Tribal members graduate Family Services hosts Tribal youth excels in vocational school Wellness Conference rodeo competitions EDUCATION v 1B COMMUNITY v 3A SPORTS v 1C

Volume XXXIII • Number 8 August 31, 2012 Brighton Seminole Trading Post holds grand reopening

BY RACHEL BUXTON Freelance Writer

BRIGHTON — After about 45 years in existence, the Seminole Trading Post on the Brighton Reservation underwent a much-needed renovation. Tribal officials and members, as well as people from surrounding counties, made the trek to Brighton on July 26 for the grand reopening of the improved Brighton Trading Post. “This is a project that we have been working on since I took seat exactly a year ago,” Brighton Board Rep. Larry Howard said. “We had to blow this thing up as big as possible so we could generate more people to come here and do business with us from the outside.” The day brought energy and excitement with Seminole Tribe regular Mobile Mike and several radio stations, including Wild 95.5 and Y100 Miami, giving away CDs, DVDs, and waterpark and concert tickets. Beverly Bidney Cars also lined up in both directions The Brighton Seminole Trading Post reopens with a complete makeover. along Highway 721 hoping to be one of the first 200 patrons to arrive at the Trading Post to receive $25 of free gas. complete makeover with the addition all new amenities, including the infamous James Holt, along with his brother of about 1,000 square feet. The original Beer Vault. Clinton Holt, kept Seminole heritage building was completely gutted, which “We actually added more things in our alive by putting on alligator wrestling included not only the convenience store but store,” Rep. Howard said. “We have hot and venomous snake demonstrations also a Laundromat and manager’s office for foods – something we never had before throughout the day. Also, Mobile Mike’s the RV park, which is also a Tribal entity. – mocha, cold coffee and a brand-new Gourmet Burgers and Fries provided a A trailer facility was brought in slushie machine for the kids.” free lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and to accommodate the Laundromat and Rep. Howard said he wanted to prevent refreshments for the crowd, while people manager’s office, as well as serve as the this project from sitting on the backburner. popped in and out of the newly constructed point of sale system for the Trading Post’s “He was very psyched about the convenience store to see the transformation. gasoline services. project,” Menendez said about Rep. Brett Daly “It’s a step up from the old one,” “We were able to [keep] the store open Howard. “He was out here every day Lynvetta Myers, of Moore Haven, said. for the community because that was very during construction.” President Tony Sanchez Jr. said he was important on Larry Howard’s list,” said The Brighton Trading Post is an entity Alexis Aguilar crowned surprised when he got his first peek inside. Juan Menendez, the manager for the Board of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. under “I was here last week, and when I Construction Division. the Board of Representatives. walked in I didn’t know where I was at,” The construction lasted roughly Miss Florida Seminole he said. “It just looks so great.” four months and resulted in an almost The Brighton Trading Post got a 2,500-square-foot convenience store with F See TRADING POST on page 6A Brianna Nunez takes Jr. Miss title Tribal youth attend Camp Kulaqua

BY BRETT DALY Tribe. “They’re so rich in culture. It makes Senior Editor my heart sing when I see so many young ladies embracing their [heritage]. They’re keeping their culture strong.” HOLLYWOOD — Thirteen young Event emcee Van Samuels also women celebrated their Seminole heritage announced other individual awards in and culture on July 28, vying for the both the Miss and Jr. Miss competitions. coveted Miss and Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Aguilar and Nunez won best talent; Braudie crowns. While all wanted the responsibility Blais-Billie and Kirsten Doney won best of serving as their Tribe’s ambassadors, essay; and Aguilar also secured the Miss only two received the honor. Congeniality title. Alexis Aguilar, one of five Immokalee In addition, Jr. Miss contestants Doney, contestants, shined during the 55th annual Tia Blais-Billie and Brooke Osceola were Princess Pageant and earned the Miss named first, second and third runners-up, Florida Seminole Princess crown. Aguilar, respectively. the first runner-up in last year’s Jr. Miss In keeping with this year’s theme, category, is a senior at Immokalee High “Unconquered Seminole Women: Leading School and succeeds Princess Jewel Buck. by Example,” Princess Committee “I put my whole heart into it,” she said. Chairwoman Wanda Bowers recognized “It’s a big responsibility, and I hope I can past Princesses who pursued higher make my Tribe proud.” education and awarded them special Brighton resident Brianna Nunez took necklaces adorned with graduation and the Jr. Miss title for her performance during princess insignias. the pageant, held at the Tribal Headquarters “I want to empower our Seminole Auditorium. After not placing in last year’s women and make sure they know they pageant, Nunez said hearing her name can do what they want in our Tribe,” said called as the winner this time around was one recipient, Christine McCall, Princess bittersweet. Committee secretary. She graduated from “I feel ecstatic,” she said moments after Florida State University with a bachelor’s outgoing Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Jaryaca degree in 2009. “Miss Florida Seminole Baker crowned her. “There are no words to has not only achieved higher education but describe how I feel. It’s the most amazing has worked in many ways to contribute to Beverly Bidney feeling I’ve ever felt.” the Tribe that supported them during their Each contestant – two competed for reign.” Campers start down the Ichetucknee River in the rain during Camp Kulaqua. Miss Florida Seminole and 11 for Jr. Miss The Tribal Council elected the first – was judged in the areas of traditional Seminole Princess in 1957 to act as the BY BEVERLY BIDNEY their ancestors foraged and hunted food. choices helps Jonas manage his diabetes. wear, talent and impromptu questions. In Tribe’s official ambassador and to educate addition, a five-person panel of judges Staff Reporter “We want kids to learn to be healthy SPD taught a class on Stranger people about the Seminole Tribe of Florida. and fit because we are apt to diabetes,” said Danger and how to stay safe. Lessons interviewed each contestant individually, Current Princess Committee member and each completed an essay answering HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. — Summer Helene Buster, camp director and director included knowing parents’ full names, Connie Gowen had the honor of wearing of Family Services in Big Cypress. “The home telephone numbers and addresses, as the question, “Where would you take Miss the first crown. The first official pageant camp is a place for kids to learn who they Florida USA in the Tribe and why?” are by participating in activities they don’t focus is to teach them there is a healthier well as knowing who can pick them up at took place in 1960 in conjunction with the lifestyle.” school. Aguilar stood out in the talent portion grand opening of Okalee Village, and 51 usually do at home. Instead of sitting for demonstrating how to make a baby around watching TV, playing video games During the first week, 102 teens Making a Difference, presented by Princesses have since been crowned. attended, and during the second week, 90 Family Services, asked the kids to think hammock. Once finished, she sang a lullaby For outgoing Miss Florida Seminole and spending time online, campers spend in her native language. Nunez sang Amazing their time running, swimming, learning kids, ages 7-11, attended. The camp didn’t about what they would like changed on their Princess Jewel Buck, the experience offered allow junk food or downtime; the kids reservations and how they would go about Grace in English and Creek, while fellow her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. During and bonding with their peers. contestants Alexis Jumper demonstrated For the ninth year, youth from the awoke at 6 a.m. and kept busy until lights making the changes. Some of the changes her reign, she attended events like FSU’s out at 9:30 p.m. Equipped with a staff of 55 the campers mentioned included stopping how to sew a Seminole patchwork skirt, Homecoming and the Miss Indian World Tribal community spent two weeks from Thomlyn Billie explained the significance July 29 through Aug. 10 at Camp Kulaqua adults, 13 junior counselors, 14 members drug and alcohol use, decreasing bullying Pageant (her favorite experience, she said), of the Seminole Police Department and and planting more trees. Their solutions of the Tribal flag and Randee Osceola all while sharing her culture with the world in High Springs in northern Florida. taught the crowd how to bead a Seminole Health, wellness and culture were the six firefighters, the campers were well included forming clubs to have anti-drug and serving as a role model for youth. supervised. and anti-alcohol activities, talking to Tribal necklace, just to name a few. “I can’t say enough about my themes at camp, so in addition to usual “I see growth in the development of camp activities, the campers attended A nutrition class presented by Allied leaders, donating money for more trees, experience and what I’ve learned over the Health focused on healthy eating and respecting elders and staying in school. the pageant, as well as in the depth of the past year,” she said. classes to reinforce Tribal culture, learned contestants,” said pageant judge Melonie good eating habits, saw how they can make addressed diabetes, using the example of Mathews, of the Santa Clara Pueblo/Navajo a difference in the world and learned how pop star Nick Jonas, who has the disease. F See PRINCESS on page 7A It emphasized how making good food F See CAMP on page 6A

INSIDE: COMMUNITY: A HEALTH: 11A EDUCATION: B SPORTS: C ANNOUNCEMENTS: 4C 2A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

Tough decisions save our future

• Tony Sanchez Jr. there are other factors beyond just numbers It makes good business sense. methods to explore our system, it’s difficult our pockets. I am confident the people will of dollars that will affect the budgetary Like with anything, people will get to consider increasing dividends or services. support measures that will ensure we do ince this process – factors the Seminole Tribe has complacent and comfortable in their This is a new position for the Seminole not become another Foxwoods casualty. If Sadministration not often faced, such as future enrollment jobs, used to the routine, and maybe there Tribe. Just about every year since the you don’t understand, ask questions. I am took office a year and blood quantums. Looking at our are some careless things happening. A Tribe organized, we have moved upwards, tickled pink when we are questioned. It ago, we have current situation, one school of thought lot of folks may think, “Well no one is increasing our financial status year after shows me that you are listening. been faced with a identifies two major issues that we must complaining; we must be doing everything year. For this to continue, however, we have Now, on the surface it may seem host of tough and come to grips with soon: 1. What is the all right.” But that is not necessarily the to reduce our spending and implement these like, “Wow, the Seminole Tribe is having ongoing decisions. makeup of the Seminole Tribe of Florida? case. I’ve had experience with this sort controls and evaluations. no problems. Look at the parking lots at As you know, just Should the Miccosukee be counted or not of evaluation during my days as General These are really tough topics this the casinos – they are all full all the time, like every other counted on our rolls? And 2. When does a Manager of the Immokalee Casino. administration has to address. We don’t have it seems.” But what the news media and government in this Tribal member become eligible to receive a There we had independent “secret a crystal ball to tell us what the previous others don’t realize is we try to remain self- country, budget financial dividend? Do we leave it at birth, shoppers” come in and evaluate the whole administration was thinking. I do know that sufficient, without government subsidies. and other financial as it is now, or should the financial benefit place: the valet, security, the wait staff, these issues were not addressed, and it fell Actually, we are having the same problems matters loom at the not begin until the age of 18? the cocktail servers, etc. They observed into our hands. And we are not going to pass as the federal government, just on a different very top of an unprecedented list of issues These decisions need the input of all the state of the bathrooms, the operation it off to the next administration. It needs to scale. We are trying to maintain our identity that demand our immediate attention. Every Tribal members. We can’t ignore these of all the machines, including the ATMs. happen now, and we are facing these issues and our culture by providing for ourselves. day the Seminole Tribe is growing, adding issues because they make us uncomfortable. They came in four times a year, and no one head on. We are not looking for a handout. Self- new Tribal members, and with that comes They need to be right out in the forefront knew when. Believe me, even though we I know there will be negative feelings. sufficiency is expensive. added per capita expenses. Not immediately of every Tribal member’s mind. We can no managers like to think everything is going It will be natural. But with good business To ensure that we maintain that level – but soon – the impact of these expenses longer shy away from this issue. It comes up properly, we still appreciate independent, sense and the right decisions, people will of self-sufficiency, we have to address will be felt by all of us. You have noticed constantly. By all means, we need to have a trained people who come in and tell you if understand, and the negative feelings will many issues today. The process has to and felt, I am sure, the repercussions of plan. And we need it now. your food quality is good, if the bathrooms go away. Wouldn’t it be easier to ignore? start somewhere. It will start with this many difficult decisions we have made. Another issue that affects our Tribal are clean, if the valet was rude. We wanted Sure, just leave it for the next guys. That administration. When you come into these And the hard time decisions are not over by financial picture is the quality and efficiency to evaluate the staff in their everyday work may be what happened at Pequot. But if we positions of leadership, you have to be any means. of our programs. We must continue to environment, not when we are all on our don’t talk about it, three, five, 10 years from ready to tackle these issues. It is vital. Our We must go through another round examine and re-examine all our funded best behavior because it is inspection day. now we could be on the verge of becoming decisions – or non-decisions – will impact of hard decisions to ensure that we do programs – from Education to Recreation Casinos are always under a microscope. another Foxwoods. what the Seminole Tribe is today and what not fall into a similar predicament as to the Youth Centers, everything – and It highlights how we can improve, be more And can you imagine the reaction from it will be in the future. the Mashantucket Pequots. Most Tribal evaluate the benefits these programs bring efficient and smarter with our money. And Tribal members? “You guys knew about Finally, we simply can’t be worried members know the Pequots as the first to the Seminole Tribe. This evaluation must the purpose for this is not to eliminate; it’s this all along! Why didn’t you tell us? Why about what happens in the political world. wealthy gaming Tribe and now, suddenly look at the services the program provides designed to improve programs. Now you didn’t you do something?” We have to We came into office because we want to they are broke. Just like that, they are and determine if there is a real need being might find out a certain program is not protect the current AND future needs of the have a positive effect on the Tribe. That’s a billions of dollars in debt. It could not have addressed and that we didn’t create a needed. There may be another program that Tribe. This administration is here to address huge positive. But if we allow our problems happened overnight. But it is safe to say it program just to have another program. provides the same services. This is the sort these issues. to continue unaddressed, it becomes a huge must not have been properly addressed until If there is a real need, then we must of discussion we will need to have, ongoing, I sometimes wonder if people are negative. it was too late. makes sure we have the proper personnel if we truly want to improve and provide listening, if they are trying to understand God bless the Seminole Tribe of This administration is doing everything and infrastructure in place to meet the efficient, proper services to our Tribal what is happening with the Tribe. I do Florida. it can to ensure Tribal members retain their current and future needs of Tribal members. members. This has to be our M.O. know, however, that everyone is interested Sho-naa-bish. current lifestyle. But some adjustments And then we need to have a mechanism in Right now everything is about dollars and tuned in to what is happening with their will have to be made to prevent a complete place that provides an ongoing evaluation, and cents. Everybody wants more. That pockets. Enrollment, dividends, programs Tony Sanchez Jr. is President of the collapse like the Pequots. not just an end-of-the-year review. Ongoing. is natural, but until we start using these – it is all directly affecting what goes in Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. In addition to tough financial decisions, How would you define a Native? Tribal Council convenes BY RUTH HOPKINS containing the same components and are only, as we’ve seen occur with celebrities Indian Country Today Columnist members of the same species. Intrinsically, who are suddenly and rather inexplicably we all belong to only one race: humanity. adopted by Tribes today. Originally, for regular meeting Furthermore, defining Natives by race anyone who became part of a Tribe learned What makes one Native? Mainstream alone is inaccurate from a legal standpoint that Tribe’s culture, language and sacred society certainly attempts to define us by in the United States of America. You see, ceremonies. They lived and worked in that BY CAMELLIA SMITH-OSCEOLA D/B/A Wilcox, promoting stereotypes passed down from to the federal government, being Native is Native community and played an active role Editor in Chief Inc. (permittee) for old Hollywood movies, with stoic Italians considered a political affiliation. as a Tribal member. a salon business painted red speaking broken English. Indian Tribes existed long before Others say Native identity is about – Big Cypress Collegiate mascots depict us as brutal, the United States did, but because of the nationality. If one believes that Tribes are HOLLYWOOD — The Tribal Reservation. war-mongering savages and celebrities and genocide that took place at the hands independent nations and not “domestic Council convened for a regular meeting on Resolution: hipster models who flood the public eye of European invaders who landed on dependent nations” as defined by the U.S. July 13 at the Tribal Office Auditorium on U.S. Environmental with sexualized, exploitative imagery when “American” shores, the mass theft of Supreme Court, then you may be correct. the Hollywood Reservation. Protection Agency they pose wearing little more than imitation Native lands, war, the making and breaking Still, there are many Natives who embrace From the consent and regular agendas grant application war bonnets that misrepresent what it truly of treaties with Native nations and related dual citizenship as Tribal members and combined, 35 resolutions were passed, one for funding of the fiscal year 2013 means to be Native. History written by history surrounding the establishment of Americans. I submit it is to our advantage withdrawn, one denied and one tabled. Seminole Tribe of Florida Water Pollution the European invaders is also inaccurate the United States, the federal government to act as such. Yes, we should be proactive, Here are a few of the resolutions Control Program for all Seminole Indian because it is skewed to their perspective, if imposed itself upon us and became heavily responsible Tribal citizens, but the lives passed that day: Reservations. Natives are even acknowledged at all. involved in defining what is Indian via of American Indians are also greatly Resolution: Issuance of a homesite Resolution: National Register While addressing how non-Natives Tribal enrollment. The Supreme Court of affected by the laws and subsequent actions lease to Kyle Jailen Baker – Big Cypress of Historic Places nomination of the view us is worthy of consideration – the United States says Indian Tribes exercise handed down and carried out by the U.S. Reservation. Council Oak Tree site on the Hollywood especially for those who hope to dissuade inherent sovereignty by determining who government. As a result, we would do Resolution: Issuance of a homesite Reservation. ignorance about us – it is more important may be a Tribal member, yet the federal ourselves a great disservice by refusing lease to Amos Thompson Frank – Big Resolution: Approval of business that we, as Natives, consider how we define government via the Bureau of Indian to take part in its political process. Those Cypress Reservation. lease between the Seminole Tribe of Florida ourselves to heal our communities and for Affairs (B.I.A.) invented rules regarding against us know it; that’s why the Red Vote Resolution: Issuance of a homesite (lessor) and Johns Family Enterprises, LLC our own well-being, as well as that of future blood quantum to force Tribes to define is often discouraged by redistricting and lease to Jeremy Smith – Brighton (lessee) for development, use and operation generations of Natives. Identity is who we themselves by blood with little regard for other efforts to silence us. Reservation. of an organic fertilizer facility and all are. In order to know where we are going, land holdings, culture, language, kinship Tribes are ethnic groups. Ethnicity is Resolution: Issuance of a homesite related uses, including sales and nursery we must first know where we’ve been and and those often imperceptible spiritual more or less a descriptor of a population lease to Savannah Joy Huggins – operations – Brighton Reservation. how we got here. We must remember who bonds that all contribute to one’s true Native though, not a definitive marker of identity. Hollywood Reservation. Resolution: Approval of the Seminole and what we stand for, as individuals and as identity. So where does that leave us in our question Resolution: Issuance of a homesite Tribe of Florida Tribal Council Housing Native nations. Don’t get me wrong – blood ties are of how do we define ourselves as Natives? lease to Brandi Katrina Williams – Policy. For some, the answer to what defines crucial to Native identity. Blood is ancestry. Beside blood ties, Native identity is Hollywood Reservation. Resolution: Approval of investment one as being Native is just a question of Even bloodlines do not fully explain Native firmly anchored in tradition. Our cultural Resolution: Issuance of a homesite in Johns Family Enterprises, LLC and “race.” If only it were that simple; however, identity though because traditionally, Tribes practices, our Tribal languages, our sacred lease to Noah Peter Yzaguirre – Immokalee providing a line of credit of up to $500,000 race is ultimately a social construct. People allowed for the adoption of non-blood rites, all define us. Without them, we would Reservation. to Stanlo Johns, Jeff Johns and Todd Johns. who are identified as belonging to the members. Members who originated with fail to exist as distinctive Native groups. Resolution: Issuance of Tribal same race often share similar history and other Tribes, or even non-Natives, could revocable permit between Seminole Tribe morphological traits like skin color, but be absorbed into Tribes via marriage or To read the full article, visit www. of Florida (permittor) and Cory Wilcox not always. Biologically, we all have DNA adoption; but these events weren’t in name IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com. David Cypress sentenced for tax offense Tribal Board convenes BY CAMELLIA SMITH-OSCEOLA Enterprises, LLC MIAMI — Former Tribal Councilman U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, stand, as well as Seminole Tribe of Florida Editor in Chief (lessee) for the David Cypress was sentenced to 18 months however, viewed the tax charge as “uniquely Chief Financial Officer Jim Raker. Upon development, use in prison on Aug. 9 for filing a false income American” and sentenced Cypress to questioning, Raker spoke on Cypress’ and operation tax return for 2007. serve prison time. The prosecution, led by misallocations of Council money during the HOLLYWOOD — The Board of of an organic Cypress, 61, pled guilty to the charges Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Bell, had time he spent serving. The prosecution also Directors convened on June 20 at the Tribal fertilizer facility in April. asked for a two-year sentence and portrayed told of Cypress’ lavish spending during his Office Auditorium in Hollywood. and all related uses, “I apologized to everybody,” Cypress Cypress as a “sophisticated” leader of years in office, from 1999-2010. The following items were passed that including sales and said during his sentencing hearing held at the Seminole Tribe capable of making When cross-examined, Raker day at the regular meeting: nursery operations the Miami Federal Courthouse. “I fully important decisions on his people’s behalf mentioned that the Tribe now does more Resolution: Approval of Immokalee in Brighton. accepted the responsibility.” during his time on the Tribal Council. to educate Tribal members about tax forms hotel development project. The following item was passed at the Cypress’ attorney, Joel Hirschhorn, During the hearing, Cypress’ son and tax laws. Resolution: Requirement to obtain the special meeting: argued that the Big Cypress resident was Charlie testified on his father’s behalf and Hirschhorn said he hopes Cypress’ case approval of the Board of Directors for non- Resolution: Approval of Jill John confused about taxable income laws, citing told the courtroom his father was a good will cause procedures to be put in place to budgeted expenditures equal to or greater to assume ownership of cattle herd and his simple background and lack of education man who helped him through some difficult prevent this from happening to other Tribal than $50,000. assignment of pasture land. as the reasons. Cypress, he said, grew up in times in his life. members across Indian Country. Resolution: Termination of business a chickee with no running water, hunting The prosecution called Brighton lease L-2774 between Seminole Tribe of and fishing for food. Councilman Andrew J. Bowers Jr. to the Florida, Inc. (lessor) and Johns Family

