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February 29, 2016 Sacred Native American Sites Threatened by Florida Bills

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February 29, 2016 Sacred Native American Sites Threatened by Florida Bills ‘60s babes’ hula happily FIU, Seminole Tribe enter Fast start on college into seventh decade education partnership diamond for Layton Thomas COMMUNITY 3A EDUCATION 1B SPORTS 1C www.seminoletribune.org Volume XL • Number 2 February 29, 2016 Sacred Native American sites threatened by Florida bills BY PETER B. GALLAGHER West Florida, in his blog “Topics in Florida Special Projects Reporter Archaeology.” Critics claim the bills will make it easier TALLAHASSEE — Two bills for private groups and grave robbers to currently on the Florida Legislature table legally locate, destroy, pilfer and profi t from threaten the state’s current protection of the desecration of Seminole, Miccosukee historical resources, principally Native and Florida aboriginal Native history and historical and sacred sites dating back to culture. aboriginal times. “It is absolutely shocking,” said If passed, House Bill 803 and its Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Director Paul companion Senate Bill 1054 would direct Backhouse. “This would set back intelligent the Florida Division of Historical Resources historical preservation and respect for to administer $100 permits allowing Native American culture back to the Indian individuals to remove artifacts from Wars where the bodies and possessions sovereign state waters. of Natives who died in battle underwent “All that one need do is report your wholesale abuse. I can’t imagine that fi nds to the Division of Historical Resources such a measure which benefi ts only a few within 14 days and the artifacts you have shady individual antiquities dealers – at the removed will become your personal expense of the preservation of the state’s property,” wrote Dr. William B. Lees, archaeological heritage – could be given executive director of the Florida Public Archaeology Network at the University of See ARCHAEOLOGY on page 8A Thousands enjoy new blend of Brighton Field Day traditions Eileen Soler Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman James E. Billie answer questions from a swarm of news media Feb. 1 at Seminole Tribe headquarters in Hollywood. BY EILEEN SOLER Attendance averaged 5,000 people per Staff Reporter day for the event that evolved from a private Seminole picnic in 1938 to the current BRIGHTON — New features woven regional cultural festival. into a lineup of traditional events at the 78th Estelle Loud and her friends Tere annual Brighton Field Day extravaganza Rancosett and Carmen Santo, all of Lake Seminole compact gains proved that as time brings change, the heart Worth, traveled 81 miles to attend what she of the matter stays the same. called a “must do.” “Heck, 78 years ago families gathered “I love Native American art so under a few chickees for a big picnic with whenever and wherever I can experience three-legged races and other fi eld games. the culture I am there,” Loud said. Loud traction, new obstacles Prizes were few but now, like then, it was recalled her pre-retirement days when she just about getting together and having a worked in Michigan on several Iroquois and good time,” said Lewis Gopher, special Onondaga museum projects. BY EILEEN SOLER approved by the Senate Regulated Industries The Seminole compact passed in 2010 assistant to Brighton Councilman Andrew Field Day celebrations kicked off Staff Reporter Committee was muddied by forwarding promised the state $1 billion over fi ve years J. Bowers Jr. and a coordinator of the latest attaching bills to the compact that would in return for exclusivity on blackjack and Field Day on Feb. 12-14. See FIELD DAY on page 6A HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole allow horse and dog track venues in Palm baccarat games. The new deal adds roulette Tribe’s revenue sharing gaming compact Beach, Brevard, Gadsden, Washington and and craps and laws that limit slot machines with Florida Gov. Rick Scott moved closer to Lee counties to include slot machines – a at certain parimutuels such as dog and horse ratifi cation in the Florida Legislature Feb. 17 compact violation which also infringes on the tracks. It also allows slots at one venue in when a Senate committee approved the deal 1998 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Palm Beach and a new facility in Miami- PECS kids celebrate literacy, to give Seminole Gaming the exclusive right The House Finance and Tax Committee Dade County. to add roulette and craps at Tribe casinos and is expected to agree with and forward a The Senate and House amendments to to keep blackjack tables. mirror of the latest Senate plan. allow slots at gaming houses in additional win statewide service project The House Regulatory Affairs “The good news is that bills are moving counties throws a wrench in the compact Committee also overwhelmingly supported in both houses of the Legislature. Ultimately, agreement signed by Chairman James E. ratifi cation