November 29, 2019 Seminole Tribe Honors Veterans
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AIAC showcases PECS students make Tribe, EIRA well arts, culture a difference represented at INFR COMMUNITY Y 8A EDUCATION Y1B SPORTS Y 2C www.seminoletribune.org 'SFF Volume XLIII • Number 11 November 29, 2019 Seminole Tribe honors veterans Analicia Austin Beverly Bidney With Sally Tommie and Big Cypress Board Rep. Joe Frank at his side, World War II veteran Richard Reynolds is honored with a Seminole veterans, from right, Sallie Josh, Paul Bowers Sr. and Curtis Motlow accept greetings from fellow veterans at the specially made blanket during the Veterans Day celebration in Big Cypress on Nov. 9. Brighton Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 7 at the Florida Seminole Veterans Building in Brighton. Big Cypress salutes veterans Patriotic day in Brighton BY ANALICIA AUSTIN ceremonies, and began with an to you all, thanks to our veterans, BY BEVERLY BIDNEY VDFUL¿FHV described how the annual Veterans Digital Content Coordinator invocation by Jonah Cypress. with them everything is possible. Staff Reporter The patriotic day began with Day event came to fruition when Ahfachkee students Tahnia Billie Our veterans are everyday men and the Seminole color guard, which he, Roy Nash Osceola and Jacob and Thelma Tigertail delivered the women who heard the call of duty presented the Seminole Tribe of Osceola realized they wanted to BIG CYPRESS — Veterans Pledge of Allegiance followed by a and swore to answer it; they made BRIGHTON — Veterans Day Florida, American, MIA/POW do something to honor other Tribal Day celebrations took place at the rendition of “God Bless USA” by oaths to our people, our country, to was commemorated in Brighton DQG )ORULGD ÀDJV 6WXGHQWV IURP members for serving the country. Herman L. Osceola Gymnasium on sophomore Aujua Williams. our rights, and to our freedom.” Nov. 7 at the 32nd Seminole Veterans Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School Nov. 9 in Big Cypress. Miss Florida Seminole Durante Celebration and Recognition where then recited the Pledge of Allegiance The program was led by Sally Tribal and non-Tribal veterans )See BRIGHTON VETERANS on Blais-Billie told the audience: “I )See BC VETERANS on page 6A in Creek and English. page 7A Tommie, who was the master of have my right to stand here and speak were honored for their service and President Mitchell Cypress ICWA challenge to be reheard by Fifth Circuit BY DAMON SCOTT Staff Reporter Tensions are high once again as the fate of the Indian Child Welfare Act is back up for review in a rehearing. The 1978 law has been in and out of legal limbo for more than a year. The latest action came Nov. 7 when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a rehearing “en banc” in the Brackeen vs. Bernhardt case. An en banc session takes place before all the judges of a court rather than by a panel of selected judges. It is often used for complex cases or those considered to be of greater importance. Many in Indian Country had been encouraged in August when two members of a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit upheld Damon Scott ,&:$ DV &RQVWLWXWLRQDO ¿QGLQJ LW ZDV QRW a race-based statute that would violate the Hollywood Councilman Chris Osceola, far left, and members of Joe Dan Osceola’s family are presented with a star quilt and plaque on his behalf at USET’s 50th annual meeting on Nov. 4 at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw, Mississippi. Equal Protection Clause. The August decision affected non-Native American families in several states who had Joe Dan Osceola’s life, influence celebrated by USET adopted or sought to adopt Native American children. BY DAMON SCOTT The meeting was hosted by the Mississippi “The organization was near and dear was in its infancy, two of the original four Opponents of ICWA say it’s an Staff Reporter Band of Choctaw Indians at the tribe’s Pearl to his heart,” Virginia Osceola, his wife of founding members were reluctant to join. unconstitutional race-based intrusion on River Resort. 