The Seminole Tribune The following deadlines apply to all Advertising: Publisher: James E. Billie If you would like to request a reporter or is a member of the submissions to The Seminole Tribune: would like to submit an article, birthday Advertising rates along with sizes and Editor in Chief: Camellia Smith-Osceola Native American Journalists Association. other information may be downloaded [email protected] wish or poem, please contact Issue: Sept. 28, 2012 Senior Editor Brett Daly at Letters/emails to the editor must be signed Deadline: Sept. 12, 2012 from the Internet at: Senior Editor: Brett Daly 954-985-5701, ext. 10725 and may be edited for publication. • www.SeminoleTribune.org/Advertise [email protected] Or by fax at 954-965-2937 Issue: Oct. 26, 2012 Copy Editor: Kathryn Stolarz Subscription rate is $35 per year by mail. Deadline: Oct. 10, 2012 Postmaster: © 2012 Seminole Tribe of Florida Make checks payable to The Seminole • Please send address changes to Staff Reporters: Tribune, 3560 N. State Rd. 7, Hollywood, Issue: Nov. 21, 2012 Andrea Holata, Peter B. Gallagher, Correction: In the July issue, The Seminole FL 33021 Deadline: Nov. 7, 2012 The Seminole Tribune Beverly Bidney Tribune incorrectly identified Alice Billie Phone: 954-985-5701 3560 N. State Road 7 Contributors: as Alice Billie Gopher. We apologize for Fax: 954-965-2937 Please note: Submissions that come past Hollywood, FL 33021 Judy Weeks, Rachel Buxton, Omar any confusion this may have caused. Or subscribe online at deadline will be posted in the Rodriguez, Braudie Blais-Billie, Christine www.SeminoleTribune.org following issue. McCall, Madeline Newcomb 3A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

Annual Wellness Conference delivers healthy message

BY ANDREA HOLATA and dinner, the weeklong conference the room was filled with everyone holding Staff Reporter kicked off early Monday morning with hands in support of each other living a a 2-mile walk on the beach with nearly a healthier, addiction-free lifestyle. With MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — Tribal hundred walkers and runners participating a combined 713 years of sobriety in the members from all Seminole reservations every morning. Several of the walkers said room, attendees gave each other courage traveled to the Hilton Marco Island Beach they enjoyed the exercise and will try to and strength. Resort for the 19th annual Wellness use the Wellness Conference walks to start In addition to the adults meeting all Conference from July 15-20. a daily routine to get back into shape. week, conference organizers planned an The conference provided Tribal Throughout the week, educators and agenda for the youth attendees, where they members with the opportunity to listen to presenters provided information on many attended daily classes with age-appropriate their peers’ personal testimonies of alcohol topics, including protecting Seminole content. The youth’s topics included and/or drug abuse. Also, guest speakers and children, the secrets of staying in love nutrition, fitness, diabetes and myths about experts from across the nation provided and getting past the diagnosis. For some drug use. In the afternoons, youth were specialized insight into wellness and living presenters, this was not their first Wellness treated to trips to the movies and to a water a better lifestyle. The topics discussed Conference, including Don Bartlett and park. included addiction, recovery, fitness, Denise Alley, sharing broken memories “This is an event that we hope that will family, stress, gambling and grief. of childhood and learning how to love and get everyone started on a new routine in Seminoles in Recovery sponsored accept themselves. Several of this year’s their life,” Buster said. “One day at a time, presenters were from the Seminole Tribe’s we are trying to get healthy and trying the event with other Tribal departments, Beverly Bidney including Allied Health and Fitness, Family departments as well. to learn a whole new, different lifestyle. The conference attendees’ favorite That’s what it’s all about at the Marco Brighton Board Rep. Larry Howard gives Emma Urbina the keys to her new home, as the construction Services, Health, Recreation, Culture, team looks on. Education and Seminole Police. speakers were the personal testimonies Island Wellness week.” “The objective of the conference is to provided by Tribal members in recovery. Feathered masks, long dresses, jesters start a new, healthy routine in your life,” They told stories of their struggles with and beads filled the room for the Mardi said Helene Buster, director of Family addiction and their new lives in recovery, Gras-themed dinner party that closed out Services and coordinator of Seminoles in hoping to inspire others fighting the same the week. Participants enjoyed each other’s Brighton resident receives Recovery’s annual Wellness Conference. battle. company while listening and dancing the “A lot of people are here because they are On the last afternoon of the conference, night away. keys to her new home trying to get well from substance abuse, participants gathered in a meeting room “I had a good time this week at the grief, addiction and diabetes.” to have a sobriety countdown. With the conference, and I’m happy to see everyone Wellness – comprised of mental, highest number of years of sobriety starting having a good time tonight sober,” BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Construction and Development team, she physical and spiritual components – covers at 42, the participants came forward one conference participant Alvin Buster said. Staff Reporter designed the home to her specifications and many aspects of a person’s life and affects by one, announcing their time in recovery. chose the finishes, including the tile, carpet, They all shook hands and joined the circle BRIGHTON — Brighton resident paint color and light fixtures. She lives people in different ways. F See WELLNESS photos on page 11A After Sunday evening’s registration of sobriety. At the end of the countdown, Emma Urbina now lives in her dream home, there with her husband, Jesus, daughters thanks to the Tribe’s Construction and Jewel (the former Seminole Princess) and Development Department. The department, Rosa and son Timothy. which bids for jobs alongside outside The Construction Department, construction companies, built Urbina’s established by the Board of Directors house in about six months. Brighton Board six years ago, has built homes for Tribal Rep. Larry Howard presented her with the members on every reservation. To date, keys to her new home on July 23. they have completed about a dozen and Urbina has lived on the same home site have the capacity to build many more for 18 years in an older house, which was custom homes every year. demolished to make way for her new one: a “I believe we can put more members four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom, in homes if we have the land,” said Rep. nearly 4,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Howard, who would like to develop another showplace. Features include two covered housing area on 65 acres at the Flowing porches, a game room with a wet bar and a Well Grove in Brighton. “Our main focus is master bath with a soaking tub. The kitchen to make sure members are well taken care is equipped with granite countertops, of here in Brighton and at Big Cypress and stainless steel appliances, a center island, a Hollywood, too.” gas cooktop and plenty of space to create The Construction Department has family meals. worked to improve efficiency in order to “I’ve been in the process of getting a increase the department’s output. Although new home since 2007, but it was always on it’s a Tribal-run business, they must the back burner,” Urbina said. “I hung in compete with other non-Tribal contractors there, and I’m so happy with the house. I for every job. love it.” The site of Urbina’s new home formerly F See KEYS on page 6A belonged to her father. Along with the Tribal member opens business at Hard Rock Seminole Paradise

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY “This isn’t the South Beach look; Staff Reporter we wanted to reflect this part of Florida,” James said. “We are getting great feedback HOLLYWOOD — The Swamp, a from people who come in; they say it’s an new destination which epitomizes a fun inviting and homey atmosphere.” evening out in South Florida, opened at the Entrepreneurs for 25 years, the Kathryn Stolarz Hard Rock Seminole Paradise in July. Madrigals own two other businesses Seminole Media Workshop participants celebrate their accomplishments on the last day of the workshop. Owned by Tribal member James near Brighton in Lakeport: Ridge Runner Madrigal and his wife, Sheila, of Brighton, Airboats and J & S Trees. Their sons James The Swamp is a Seminole-themed nightclub Thomas, 24, and Garrett, 21, work in the complete with a chickee and Seminole businesses with them. paintings. The chickee, used as a stage for “When the economy slowed down, the Seminole Media Productions the band, was built by Chairman James E. opportunity for The Swamp came up, and Billie. we said, ‘We’re there,’” Sheila said. “The Chairman came in the other night “The Council saw that we are hard Workshop expands curriculum with his family and was so happy with workers and approved the business,” James the final look,” Sheila said. “People can’t added. “But the most important thing is to believe how well it turned out.” have our sons working with us. We try to BY ANDREA HOLATA most participants, learned about editing, and photographed former Miss Florida The nightclub contains wood walls, teach our kids that nothing is beyond you; if Staff Reporter the production process and video camera Seminole Jewel Buck and patchwork Seminole artwork and a tin roof over the you put the effort into it, you will succeed.” basics like shooting techniques, audio and makers Regina Thinn and daughter Janine bar, while a large, open-mouthed, metal During The Swamp’s first week in HOLLYWOOD — About a dozen lighting. The youth chose from three topics Cypress Vazquez. With the information the alligator sculpture guards the stage. Patrons business, the family took note of what Tribal youth caught an inside view of the for their video projects: “Lost Languages,” youth gathered, they wrote articles for The love to pose for photos with the harmless worked and what needed modifications. media industry and how it operates during “I am Unconquered” and “Red Barn.” Seminole Tribune. beast. The bars at the front and back of The The staff of 18 adjusted well and the crowds the sixth year of the Seminole Media For the “Lost Languages” project, The youth also got real-world Swamp open directly to the outside through rolled in, lured by the music and friendly Productions Workshop (SMPW) held at the participants filmed Tribal members and media insight from visits to the mega large roll-up doors, beckoning people to atmosphere. Native Learning Center from July 23-27. asked questions about their Mikasuki broadcast group Clear Channel Media come check it out. Loud classic rock music With the help of SMP staff, youth had and Creek languages. For the “I am and Entertainment, local print company and a spacious dance floor complete the the opportunity to learn the basics of writing, Unconquered” project, the students filmed ID Print, and the Hard Rock Live, where ambiance. F See SWAMP on page 6A interviewing, reporting, photojournalism, Tribal members reciting that phrase for they took a backstage tour. They also had broadcasting, editing, production, filming the purpose of promoting the Seminole the opportunity to ask questions to Sun and graphic design. Tribe. And for the “Red Barn” project, they Sentinel sports columnist Mike Berardino The students had a choice of pursuing gathered information for a PSA about the and University of Florida journalism the graphic design (new to the curriculum Brighton Red Barn. Participants honed professor Ted Spiker. this year), newspaper or broadcasting track their interviewing, shooting and editing To end the workshop, each group based on their interests. They worked on skills throughout the week. gathered in the Tribal Headquarters lobby individual projects throughout the week Second-year participant Tori Osceola in Hollywood, where they displayed their and presented them at the conclusion of the said she enjoyed the workshop because it projects for their families and friends. workshop. gave her hands-on experience in a career “If you have an interest in media, The graphic design group learned how she may want to pursue. She said she likes you should definitely take advantage of to create logos, posters and business cards the camera, whether she’s singing on stage this program because it’s awesome and using graphic design software, such as in front of the camera or interviewing definitely helps you out in learning about Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. someone from behind it. what goes into media production,” SMP “It’s a hobby for me and something “I take it very seriously when I come cohost and workshop participant Meredith that interests me,” participant Ricky Joe to SMPW each year,” Osceola said. “I Bullard said. “It’s good to get that hands- Alumbaugh said. “I like [the workshop] wanted to learn the backstage and how it on training.” a lot. It was fun. I learned a lot about all comes together. I am interested in media Many agreed that this year’s workshop Photoshop and stuff I didn’t even know.” and see it in my future.” was a success, filled with inside knowledge SMP graphic designer Madeline Seminole Channel staff selected three of media. SMP staff hope the workshop Newcomb, who instructed the graphic projects to air during their Aug. 14 show, sparked participants’ interest so they will design students, said she hopes the as well as on their YouTube channel: “I come back to intern with and work for the workshop helped the students further their am Unconquered” by Osceola, “Lost Tribe. careers. Languages” by Leissett Baker and “Red “A lot of kids this week discovered “I hope it makes them more enthusiastic Barn” by Joseph John. talents they didn’t even know they had,” about furthering their education beyond The newspaper track learned basic Newcomb said. high school,” she said. “They learned so journalism skills, which they used to interview Tribal members for profiles much and picked it up so quickly.” F See more SMPW photos on page 8A Beverly Bidney The broadcasting group, which had the and culture stories. Students interviewed James and Sheila Madrigal, Dorothy Burkhardt and Garrett Madrigal are at their new business. 4A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012 Field Day Challenge held for Naples, Immokalee communities

