Wanda, Stephen Bowers with Honor Society’s Christine McCall, below. Coconut Creek Casino is already gearing up for expansion, see below. Bobby Henry makes more rain, Page 7. Bulk Rate U.S. Postage Paid Lake Placid FL Permit No. 128 TheSEMINOLE TRIBUNE “Voice of the Unconquered” $1.00 www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXI Number 9 July 7, 2000 Okeechobee Battle Site: Save It Or Lose It Forever Council Approves Budget; Dividends Raised In Oct. By E. Bowers HOLLYWOOD — On June 28, amidst a flurry of cuts and a switch to zero-based budgeting, the Tribal Council voted to approve the budget for the 2000-2001 fiscal year, estimated at $203 million, which includes an increase in per capita distribution. With many of the Tribal Program Directors in attendance, Chairman James Billie stated matter-of-factly that “everyone is overpaid.” He remarked despite the enor- mous boost in revenues due to gaming in recent years, some Directors approached the fiscal process as in the past, when the Tribal budget was subsidized by federal money. When approaching the end of the fiscal year “many people have the idea that you have to blow that money,” said Billie. Upon announcing the switch to zero-based budg- eting, in which the Directors start from zero and justify all expenditures that follow, Billie warned of freezes and, in some cases, elimination of such costs as sponsorship of events, pay raises, employee travel, per diem, advertising, and equipment purchases. The Tribal member loan and assistance programs will also be scrutinized. Estimating the amount of assis- tance given to Tribal members in the past year at $9 mil- lion, Billie observed “the needy ones never come to the Tribe, it’s the greediest ones that come and ask for assis- tance.” The $50,000 cap on loans may also become a thing of the past. “Don’t mind if you get denied once in a while,” said Billie, adding that members may be required See COUNCIL, page 11 Expansion Planned For Coconut Creek COCONUT CREEK — It’s official. The Coconut Creek Casino is a huge success. In the four months since its opening, more than 30,000 people have come to try their luck at the casino’s video BATTLE OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE: Artist Guy LaBree’s painting shows Indians, some hiding in trees, pouring fire onto advancing U.S. troops. pull-tab machines, lightening bingo, and poker tables. And many have one big— from cars and trips to one-time jack- By Michael James The historical recognition comes at a due in part to the battle’s influence on national pots of up to $221,000. OKEECHOBEE — It has been 163 time when the Okeechobee Battle Field is once politics. The battle was, however, a victory for the “We’ve created a unique and inviting entertain- years since so many Seminoles have gathered at again under attack. This time it’s not soldiers’ bul- Seminoles whose war dead probably lie today ment option for local residents and tourists,” said Jo-Lin the site of the Battle of Okeechobee. lets that threatens. Today, what has been likened somewhere near the old lake ridge at the battle Osceola, general manger of the casino. “We’re thrilled This time, they came for a June 26 press to a siege is underway in the form of develop- site. with the response we’ve received.” conference held by the Friends of the Okeechobee ment. In the early 1980s, the King’s Bay subdi- The casino has been so successful that expansion Battlefield to hear the site has officially been Urban sprawl has crept up on all sides of vision began building homes on the site of the plans are already in the works. Over the next six months placed on the National Trust for Historic the Okeechobee Battle Field and is threatening to site. Today the area is facing the very real possi- 40,000 square feet of additional space will be added to the Preservation’s 2000 list of America’s 11 most consume the area were the Seminoles were posi- bility that another 145 acres will disappear to the 30,000 square foot facility. The new space will accommo- endangered historic places. tioned during the battle on Dec. 26, 1837. bulldozer’s blade as plans for a new 300 home date a well-known gourmet steak restaurant, an upscale Tribal members Stanlo Johns, Brighton The National Trust is leading the way in development take shape. cafeteria-style restaurant, and a nightclub. The casino Board Representative Alex Johns, Amos Tiger, bringing the true significance of this battle to Last January, the Seminole Tribune already has a full-service bar and a gourmet snack bar Louise Gopher, Kevin Osceola, Rita Gopher, light. The battle changed the very nature of settle- reported the trustees of the