Princesses Crowned at Annual Pageant in Its 15Th Year by CHRIS JENKINS Staff Reporter MARCO ISLAND, Fla
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TAKE A KID FISHING SPD HOLDS NATIONAL SUMMER JAM IN TOURNAMENT WRAPS NIGHT OUT WALK BIG CYPRESS SPORTS v 1C COMMUNITY v 10A COMMUNITY v 4A Volume XXIX • Number 8 August 29, 2008 Tribal Wellness Conference Now Princesses Crowned at Annual Pageant In Its 15th Year BY CHRIS JENKINS Staff Reporter MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — Attendees at the annual Seminole Wellness Confer- ence, held July 14-18 at the Marco Island Hilton resort, took in valuable health- and addiction-related information and powerful messages, while still managing to have fun. The conference, now in its 15th year, featured guest speakers and experts from all across the U.S., including Native motiva- tional speaker Denise Alley (Cherokee, Shawnee, Otoe, Delaware) who traveled all the way from Gilbert, Ariz. to attend. Alley, along with the other speakers, gave person- al testimonies and advice that coincided with the addition recovery 12 Step Pro- gram. Attendees, who included Tribal citi- zens as well as Council and Board represen- tatives, also learned about topics ranging from alcohol and drug dependency, to HIV and dental health. “[The Wellness Conference] is a good cause,” President Richard Bowers Jr. said. “Today in the modern world there are so many things which are not good for us.” Trail Liaison William Osceola and Brighton Tribal Council Rep. Roger Smith agreed. Please see WELLNESS Page 2A Naples Students Given ‘Incentive’ to Continue Education BY JUDY WEEKS Freelance Reporter BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — The 2008 Education Incentive Awards Banquet for the Naples community students took place the evening of June 18 in the Great Egret Ball Room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Naples Council Liaison OB Osceola Jr. addressed the award recipients in the audi- ence. “Speaking on behalf of your Tribal leaders, I want to congratulate each of the students being rewarded here this evening,” Liaison Osceola said. “You have done a tremendous job in school.” “In addition, your parents are to be commended for the wonderful support that they provide,” he added. “A good education Stephen Galla requires total family effort.” (L-R) Chairman Mitchell Cypress, 2008-2009 Miss Florida Seminole D’Anna Osceola, 2008-2009 Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Amber Craig and President Richard Bowers Jr. The awards ceremony began with Higher Education Advisor Linda Iley rec- ognizing Jessica Ann Osceola, who had D’Anna Osceola Crowned Miss Florida Seminole, Amber Craig Jr. Miss earned her bachelor of fine arts degree from Florida Gulf Coast University in June. Her BY MARISOL GONZALEZ Florida Seminole D’Anna Osceola and 2008-2009 Jr. Connie Frank Gowen, the 1957 princess, with a Swarovs- cousin, Liaison Osceola, also presented her Staff Reporter Miss Florida Seminole Amber Craig. ki crystal replica of a princess crown. with a watch. Sally R. Tommie, Fort Pierce liaison, and Tribal cit- Following the video, the emcees introduced the Please see INCENTIVE Page 2A HOLLYWOOD — The Princess Committee pulled izen Everett Osceola co-emceed the pageant. They start- Princess Committee, Tribal officials and the judges, Miss double duty for this year’s Seminole Princess Pageant, ed the evening out by welcoming everyone to the pageant Florida USA Anastagia Pierre, Miss Indian World Nicole not only crowning the princess and junior miss, but also and then introduced a video that coincided with this Alek’aq Colbert, Brad Cooley of the Bronze by Cooley honoring the Seminole princesses of the past, in a cere- year’s theme, “Honoring the Seminole Women of the sculpture team, and Miss Indian World Pageant Program 34 Resolutions mony held in the Hollywood Auditorium on July 26. Past, Present and Future,” and featured former princess- Coordinator Melonie Matthews. The contestants then Sixteen young ladies competed for the title and the es. introduced themselves to the audience. chance to represent the Seminole Tribe of Florida, 11 The Seminole Princess Pageant is now in its 51st The Jr. Miss contestants took the stage first. Those Passed at Tribal competing for the Jr. Miss crown and five competing for year. As a tribute to the ladies who have held the crown vying for the crown included: Jaryaca Baker, 13, Dakota the honor of being crowned Miss Seminole. However, in the past, the Princess Committee presented those past Council Meeting only two would take home crowns — 2008-2009 Miss princess in attendance, including the first-ever princess, Please see PRINCESS Page 1E BY CHRIS JENKINS Staff Reporter TAMPA — The Tribal Council convened at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino PRCA Rodeo Honors for their regular meeting on July 21. They passed 34 resolutions including: Resolution 17: Service line agreement (560’ x 20’) between Glades Electric Coop- Josiah Johns’ Memory erative, Inc., and Seminole Tribe of Florida for location of an electric power line for the BY JUDY WEEKS which eventually gave birth to the