BY JUDY WEEKS by their cousin Ross Zepeda as he passed the big oak trees. After a short downtime, Freelance Writer them up at the finish line. the youngsters were given the option of The sack race was a big hit with a returning to the game course for several NAPLES — Everybody was a winner surprise climax. Liaison Zepeda encouraged more scheduled events or cooling off at when Naples and Immokalee youth the staff members to accept a challenge the water park. A big splash signaled their participated in the first Naples Field Day from the youth while saying that they could unanimous decision for an afternoon of Challenge at the Golden Gate Community add it to their resume. He thought he was water sports. Park on Aug. 14. The young athletes took safe from the competition until the children “The combined staff and participants over the ball field and surrounding shady forced him into a burlap bag to enter the race all deserve gold medals for today,” Liaison park for a full day of fun-filled activities and and took over his microphone. Laughter Zepeda said. “This was a great interaction a picnic cookout. followed one wreck after another and a opportunity between the Naples and The events were coordinated by pileup at the finish line. Immokalee communities rather than a Naples Liaison Brian Zepeda, Juanita Wooden tomahawks were passed rivalry. Whenever youth can broaden their Osceola Center staff, Joel Frank of the between age groups during the relay races, horizons by meeting new people, making Work Experience Program and Immokalee while strength and distance played an friends and enjoying healthy, fun-filled Recreation and Fitness. Early morning important role in the medicine ball or spear activities, it is a wonderful experience. The Peter B. Gallagher found fitness trainers Joey Garcia, Liz throw and archery competitions. staff did a tremendous job and created more Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Bureau Chief Marc McCabe, Tribal member Julia John and Pickering and Joel Frank setting up a relay As the temperatures climbed, break activities than we could possibly complete. VVA Service Officer Art Taylor meet at the Brighton Veteran’s Building. track, 50-meter hurdles, and strength- time was filled with less strenuous games. We are looking forward to making this an and distance-event courses that offered A little music, hula hoops and agility annual event.” something for everyone. exercises slowed the pace but not the The Chairman’s administrator Danny The initial format called for team level of fun. Forming a circle to support a Tommie rewarded each participant with a challenges from the two communities. colorful parachute, all ages worked together ticket to attend the movie of their choice. Late Vietnam veteran’s daughter Tabulation of times and points scored to control a ball in a sequence of patterns as “I want to compliment everyone on created a narrow margin from one activity to teamwork moved it into the center pocket. their courtesy and respect for the public receives ‘Agent Orange’ benefits the next, and both sides were soon cheering They quickly realized that every member of facilities,” Sandy Osceola said. “The for each other. It became apparent that they the team became vital to the effort. children made good use of the trashcans would need to change to an individual status A picnic lunch of southern barbecue throughout the day, making the final cleanup BY PETER B. GALLAGHER don’t have to jump through hoops.” because of uneven age distribution, and the was served hot off the grill with all the a snap. I am looking forward with pleasure Special Projects Reporter Turned down several times because end results were becoming a draw. Blue fixings. Topping off the meal were slabs to participating in more of these combined of “sloppy paperwork and just plain ribbons were awarded for first place in each of ice-cold watermelon under the shade of events in the future.” ST. PETERSBURG — Brighton ignorance on the part of the VA,” said age category. resident Jill John was born almost 32 McCabe, Joe Lester never received full Temperatures soared into the high years ago with spina bifida, a birth defect justice. 90s with a heat index of 103 degrees. that involves the incomplete development “He was rated as a single instead Anticipating these conditions, outreach of the spinal cord. She has spent most of of a man, wife and disabled daughter,” specialist Sandy Osceola created her life in a wheelchair and has endured McCabe said. “I was working on his rehydration stations throughout the courses, more than a dozen major surgeries. appeal. He was very happy. He looked fine. offering Gatorade, bottled water and fresh Her father, Seminole Tribal member All he could think about was providing fruits floating in an ice-filled bath. She Joe Lester John, served as a U.S. Air Force for Jill. It was probably the last thing he gave a brief presentation on the importance combat aircrewman during the Vietnam said to me: ‘Please help my daughter.’ of making healthy, responsible choices, War. He fought in the 1 Corps Tactical With that kind of mandate, I knew I had exercising caution during exertion and ways Zone, infamous for containing one of the to do it for Joe. I was determined to push to safely achieve potential. war’s highest concentrations of poisonous and push until it happened.” Warm-up exercises preceded the herbicides; there in the polluted jungles Coincidentally, McCabe’s niece’s 50-meter hurdles, which set the tone for of northernmost South Vietnam, he was husband was also a Vietnam vet. McCabe the day. Beginning with the little people, exposed to Agent Orange, code name for is “pushing” their case as well. laughter filled the park as 3-year-old Nahdea chlorinated phenoxy acid in ester form “I learned a lot about spina bifida in a Osceola-Hart ran up to the first barrier, – an herbicide defoliant used during the short amount of time,” he said. “And the stopped, pushed it down to climb over and Vietnam War by the U.S. military from more I learned, the more I was confident then ran under the next three hurdles to the 1962 to 1971 in Vietnam, eastern Laos we were all going to win.” finish line yelling, “I win, I win!” and parts of Cambodia. Healthy before Dependent, service-connected disabilities, Immokalee’s Aaron Alvarado and he left for Vietnam, Joe Lester returned a for any reason, are rare, said McCabe, Aldrice Cummings aced their divisions on diabetic, suffering from debilitating heart who traveled to Denver on his own the track, while Angelina Osceola-Lugo, disease the rest of his life, which ended expense to make a case for Jill before the Eliska Slavik, Dominic Osceola-Lugo and by stroke on April 27 at the age of 67. VA’s special spina bifida review board. Ross Zepeda put Naples on the charts. Undisputed scientific studies identify Still, Jill was turned down twice before Marissa Osceola challenged her sister, Judy Weeks Agent Orange as one of the most toxic her appeal was accepted. Julia said she Jessica, to a grudge race, only to be beaten From left, Allegra Veliz, Nicole Slavik and Leatrice Cummings compete in the 50-meter hurdles. poisons a person could ever touch or will never forget that day: “Jill was in the breathe. Exposure can lead to a lifetime hospital. When I called and told her that of ill health and the onset of dozens Marc called and said the paperwork all of insidious diseases to the exposed. went through and it was sealed in blood, And it instigates crippling birth defects, the check was in the mail, she started particularly spina bifida, to the children crying. of the exposed. And their grandchildren. “She said, ‘I guess my dad is still Still, it took the U.S. Department of taking care of me.’” Veterans Affairs (VA) more than 31 years The decision set Jill’s disability at to acknowledge the Agent Orange service- the highest VA rating. She received a connected disabilities of Joe Lester and retroactive check and additionally will his daughter. He finally received a partial receive a monthly check for life. disability on April 1, less than a month “We just don’t know how far back before he died. they will go,” McCabe said. “That’s the Daughter Jill received a full next battle.” disability, associated with her father’s Jill will receive full compensation Agent Orange exposure on Aug. 10. for all medical care, also retroactive back “When soldiers came home in the to an (as of yet) undetermined time. ‘70s and they lived in a rural area, the VA “Since most of that was paid by the forgot about them,” said Marc McCabe, Seminole Tribe, you are talking about a Bureau chief and regional director of the reimbursement to the Tribe of potentially Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) in millions of dollars,” McCabe said. St. Petersburg. “There was no outreach. “Multiple major surgeries and lifetime No veterans were more ignored than medical care for spina bifida victims is the American Indian vets. Vietnam vets extremely expensive.” across the board were discriminated The VA will assist in wheelchairs, against. Most of those who did manage vehicles and other necessities all to get through the bureaucracy to apply customized for Jill, as well as travel Judy Weeks Judy Weeks for Agent-Orange-related disability were expenses and fees to support attendants. Participants use teamwork to control the ball in the parachute game. The archery competition is a first for many of turned down.” “Now I can rest in peace; there will the young boys. Tribal member Julia John, wife of be someone to take care of her, even a Joe Lester for 41 years and mother to professional caregiver if she wants it, Jill, said, “A long time ago, my husband when I am gone,” Julia said. “Jill is very was reading one of the vet newspapers independent. She doesn’t like to be called and saw an article about spina bifida. He ‘special.’ Her dad and I always tried to wondered if we should take a look into fight for her, but you can’t do everything.” Big Cypress Reservation it...Washington, D.C. is a very confusing Jill is also eligible for habilitative place. You get lost up there. We didn’t and rehabilitative care and could seek have the resources. We didn’t know who training under vocational rehabilitation. celebrates August birthdays to go to. We just gave up. Then along “She actually has a certificate to be came this guy.” a phlebotomist. But she never used it,” Julia was referring to McCabe, who, Julia said. “She said, ‘Mom, I don’t know BY BEVERLY BIDNEY with his assistant, VVA Service Officer if anyone would want me to take their Art Taylor, recently visited Julia at the Staff Reporter blood. They’ll see me in the wheelchair Seminole Veteran’s Building in Brighton. and run the other way.’” BIG CYPRESS — Big Cypress He stages regular counseling sessions for Today’s Vietnam government seniors gathered Aug. 16 to celebrate Seminole veterans and their families at estimates chemical herbicides killed or those with August birthdays. Bingo and the Veteran’s Building each month. maimed 400,000 people and produced camaraderie were on the menu. Tribal “My first thought was ‘OK. You are another 500,000 children born with seniors celebrating another year included here now, but you will disappear like all birth defects, ranging from spina bifida Joe Jr. Billie, Nancy Billie, Ginnie Bowers, the rest of ‘em,’” said Julia, who now to retardation, all as a result of chemical Carol Cypress, David Cypress and Frances admits, “I was wrong. Marc is someone herbicides. The Vietnamese Red Cross Teele. really dedicated. He knows where to go estimates that up to one million people and what to do, and he doesn’t give up.” now living in Vietnam have disabilities McCabe called what he does or health problems because of the some “pushing.” 20 million gallons of Agent Orange and “I push and push and push and keep other chemical herbicides and defoliants pushing – whatever it takes,” he said. dropped from the air by U.S. military “The VA, the Army, none of them want to planes. give you anything, even if they know you No one knows how many U.S. are suffering. You have to go to them and veterans or their descendents are ask, then make your case.” affected by Agent Orange. McCabe will McCabe said VVA counselors join VVA director of Communications maintain a 98-percent success rate Mokie Porter and Associates of Vietnam nationwide in service-connected Veterans of America (AVVA) president veterans’ benefits fights with the VA and Nancy Switzer for a “Faces of Agent the Armed Forces. In addition, a rigidly Orange Town Meeting” at Brighton on enforced legal loophole has required Sept. 20, one of five they have planned the St. Petersburg Regional VA office around the state. to provide office space for the VVA “We’ve got a lot of work to do out advocates. here in Seminole Country,” McCabe Although he said, “We are all on the said. “There are 48 Seminole veterans, same side,” McCabe spends most of his and 40 of them are Vietnam (or Vietnam- time fighting the VA and the military, era) vets. A lot of them, including those boldly embedded in the “enemy” camp, who have passed on, never received their unworried about being evicted or tombstone medallion. There are widows silenced, never having to deal with VA and dependents due benefits. There are decorum of any sort. appeals of appeals. It goes on and on. Our Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney “If I need to talk to the director, I just goal is simple: to never ever leave any Ruby Osceola plays bingo while Alice Billie looks on during the Aug. 16 birthday luncheon held at the Joe B. Osceola collects his raffle prize at the walk in there and talk to her,” he said. “I veteran or their family members behind.” Senior Center. Big Cypress birthday luncheon. 5A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012 Native American journalists promote newsroom diversity at convention

BY BRETT DALY The organization has approximately four years. This year marked the first Senior Editor 300 members, with many attending the year the National Lesbian and Gay UNITY 2012 Convention, said NAJA Journalists Association participated, LAS VEGAS — Native Americans executive director and Seminole Nation while the National Association of Black from across the country met in Las Vegas of Oklahoma Tribal member Jeff Harjo, Journalists recently resigned. from Aug. 1-4 to partake in the UNITY who recently resigned his post to run for The convention also addressed 2012 Convention, a national gathering his Tribal government. newsroom downsizing: Total newsroom of minority journalists that promotes During the opening plenary on employment at daily newspapers declined diversity in newsrooms. Aug. 1, a four-person panel moderated by 2.4 percent in 2011, while the loss in Members of the Native American by Mark Whitaker, executive vice minority newsroom positions was 5.7 Journalists Association (NAJA), the president and managing editor of CNN percent, according to a census released Asian American Journalists Association, Worldwide, discussed ways journalists by the American Society of News Editors the National Association of Hispanic cover race, ethnicity, culture and gender and the Center for Advanced Social Journalists and the National Lesbian in the media. Native American Marley Research at the Missouri School of and Gay Journalists Association joined Shebala, a senior reporter for The Navajo Journalism. In addition, the convention together at the Mandalay Bay Resort Times, sat on the panel. offered exhibitor booths for participants & Casino for networking, training Shebala said she began reporting to network and to search for jobs. seminars and in-depth panel discussions when she noticed her college paper With a theme of “Engage, Connect, on minority issues in the media. didn’t cover Native American issues Embrace,” UNITY offered seminars “One of the goals of UNITY is to on her campus, which she deemed throughout the four-day convention to increase and broaden news coverage unacceptable. Although she was studying address those very topics and to teach focusing on people of color and to dispel nursing, she found herself immersed in technical skills. Seminars geared toward racial and ethnic stereotypes and myths,” journalism. Native American coverage included The Beverly Bidney said NAJA president Rhonda LeValdo, “I was meant to be a writer; I was Question of Native American Indian Members of the Mekong River Delta group observe how the water flows from Lake Okeechobee through of the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico, meant to be in journalism,” she said. “I Identity and educated reporters on the the Everglades and to the Florida Bay at the Big Cypress Preserve visitors center. in her address to conference attendees. was meant to give a voice to our people.” question of “who’s Native American “This goal has not changed and will not Throughout her career, Shebala and who isn’t and why it’s important.” change; the mission is still the same: has covered dozens of Native American Panelists used the example of Senate Tribe shares culture with to make sure the industry reflects the issues, and her reporting even led to the candidate Elizabeth Warren claiming nation’s diversity.” ousting of two Navajo leaders for the Native American heritage. According to its website, NAJA misuse of Tribal funds. She believes Next year, NAJA will hold its own Mekong River Delta group “educates and unifies its membership all journalists should report the news annual conference in Phoenix. through journalism programs that without bias, she said. promote diversity and defends “We especially, as journalists, The Seminole Tribune, a member BY BEVERLY BIDNEY built, and if they find something historical, challenges to free press, speech and should be the ones who are unbiased,” of the Native American Journalists Staff Reporter they do not approve the site. Unlike traditional expression.” Since its inception in 1984, Shebala said. “We have to continually be Association, attended the UNITY 2012 archaeological digs elsewhere in the world, NAJA has committed itself to increase vigilant in looking at that term.” Convention representing the Seminole BIG CYPRESS — Portions of the the found artifacts on the reservations are left the representation of Native journalists The UNITY Journalists organization Tribe of Florida. Mekong River Delta in Southeast Asia intact and undisturbed, and another home site in mainstream media. holds the UNITY Convention every compare to the Everglades because the is found. resources they offer need protection while In his presentation to the group, supporting a large population nearby. The Craig Tepper, director of Environmental traditional Seminole way of respecting the Resource Management, explained the water environment while inhabiting it is an asset to conservation and Everglades restoration be shared with other people around the world. activities at the Brighton and Big Cypress Tampa holds Fun Day A group of environmental preservation reservations. The goal is to establish a sheet and economic development professionals flow of water from Lake Okeechobee south from the Mekong River Delta area visited to Florida Bay to ensure the survival of Big the Big Cypress National Preserve as part of Cypress and the life it supports. If the water the U.S. Department of State’s International table is high, lightning strikes won’t start Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on July fires, which burn vast amounts of acreage. 17. Participants included representatives “Since 1987, the Tribe has had a water from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. rights compact with the state and an agreement Tribal members gave presentations to share with the South Florida Water Management their knowledge about how best to combine District,” Tepper said. “In 1996, the EPA natural resource preservation with economic gave the Tribe the right to set our own water development. standards. It allows us to regulate ourselves The theme of the trip was sustainable and develop Tribal lands.” development and regional economic progress, In addition, the Tribe has committed to so presentations by the Tribe detailed how to the Everglades restoration project. Sharing the preserve resources such as water, historically $60-million cost with the U.S. Army Corps of significant sites and land by respecting the Engineers, it has created basins underground environment while working the land for to store water and pump it where needed. Peter B. Gallagher profit. Seminole businesses reliant on the Tepper has also proposed methods to the state Tribal youth paint ceramics during the Tampa community’s land include cattle ranching, citrus farming, on ways to more efficiently move water from Family Fun Day on Aug. 18. chickee building and tourism. Lake Okeechobee without flooding nearby Members of the Tribal Historic farms. Preservation Office (THPO) gave an overview Members of the Mekong group came of Tribal history and culture and explained away with a positive impression of how the Tribe’s use of the Big Cypress Preserve. the Tribe interacts with the government Although the preserve is part of the National while maintaining its sovereign rights and Park System, the Tribe enjoys traditional use environment. and occupancy privileges within it. “The cooperation between the “A wet swamp is a healthy swamp,” government and the Tribe to preserve the said Pedro Zepeda, traditional arts and resources is interesting,” said Dang Kieu outreach coordinator at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Nhan, deputy director of the Mekong Delta Museum. “It has always been our highway. Development Research Institute from Can We used canoes to get around and still keep Tho University in Vietnam. “The education that tradition alive by teaching how to make of young people is also important for national canoes at the Museum.” parks in developing countries. I am going to Peter B. Gallagher Peter B. Gallagher As the Seminole Wars pushed the Tribe try to find funding for an education program Bungee jumping onto a trampoline puts smiles on the faces of Tampa Ceramics provide fun under the tents while it rains. further into the Everglades, they created for high school students so they can study youth. chickees for housing, and the Mekong group how important preservation of nature is for learned the traditional and modern role the future.” of chickees in Seminole society as living, Chutamas Phanyapornsuk, manager cooking, storage and gathering places. of the Chula Global Network from “Many [Tribal] members have chickees Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, in their backyards today, which are still used agreed. in the traditional way and for ceremonies,” “Big Cypress is very interesting because said Paul Backhouse, deputy Tribal Historic of the mission of the park to educating Preservation officer. “They are made with people,” he said. “It is very important that the natural resources found on the reservations as National Park (System) teaches people how well as in the preserve.” to conserve natural resources.” Everett Osceola, community outreach By sharing its culture and experience, coordinator at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the Tribe passed along useful knowledge to said they lost electricity for about two weeks other countries, where these traditions can during Hurricane Wilma and relied on be adapted by groups of people half a world chickees for shelter. away. “Everyone stayed in the chickees,” he “I can bring back information said. “They kept us cool, dry and together. It about conservation education,” said was back to the old ways and made us not Vatthanathavone Inthirath, coordinator of the forget where we came from.” Rights-LINK Lao project in Laos. “Educating Archaeology also plays an important the young generation about conservation is role in development on the reservations. very important. I will share my experience THPO has the authority to survey and and try to organize a program. I believe manage land instead of the state government. my country needs to manage our resources Peter B. Gallagher Peter B. Gallagher The department approves home sites and better.” A a dunk tank provides fun after the storm went away. When the rain stopped, a bright sun came out – a perfect excavates each one before a home can be setting for Penny Jimmie and her kickball. Talent show brings Seminole Gaming employees together BY KATHRYN STOLARZ Janyl Torres accompanied her for table games supervisor Cheryl Quillen, Copy Editor the opening act. Although Robinson who sang Bohemian Rhapsody. admitted she was nervous to perform for Coconut Creek Casino supervisor HOLLYWOOD — Seminole hundreds of attendees, she said it was Joseph Dipietro competed as a magician. Gaming employees watch patrons win worth it. Also during the event, Tribal big every day, but once a year staff get a “I can’t even tell you how I feel,” brothers Spencer and Zachary “Doc” chance at a prize that involves more than she said after winning the title. “I am Battiest and the Las Vegas-based a luck. extremely excited.” cappella group Mosaic made guest Singers, a rap artist and even a Although only one contestant took performances, while Gaming property magician took the stage on July 30 to vie home a prize, the judges – professionally presidents and general managers danced for the Seminole Superstar title during hired American Idol look-alikes – agreed in a high-energy performance. Gaming’s talent show. Employees from that a lot of talent graced the stage. Susan Renneisen, Hollywood Hard six Florida Seminole Gaming properties “The contestants always amaze Rock’s director of special events and competed in the eighth annual event, me,” Simon Cowell impersonator Craig community relations liaison, said this held at Hollywood Hard Rock Live. Sleziak said. year’s production was a cut above, “We come together as one big During the finals, four other including professional stage lighting, family,” President Tony Sanchez Jr. singers competed: Tampa Hard Rock backup dancers, props and pyrotechnics. said. “These are the people that make it table games dealer and 2009 Seminole “[The show] gives everyone an happen for the Tribe.” Superstar winner Kelvin Williams, who opportunity from all the properties Each location held semifinals before sang A House is Not a Home by Luther together to give one big celebration of the sending their first-place winners to the Vandross; Brighton Casino human Seminole Tribe of Florida,” Renneisen finals in Hollywood. resources specialist Mackenzie Johns- said. “The Seminole Tribe provides a The overall winner, Hollywood Bowers, who sang Don’t You Wanna fabulous place of employment and takes Touch Me; Hollywood Casino floor care of all their employees, and this is a Hard Rock employee Ebone Robinson, Kathryn Stolarz took home a $5,000 check for performing supervisor Rosa Ortiz, who sang Alicia celebration of the camaraderie of all the Keys’ Fallin’; and Immokalee Casino properties.” Ebone Robinson, right, is announced the 2012 Seminole Superstar winner. Janyl Torres, left, accompanied a rap she wrote titled Tha Cypha. Friend Robinson for her opening act. 6A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012 Culture Department cooks F CAMP from page 1A traditional meals for community

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Cypress gathered to cook the meal. The heady aroma of Staff Reporter the burning wood enveloped the volunteers. Children who showed up were promptly put to work and gained HOLLYWOOD — Cooking a meal outside over experience working the dough for frybread, but only wood harvested from a nearby forest is an activity as adults put the dough in the hot oil to cook. old as humankind itself. Although the convenience of “I like doing this because it’s traditional,” Lance cooking in an air-conditioned kitchen using modern Howard, 11, said. “And at the end you get to eat it.” appliances is a far more popular way to make a meal, For adults, the cooking chickee is a comfortable the tradition of an open campfire still persists within the place, even in the heat of the day. Seminole Tribe. “It’s very simple food,” said volunteer cook Letitia On the Hollywood Reservation, the Culture Foster. “But you can’t forget the love.” Department feeds the Tribal community a traditional “And the hard work,” added Bonnie Williams, meal every week during the summer at the cooking who manned the pot of hot oil for the frybread. chickee behind the Boys & Girls Club. On July 27, Frank believes youth should learn how their elders Indian stew, frybread and mashed bananas were on the lived back in the days before modern conveniences. He menu for all to enjoy. often leads trips with groups of kids to gather wood at “We are teaching people how it is done out in Big Cypress and to go gigging in Trail. camp,” said Bobby Frank, Hollywood Culture director. “I try to put some uncommon sense into their Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney “You never know when you may have to fall back on it. heads,” he said. “In order to cook, you need to get the Competitors in the canoe tug-of-war are in Barbara Jimmie, 9, of Big Cypress, learns the art of making a daisy chain People call it camping; we call it survival.” wood. This was hard living; everything was gathered. It the pool during the “Seminole Olympics.” of beads from Geraldine Osceola, of the Immokalee Culture Department. Under the chickee, a large grate was positioned is important to carry on the Seminole lifestyle.” over oak and cypress wood. Frank and others from Big

Beverly Bidney Vinson Osceola demonstrates how to carve the inside of a cypress canoe for the campers.