Rowland Estate plan with seating for 50. Buster Baxley, Willie Johns, Michele Thomas, ment in Florida and the southeast and was the to do just that. At that time representative of the Part of the casino’s success can be attributed to and Ah-Tah-Thi-Kee Museum Executive Director major conflict of the Second Seminole War estate said they would consider giving two or the many special events and theme nights the casino has Billy Cypress joined a host of government offi- (1835-1842). three acres for preservation purposes. Attornies hosted, including Memorial Day and Mother’s Day cele- cials, local historians, politicians, and media for Zachary Taylor’s actions at Okeechobee for the estate said the trustees have an obligation brations as well as Las Vegas Night. Upcoming events the announcement. ultimately helped him win the presidency in 1848 to make money. include a fireworks display and free BBQ on July 4th, a See BATTLE, page 4 70s night on July 30, and a free Hawaiian Luau on Aug. 27. The Coconut Creek Casino is located on Northwest 54th Street, just east of State Road 7 on Sample Betty Mae’s Book Back In Print Road. For more information about the casino or the By Vida Volkert to King’s arrival to the reservation in the upcoming events, call (954) 977-6700. HOLLYWOOD — After many early 1930s, a group of Oklahoma Seminole years out of being out of print, Betty Mae missionaries, led by a priest whose last name Jumper’s book …And with the Wagon Came was Goat, came Indiantown to spread the God’s Word is back on the road. word of the Jesus. McCall Joins Betty Mae, Director of the Seminole In her book Betty Mae, who was Tribe’s Communications Department, is the elected Tribal Chairman in 1967 — becoming author of this marvelous tale of courage and the first female Tribal ‘Chief’ in America – Honor Society determination. recalls the journey of the missionaries from “It’s about Tribal members embrac- day one at the train station in Wewoka, Ok., HOLLYWOOD — Christine E. McCall was ing Christianity,” said Pastor Arlen Payne to their arrival into Indian Territory around inducted into the National Junior Honor Society – about Betty Mae’s book. “It’s a touching tale Lake Okeechobee. Driftwood Middle School Chapter in Hollywood on June 13. of the first missionaries who brought the mes- “Many people asked the preacher In order to be considered for induction to the sage of Jesus to the Seminole Indians of why he had come to Florida,” writes Betty society, a student must have a grade point average of at Florida back in the mid 1920s and the tri- Mae. “He told them, ‘These Florida Indians least a 3.5. A candidate must possess qualities as scholar- umphal outcome of their journey of love.” are my people, the people we left behind. .I ship, leadership, character, citizenship and service. The Rev. Payne, pastor of Chikee must tell them about Jesus, and through Him National Junior Honor Society was established in 1929 for Baptist Church on the Hollywood we can never be hurt again. Never again walk middle-school students “to create enthusiasm for scholar- Reservation, said the book is a good source of the ‘Trail of Tears.” ship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote information and will be very useful during his Betty Mae started writing about the leadership, and to develop character in the students of sec- upcoming missions to the north of the United missionaries adventures about 15 years ago ondary schools.” States, where he is annually invited as a mis- influenced by her own experiences and the Consideration for induction came from the sionary himself. difficulties she endured as a child. Faculty Council. Membership in the National Junior “I did not know the complete story “When I was a little child, a mis- Honor Society is more than an honor. A member accepts about how the missioners came to the sionary used to talk to us about the Bible,” responsibility and an obligation to continue to demonstrate [Seminole] reservation before Pastor Willie said Betty Mae, referring to the late Minister these outstanding qualities. King until I read Betty’s book,” said Rev. Willie King. Christine’s hard work has just started. Christine Payne. Betty Mae Jumper grew up in the must maintain a 3.5 GPA and continue satisfactory marks Willie King, a Creek Indian from Hollywood Reservation, which at the time on her conduct. A quality to be considered for membership Oklahoma, is considered the first minister to was known as the Dania Reservation. As is service. Christine is required to earn 35 hours of service come to the Hollywood Indian Reservation. half-breed – Betty is half-Indian and by the end of each school year.