Eastern Everglades Restoration Project - Big Freelance Reporter Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA). His Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation; rodeo legacy lives on in his descendants. Resolution 18: Service line agreement BRIGHTON — Cowboys and cow- His son Marty is a rodeo stock contractor (200’ x 20’) between Glades Electric Coop- girls from all across the southeastern U.S. and daughter Lisa competes in the EIRA erative, Inc., and Seminole Tribe of Florida converged on the Fred Smith Arena to com- along with his many grandchildren.” for location of an electric power line for the pete in the Josiah Johns Memorial Rodeo on This year’s rodeo had all of these main Everglades Restoration Project - Big July 4 and 5. ingredients of a traditional Fourth of July Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation; The Professional Rodeo Cowboy Asso- celebration, from the grand entry parade to Resolution 19: Service line agreement ciation (PRCA) sanctioned event schedule the fireworks finale. However, one of the (508’ x 20’) between Glades Electric Coop- read like a “Who’s Who” in the southeast- main reasons for the event, honoring Johns’ erative, Inc., and Seminole Tribe of Florida ern circuit. memory, was apparent. for location of an electric power line for a Brighton Council Rep. Roger Smith Board of Directors President Richard Sewer Lift Station - Big Cypress Seminole said: “Josiah Johns was known for his rid- Bowers Jr. recalled Josiah Johns’ contribu- Indian Reservation; ing and roping ability and was instrumental tion to his community. Resolution 20: Service line agreement in establishing the Seminole rodeo tradition, “Josiah was born into a family of cat- (1,500’ x 20’) between Glades Electric tlemen about the time that the Seminoles Cooperative, Inc., and Seminole Tribe of (Pictured Left) Josiah Johns’ rodeo legacy lives were establishing their first herds on the Florida for Location of an electric power on. His well-known riding and roping ability Brighton and Big Cypress Reservations,” line to the home site of James E. Billie - were instrumental in the forming of the Eastern President Bowers said. “He grew up on the Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation; Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA). back of a horse and worked long hours in the cow pens helping to provide a future for Please see COUNCIL Page 2A Tribune Archive Photo his family and fellow Tribal members.” COMMUNITY: A SPORTS: C HEALTH: D 13TH ANNUAL BRIGHTON YOUTH CONFERENCE EDUCATION: B Rodeo ................. 2C Healthy Senior..... 2D INSIDE: Fishing................ 3C Healthy Seminole. 2D Incentive Awards... 2B Golf..................... 6C Announcements... 6D COMMUNITY 9A 2A • The Seminole Tribune • August 29, 2008 Wellness Council Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 “This is one of the best causes we could Resolution 21: Service line agreement have and support,” Liaison Osceola said. (262’ x 5’ and 139’ x 5’) between Embarq “Addiction does not have an age or type.” FKA Sprint-Florida, Inc., and Seminole Rep. Smith added: “I was glad to see Tribe of Florida for location of a buried everyone there to take advantage of the telephone cable to the Brighton Veteran’s opportunity to improve themselves.” Center - Brighton Seminole Indian Reser- Former drug and alcohol addict Sonya vation; Beanland, who now serves as a counselor Resolution 22: Service line agreement with Hudson Health Services, a recovery (450’ x 10’) between Lee County Electric center in Salisbury, Md., spoke candidly Cooperative, Inc., and Seminole Tribe of about her past experiences. Florida for relocation of an Electric Power “I have a disease that talks and tells lies Line for widening of Dorothy Billie Jimmie to me in my own voice,” Beanland said. “I Way - Immokalee Seminole Indian Reser- could be whatever I needed to be to get into vation; your space.” Resolution 23: Fifth Amendment to the Ironically enough, she admits her bat- Twentieth Annual Work Plan submitted to tles with heroin and alcohol, and eventual the South Florida Water Management Dis- homelessness, benefitted her and helped her trict by the Seminole Tribe of Florida; become the person she is today. Resolution 24: United States Depart- “I am grateful that I am a drug addict ment of the Interior Bureau of Indian otherwise I could not stand in front of peo- Affairs Fish, Wildlife and Parks Programs ple today,” she explained. “It is only by the Chris Jenkins Chris Jenkins on Indian lands for funds to establish the grace of God that I am here.” Tribal citizen Eyanna Lee Billie (R) shows off one of her Earth-themed projects with teacher and Well- Performer/activist Devin T. Robinson informs the Seminole Tribe of Florida Fish and Wildlife Mary Baxley, now in her third year vol- ness Center volunteer Mary Baxley (L). audience about health-issues in a skit. Program for all reservations of the Semi- unteering with youth at the conference, said nole Tribe of Florida; this year’s youth theme was “Earth.” Youth, Robinson, though an HIV speak- and alcohol abuse, gambling is a disease Organizer and Family Services Dept.