Beverly Bidney From left, Lance Howard, 11, Myra Frank, Letitia Foster and Bonnie Williams are busy in the cooking chickee.

F KEYS F SWAMP From page 3A From page 3A

“This is business. There is no favoritism; fair “I like the vibe here. It’s different from what is fair,” Rep. Howard said. “Winning the business I’m used to,” Garrett said. “I’m excited to see how is a stepping stone to showing people what we are many people will show up next weekend.” capable of doing. We have increased efficiency One enthusiastic customer was so impressed Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney already and finished this home on budget and two with The Swamp and pleased to learn it is family- Arianna Osceola, 8, of Hollywood, transforms Not even the rain can stop campers from climbing into rafts to drift down weeks early.” owned, he offered to buy Sheila a shot of tequila. into a Florida snowman with shaving cream. the Ichetucknee River. Rep. Howard credits the entire team for the Other equally impressed patrons vowed to return success. often. “I want people to know their own Tribal “I saw people’s faces light up when they saw “It doesn’t matter how small you are, you are them,” said Marsha Osceola, 14, of Big Cypress. “It’s business can do this just like other companies, but the bar doors open, looked inside and heard the the future of the Seminole Tribe,” said Fred Mullins, like one place that we all get to have fun and like just better,” he said. band playing,” James said. “They came inside and Family Services prevention specialist. “We believe in be ourselves.” Urbina agreed. had a good time. This is what the Hard Rock is all you and believe you can make a difference.” After dinner each evening, the kids had a chance “If every Tribal member would think like about: open, inviting and fun.” Tribal Historic Preservation Office staff to learn skills inherent to Tribal culture. They chose me and pick the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., demonstrated how food has changed from 14,000 between traditional beading, carving and canoe they would see they are investing in the Tribe by If you are a Tribal member and business owner years ago to today and why those changes occurred. making. Vinson Osceola, Culture instructor at Big choosing a Tribal company,” she said. “I’m glad I who would like to be featured in The Tribune, email From hunting large game to learning to grow oranges, Cypress, brought examples of canoes he is carving did.” [email protected]. staff explained a timeline of food and culture. The from solid trunks of cypress trees. He showed the kids kids also interacted with a display of ancient artifacts, canoes of different sizes, from small toys to one almost including a giant mammoth tusk, spears, animal skulls, 10 feet long. Then he showed them how it is done. bows and arrows, and tools. “It is hard work to get the trees, and it is hard look. What we had out here before was just a little, run- Activities included playing at Camp Kulaqua’s work to make a canoe,” Osceola said. “Most people F TRADING POST down shop that needed a lot of attention, and I think the River Ranch Water Park, participating in the “Seminole lose interest before the canoe is finished. But I do it From page 1A people out here in Brighton got what they deserve with Olympics,” driving go-carts on the camp’s track, because this is the way it has always been done. It is this new store.” exploring the zoo and nature center, creating racecars your responsibility to know our history and pass it on. from boxes for the annual Boxcar Derby, tubing down Who thinks they learned something in this class?” “It is a continuation to the commitment that we the Ichetucknee River and ending the camp with a Without hesitation, every hand went up. made to our shareholders that we are going to take the talent show. “We believe elders know many things, but it current enterprises and make them more efficient, make “I like camp because I get to be with my friends,” is up to the youth to approach the elders to get the them realize their full potential,” President Sanchez said Clarice DeMayo, 8, of Hollywood. knowledge,” Buster said. “We keep reinforcing said. “And this [renovation] is just one of the examples.” “River Ranch is the best,” added Jordan Osceola, culture at camp because without our culture we are Utilizing a few other Board enterprises, the 8, of Immokalee. “We get to play in the water.” nothing; we are just like the rest of America. If we start Brighton Trading Post sells the Seminole Tribe’s very Teens at camp also enjoyed the camaraderie. blending and forget about our culture and traditions, own orange juice and water. “My favorite part about camp was coming then we will become mainstream.” The Brighton community hopes the renovated together with my friends and hanging out at the gym,” Whether it was rowing hard in a canoe tug-of- Trading Post will draw the attention of people visiting said Travis Stubbs, 14, of Hollywood. “I had a really war, running that last lap during the Boxcar Derby the Brighton Casino or simply passing through the good time.” or surviving the 72-degree water of the Ichetucknee reservation. The distances between reservations were erased River, the campers had a real sense of accomplishment “This is their store and it gives them something to be for a week and gave Tribal kids a chance to rekindle by the end of the week. And they had enough fun to proud of,” Hollywood Board Rep. Chris Osceola said. Rachel Buxton relationships. remember fondly until they board the bus for camp “If it has the name Seminole Tribe on it, it represents Mobile Mike feeds the crowd with his Gourmet Burgers and “My favorite part of camp was being able to see again next summer. all of us and it should look as good as it possibly could Fries traveling food stand. all my friends again, since I live so far away from

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*What? Don’t have DirecTV or the Seminole Channel? Call Seminole Media Productions at (954) 985-5703 today. 7A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012 55TH ANNUAL 2012 Miss Florida Seminole Princess Pageant

Brett Daly Miss and Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Pageant contestants line up on stage at the start of the evening.

Brett Daly Brett Daly Brett Daly Princess Committee Chairwoman Wanda Bowers, Miss Florida USA Michelle Aguirre, Miss Miss Florida Seminole runner-up Braudie Hollywood Board Rep. Chris Osceola, Hollywood Councilman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. and President Tony Indian World Jessa Rae Growing Thunder and Committee Secretary Christine McCall pose. Blais-Billie wins best essay. Sanchez Jr. smile with the newly crowned Princesses.

Brett Daly Brett Daly Brett Daly Jr. Miss first runner-up Kirsten Doney, left, and second runner-up Tia Blais-Billie, right, Brooke Osceola, Jr. Miss third runner-up, Alexis Aguilar demonstrates how to make a baby hammock for her talent. It won her first prize for the talent celebrate with Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Brianna Nunez. competes in the talent portion. competition. Seminole Princesses of the past: Jewel Buck reflects on her reign BY RAEVIN FRANK helping her SMPW Reporter secure the Where are they now? crown. She Many girls wonder what it’s like being said not only BY CHRISTINE MCCALL being crowned Miss Seminole was a dream after watching did she have to Contributing Writer non-Tribal pageants, such as Miss USA and Miss Universe. a Seminole Princess, but Jewel Buck doesn’t have to guess. be confident in Being one of the few women to hold the title twice, in her talent, but The Miss Florida Seminole Pageant has played an 1968 and 1969, Bowers said, “I wanted more. I remember She became Miss Florida Seminole in July 2011, and it’s been a great experience for she also had to important role in the lives of young Seminole women since going to a place like Dairy Queen, and I couldn’t order shake off her 1957, when the Tribal Council appointed Connie Gowen because I was Indian. I wanted to show people and promote her. Jewel traveled to many places and met many new people. nerves, which the first Miss Seminole. Since then, 51 women have held who [the Seminoles] really were.” she used prayer the Miss Seminole title after being selected by a panel of Bowers did just that and pursued an education at Haskell “[Being Miss Florida Seminole] has opened a lot of new doors for me,” Jewel to do. judges. Indian Nations University until she returned to Hollywood The Miss Each woman selected serves as the official ambassador after the passing of her mother. Since then, Bowers has said. One of the opportunities she had as Seminole and role model for the Tribe during her reign. With the worked in several departments within the Seminole Tribe. pageants aren’t theme of this year’s pageant being “Unconquered Seminole “I always wanted to work for the Tribe,” she said. “I Princess was traveling to Albuquerque, N.M. for the Miss Indian World Pageant, during just glitz, glam and fancy skirts. As opposed Women: Leading by Example,” past Miss Seminoles who started when I was 15.” Bowers has worked in her current to Miss America, Seminole pageants focus attended reflected on the impact that the crown had on their role as the office manager to the Tribal Secretary’s Office which Jewel competed against 26 young women. Jewel said she made a lot of close on culture, Jewel said. lives and what they have accomplished since their reign. for 19 years. While she enjoyed wearing the crown For many, the experience gave them insight into their Carla Gopher, 1994 friends during the three-day competition. When she wasn’t out making during the past year, the time commitment culture and inspired long-term careers within the Seminole Serving as Miss Seminole in 1994, Carla Gopher forced her to give up a few things. For Tribe. attended Florida State University and became the first appearances, Jewel still kept her crown in plain sight at home. example, Jewel was redshirted for her first Connie Gowen, 1957 Seminole Tribal member to graduate from the university year of sports at Haskell Indian Nations Connie Gowen, the first Miss Seminole in 1957, set in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree. Furthering her education, “When I first got the crown...I set it on top of my TV and watched the crown instead University in Lawrence, Kan. However, she a foundation of what the Tribe expected from the official Gopher also received her Master of Business Administration said it was worth it. ambassador. degree from the University of Tampa. Presently, Gopher is of the TV,” said the 20-year-old with a smile. Jewel started competing in pageants All in all, being Miss Seminole was a At 21, Gowen was already setting an example for the director of Finance for the Brighton Seminole Casino. powerful experience for her, and she hopes fellow Tribal members by working in a dress shop in West “It has allowed me to be included into the sisterhood by running in Brighton’s Princess Pageant in 2003. Three years later and after much she inspired other young girls in the Tribe. Palm Beach and by being an active community member. of distinguished and beautiful Seminole women who have As she passed down the crown on July Currently, she is a committed official Princess Committee each in their own way contributed to the betterment of the perseverance, she won her first crown. She said preparing for the talent portion 28, Jewel wished this year’s Princesses the member and has worked as a successful seamstress making Tribe,” she said via email. “I continue to try to lead my best of luck. traditional patchwork and Seminole arts and crafts. In personal and professional life in a way that represents and and practicing public speaking were keys to her success. While her talents varied from Her advice is this: “You must love the addition to providing the judges’ gifts for the pageant, respects the integrity and honor of the Seminole Princess.” Tribe, have Gowen is the unofficial “backstage mom,” helping the D’Anna Osceola, 2008 pageant to pageant, she said she especially enjoyed singing and demonstrating her fun and be contestants in any way, whether it is a missing safety pin or Another Florida State University graduate, D’Anna yourself.” answering a Tribal-related question. Osceola, was attending the university in 2008 when she culture. Priscilla Sayen, 1964 decided to compete for the Miss Seminole title. In fact, Jewel sang a Christian song in In 1964, Priscilla Sayen had the opportunity to serve as “I was always being asked to compete,” she said. “I Creek at the Miss Florida Seminole Pageant, Miss Seminole after being appointed by resolution. While was in college and wanted to wait till I was prepared. It all holding the title, Sayen represented the Seminole Tribe in came together, and I knew I was ready to dedicate my time she said. “We are known across the world; I’m the Miss Indian America Pageant, where she placed third to the Seminole Tribe.” F PRINCESS very proud of that. Fight for our traditions and runner-up. Holding the title of Miss Seminole gave Osceola the From page 1A fight for who you are.” “I felt honored to hold this title,” Sayen said by email. opportunity to meet and experience different cultures, as And while Aguilar knows she has a Before becoming the secretary/treasurer in 1979, she well as share her own culture with the Native world. “This was a doorway to new and better things busy year ahead, she gladly accepted the held positions for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. “I’m very honored and lucky that I got to see other in my life.” responsibility. Public Health Service and Indian Health Service. Her reign Tribes and how ambitious they are,” she said. “It was a great Buck encouraged other Tribal members “I’m looking forward to getting out into as Miss Seminole encouraged her to work for the Seminole experience.” to celebrate their culture during her farewell Indian Country,” she said. “I want to educate Tribe, and she has now served as the secretary for the Tribal Osceola graduated from Florida State in 2009. Now address at the pageant, saying that fighting for people. I don’t know what I’m going to get out Council for 33 years. volunteering her time, she is also looking to continue her their traditions will ensure the Tribe keeps their of [the experience] yet, but I know it’s going to Wanda Bowers, 1968-69 education with a master’s degree in school counseling in heritage alive. be one heck of a ride.” For Princess Committee Chairwoman Wanda Bowers, the spring of 2013. “We are still here and we are very strong,” 8A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012 Brighton Water Treatment Plant awarded for providing quality water

BY ANDREA HOLATA (USET), the U.S. Environmental Protection including Tribes from as far north as New Staff Reporter Agency and Nashville Area Indian Health York, and the Brighton Reservation was Services – is an annual training and awarded second place. To enter the contest, NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — During networking opportunity for Tribal water, each Tribe had to submit water samples, the Seneca Nation of Indians third annual wastewater and solid waste professionals. which a panel of judges ranked on a scale Tribal Utility Summit, the Brighton This year, the USET Certification of one to 10 based on clarity, odor and taste. Reservation received second place in a Board for Water and Wastewater Operators Being able to compete with northern drinking water contest held at the Seneca and Laboratory Analysts hosted the second states is an accomplishment in itself Niagara Casino and Hotel from May 15-17. annual Tribal Drinking Water Contest because of all the challenges Florida faces The summit – a collaborative effort for USET member facilities. Ten Tribal with their drinking water, said Emran between United South and Eastern Tribes facilities participated in the contest, Rahaman, special projects administrator for the Tribe’s Public Works Department. Having top licensed operators, many with 10-plus years of service in the water and wastewater industries dedicated to providing quality water to all Tribal reservations, helped Brighton receive the honor. “It’s the day-to-day operators who take Cooper Rivers pride in their job to make clean, drinking Regina Thinn and her daughter Janine Cypress Vasquez display some of their patchwork. Sewing is potable water to provide to their Tribal a family tradition they hope to pass on. communities,” Rahaman said. All agreed that the combined efforts within the Tribe’s Public Works Department and the Brighton Water Treatment facility Mother-daughter duo continues operators contributed to the Brighton water facility producing quality water to achieve family patchwork tradition the recognition. “Placing second in the USET Drinking Water Contest was a great accomplishment BY COOPER RIVERS for generations more. To help carry on the personally, as an operator, and for our SMPW Reporter tradition, she teaches culture workshops to entire department,” said Rudy Garcia, Tribal youth throughout the year. Brighton Water Plant operator, in an HOLLYWOOD — Twenty-seven “Tribal children should learn some email. “As water operators within the years ago, Regina Thinn was just like many craft,” she said. “It’s our art.” Public Works Department, this is the type other people, struggling to pay bills and to Her daughter, Janine Cypress Vasquez, of publicity that [rewards] us and we feed her children. She had a 9-to-5 desk job has been sewing for eight years and enjoys but didn’t enjoy it and wanted something it. Working at home allows her to spend Photo courtesy of Rudy Garcia strive for. This accomplishment was only achievable because of our great teamwork different. time with her family, which is important to Seminole Tribe of Florida Public Works Department staff accept an award for second place in the and networking within the organization. She started with beading but realized she her. annual Tribal Drinking Water Contest. From left, Public Works supervisor Keith Thomas, USET We look forward to continually providing had a passion for sewing. Regina’s mother, “It’s just relaxing and fun,” she said. coordinator Scott Williams, Brighton Water Plant operator Rudy Garcia, EPA representative Brian Annie Osceola Jumper, introduced her to One of her favorite pieces to date is her Smith, plant operations manager Juan Mata and special projects administrator Emran Rahaman. safe, great-tasting drinking water for the communities we serve.” patchwork making, but her grandmother, son Luke Baxley Jr.’s first big shirt, which Mary Motlow Osceola, really taught their she made for him when he was 1 year old. family the ins and outs of the craft. Janine began with basic designs, but F SMPW from page 3A “To me [patchwork] was a gift from she uses a trick her grandmother taught her God,” she said. “I have a passion for this.” to learn new techniques. Not only has she been recognized by “My grandma always flipped everything the Seminole Tribe for winning first place over and said, ‘You can do that,’” she said. in the Seminole Tribal Fair for many years, Janine hopes her kids will pick up but Broward College also showcased her sewing or another Tribal craft. talents. She created four patchwork wall Patchwork is a vital staple in the displays to represent the four seasons, Seminole culture, and the mother-daughter which the college displayed in a temporary duo hopes all Seminole children will exhibit on campus in 2008. The pieces now embrace their gifts and carry on their hang at Tribal Headquarters after former traditions. Hollywood Council Rep. Max B. Osceola Jr. purchased them. “I can’t even imagine…living without sewing,” she said. “It’s just been in our family for so long.” Sewing has been in Regina’s family for generations, and she hopes it will continue Brighton Reservation hosts Seminole Moments

