Engineering community for many years. On March 9, her name and rep- Jumper, who was honored in 1995. second base and was a key player getting the team to Company, Inc. to provide professional utation were celebrated in Broward County. Friend Allison Osceola presented her with the the Florida state tournament. engineering and resident project represen- As part of their 15th annual ceremony, the award, and mother Elsie Bowers and Fort Pierce Liaison She was picked by The Palm Beach Post and tation services on the Big Cypress Broward County Women’s History Coalition inducted S.R. Tommie were present for support. the Treasure Coast Palm newspapers as one of the top Reservation Critical Restoration Project; Wilson and seven others into their Hall of Fame. The According to its website, the organization’s mis- high school athletes to watch this school year, accord- Resolution 18: Approval of the sion is to honor diverse women for ing to her coach. Title V FY 2008 Funding Agreement with their contributions to society and the “No way is anyone going to stop that train the United States Department of Health advancement of women as well as pur- because Mary’s going straight on,” said her pitching and Human Services, Indian Health sue education for and about women coach Heather Stillman. “Mary has drastically Service under P.L. 106-260 Title V of the and advocate for the empowerment and Indian Self-Determination and Education equality of women. See HUFF, page 19 Assistance Act (ISDEAA); Wilson’s leadership was evi- Resolution 19: Ratification of the dent early on as a former Seminole Seminole Tribe of Florida filming permis- Princess in 1975 and 1976. Her vision sion letter granting Westdeutscher and passion was expressed in her cam- Rundfunk permission to film a television paign platform when she ran for show on the Big Cypress Indian Hollywood Board representative in Reservation; 2005. Resolution 20: Ratification of the “I believe that to succeed in billboard sublease agreement between the the representation of the people and as Seminole Tribe of Florida and the law a member of the Board, a leader must offices of Woodard and North; possess characteristics important to the Resolution 21: Ratification of the responsibilities and duties of the posi- Wackenhut Services contract between the tion. Those traits being: integrity, Seminole Tribe of Florida and the vision and unity,” she said. “A leader Wackenhut Corporation; must possess the integrity to do what is Resolution 25: Seminole Tribe of morally and ethically right for busi- Florida Guardianship Ordinance; ness. A leader must stand up and sup- Resolution 26: Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki port issues or ideals that are most bene- Museum Collection Management Policy; ficial for everyone; even in opposition and to the loudest voice. People who know Resolution 27: Revocable permit Chris Jenkins me well know that I speak up for all between Alice Snow (permittor) and David concerned, not just for me.” Ferguson (permittee) - Brighton Seminole Hollywood Board Rep. Gloria Wilson (R) with Broward County Women’s Susan Etxebarria History Coalition President Patti Lynn (C) and friend Allison Osceola (L). Mary Huff holds her letter of agreement. Indian Reservation See WILSON, page 3 The Seminole Tribune 2 March 28, 2008 A Look at Assimilation in Indian Country By Dr. Dean Chavers children and holding them hostage in board- Languages Institute. That organization is [Editor’s Note: Dr. Dean Chavers ing schools, and teaching them in English still going strong today, and is located in is director of Catching the Dream, a nation- only. Santa Fe, N.M. al scholarship and school improvement This also included making farmers However, old ways die hard.