Feb. 9. The House Finance and the goals are to resolve differences that Billie and Scott in early December. The BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Elementary students collected more than Tax Committee is expected to meet in the are signifi cant,” said Seminole Tribe move may force changes to the new compact Staff Reporter 1,300 gently used books and distributed fi rst week of March. After committees meet spokesperson Gary Bitner. agreement or kill the compact all together. them to the Real Life Children’s Ranch and and if both bodies of the Legislature approve The road to ratifi cation is complicated, During a Feb. 1 meeting at Tribe BRIGHTON — Books came to life during the Okeechobee Christmas parade. the compact, the agreement will guarantee a he said, “and never pretty.” Headquarters in Hollywood, Scott, Chairman with contests, costumes and imaginations The winning projects were planned $3 billion boon to state coffers over the next “But the Tribe is fully engaged in the Billie, Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen Jan. 25-29 when Pemayetv Emahakv before the school knew about the contest, seven years. process and intent on seeing it through to the Charter School embraced Celebrate Greseth said. The elementary school project However, the Senate’s Feb. 17 agreement best possible result,” Bitner said. See COMPACT on page 4A Literacy Week, Florida, sponsored by the has been ongoing for a couple years and Florida Department of Education. will continue, he said. With the theme “Literacy Changes “I’m very proud of what we do,” Our World,” the 8th annual event promoted Greseth said. “It’s a very neat lesson on how literacy throughout the state while to give back to the community and how it encouraging students to continue reading to feels to give rather than to receive.” Visitors wowed at 45th annual improve their skills. Daily themes throughout the week A service project contest in which PECS were diverse and fun. elementary and middle schools competed Brighton fi refi ghters ignited love for statewide was another component. Both reading with a “Stop, Drop & Read” activity. Tribal Fair and Pow Wow placed second, which earned the school Sunglasses were essential accessories for $1,000 in prize money. Principal Brian Monday’s “bright, sunny stories” theme. Greseth traveled to Tallahassee Jan. 28 to On Tuesday, students and teachers dressed BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Immokalee administrator Ray Yzaguirre III. stopping on time. If dancers failed to stop receive the award from Florida’s fi rst lady like 1980s rock stars and “rocked out to Staff Reporter With more than $150,000 in prize money at the exact moment the drum stopped, they Ann Scott. reading.” at stake, competition in the arena was serious were disqualifi ed. Every song lasted two to For the middle school service project, Students went “wild about reading” on HOLLYWOOD — A traditionally but friendly. A lengthy list of rules outlined fi ve minutes and consisted of four verses, the students collected more than 800 Wednesday and showed it by wearing animal elaborate grand entry marked the opening how the dancers and drums would be judged. Paskemin said. magazines and wrote print clothing. A book character costume of the 45th annual Seminole Tribal Fair and Points awarded from the start of the grand “They follow by ear and know when to letters for care celebration added more fun. Favorite sports Pow Wow. The Seminole Color Guard led entry included regalia. stop,” he said. “We try to get different judges packages sent to teams were in the spotlight Thursday, as the procession of Tribe offi cials, royalty and “Should any major part of the regalia for each session and if there is a tie-breaker, troops serving students teamed up to read with a buddy. 234 dancers decked out in colorful regalia (bustle, eagle feather, etc.) fall to the fl oor we get new judges.” overseas as part Friday featured funky socks and funny to the center of the Hard Rock Live arena. during the contest, dancer must disqualify Judges observed from the dance fl oor of the Loving Our stories, followed Eleven drum groups, with up to a dozen him/herself voluntarily or be dismissed by periphery or behind the drums and took Heroes campaign. by an afternoon members each, set up their circles on the the head dance judge for that contest session notes on the performances. Verna Street, a fl oor perimeter. only,” the dance rules stated. fancy shawl dance competitor, was one of See READ The three-day, public and free Drum groups were required to have the chosen judges. She said she carefully on page celebration of Native arts and culture, held eight to 12 singers, who also drum. Groups watched the dancers’ footwork. 5A Feb. 5-7 in Hollywood, offered much more had to be ready to sing at all times. “I’m looking for them to be on beat and than beautiful beadwork, patchwork, wood Dancers and drums competed in two dance their style appropriately,” said Street, carvings, jewelry and Seminole cuisine; it rounds, or sessions, during the pow-wow.
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