BY ANDREA HOLATA Andrea Holata Kathryn Stolarz Staff Reporter SMPW participants interview former Miss Florida Seminole Jewel Buck for a video project. Ricky Joe Alumbaugh shows off his graphic design work at the end of the workshop. BRIGHTON — For decades, the Seminole Tribe has used storytelling for entertaining and teaching purposes. Community outreach specialist Willie Johns spoke to Tribal employees about the history and significance of storytelling within the Tribe during a Seminole Moments presentation on Aug. 9 at the Brighton Cattle & Range Dining Hall. During the event, Johns recalled how his family would tell different stories when he was young. “We would gather around at our camp by the water tower on cool nights listening to stories told to us by our elders,” he said. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum sponsored Andrea Holata the presentation, and employees from Willie Johns talks about books the Tribe has different departments, including Fire available containing Seminole stories and Rescue, Accounting, Maintenance and legends. Culture, attended. Beth Suggs, a regular Seminole Moments participant and Accounting “For example, the corn woman story Department employee, said she enjoys taught us not to look around for things if you coming because she loves history. don’t know what it is,” he said. “And the “It’s best to know and…[not] just snake story told us that if you find things that assume things,” she said. “Seminole are not in normal places, don’t mess with it.” Moments has been very helpful to me.” Johns also mentioned how Tribal members have different ways to tell stories. Kathryn Stolarz Brett Daly Johns also spoke about the impact that hearing the elders tell the stories in Creek “Tribal members Elgin Jumper and Clear Channel Radio Promotions director Jessie Trujillo shows SMPW participants Raevin Frank Madeline Newcomb helps Haden Littlebear with Moses Jumper Jr. do their storytelling by and Kalani Bankston how to edit sound clips during a tour of the station. his graphic designs. had on him as a child. He said each story had a lesson to teach. using poetry,” he said. 9A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

NATIONAL NATIVE NEWS

Oglala Sioux rough rider gets can deal with are issues of conservation, public safety lease income for the Tribe. DOI Secretary Ken and public health. Cultural issues are for each culture Salazar said 250 reservations have been identified new gravesite to address as they see fit.” with significant renewable-energy potential. – Minnesota Star Tribune “We expect,” Salazar said, “that this is the point DANBURY, Conn. — He died after eating a bad of a spear.” can of corn while passing through town as a rough Officials said the push responds to a recent rider with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Buffalo Bill directive issued by U.S. President Barack Obama himself paid for his grave, located between a dirt road Sign of the times: Ojibwe ordering agencies to identify nationally or regionally and wooded hills in Wooster Cemetery. language off reservation significant projects and move them forward. The Now, 112 years later, thanks to some diligent solar announcement was part of a multi-front effort sleuthing by a cemetery worker, Oglala Sioux by the Obama administration to spotlight its work on Albert Afraid of Hawk is finally going home to Pine BEMIDJI, Minn. — This northern Minnesota green energy in the West. Ridge, S.D., 1,700 miles directly west, where as a community may be the only off-reservation town strong 20-year-old he joined up with Buffalo Bill making a real effort to incorporate the area’s – Las Vegas Review-Journal (who returned each year to the Pine Ridge Indian indigenous language into daily life. Ojibwe-English Reservation to bring home Tribal members and to signage is now being displayed in 150 businesses enlist new ones for the troupe’s worldwide tours. all over town thanks to the highly successful Ojibwe American Indians organize voter The New Haven News Times newspaper article Language Project, which seeks to preserve the Because of their prolific and predatory nature, “Corn more deadly than bullets” reported Afraid of language of 60,000 persons across the northern United laws have been enacted in some places to help stop registration campaign Hawk’s death, indicating that others had also been States and into Canada, as well as to bridge cultural the spread of northern pike outside of their native stricken by food poisoning: “There was a strange divides between whites and American Indians. range. For instance, in Maine and California, anglers Words such as “boozhoo,’’ an Ojibwe word for are required by law to remove Pikes once they’ve WASHINGTON, D.C. — One million eligible scene at the hospital in this city last Thursday night, American Indian voters are not registered. Two out when two Indian chiefs, full-blooded Sioux arrayed “welcome” and many other Native American terms been caught. pop up around town: in an appliance store, the local The flesh of the northern pike is considered of every five eligible American Indian and Alaska in their native costumes, their faces still smeared with Native voters are not registered to vote. American battle paint, stood over the corpse of their Tribe’s hospital, the convention center, a local coffee shop bony with a large number of “Y-bones.” And they and this spring, in public schools. accumulate so many pollutants in their bodies that Indians have the lowest turnout at the polls of any man and pleaded with the Great Spirit to take his soul ethnic group. safely over the unknown river, upon the farther shores “There is a pride when Indian people come they are actually harmful to eat. into downtown and they see their language on these – Indian Country Today In response to this alarming data, Jefferson Keel of which the happy hunting ground lies.” (Chickasaw), president of the National Congress of It wasn’t until doors,’’ said Bemidji resident Michael Meuers, who, with partner Rachelle Houle, developed the city’s American Indians (NCAI), is pushing American 2008 when Robert Indian voter registration in a way never seen before. Young, who worked innovative Ojibwe Language Project. Recently, the last of about 200 burgundy and South Carolina Supreme Court Seeking the largest-ever Native turnout this year at the at the Wooster polls, Keel has joined the NCAI’s www.NativeVote. Cemetery, came upon white Ojibwe language signs produced in Bemidji returns baby Veronica to father High School machine-tool classes went up in public org site with the nonprofit voter registration advocacy a burial card with group Rock the Vote to make that happen. Afraid of Hawk’s schools throughout the district, where American COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Indian enrollment is 18.5 percent. Bemidji lies in Supreme Court upheld the 1978 Indian Child Welfare “This should be considered a civic emergency,” name on it. said Keel, who is trying to convince U.S. Department “I knew that the midst of White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake Act recently by ruling that Veronica, a 2-year-old Indian reservations. Cherokee girl adopted by non-Native parents in 2009, of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Buffalo Bill had come Sebelius to allow the establishment of voter through Danbury and Now, in schools there are Ojibwe and will remain with her biological father. The court ruled English language signs. The health office is also that Veronica can have a permanent home on the registration services at Indian Health Service (IHS) that an Indian had facilities under the provisions of the National Voter died here. When I “aakoziiwigamigoons.” Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, where her family has A cafeteria sign said “wisiniiwagmig.’’ High a “deeply embedded relationship” with its heritage. Registration Act of 1993. came across Afraid “The Indian Health Service is a key agency of Hawk and saw school principal Brian Stefanich said the effort shows “We affirm the decision of the family court that school is a safe and welcoming place for all denying the adoption and awarding custody to the in delivering on the federal government’s trust that Buffalo Bill had responsibility to Tribes. As outlined in the report, bought the grave, I cultures. biological father,” the ruling stated. Three of the high “I think it will benefit all of our students. We want court’s five justices affirmed the ruling while two IHS facilities, conveniently and centrally located in had to delve deeper many Tribal communities, are ideal voter registration into it,” Young said. to recognize all cultures, and our Native American dissented. students are a big part of our high school,’’ Stefanich “This is a victory not only for the Cherokee sites,” Keel said. “Joining other federal and state Young, president of the Board of Trustees at agencies in offering this service to clients will make the Danbury Museum and Historical Society and a told The Associated Press. Ojibwe language classes baby and her father, but for all of Indian Country. and American Indian history classes are offered The Cherokee Nation has done a great job to ensure a large impact in Tribal communities, in the national dedicated history buff, said, “I was working at the Native vote and in furthering the fulfillment of the cemetery, and there are sections where individuals at the school, where a student news video program the Indian Child Welfare Act is enforced to preserve introduces a new Ojibwe word each week, he said. Indian families,” said a statement released by federal trust responsibility.” were buried without markers. Some were indigent, The act requires state governments to allow but this section had a list of names that I was able to The language project has become commonplace Cherokee Nation Attorney General Todd Hembree. to many local residents, said Noemi Aylesworth, The act, which protects American Indian families people to register to vote when they renew their match up with the numbers.” driver’s licenses or apply for social services. On Young recognized that, in all likelihood, Afraid owner of The Cabin Coffeehouse and Cafe, and the from being separated, trumped South Carolina law first business to sign on to the language project. in a Dec. 28, 2011 appellate court ruling. Biological reservations and in urban centers, the IHS provides of Hawk’s family might not know what had happened members of federally recognized Tribes health care to him. As for tourists: “It’s intriguing to them,’’ she father Dusten Brown on New Year’s Eve took his said. They often ask if they can take with them the daughter home to Bartlesville, Okla., a city bordering and advocacy. It runs 142 hospitals, health centers “The poor guy died of food poisoning,” Young and 50 health stations on reservations and about 30 said. “They were on the road and couldn’t do what we small table tent cards featuring Ojibwe words and the the Tahlequah-based Cherokee Nation. This was a pictures of animals, birds and insects that she places blow to South Carolina residents Matt and Melanie urban Indian health projects where voter registration do now: have the body embalmed and pay to return could be handled. him by plane. They did the best they could, which around her shop. A tourist favorite is “zagime,’’ Capobianco, who adopted Veronica from her birth meaning “mosquito,” or “zagimekaa’’ meaning mother, Christina Maldonado, shortly after birth. Keel is urging Sebelius to not only make it a was to buy a burial spot here in Danbury where he possibility, but also to make it a reality by providing died.” “many mosquitoes.’’ The Capobiancos claim Brown, a registered Meuers said he first became interested in member of the Cherokee Nation (not married to the funding required – estimated to be a modest half- Young flew to Rapid City, drove several hours million dollars. In addition to directly lobbying in to Pine Ridge and met with Afraid of Hawk’s family indigenous cultures while being stationed by the Maldonado), agreed to surrender his parental rights military in Hawaii. at the time. Four months later, however, Brown Washington, D.C., Keel is sending a letter in support at Big Bat’s gas station. It took several years, more of the registration idea directly to each of the dozens research and paperwork, but Young prevailed. Soon, “[Native] Hawaiian words and culture are very took legal action, seeking custody of his daughter much a part of everyday life,” he said. Why, Meuers and claiming he did not consent to his daughter’s of IHS facilities, along with a copy of a report on Afraid of Hawk’s remains will be removed from the Indian vote from the research and advocacy Danbury during a ceremony officiated by Lakota wondered years after leaving Hawaii and doing public adoption. relations and lobbying at the state Capitol for the Red The appellate court ruled in Brown’s favor in organization, Dēmos. Tribal member Wendell Deer with Horns. “The Native vote is more than a civic duty; it’s an “It’s been a long road. To bring closure to Lake reservation, couldn’t Ojibwe enter the language December, and the Capobianco couple appealed the mainstream here as well? matter to the South Carolina Supreme Court. Seven expression of our unique role as the first Americans,” Albert’s family and return him to his family is so Keel said. “Anyone who said otherwise, anyone who rewarding,” said Diane Hassan, genealogy specialist Ojibwe words, added Meuers, bring great months later, the high court upheld the December beauty and meaning to American culture. Consider, ruling and decided in favor of the Indian Child might doubt our civil rights as first peoples or shrug off and researcher at the Danbury Museum. “There are voting as not part of Native culture, should consider archives at the Buffalo Bill Museum, and this took me for instance, that the word for elder, “gichi-aya’aa,” Welfare Act, though at the same time stated that the means “great being.” The word for female elder, adoptive family did nothing wrong: “We simply see the fate of our nations if we had been silenced at the to a lot of really cool places. From finding photos of ballot box last century.” him online and putting a face to the name, finding the “mindimooye,” means “one who holds things this case as one in which the dictates of federal Indian together.” law supersede state law where the adoption and Keel and Rock the Vote have set up Rock the archives of the old Danbury newspapers, it all helped Native Vote Youth Week for Sept. 24-28. This will us to find out about Albert.” – MinnPost.com custody of an Indian child is at issue.” The ruling ensures Veronica grows up coincide with National Voter Registration Day on Deer with Horns noted that during the days Sept. 25. Buffalo Bill’s show was traveling and still until this surrounded by her culture and people and the rights and responsibilities that come with it. During that week, organizers nationwide will day there has been a holdover of anti-Indian racism Kalispel Tribe wants to kill the participate at “Tribal schools and Native youth that is never talked about in the media. He said that he “I can’t say enough about the importance of a child’s rights throughout their lives,” said Terry programs in a range of civics education, including was impressed that Afraid of Hawk was so well taken northern pike a Tribal-specific supplement to Rock the Vote’s care of so long ago and that Buffalo Bill had said to Cross, executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. “These are things as simple Democracy Day class. Participants, such as local spare no expense. Deer with Horns praised Young chapters of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, will for taking much of his own time to track down the as voting in Tribal elections, running for office, taking advantage of Tribal scholarships and benefits, educate Native young people about the power of civic family, locate the unmarked grave, bring in the state engagement and the importance of registering their archeologist and finally do the necessary legwork to participating in customary and ceremony rights, plus their relationships with extended families. It’s about parents, family members and, one day, themselves to send Afraid of Hawk home. vote,” Keel said. – Bethel.Patch.com a notion of a sense of belonging. Indian children are as tied to their extended families as they are to their Registration is only part of the battle to get parents. There’s a rich network of culture there, and access at the polls. Since Indians gained citizenship that’s what we rely on for wellbeing.” in 1924, states and counties have employed an array Minnesota ignores Indians, USK, Wash. — There are voracious killers on The Indian Child Welfare Act, designed to of fraudulent rules designed specifically at keeping the loose up here. They breed like rabbits and devour stop the large numbers of involuntary adoptions of Natives from exercising their rights. opens wolf hunting season native fish by the thousands. American Indian children by non-Native families In recent years, attempts to squelch the Indian The northern pike (Esox lucius) of the Columbia during the 1970s, outlines three acceptable vote has ranged from denials based on Tribal identity FOND DU LAC, Minn. — Minnesota’s first River Basin, the largest North American freshwater cards in Minnesota to at-large elections in Wyoming, regulated wolf killing season will start Nov. 3. There alternatives. The most preferred solution is to place game fish, are an introduced, invasive species. The an adoptive American Indian child with members from refusing to provide language assistance under will be two seasons. The second one starts Nov. 24. Kalispel Tribe said they must be stopped. the 1965 Voting Rights Act in New Mexico to A total of 6,000 licenses will be offered, with 3,600 of his or her extended family. The child can also be “Northern pike shouldn’t be thought of as a game placed with members of the same Tribe or with other discriminating against reservation-dwelling Indians available in the early season and 2,400 in the late fish anywhere in the basin,” said Deane Osterman, by having fewer polling places per capita and fewer season. Late season licenses will be further split American Indian families. executive director of the Natural Resources – Indian Country Today hours allowed for early voting in South Dakota. between hunting and trapping, with a minimum of Department for the Kalispel. “They should be persona All these measures have suppressed the vote both 600 reserved for trappers. The target harvest will be non grata and should be killed on sight.” directly and indirectly by discouraging Indians from 400 wolves for both seasons combined. Since the spring, Osterman and his staff have trying. This makes Karen Diver sick. been netting these fish in the basin, pulling in 5,593 Nevada Indians on fast track to – DailyKos.com Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake of the hated pike, as well as 16,000 innocent fish, 10 start first Tribal solar project Superior Chippewa, Diver fired off a letter recently to percent of which died in the process. Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) “We’ve seen pike with up to 35 prey items in declaring: “The wolf is part of our creation story, their stomachs in a single meal,” Osterman said. MOAPA RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION, and therefore, many Ojibwe have a strong spiritual “Even if every single fish we caught was killed, that’s Nev. — With the U.S. Department of the Interior’s connection to the wolf. Many Ojibwe believe the fate still a fraction of what would have been eaten by the (DOI) permission to operate a 350-megawatt of the wolf is closely tied to the fate of all the Ojibwe. 5,500 pike we removed.” photovoltaic facility with the potential to power For those reasons, the Fond du Lac Band feels the Northern pike are most often olive green, shading 100,000 homes in their back pocket, the Moapa Band hunting and trapping wolves is inappropriate.” from yellow to white along the belly. Pike grow to a of Paiute Indians now find their project on a federal Minnesota’s wolves transitioned from federal relatively large size; lengths of 59 inches and weights fast track. White House officials said deadlines have protection under the Endangered Species Act to state of 55 pounds are not uncommon. Pike are found in been set to complete environmental and safety studies and Tribal management on Jan. 27. According to sluggish streams and shallow, weedy places in lakes, and to issue a permit for the project by December Steve Mortensen, of the Leech Lake Band’s Division as well as in cold, clear, rocky waters. Pike are killing 2013. of Resource Management, however, the state has machines, ambush predators that lie in wait for prey, The 2,000-acre reservation facility, located 30 not sat down with Minnesota Tribes to discuss wolf holding perfectly still for long periods and then miles north of Las Vegas, will include solar arrays, a management: “How can you ignore governments that exploding into top speed acceleration as they strike. 500-kilovolt transmission to connect to the grid, and have co-management authority of much of the wolf The fish catches its prey sideways in the mouth, a 12-kilovolt transmission line to power the Moapa range and come up with a plan without their input?” immobilizing it with sharp, backward-pointing teeth Travel Plaza, which features the world’s largest DNR Fish and Wildlife Division director Ed and swallowing the prey headfirst. Though the pike fireworks store. Boggess claims the agency has discussed its plans eats mainly fish, it will take the occasional duckling. DOI officials said the Moapa development with Tribes: “We recognize and respect those cultural Young pike have been found dead from choking on a is the first commercial solar project approved for views, but when it comes to managing wildlife under pike of a similar size. Tribal lands and that it will generate 400 jobs at peak these treaties and rights that were conveyed, all we construction and 15 permanent jobs, also creating 10A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