35 years, said. “He would try to go to every She said her husband brought eight states’ powers to govern adoptions. CHOCTAW, Miss. — The Seminole Seminole Tribal member Sally Tommie, meeting.” arrows to a meeting and proceeded to pick Now the New Orleans-based court said Tribe lost one of its longtime greats on June who is a close family friend, nominated him USET leadership highlighted a quote up each of four arrows one at a time and snap a majority of its active judges have voted to 9 when Joe Dan Osceola passed away at 82. for the recognition. during the ceremony that Osceola is known them in half. Then he held four arrows tightly rehear the case. 2VFHROD ZDV WKH7ULEH¶V ¿UVW SUHVLGHQW “That’s based on his work within the for, which was also mentioned by Chairman together and showed how it was impossible The assertion that ICWA is race-based 50 years ago, when he was just 32. That Tribe, within the community, as a family Osceola. to break the bunch in two. stems from the challenge more than a year distinction also made him the youngest man, as a fellow Tribal member that has “If we don’t tell our true story, then “He [told them]: ‘We have to stick ago by Chad and Jennifer Brackeen, a Texas Tribal president on any council throughout built homes and chickees for so many on somebody else will and it may not be together,’” Osceola said. “The two [reluctant] couple who fostered a baby who was eligible all of Indian Country. ceremonial grounds and all the way from our truth. Therefore, we must take that members came onboard.” for membership in both the Navajo and Those milestones were just the Key West to Tallahassee and all points in responsibility serious and be a part of the Cherokee tribes. EHJLQQLQJ RI D ORQJ ODVWLQJ DQG LQÀXHQWLDO between and having a tremendous number of narrative,” the Osceola quote reads. A Seminole life Court briefs state the boy’s parents had presence in the Tribe. grandchildren that will one day continue to 86(7 RI¿FLDOV SUHVHQWHG 9LUJLQLD voluntarily given up their parental rights and 2VFHROD ZDV DOVR WKH ¿UVW SUHVLGHQW RI move on and do amazing things within our Osceola with a star quilt and plaque in her Osceola was a Seminole Tribal the Brackeens then petitioned to adopt him – the United South & Eastern Tribes from Tribe,” Tommie told the Tribal Council at its husband’s honor. DPEDVVDGRU ERWK LQ RI¿FLDO DQG XQRI¿FLDO as well as his younger half-sister. 1969 to 1970. USET leadership recently meeting on Oct. 18. The plaque reads, in part: “For 50 years, capacities. He traveled extensively to spread Texas, Indiana and Louisiana would later WRRNQRWHRIWKHVLJQL¿FDQFHRIKLVOLIHDQG Several members of Osceola’s family USET has built upon and tried to emulate the the word about Seminole culture and to also join the lawsuit, siding with the Brackeens. legacy. made the trip to Choctaw to be a part of strength and resolve of President Osceola learn from other tribes. In this latest development, the federal The organization honored Osceola with the USET honor. Chairman Marcellus W. in all we do. Without his guidance and JRYHUQPHQW ¿OHG D EULHI LQ UHVSRQVH WR WKH its “Earl J. Barbry Sr. Lifetime Achievement Osceola Jr. and Hollywood Councilman leadership, who knows where we would be.” Chris Osceola were also in attendance. Virginia Osceola said that when USET Award” Nov. 4 at its 50th annual meeting. )See JOE DAN on page 4A )See ICWA on page 5A Editorial......................2A Health.............................9A Sports............... ............1C INSIDE: @SeminoleTribune @SeminoleTribune Community..................3A Education....................1B 2A • The Seminole Tribune • November 29, 2019 Veterans Day appreciations • Chairman Marcellus W. • President Mitchell Osceola Jr. Cypress elcome to all veterans, family reetings to our esteemed guests Wmembers and friends, Gand welcome home to my fellow The Seminole Tribe of Florida is proud veterans, to welcome you to the 7th annual Big Cypress It is with a happy heart, as a veteran Veterans Day Celebration, when we honor of the United States Army, that I welcome all veterans for their courageous service and you to our annual Big Cypress Veterans Day bravery. Celebration. As a citizen of the Seminole To veterans, I want to personally thank Tribe of Florida, it brings me great joy to you for serving in the U.S. Armed Forces be a part of an organization that makes it to ensure the freedom that we all appreciate a priority to honor our Nation’s Warriors, and treasure every day. On behalf of all known by many as our military veterans. members of the Seminole Tribe, thank you Recognizing Veterans Day, has long been a for protecting us from threats to our lives and part of our practices, as a tribe and we are liberty. honored that you have joined us today. To those Native brothers and sisters who Many years have passed since I was serve so admirably, I want to offer an extra honorably discharged from the United States salute for your meaningful commitment to Army, however, everyday my heart reminds this great nation. As you stand with veterans me of those that became my brothers and from all parts of this country and all walks of sisters during a challenging time. It was life, please know that we take great pride in Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. a time in our history where we willingly your desire to protect and defend everyone. committed ourselves and gave everything Your service is important and meaningful, to serve our country.