36-Mile Walk Helps Defend the Sacred Everglades by Danika J
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BULLETIN Serving Immokalee, Ave Maria and Eastern Collier County Vol. 54 No. 1 Thursday, January 7, 2021 36-Mile walk helps defend the Sacred Everglades by Danika J. Fornear Immokalee Bulletin OCHOPEE - Despite having to battle hordes of mosquitoes and blistering feet, a group of concerned citizens from across the state gathered for a 36 mile “Defend the Sacred” prayer walk through the Everglades to bring awareness of their opposition of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to turn over the 404 per- mitting process to the state of Florida. The walk was organized and hosted by Betty Osceola, Houston Cypress, and Garrett Stu- art through the Eco Preservation Project. “EPA is approving the State of Florida’s assumption of dredge and fill permits on all lands state and federal,” explained Osceola, leader of the prayer walk. “EPA is approv- ing for the Federal Agency to hand over permit authority in the Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. Also in doing this EPA is allowing the definition of Indian Territory/Country to be re-defined at the objections of the Indian Tribes here in Florida and abroad. In essence under- mining tribal sovereignty and diminishing the size of tribal lands. “This allows the opportunity for more oil pads and roads to get to those oil pads to be built and rip away our resources. This will devastate these lands and waters and Immokalee Bulletin/Danika J. Fornear: A group of prayer walkers travel 36 miles through the Everglades to spread awareness about detrimental changes in See Everglades — Page 2 EPA permitting. Poindexter named iTECH Student of the Month McDaniel Special to the Immokalee Bulletin IMMOKALEE - “I love it. I like expand- ing my skills,” is how Quinten Poindexter, invites public Immokalee Technical College’s (iTECH) Student of the Month for January respond- ed when asked how he felt about the to ‘A Night machining program at the Center for Manu- facturing Excellence (CME), iTECH’s career training satellite school in Golden Gate. With Your Professionally, Quinten Poindexter has a good career as a personal trainer and mas- seuse. At home, he is quite the handyman. Commissioner’ He can fix just about anything, especially if it involves wood. He and his wife have a Special to the Immokalee Bulletin young son and recently welcomed a baby. NAPLES - Collier County Commissioner Quinten was satisfied with everything William L. McDaniel, Jr. District 5, invites about his life except he knew wanted to Collier County residents to attend A Night change careers. “I was always interested in With Your Commissioner event on Wednes- working with metal. I didn’t even know that working in metal was a viable career until day, Jan. 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at UF/ Submitted photo IFAS Collier Extension, 14700 Immokalee recently,” he said. That is when Quinten Quinten Poindexter is Immokalee Technical College’s (iTECH) Student of the See iTech — Page 2 Month for January. See Commissioner — Page 2 2 Immokalee Bulletin January 7, 2021 what those who appreciate nature want. carry the Miccosukee Flag. It takes a village renewal. It is also a symbol of order amidst Everglades We love our National Parks and Preserves,” of take care of Mother Earth, together the chaos as reflected in its spiral precision.” Stuart explained. rainbow shines on another day.” The organizers of the Defend the Sacred Continued From Page 1 Participants ranged from a wide variety of The prayer walk ended in the evening on ask anyone who is concerned about the ages, backgrounds, and organizations, but all Jan. 3, with the group erupting with loud EPA’s recent and upcoming decisions regard- all the humans and creatures that inhabit this came together in defense of the Everglades. cheers and screams as they ran together cir- ing 404 permitting to contact Commissione area,” explained activist Cat Chase, one of “Someone asked if I had arranged for cling each other, flags ripping in the moon- Nikki Fried [email protected] or by the prayer walkers. the two medicine flag bearers, and I replied, light. This was a powerful, symbolic ending phone at 850-617-7700. E or by phone at Environmental educator, activist, and ‘Creator will send who is meant to carry the for the prayer walkers. “In the days leading 850-617-7700. protector, Garrett Stuart, also known as Cap- flags. He sent the Eagle and the Condor.’ The up to the walk and during the walk I kept “Let her know you support her decision tain Planet to his many supporters, met with flag bearer on the right was of the Eagle and seeing a vision of the prayer walk closing that EPA should not turn over 404 permitting his aunt, Betty Osceola, along route 41 on the left was of the Condor on both days,” as a Nautilus, and did as Creator guided,” assumption to the State of Florida,” said the morning of Jan. 2 and prayed together said Osceola. “It was good to see American Osceola described. “The chambered nautilus Osceola. “However you enjoy and recreate before they marched silently. Indian Movement (AIM) came and stood, is one of the oldest creatures known to in Florida’s natural areas if you don’t stand “Keep federally protected lands federally prayed and walked with us, and it was survive in the earth’s oceans. It is a symbol up now, you will end up with less of those protected. That’s what the tribes want. That’s meant to be to have one of the rainbow of nature’s grace in growth, expansion, and places to enjoy.” ing program on August 31, 2020, and now, the program, and the teacher is able to help lend a hand to a fellow student when he/ iTech five months later, he has completed over students one-on-one. “I started off working she needs it, has already interviewed with half of the 15 month program. “I like the on manual, mill, and lathe machines. I got several different companies. “There are a Continued From Page 1 way the classroom instruction can be ad- used to working with metal, and I feel more lot of listings for this kind of work. I feel justed,” he said referring to the flexibility the comfortable now working with precision found the Center for Manufacturing Excel- teacher has in working with the students. measurements. I have made a vice, a confident going into the future,” he said lence in Golden Gate. Each student works at his/her own pace clamp, and a small hammer,” he adds. with a smile. Quinten enrolled in the CME’s Machin- while adhering to the time parameters of Quinten, who always takes the time to wd=dDRiMzJ5NktiRjN6UWNuRzhodG- them,” said Commissioner McDaniel. “I am team. Guests are encouraged to submit Commissioner JPQT09 looking forward to meeting both face-to- questions that will be drawn randomly Beginning Jan.13, and every second face and virtually with folks who may not during a question and answer session. Continued From Page 1 Wednesday in 2021, Commissioner Bill have had much contact with their govern- More than one commissioner may be Road, Naples, Florida. Guests are invited McDaniel will host this series of events ment in nearly a year. As a public servant, I present and participate in Commissioner to attend either in-person or remotely. Due designed to facilitate open discussion on a intend to stay in close communication with McDaniel’s District 5 event. The discussion to COVID-19 guidelines, a maximum of 50 variety of relevant topics. the community to make sure that we are may include items for action at a future guests are allowed at this event on a first- “A Night With Your Commissioner is our providing the very best level of government Board of County Commissioners meeting. come, first-served basis. Face coverings are way of encouraging District 5 residents who services possible.” For more information, call Executive mandatory. are interested in Collier County Government Commissioner McDaniel will provide Aide to Commissioner McDaniel Sue Filson, To participate remotely, register at to participate in open and casual conver- opening remarks and introduce several at 239-252-8601 or via email at Sue.Filson@ https://us02web.zoom.us/s/87077569122?p- sations about topics that are important to key members of the County administrative colliercountyfl.gov. 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