Hah-Tung-Ke: Don Grooms

Clothing acquisition showcases Dania Reservation craftsmanship BY JAMES POWELL & TARA BACKHOUSE Reservation), although the identity of Registrar, Collections Manager that person is unknown. White enjoyed working for the Tribe, and she took good The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum has care of her patchwork outfit. White’s a collection of more than 500 pieces of daughter, Sara, knew she had to return historic Seminole clothing. Many are the outfit to the Tribe so that we could patchwork skirts and jackets, but we also continue to preserve it, and she sought out have capes, quilts and pre-patchwork the Museum for this purpose. pieces. The Museum preserves these The outfit consists of a woman’s long patchwork skirt and cape, as well as beads Photo courtesy of Florida Memory beautiful pieces of clothing and still seeks unique examples to supplement the and a hair net. Patchwork has changed Chairman James E. Billie performs with folksinger Don Grooms. collection. Recently, the Museum acquired over the years since it was first produced another important textile to add to its in the early 1900s. The color and patterns permanent collection. of the fabrics used have varied over time. BY PETER B. GALLAGHER lawmakers “cleaned up” over the years. The outfit originally belonged to The size of the patchwork and the number Special Projects Reporter His ongoing critiques of the state’s Francis Frost White. White was an of the patchwork rows have also changed. poor treatment of folk artists inspired employee with the Bureau of Indian Affairs White’s skirt has four rows of patchwork. When folksinger/college professor many changes in the Florida Folk Festival and worked on the Dania Reservation This is somewhat rare, as most skirts today Don Grooms recorded The Perfect and led to the creation of the state’s during the first half of the 20th century. have only three rows. The beaded hairnet Florida Song in 1995, he used his talents public-financed Folk Arts program. He The outfit was made by someone on the that accompanies the outfit is the first of as a comedic songwriter to address an championed the causes of many young Dania Reservation (now the Hollywood its kind in the Museum’s collection. The unusual but constant issue in his life: performers who were unable to make the intricate work on these pieces reveals the Known throughout the state as one of festival lineup and defended the veterans talent of the artist, and we wish we could Florida’s top folksinger/songwriters and and the old ways he felt the state was credit that person with their creation. an award-winning University of Florida allowing to slip away. Using a biting wit During the process to purchase this (UF) professor, he wasn’t born in Florida. that stung as much as it tickled, Grooms outfit, Sara White also offered a manuscript Grooms, born in Haywood County, was not afraid to say what was on his collection that her mother produced and N.C., of Cherokee and Appalachian mind. His beliefs and standards were collected. The manuscript collection heritage, spent most of his adult life in adopted in the formation of the Friends of includes a research notebook, photographs North Florida. He lived his last 31 years Florida Folk (FOFF) organization, which and newspaper article clippings. Be sure in Gainesville, where he was an associate monitors the state Folk Arts programs. to read next month’s column for more information on this important manuscript professor at UF. His job as one of the top In 1996, nominated by the Tribe, he at 877-902-1113 to share your knowledge media education experts in the country was awarded the Florida Folk Heritage collection. Do you have family members who with us. plus his close friendship with legendary award – a high accolade for folksingers. If you would like to view this Florida folksingers Gamble Rogers, Will Grooms performed at festivals across made patchwork like this in Hollywood in the 1930s and ‘40s? If you do, we would textile, any of the Museum’s textiles or McLean and Chairman James E. Billie the Southeast, including the Cocoa and any collections items, please contact the kept him in Florida. Smallwood Store festivals. Much of his love to hear about them. And if you have any information on the maker of the skirt, Museum to make an appointment, or just Many thought Grooms, a regular early musical career was spent in Florida drop by at your convenience. Thank you. visitor to Seminole Country with friends music clubs, including in Hamilton cape or hairnet, please call the Museum at all Tribal reservations, was a Seminole. County and the Everglades. The Chairman put it this way: “Don was “I played wherever they would let associated with a lot of people: Chinese, me,” he liked to say. “And a lot of other Japanese, Jewish, everyone. Don had an places, too.” association with ‘em all. The Cherokees An Associated Press war SPD is keeping promises are at one end and the Seminoles are at correspondent and White House reporter the other end, and there are a whole lot of himself, Grooms made higher marks BY WILLIAM R. LATCHFORD The same day a deranged individual assist the Police Department in keeping people who knew him in between.” as a teacher, four times winning the Seminole Tribe Police Chief opened fire upon the Immokalee the threats to you and your community Grooms was a regular headliner at College Broadcasting Teacher of the Year Reservation Police Station with a at bay. No police department can ensure the Florida Folk Festival. He was known award, participating in numerous media “…that I will faithfully perform all semiautomatic handgun, shooting six your safety without a partnership with for his clever compositions, such as The seminars, helping the Tribe modernize its the duties of an officer of the Seminole rounds into the building. Only the the community. Individuals who want Orange Blossom Special Don’t Stop In communications department and speaking Police Department which I am about to intervention of a higher power prevented to victimize and prey upon the Seminole Waldo Anymore and Winnebago, as well nationally on American Indian subjects. enter, so help me, God!” This is but one of an SPD officer working inside from injury Tribe, Tribal members or Seminole Tribe as sensitive ballads dealing with Native Grooms organized a UF nomination of the promises incorporated into the solemn or death. The suspected motivation behind employees must be held accountable for American life, such as Walk Proud My Son The Seminole Tribune’s report on the oath administered by the Chief of Police the shooting was nothing more than rage their actions. I encourage each Tribal and Tsali. Numerous artists have recorded Rosewood massacre for the 1997 Pulitzer to every officer hired by the Seminole triggered by being pulled over by SPD member and employee to partner with his songs. They are simple, guitar-driven Prize. (The report was a finalist.) He Police Department, and it serves as the officers for reckless driving. After leaving their local reservation SPD by reporting compositions, touched with humor and was one dissertation short of receiving a cornerstone of our very existence. the Immokalee Casino, this individual’s anything that looks suspicious or out of irony and a vent against snobs, politicians, doctorate in Latin American studies. Honoring this oath by SPD officers has erratic driving presented a compelling the ordinary, just as the security officer developers and fomenters of change. Grooms died two days before his 68th probably never been more evident than the public safety issue for the nearby did in July, to ensure a safe and secure His laconic wit got him into trouble birthday and is buried in Possum Ridge, last week of July. Thanks to the watchful community and guests of the casino. reservation. more than once with state officials worried N.C., the “Cherokee mountain home” he eye of Hard Rock Security Officer Artis Returning only hours after his release, The nature of our work sometimes about what he might say or sing from the often sang about. At his service, Chairman Jackson, SPD went in pursuit of a vehicle the suspect armed himself with a handgun requires us to be placed in harm’s way state’s “politically correct” stages. Some Billie paid his final respects: “Don stolen in the violent car-jacking of a casino and set out to ambush an unsuspecting so that we can keep our promise. We cringed, but most cheered whenever he Grooms was the sort of person who would employee in Wisconsin. Occupied by two SPD officer. Shortly after spraying bullets accept that responsibility because it all would perform his version of Old Folks help you out and you wouldn’t even know escaped prisoners embarking on a crime into the police station, the man robbed a started with a promise to you and to the at Home, the official state song of Florida. it. He was an artist who spent most of his spree across the United States, they stopped bank in Naples while waving the gun. Seminole Tribe of Florida contained Grooms sang the song exactly as Stephen life helping others. There are many, many in Tampa long enough to commit an armed SPD staff tracked this dangerous thug, and in our entire Oath of Office: “I, (SPD Foster wrote it – complete with the memories and stories about Don Grooms. robbery and viciously beat a 71-year-old with the cooperation of the Collier County officer’s name), do solemnly swear or minstrel, show-style “black” dialect state We’re really going to miss him.” convenience store clerk nearly to death Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the U.S. affirm that I will support, protect and before moving on to the Hard Rock Casino Marshals Service, aggressively hunted defend the Constitution and government in Hollywood. This demonstrates the down and arrested him. He possessed a of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, of the willingness of motivated offenders to travel loaded handgun at the time of his arrest. United States of America and of the state The Perfect Florida Song great distances in search of suitable targets These predators, among many, of Florida against all enemies, domestic of prey and then engage in unrestrained illustrate the existence of persons posing and foreign, and that I will bear true faith, Song lyrics by Don Grooms violence. After a vehicle pursuit, ensuing a serious threat to both the personal safety loyalty and allegiance to the same, and that foot chase and resisting arrest with and business interests of the Tribe. SPD I will faithfully perform all the duties of an I was born in Cherokee North Carolina I had the flu the day the love bugs ate my stands ready to protect you against these officer of the Seminole Police Department Through no fault of my own mama violence, the two suspects were ultimately apprehended by SPD and taken to jail. threats. which I am about to enter, so help me, If I had any vote in the matter I went to pick her up in Zephyrhills As your Chief of Police I ask that you God!” Florida is where I’d been born But she caught the train to Apopka To work in the turpentine stills But you can’t call me a Florida cracker Though I love this Florida sand Well I worked my way through the tourists If Great-Grandad had wanted me to be a Squished a palmetto bug or two Tips for a successful school year cracker I yell “Mama I ain’t no Florida cracker He’d a stole me some Seminole land. And I’m blaming it all on you!” BY ANGIE MARGOTTA while can make the first day a good one. getting your kids back into the routine Seminole Police Sergeant You also can make the day feel special by of school is tough at first, but it can be wearing an outfit you like. Maybe you got achieved. We all love the summer, being Back to school time, kids a great T-shirt on vacation or new sneakers up later at night and sleeping in in the It’s school time again. Whether you’re that put a spring in your step. If you wear a morning. Back to school sneaks up on Seminole Fire Rescue lieutenant a parent or a child, you’re probably feeling uniform, you might wear a favorite watch, us, but we can all get through it. A great excited and maybe a little sad that summer a new hair band or a piece of jewelry to night’s sleep of eight hours is ideal for is over. Feeling nervous or a little scared show your personal style. getting kids though the school day focused awarded for service on the first day of school is natural because Whatever you put in your backpack, and ready to learn new things. Starting the of all the new things: new teachers, new make sure you pack it the night before. day with a healthy breakfast helps to get BY BRIAN C. BROWN friends and maybe even a new school. This prevents the morning panic when you those sleepy heads off to a great start in Fire Rescue Chief Luckily, these “new” worries only stick can’t find something and you don’t want the morning. around for a little while. to be late for school or start your morning ● As the first days go by: First-day Seminole Tribe Fire Rescue is proud to The first-day jitters off badly. jitters are expected; after all, students face announce that one of the department’s Fire Most teachers kick off the school year A bad start? a new teacher, new classmates and maybe Prevention officers was the recipient of three by introducing themselves and talking So, you had a bad first day; don’t let even a new school. But if you notice your service awards by local county and state about all the stuff you’ll be doing that year. it get you down. Everyone goes through child seeming a little “disconnected” or public safety associations for outstanding Some teachers give students a chance to them; you are not alone. Take a deep breath more nervous than usual, talk to him or services provided to Tribal members and tell something about themselves to the rest and make a fresh start. Give yourself some her as soon as possible; he or she will feel employees in 2011. of the class. Classroom rules are discussed time to get adjusted, and things will work better and so will you. On May 10, Lt. Bruce Britton received so you’ll know what’s allowed and what’s themselves out. Make sure you get enough SPD Youth Services the Ed Murray Public Safety Educator of not. Pay close attention so you’ll know sleep, eat a good, healthy breakfast, always Sometimes we all hesitate to let the Year award, given by the Fire Chiefs what to expect to make your school year try your best and never lose focus of your someone know what is bothering us. Association of Broward County; on June 24, successful. You might already know a lot goal…GRADUATION. Maybe we think it’s silly or not important Lt. Britton received the Fire and Life Safety of kids in your classes on the first day, but Getting an education is so important or no one else is going through the same Educator of the Year award from the Florida it’s a great day to make a new friend. Try for yourself, your family and your thing. But the truth is, we all go through Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association; to say hello to kids you know and new community. You are the future leaders things, whether it is something we have and on July 18, he received the Florida ones you don’t. Make the first move, and of the Tribe. If you are having problems personally gone through or something Department of Health EMS Bureau’s EMS you’ll be glad you did and so will your at school, whether it is homework, a happening to someone in our family. Being Injury Prevention of the Year award. new friend. teacher or someone bullying you, always there to help one another is important. Seminole Tribe Fire Rescue nominated specialty requested medical safety courses Moving to middle school? tell a trusted adult: your mom or dad, The Seminole Police Department’s Youth Lt. Bruce Britton, of the Fire Prevention to Tribal members and employees with a Sixth grade often signals a move to grandparent, teacher, school resource Services Unit is here to help in any way Division, for the following reasons: Between total of 1,764 attending students. middle school or junior high, where you’ll officer or someone you know. Bullying is we can. Our focus is to assist parents and the months of January and December 2011, From January to December 2011, find lockers and maybe a homeroom. In not OK, and no one deserves to be treated kids within all our communities. Whether Lt. Britton successfully coordinated and Lt. Britton taught more than 163 public middle school, you might move from badly. in a group or individually, speaking to the delivered 75 Risk Watch safety courses to education classes for the Tribal communities classroom to classroom for each subject. Ideas for the adults youth about the importance of staying Tribal schools and educational institutions reaching more than 4,000 students. Your teachers know that this is a big The official start of school has begun. drug and alcohol free, staying in school, with a total of 1,809 attending students. Lt. Lt. Britton continues to show a true change from elementary school and will Try as we might, we can’t ignore the avoiding truancy and being a leader within Britton provided Tribal seniors with more passion and desire for providing the Tribal help you adjust, so don’t let it get you ticking of the clock that signifies the end of their communities is what we love doing. than 33 Senior Safety classes reaching communities with fire prevention and life down; and remember, your classmates are the carefree days of summer. It’s go time. Please do not hesitate to contact your 450 Tribal seniors and facilities personnel. safety classes. Seminole Tribe Fire Rescue going through the same thing, so work Here are some tips to help you get back reservation’s Youth Services Unit. In addition, Lt. Britton also provided 55 is proud of his dedication and contributions together and help each other out. into the swing of things for the 2012-2013 American Heart Association CPR and to making the Seminole Tribe of Florida Feeling good on day one school year. properties safe places to live, work and visit. Seeing friends you haven’t seen in a ● Routine: If you haven’t started yet, 11A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

Maintaining weight and going strong Eat billions of live BY CHRISTINE MCCALL to maintaining weight. To Contributing Writer date, I have kept off 130 pounds since January 2012. organisms daily Over the past year and a half, I have made big However, there have been changes in my life. For those who missed my last story days when I was heavier, some days when I was You’ve probably a few months ago, in 2010 at 23 years old, I weighed • Paula Bowers-Sanchez heard about omegas. 324 pounds and had elevated blood pressure. It hurt to smaller. The important thing I discovered though ave you had your yearly physical These fatty acids are wake up in the morning. I lost my breath when walking extremely important up stairs. I hated to exercise. I ate fast food on a daily is no matter what, as long yet? I know some of you had to get as I continue to eat healthy, one for your children before school to heart and brain basis, and I always helped myself to a second plate. But H health. According treat myself occasionally started, but you might want to go ahead and make all that changed when I saw a commercial for Weight to the American Watchers. I committed to a six-month plan and thought and exercise to my fullest an appointment for yourself, too. You know the potential, I can continue saying, “Better safe than sorry.” It is better to Heart Association, if I could learn to live healthy in that time, I could do it these omega-3 fatty for the rest of my life. my healthy lifestyle. have your blood work done and discover early if Even during the summer anything needs to be dealt with or if you’re OK. acids can help lower After moving back to the Hollywood Reservation cholesterol and in March 2012, the reaction from my community months, I understand these One study I read found that only about one significant steps. in five Americans gets a physical once a year. triglyceride levels. overwhelmed me. It made me feel so proud of myself, Studies have shown even more than before. My friends, family and fellow It is in our culture to eat high-calorie foods. I still An annual physical is important because if there enjoy stew beef over rice and frybread in moderation. is a problem, you can catch it before it turns into that fish oils can help Tribal members continuously told me how great I with brain functions looked and how proud and inspired they felt by me. One When temptation starts calling my name, I think about something more serious. It is also a good idea to the bigger picture. In the future, I want to encourage my stay on top of your health because some illnesses and decrease the risk of stroke. They also have reaction I was not expecting was for people who knew been shown to help boost brain memory and help me since I was a child to walk right past me. I would family to take every opportunity they can in life and or diseases may not exhibit symptoms early on. We enjoy it. I also think about all that I’ve accomplished. women need to get in for our “well woman” exams with psychological conditions, such as depression run back to my mother, Wanda Bowers, and tell her, and bipolar illness. “Mom, they just completely ignored me! Why would The first time I could go into a “normal” clothing store every year. Early detection and preventive care is and try on a dress, I started to cry. paramount. Health professionals recommend that we they do that?” Her answer made me laugh: “Christine, consume fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) at they don’t recognize you!” I encourage all Tribal members to seek a healthy Another good idea is to take a probiotic. lifestyle. Weight loss is only difficult if you believe it is. Probiotics are the “good” or “friendly” bacteria least twice a week or take a supplement. I prefer It was true. supplements because for me, eating that much fish Sometimes I did not even recognize myself in the Taking small steps can honestly make a difference. At that keep our stomachs, intestines and colons a restaurant, order any sauces or dressings on the side. clean, happy and functioning properly. With daily just isn’t convenient. mirror. Weight loss has a powerful way of changing an Remember, the way you treat your body when individual. At my heaviest, I never realized how sad and Drink more water instead of soda. But most importantly, life stresses, both internal and external, and toxins incorporate more activity into your daily routine. These entering our bodies, good bacteria are depleted. you are young will have profound effects on how self-conscious I felt. Now, I stand up taller, smile more your body performs when you are older. and look forward to community events. small changes add up. It helped me, and I know it can When this happens, our bodies become more help others. prone or susceptible to illness. I take a probiotic So it is important for us to take care of this But with all that said, one topic most diet companies one body we are given because it is the only one forget to mention is that losing weight is easy compared with more than five billion live cultures. I have read studies that suggest or recommend taking a we are ever going to have. We can’t go down to supplement with at least three or more billion live the dealership and trade it in for a newer, younger organisms daily. model. Make your children more resilient Another supplement I swear by is fish oils.

SUBMITTED BY DEBRA RAY unique temperament. Acceptance does not mean letting Family Services Department children do whatever they want or not setting limits on F WELLNESS photos from page 3A their behavior. However, when children feel accepted, it is easier for them to respond to requests and limits What do most parents want for their children? High because they experience these in an atmosphere of love on their list are happiness, success in school, satisfaction and support. with their lives and solid friendships. In order to reach • Help children recognize that mistakes are these goals, our children need inner strength to deal experiences from which to learn. Resilient children competently with the many challenges and demands tend to view mistakes as opportunities for learning, they encounter. We call this capacity to cope and feel while those who are not hopeful often experience competent resilience. Here are some ways to make your mistakes as an indication that they are failures. children more resilient: • Develop responsibility, compassion and a social • Be empathetic. In the parenting relationship, conscience by providing children with opportunities empathy is the capacity of parents to put themselves in to contribute. We often try to reinforce responsibility the shoes of their youngsters and see the world through simply by giving children chores to do at home. However, their eyes. Empathy does not imply that you agree with almost every child from a very young age appears everything your children do, but rather that you attempt motivated to help others. Children need opportunities to to appreciate and validate their point of view. make a positive difference in their world. • Communicate effectively and listen actively. • Teach children to solve problems and make Communication is not simply how we speak to others. decisions. Resilient children define problems, consider It involves actively listening to our children and different solutions, attempt what they judge to be the understanding and validating what they are attempting most appropriate solutions and learn from the outcome. to say. To reinforce this problem-solving attitude, parents must • Change negative scripts. Every parent can offer be careful to not always tell children what to do, but firsthand examples of when they repeatedly told or rather to try to engage them in thinking about possible nagged a child to do or not do something with little – if solutions. any – positive response on the child’s part. If something • Discipline in a way that promotes self-discipline we have said or done for a reasonable amount of time and self-worth. This means being consistent but not does not work, then we must change our script if our rigid; knowing your children’s capabilities and not Andrea Holata children are to change theirs. pushing them for unrealistic expectations, and relying Participants of the walks receive plaques for trekking 2 miles every day during the Wellness Conference. • Love children in ways that help them feel when possible on natural, logical consequences rather special and appreciated. A basic guidepost for building than arbitrary, punitive measures. resilience is the presence of at least one adult (hopefully several) who believe in the worth of the child. Adapted from Work & Family Life newsletter, edited • Accept children for who they are and help by Susan Ginsberg (2012) them set realistic expectations and goals. To do this, parents have to understand and accept their child’s

A clean pool is vital to health

SUBMITTED BY PATRICK PECK 9. Do not swim while excessively mentally or Health Department physically impaired. 10. Control the level of play and fun, ensuring all activities are conducted safely around the pool. For our northern friends, the end of August Other hazards associated with recreational water represents the end of pool season. However, pool season include drowning, injury, exposure to temperature is still at its peak for Florida residents. extremes and dangerous animals. For those who have outdoor pools or spas in their While pools can be a great recreational addition to backyards, it is again a reminder to maintain the pool/ a home, they require care. spa water so that it remains clean, sanitary and balanced. Swimming pools and spas lead to recreational Andrea Holata Andrea Holata With the kids heading back to school, this is no time to waterborne illnesses (RWIs), or illnesses that result send your children injured or ill to the classroom. Tribal members dressed in Mardi Gras costumes enjoy the Anita Osceola, left, and Lola Juarez pose for a picture before from swallowing, breathing or having contact with party. the Mardi Gras-themed party. Top 10 things to do: recreational water. These are caused by microorganisms 1. Wash or rinse yourself before getting into the (e.g., bacteria, protozoa, algae and viruses), other pool or spa. This will keep any harmful bacteria/virus parasites or chemicals. on your body from contaminating the water. RWIs can cause a wide variety of problems, 2. Maintain adequate levels of disinfectant including upset stomach, diarrhea, rash, difficulty (chlorine/bromine) in your pool/spa. breathing and infections of the eye, ear, skin, brain or In 2008, almost 4,600 persons visited an emergency other organs. The most commonly reported RWI is department for pool chemical-associated injuries. diarrhea. The most common injury diagnoses were poisoning, Poorly maintained bathing/swimming facilities can which includes ingestion of pool chemicals, as well harbor a variety of pathogens, such as E. coli 0157:H7, as inhalation of vapor, fumes or gases and dermatitis/ norovirus, shigella, giardia, cryptosporidium and conjunctivitis. Legionella . 3. Test your pool/spa at least once a day with an A total of 134 recreational water–associated approved pool test kit. outbreaks affecting at least 13,966 persons were reported 4. Clean pool of any debris, leaves and floating to the CDC for 2007-2008, the largest number of residue. outbreaks ever reported in a two-year period. 5. Repair any source of tripping and falling hazards As a rule of thumb, bathers should avoid ingesting around the pool. pool water while swimming and should absolutely 6. Make sure to maintain all plumbing gauges and refrain from swimming when sick. Children of diaper equipment on the pool. Diving boards and ladders can age, especially those experiencing diarrhea, should cause significant accidents. never be allowed to use the pool or spa. 7. Do not overload the pool with swimmers. Consult More than one in five (21.6 percent) American your pool specifications about bather load. adults do not know that swimming while ill with 8. Keep all safety gear (floaties, ring buoy, shepherd diarrhea can heavily contaminate swimming water with hooks) available by the pool side. Crypto and make other swimmers sick. More than 60 percent of fatal drownings of 0- to For more information about healthy swimming, 4-year-olds occur in swimming pools. please call the STOF Health Department at 954-985- Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional 2330. injury death among children ages 1-4. Drowning is the second leading cause of Source: Centers for Disease Control and Andrea Holata unintentional injury death among children 5-9. Prevention Helene Buster, left, and Shae Pierce enjoy a morning run together on the white, sandy beaches of Marco Island. 12A • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

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You must be 21 years of age or older to play slots and table games or to receive Player’s Club benefits. Persons who have been trespassed or banned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida or those who have opted into the self-exclusion program are not eligible. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-888-ADMIT-IT. 1B • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

Tribal youth recognized with education incentive awards

BY JUDY WEEKS the award recipients and discussed the need taking their turns on the alleys with adults Contributing Writer to begin setting goals for the new school challenging youth and everyone assisting year and giving thought to determine future the young sports enthusiasts. Incentives are often used to motivate career options. Director of Education Emma Johns people in all walks of life. In education, they “Education is like building a house,” expressed her congratulations to the group encourage students to continue to succeed Soto said. “It is important to establish a and offered inspiration and encouragement in school. Tribal students recently were firm foundation upon which you can build. in establishing new goals; she pointed out rewarded with fun evenings out to celebrate If you remain focused, your structure will that education can make a dream a reality. a job well done during the last school year, be sound and withstand the tests of time. Brody Osceola Hagen, a rising eighth just before the new academic year began. You are the hope and future of not only the grader at St. Elizabeth Seton School, had Naples youth were recognized on Seminole Tribe, but your community and good advice for his fellow students. Aug. 13 at the Juanita Osceola Center. country.” “Focusing in the classroom isn’t always Educational advisers and representatives Liaison Zepeda presented each of easy, but I have to make the grade there if I treated the young scholars to a pizza party. the students with award certificates and want to ensure a place on the playing field “We are very proud of you and your incentives in recognition of the 2011-2012 or basketball court. Life is one big game, parents,” Naples Liaison Brian Zepeda said. school year. Individuals were acknowledged and you have to work at it in order to score.” “Getting an education is hard work, but it for special achievements, good attendance Over in Trail, dozens of students and is so much easier when you have family and conduct. Student Marissa Osceola their families celebrated a year’s worth support. I know that it is difficult to be in assisted with the distribution of backpacks of hard work on July 25 at Strike Miami school all day and then face homework, but for the upcoming school year. Toddlers and bowling alley at the Dolphin Mall. you have been accepting the challenge, and preschoolers were given an opportunity to Each student received an award your parents have adjusted their schedules to select a gift from a treasure basket. from Trail Liaison Norman Huggins and assist you. As a result, the tutoring program As an added incentive, the Naples President Tony Sanchez Jr. before bowling is proving to be a valuable asset and your youth had been treated to a bowling party at and dining. grades reflect your success.” Woodside Lanes on June 4 at the conclusion Educational advisers Victoria Soto and of the school year by the Education Beverly Bidney Tony Bullington took turns congratulating Department. All ages joined in the fun by F See INCENTIVES on page 2B Billie Porter, who earned her degree in behavioral analysis from Simmons College, accepts her awards from Education director Emma Johns. Seminole Youth Council attends UNITY Conference

BY BRAUDIE BLAIS-BILLIE Youth Council and UNITY Conference for Contributing Writer the first time. She will attend Southeastern University in Lakeland, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. PHOENIX — The United National Around 1,500 Native Americans from Indian Tribal Youth, or UNITY, promotes all over the country packed the Sheraton personal development, citizenship and Phoenix Downtown Hotel, ready to unite leadership among Native American youth. and make a difference. Every summer, the national The national UNITY Conference began organization holds a conference and hosts with a spiritual component, the UNITY fire. hundreds of Tribes, youth councils and Each youth council – around 150 councils Native youth across the country under one attended – gathered around the fire-keepers, roof with one purpose: uniting the diversity SleepyEye LaFramboise and Warren Skye, and standing as one. to light the UNITY fire, which burned UNITY has helped guide American throughout the conference. It signified the Indian and Alaskan youth for more than first gathering of the Tribes for the weekend. 35 years, and they welcomed the Seminole “Standing shoulder by shoulder Tribe of Florida Youth Council in July for watching a sacred fire being lit from the second time. scratch by SleepyEye and his grandfather, “Meeting other Natives through Skye, was amazing,” said Cypress Billie, UNITY is a benefit to us,” 18-year-old high a 16-year-old senior from Big Cypress school graduate and Youth Council member who attends Admiral Farragut Academy. Jason Melton said. “Our Tribe is a bit more “Watching the fire being lit the traditional isolated than it should be, and we should try way gave me hope that the old ways will to expand our horizons.” always survive due to our people passing Melton was one of nine Tribal our culture down to each generation to come members to attend the national UNITY through language and through the blood in Conference held in Phoenix. Melton, from our veins.” Omar Rodriguez the Big Cypress Reservation, graduated The ceremony was followed by the Recent vocational school graduates are recognized for their accomplishments. from The Sagemont School and plans to UNITY drums, and then the conference set attend Florida State University this fall with into motion. It lasted from the fire ceremony interests in film and business. He joined the on July 6 to a bittersweet friendship circle Youth Council and attended the national goodbye on July 10. UNITY Conference for the first time this “The conference gives youth the year. Vocational school students graduate opportunity to meet other youth,” said Ragan Osceola, an American Heritage LaFramboise, a member of UNITY for 17 graduate from Big Cypress, also joined the BY BRETT DALY found herself searching for healthier, lower- knowledge to use in the professional world. years and lead speaker/fire-keeper at the fire Senior Editor sugar recipes. For Jimmie, she always had a passion ceremony. “They can utilize their lives and “I wanted to be serious about it,” for cooking. While at restaurants she said get involved in UNITY, getting exposed to Posada said about her decision to attend the she loved to observe how different chefs issues and preserving culture.” IMMOKALEE — For three years, Art Institute. “I wanted a degree. I wanted prepared food in their own ways. It inspired For Marissa Osceola, who attends Immokalee resident Lorraine Posada woke to build a foundation for baking.” her to attend culinary school. the Community School of Naples, the up at 4 a.m. and made a two-hour drive to She attended classes every day as a “It was a great opportunity,” she said. experience furthered her appreciation of the the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in quest part-time student and now uses the skills “Being in the kitchen is kind of like being in Seminole Youth Council. of her associate of science in patisserie and she learned at the Immokalee Senior Center. the army; you have to say, ‘Yes, chef,’ and “The Youth Council has been an baking. She bakes breads, as well as reduced-sugar ‘No, chef.’” awesome experience so far. It has reached Her hard work and dedication paid and regular desserts, tweaking the recipes She said it took discipline, but she saw out to many people,” she said. “From our off, as she – as well as three other Tribal she learned to create her own unique her hard work pay off when she walked food drives to toy drives and even just the members – graduated from vocational concoctions. across the stage in April to receive her encouragements that our Tribal kids are school this year. “Once I was done, I wanted to give diploma. She was the first in her family getting from it build better community Posada, a member of the Wind Clan, back to the Tribe,” she said. “Without the to graduate college. And although she connections.” decided to return to school in an attempt Tribe, I wouldn’t have been able to go back currently works in the Council Office in Big The weekend continued with to accomplish something academically to school.” Cypress, Jimmie said she will still use her workshops, meetings, area caucus after marrying her husband, Mario, and Immokalee resident Megan Otero also culinary knowledge in the future and cook conferences, special guest speakers and a giving birth to three children. Although she graduated from vocational school with for her friends and family. cultural exchange. Faces like Gov. Gregory graduated from high school in New Mexico a certificate of completion in practical “I knew cooking would be my passion Mendoza, of Arizona’s Gila River Indian and began college studying accounting, nursing from the Immokalee Technical and my hobby, but I’ve always known I Community and on the Council of Trustees Posada said the career choice wasn’t the Center, while Cassandra Jimmie graduated wanted to represent my Tribe,” she said. “I for UNITY; economist and Native rights right fit and, therefore, never graduated. from Le Cordon Bleu College of Cullinary couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work in Photo courtesy of Braudie Blais-Billie activist Winona LaDuke; Faith the two- She decided to return to school for Arts in Orlando with an associate of science the Council Office at such a young age.” Youth Council member Braudie Blais-Billie and legged dog; and even Litefoot (Gary Paul baking, not only because she enjoyed it, in culinary arts. The women worked hard Ned Norris Jr., Chairman of the Tohono O’odham but also for personal reasons; Posada had to reach their goals and will now put their F See GRADUATES on page 4B Nation, mingle at the UNITY Conference. F See UNITY on page 4B gestational diabetes while pregnant and

Summer Work Experience Program ends another successful year

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY use to polish off an application or resume. learn how to work with other people and freshman at Divine Academy. “It made me world.” Staff Reporter It is a good way to make a more well- become part of a team that works together feel really happy. I would recommend it to John McInturff, 15, liked working for rounded student.” to get a job done.” everyone.” Luff, but he learned an unexpected lesson. A summer job introduces students to Education is the first priority, so Haden Littlebear, 16, has a passion SWEP provides students the chance “It was more hands-on, which I the adult working world. This summer, 62 students need maintain at least a 2.0 GPA for computers, so he worked in the to experience jobs they may want in the like,” said McInturff, a sophomore at Tribal high school and college students to participate. After the program ends, they IT Department, where he helped the future and learn what it takes academically The Sagemont School. “But I learned the worked for the Tribe and learned firsthand return to school. technicians resolve problems in a variety to qualify for the positions. They also get Environmental (Resource Management) what it means to be part of a professional “I’ve seen real growth in the of departments. to see first-hand what the Tribe does for Department is not for me, and I don’t want organization. students over the years,” Dufour- “Wherever someone had a problem, I its members and how it accomplishes its to make a life there.” For more than five years, the Education Bonville said. “Some started in the helped out,” said Littlebear, of Hollywood, mission. Jesse Mitchell, 17, worked in the Department’s Summer Work Experience Recreation Department and moved into a sophomore at American Heritage. “I Steven Luff, project manager of the Big Cypress Housing Department, where Program (SWEP) has given students ages the Councilmen’s, Treasurer’s or other learned how to add a printer server to a Big Cypress Environmental Resource his father, Jim Mitchell, is the Housing 14-24 the opportunity to work in nearly government-related offices, as well as IT, networked computer. It was also good to Management Department, made sure his maintenance foreman. every department within the Tribe. Like Environmental Resources and more.” get to know the people you work with. I participants had a chance to learn about “We had him work with the any new employee, SWEP participants go Janet Smith, of Brighton, worked in don’t usually go out much, so this job also scientific methods used in the field. They technicians in all the trades,” Jim said. through training first and then get down to the Education Department at Pemayetv gave me people experience.” learned how to take a sample to test water “He did dry wall, painting, cleaning, air business, receiving a paycheck as well. Emahakv Charter School and at the Arts Sharka Frank, 14, worked in the quality, search for wildlife, identify native conditioning and electrical work. We had “Students always get placed,” said and Crafts Center. Hollywood Preschool assisting teachers and exotic plants, and inspect sprinklers him in the field every day.” Marie Dufour-Bonville, adult vocational “It gave me a little bit of insight on with daily duties, supervising small groups around the reservation. “I worked with all the maintenance administrator. “They get two months of the different departments we have on of children while the teachers were busy “They chose this department because people and got a lot of experience,” said work, which is a great college application the rez and how they contribute to the and taking care of the children’s needs they wanted to learn about environmental Jesse, a senior at American Heritage. or resume builder. The program also community,” said Smith, 17, a senior at during mealtime. issues,” Luff said. “We showed them what provides them with another adult they can Okeechobee High School. “It helped me “It was so much fun,” said Frank, a it was like to work in the environmental F See SWEP on page 4B 2B • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

prepared by Recreation staff, as well as F INCENTIVES pizza, chips and cookies. From page 1B Along with the water day, students received awards, backpacks and checks for their academic achievements. Liaison Huggins recognized two “We are very proud of our students children who he felt exemplified model this year and wish them the best next year,” students with the Student of the Year award. Rucks said. The recognitions went to Jaya Osceola and Over in Hollywood, students also had Nathaniel Jim, and they received special plenty of entertainment with their incentive gifts for their hard work. awards. “I wanted to set an example for other Kindergarten through fifth-grade kids,” Liaison Huggins said, adding that he students from Hollywood and Ft. Pierce encourages parents to get more involved in enjoyed a fun time at Kabooms Amusement their children’s education. “It takes a village Center in Davie on July 30; sixth- through to raise a kid.” 12th-grade students sped along the go-cart Osceola, who’s in the fourth grade, track at Xtreme Indoor Karting in Fort said she was completely surprised by the Lauderdale on July 31; Immokalee also honor and loved the traditional Seminole held an incentive party at Kabooms on June patchwork skirt she received; Jim received 11. a Seminole patchwork shirt. High school and college students During his address to the community, and graduates, as well as GED recipients, President Sanchez stressed the importance celebrated at a masquerade ball at the of education and the importance of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood Tribal community supporting students on July 26. throughout their education, stating that he This was the first year the Tribe hopes all students stay in school. recognized the older students at an event “Education is the only thing no one can Judy Weeks tailored just for them. Education incentive awards are presented to students of the Naples community. take away from you,” he said. “Education Approximately 300 students and their is the only thing that will separate you from families attended the ball. Awards were other individuals.” given to 26 high school graduates, eight As for Tampa, a total of 93 incentive college graduates and 28 students who went awards were presented to their youth back to school and earned their GEDs. on July 10 in a ceremonial dinner at the “Put college on your radar and invest Spaghetti Warehouse. Tampa Education in yourself,” said guest speaker Alex Johns, adviser Tina Ogden was overjoyed at the Natural Resources director at Brighton, youth’s accomplishments. who just earned his associate degree. “At “2012’s incentives awards for Tampa the end of the day, no one can take your was even better than last year’s. We saw education away from you.” an increase in attendance awards, which Once the awards were distributed, the is always a wonderful thing,” Ogden said. party began. Music by the Osceola Brothers “We want the students to understand the Band and a disc jockey urged people onto importance of being in class. This was a fun the dance floor. event, and it was great to see mostly every Hollywood Councilman Marcellus W. family attend. We are very proud of the Osceola Jr. opened the events for younger students and all of their achievements and students with words of congratulations and want to wish them all continued success in encouragement to do well again during this the new year.” school year. The Brighton Reservation made At Kabooms, the kids received their sure to recognize their students for their awards, ate a hearty meal and spent the accomplishments as well. In a combined evening playing games, roller skating event, the Education and Recreation and bouncing to their hearts’ content. The departments held an incentive awards evening at Xtreme Karting gave the kids and back-to-school bash water day at the a chance to let loose and rev their engines Brighton pool on Aug. 14. around the racetrack. “We wanted to focus on the kids and All in all, Tribal youth enjoyed wanted them to have fun, so we chose to reuniting with their classmates during the have a water day instead of an awards summer for some fun and recognition of ceremony,” said Tribal-wide truancy their academic accomplishments. coordinator Becky Rucks. The students celebrated with Brett Daly, Beverly Bidney, Andrea waterslides, rock climbing, sumo wrestling, Holata and Peter B. Gallagher contributed Judy Weeks Andrea Holata swimming, popcorn and snow cones. to this article. Naples student Serena Zepeda displays her certificate. From left, Crysten Smith, Richard Harris, Camryn Thomas and Caroline Sweat gather at For lunch, everyone enjoyed hotdogs the bottom of the waterslide during Brighton’s water fun day incentive party on Aug. 14.

Andrea Holata Ryan Watson Brothers Jagger, left, and Rudy Juarez get ready to face Tampa Council Liaison Richard Henry congratulates Tampa incentive awards honorees off with sumo wrestling during Brighton’s incentive party. for their hard work during the 2011-2012 school year.

Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney Brett Daly Brett Daly From left, Jennifer Holdiness, 15, of Hollywood, and Nauthkee Henry, 17, of Big Cypress, celebrate Anthony Doctor, 8, enjoys his race around the track during Jaya Osceola wins Student of the Sadrilynn Tiger receives her incentive award at the masquerade ball. Henry earned her GED. Hollywood and Ft. Pierce’s incentive awards party at Year from Trail Liaison Norman from Trail Liaison Norman Huggins and President Xtreme Indoor Karting. Huggins. Tony Sanchez Jr. during the Trail celebration.

Beverly Bidney Brett Daly The Howard family poses with their awards. Trail students gather for a group shot during the reservation’s incentive party at Strike Miami. 3B • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012 College Horizons experts help student prepare application

BY KATHRYN STOLARZ options based on her Copy Editor preferences, which prepared her for the workshop’s College PHILADELPHIA — Tribal youth Fair. Neyom Osceola recently expanded the Tribe’s At the fair, she horizons as the first Seminole to attend a zeroed in on her top prestigious pre-college workshop in its nearly choices among more 15 years of existence. than 35 colleges College Horizons is a rigorous, six-day represented. She asked college prep course for Native American high several representatives school sophomores and juniors from around about their schools’ the nation. The program, established in 1998, journalism programs, helps fill the void that many Native Americans campuses, student bodies and Native experience when it comes to quality college American populations. She learned that counseling and academic advising. Emory University, Barnard College and Osceola was among about 100 students Brown University offer programs that match who attended this year’s workshop at the her interests and discovered that Brown offers University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia an appealing curriculum of pass/fail courses. during the last week in June. “It opens your eyes to what you didn’t More than 70 expert college counselors know was there before,” she said. “I felt like Photo courtesy of Paola Moneymaker and admission officers helped students select I had more options and more colleges I could Daniel Nunez, of Brighton, and Alexis Aguilar, of Immokalee, participate in Leadership University. schools to apply to, write essays and create fall back on that were realistic.” resumes. They also helped participants Osceola also bonded with Native complete the Common Application, prepare American peers from around the country, for the ACT and SAT, and seek financial aid including Navajos, Crows, Cherokees, Tribal youth travel to New York and scholarships. Choctaws and Native Hawaiians. “When they take you into their arms, Participants exchanged culture at a they make sure you don’t leave the program traditional night, where Osceola gave a for leadership workshop without having finished everything,” said the presentation on how to make Seminole junior at American Heritage and Miramar patchwork. Others told stories in their Native BY BEVERLY BIDNEY small town in need. Ramos-Huggins’ group proposed starting resident. “This whole program is eye languages, stomp danced, hula danced, sang opening.” Staff Reporter a foundation to help children and creating an event to raise and played instruments. money while bringing the community together at a carnival. Osceola, daughter of Charles Osceola “It’s exposure to all of these Tribes that and Pearl Bert, has been preparing for college Another component of the foundation was to teach the town’s you don’t get to see every day,” she said. NEW YORK — Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy students the positive impact serving on the student council since day one of high school; in addition to “College Horizons is diverse in comparison believed leadership and learning work hand in hand. That maintaining a strong GPA, she’s immersed could have on their lives. to other college prep programs.” principle was put to the test last month at Leadership “We really wanted that $1,000 grant,” Ramos-Huggins herself in extracurricular activities, including Native American alumni also shared University, a program held at Columbia University in New choir, drama, basketball, the Breast Cancer said. stories about racism they experienced on York, where six Tribal youth learned firsthand what being a The other group proposed a festival in a park to raise Awareness Club and the Seminole Youth campus and brainstormed ways to combat leader entails. Council. money so high school seniors could take a trip to Universal it. Natives are the most underrepresented Created to transform today’s most motivated students Studios. They suggested raising money by charging local But she still had much to learn at College minority population on college campuses, into tomorrow’s leaders, the program offers in-depth Horizons, which her history teacher, Charles businesses a fee to have a booth at the event. College Horizons reported. experiences on the challenges of leading. “We wanted to inspire other kids to stay in school by Stephenson, and guidance counselor, Nicole “They told us we should have a thick From July 17-21, Tribal students Sara Ramos-Huggins, Wilson, nominated her for. having a senior trip to look forward to,” said Nunez, 15, of skin,” Osceola said. “Ignore it or get involved Daniel Nunez, Alexis Aguilar, Brianna Blais-Billie, Destiny Brighton. “We never found out if we got the money; it was “I didn’t know what a resume looked with ethnic clubs to educate our peers about Nunez and Neyom Osceola attended leadership workshops like,” she said. So Columbia University more about planning.” Native Americans.” and seminars, met with corporate CEOs and nonprofit Communication played a big part throughout the four- senior admissions officer Jessica Cho helped At the end of the week, participants took executives, and learned about trust during a team-building her create her first resume. day program. Although it was a cold and rainy day during home helpful resources, including an SAT or ropes course. They joined about 20 other participants who the ropes course event, the students encouraged one another Then there was the college essay. ACT prep book and some web addresses to came from around the world. Although Osceola was nervous about writing to persevere. check out (www.collegeboard.org for test prep “The students met interesting people,” education adviser During one of the team-building exercises, the students it, Cho gave her a focus, suggesting she tips and www.fastweb.com for scholarship Paola Moneymaker said. “They also saw the reality of what describe her responsibilities helping raise her figured out how to fit all 12 members of the group onto information). freshman year of college will be like. They spent four jam- one small platform without falling off. The task required eight siblings. “It’s definitely worth all the work packed days and had a really good time.” “Anyone from the rez can relate to that or communication and cooperation and demonstrated the because when you come home you know The program, which addressed all aspects of leadership, importance of leadership skills. write about that,” Osceola said. you’ve finished the majority of your college aims to improve the life skills needed to be an effective leader Osceola was thrilled to be paired with “It was fun,” Ramos-Huggins said. “We really got to application,” she said. “All of the work is and reach full potential. know each other more than people I know at home.” Cho because Columbia is her first choice of done…and done well. It’s very hands on.” The curriculum included an introduction to basic colleges. She’d like to study journalism there On the last day of the program, six students received Osceola’s goal is to return to College leadership principles and styles, a review of leadership awards based on instructors’ observations and student for her bachelor’s degree and then get her Horizons next year with at least one fellow characteristics of past and present leaders, and a lesson about MBA, she said. participation during the workshops. Nunez earned the Most Seminole. the importance of community service. Students earned one Inspirational Leader award and Osceola earned the Most However, Osceola knows she needs to College Horizons also offers separate college credit for attending. apply to other schools as well. Sarah Graham, Innovative Leader award. Graduate Horizons services for college “I was really happy to learn I am a leader,” said Ramos- “They said I brought the group together and was always director of college counseling at Princeton students and college graduates. For more Huggins, 17, of Hollywood. Day School, introduced her to other viable smiling,” Nunez said. “I learned I could be myself around information, visit www.collegehorizons.org. During the program, the group divided in two for anyone. I didn’t know I was a leader, but I guess I do now.” projects. One project was to find grant money for a fictional The Police Know Your rights Do You? Call Me For A Free Consultation richarD casTillo 954.522.3500

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opposed to the previous 10 members or a suggested 14 F UNITY members. This way, a representative from each caucus From page 1B would hold a position in the committee, which gives each region a fair chance to have their voice heard. Davis from The Indian in the Cupboard) were present “Just being [at UNITY] is a great representation in the general session as special guests to inspire and for our Tribe and allows the East Coast a stronger touch the lives of the youth. voice in the UNITY Council,” Marissa Osceola said. Billie performed Try and Try Again, a song Though many Tribes affiliated with UNITY originally performed by his father, Chairman James E. reside on the West Coast or Midwest, the East will Billie, during general sessions to encourage youth to now be heard as clearly as the majority. stay loyal to their dreams and pursuits. “It was a really great experience for everyone,” Each special guest speaker, meeting or workshop Marissa Osceola said. “Not only did we get to mingle was geared toward supporting and motivating the youth with people from different Tribes across the nation, and was done entirely by successful Native American but we also received an educational benefit by people. There were even basketball tournaments and participating in the workshops.” morning walks to support physical health. The Seminole Tribe of Florida Youth Council “The conference is eye opening. It’s really hopes to have more young Tribal members involved wonderful to see all the Native youth together,” said with the Youth Council and UNITY alike for years to Miss Indian Nations Shanoa Pinkham, of the Yakama come. Nation Youth Council. “We have a lot to learn from Through participation, Tribal members can Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney each other; it’s all about giving back.” develop beyond the community and grow into the SWEP participants Haden Littlebear, Sharka Frank and From left, Steven Luff, John McInturff, Jesse Mitchell and Tyler Tigertail, a 17-year-old from Big Cypress, greater Indian Nation as a representative of Native Derick Toho celebrate at the appreciation luncheon. Jim Mitchell gather at the Big Cypress luncheon. is a new Youth Council and UNITY member. He plays America. football for American Heritage, where he is a senior, Like Miss Indian Nations said, “Wherever you and wishes to pursue a future with the Marine Corps. go, your culture goes with you.” “We are all different Tribes, but we’re all one,” Next year’s UNITY conference is set to take preferred departments. The program runs from mid- he said of his UNITY experience. “We have different place in Los Angeles. F SWEP June to mid-August. languages, but we’re all united.” From page 1B “The whole experience was great,” Littlebear Also during the conference, on behalf of Native Braudie Blais-Billie, a 19-year-old high school said. “There was never a day I felt bored. It’s like that youth voting, Ned Norris Jr., Chairman of Tohono graduate from the Hollywood Reservation, received “I also got a better work ethic and learned you can’t old saying, ‘If you do something you love, you will O’odham Nation and the National Conference of her diploma from Pine Crest School and will attend sleep in; you have to get up every day.” never work a day in your life.’ That’s what this was American Indians’ vice president for the western Columbia University in New York City this fall. This In addition to getting practical experience, many for me. It was fun.” region, spoke to UNITY about the importance of is her second year both as a member of the Youth students earned a paycheck for the first time. Derick indigenous votes and encouraged youth councils to Council and as a UNITY conference attendee. Toho, 14, worked in the Hollywood Recreation 2012 SWEP participants: participate in federal elections. Department helping with the kids attending camp. Ricky Joe Alumbaugh, Leauna Billie, Stevie “Native vote has been a critical part in what we “It felt great to get my first paycheck,” said Toho, Billie, Sierra Bowers, Quenton Cypress, Anthony do,” Norris said. “Exchanging issues and different a freshman at American Heritage. “I went to the mall Joe, Callie Joe, Christopher Joe, John McInturff, things affecting communities [between Native youth] and spent it on a pair of shoes.” Jason Melton, Jesse Mitchell, Bradley Osceola, is also an opportunity to understand one another and Watching the kids was easy for Toho, who comes Ragan Osceola, Symphony Osceola, Savannah help one’s own Tribe.” from a large family, but he learned larger lessons Tiger, Tyler Tigertail, Catlen Tommie, Jaryaca Baker, A cultural exchange exposed the Seminole Youth during SWEP. Kiylier Baker, Tyra Baker, Tamara Bowers, Jennie Council to different Tribes. It included presentations “You have to work to get your money,” he said. Eagle, Robert Fudge Jr., Michael Garcia, Frank Huff, of traditional dances and songs from the Apache “You actually have to work at work. It feels good. It Brydgett Koontz, Joshua Madrigal, Baylee Micco, Nations and the Navajo Nations, which welcomed the shows you are responsible.” Jaide Micco, Brianna Nunez, Cheyenne Nunez, visitors to their land, Arizona, and included more than The Hollywood Recreation Department had five Daniel Nunez Jr., Yopalakiyo Osceola, Imillakiyo a hundred Tribes providing cultural clothing, jewelry, participants work as additional chaperones and assist Osceola, Lahna Sedatol, Janet Smith, Jayce T. dances and songs. younger campers during the department’s day camp. Smith, J.T. Smith, Richard Smith, Garrett Thomas, “Our Tribal Youth Council was prepared to Richard Clark, Recreation supervisor, was in charge Layton Thomas, Acealyn Youngblood, Stormin participate by dressing in full-on regalia,” Marissa of the SWEP students. Youngblood, Leisset Baker, Alisia Billie, Gabrielle Osceola said. “We took them by the hand and showed them Billie, Braudie Blais-Billie, Brianna Blais-Billie, Other Seminole youth who participated were how to work (and) take initiative and what a boss Ethan Cypress, Janay Cypress, Justin Frank, Raevin Leauna Billie, a 10th-grade student at The Sagemont expects,” Clark said. “It’s a good program for them.” Frank, Sharka Frank, Taylor Fulton, Haden Littlebear, School, who resides in Big Cypress; Marsha Osceola, Applications are accepted starting in May, and Cindy Osceola, Elden Osceola, Derick Toho, Tamron a ninth-grade student at American Heritage, who also placements in departments are on a first-come, first- Wilcox, Eliza Mora, Sara Ramos-Huggins, Cooper resides in Big Cypress; and Alexis Aguilar, from the serve basis. Dufour-Bonville recommends turning Rivers. Immokalee Reservation, who has served on the Youth applications in early to ensure students get their Council for two years and who has attended UNITY twice. The Seminole Youth Council was also involved in the Southeast Area Caucus, which consisted of only with sugar and chocolate, cooking entrees and even two states. Each region of the nation was broken into F GRADUATES taking hospitality classes. an area caucus, such as the Great Plains, the Midwest, From page 1B She puts her knowledge and skills to work at Northeast, etc. Sweetie’s Delights Bakery in Orlando, where she Two representatives from each Youth Council Jimmie hopes to one day run for Tribal office in creates fondant figurines and learns new cake decorating were then permitted, after a thorough discussion Immokalee and also go back to school for physical techniques from seasoned bakers. between the caucus’s youth councils, to vote on an therapy and business. “Do what you want to do because the only person amendment to the UNITY Constitution. This vote The Immokalee community presented the women stopping you is yourself,” she said in encouragement of affected the previous installation of the National with special awards during the July 31 community Tribal members contemplating returning to school. UNITY Executive Committee, which held six meeting for their hard work and accomplishments. Adult Vocational administrator Marie Dufour- members at large, two opposing-gender presidents, a Braudie Blais-Billie In addition, Tampa resident Phaydra Clark graduated Bonville also encourages other Tribal members to go vice president and a secretary. Tribal member Cypress Billie performs Let Me Love You by with an associate of science in patisserie and baking back to school and follow in these women’s footsteps. In order to disperse the voice of UNITY toward Mario at the talent show. The UNITY Conference took place from Le Cordon Bleu Orlando in May. She said vocational schools offer students flexibility and every caucus more evenly, the Seminole Youth Council in Phoenix to promote personal development, citizenship Once the 20-year-old completed high school, she education in specialized crafts. representatives voted for a 12-member committee, as and leadership among Native American youth. began contemplating her next move and analyzing her “It can be a great stepping stone into higher attributes. education,” she said. “I was always artistic, but I didn’t know what to do As far as Posada, Otero, Jimmie and Clark are with it,” Clark said. concerned, Dufour-Bonville said the Education One phone call from Le Cordon Bleu changed that. Department recognizes how hard they’ve worked and Interested in what they had to offer, Clark toured their how much they’ve sacrificed to stand where they are facility and saw their ornately decorated cakes on display. today. She knew what she wanted to pursue: cake decorating. “The Education Department is very, very proud of Clark spent two years honing her craft and also the accomplishments of the vocational school graduates,” learned “a lit bit of everything” else, including working she said.

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Photo courtesy of Sgt. Ed Michaels The Florida Indian Youth Program (FIYP) group poses on the steps of the Florida Supreme Court during FIYP in Tallahassee. Tribe participates in Florida Indian Youth Program in Tallahassee

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Jason Melton attended the Leadership Academy for investment program, where they invested a hypothetical “I learned how to work to attain your goals and still Staff Reporter high school seniors and recent graduates. $100,000 in stocks and tracked their portfolios. In the use those strategies,” said Pedro Zepeda, traditional “It was a real eye opener,” said Melton, 18, of Big process, they learned about mutual funds, bonds, credit arts and outreach coordinator at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki TALLAHASSEE — Every summer for the last Cypress, a freshman at FSU. “Seminoles usually only reporting and a variety of other important investment Museum. “FIYP was my first time away from home. 33 years, a select group of Florida’s Native American know other Seminoles, but there were so many other practices. It wasn’t like summer camp; it wasn’t all lakes and youth flocks to Tallahassee for two intensive weeks of Tribes there. It showed me that each Tribe is different, “The Wall Street class taught me that you never canoeing. It gave us a little glimpse of college life. I learning about Tribal government, Wall Street, effective but we are all Native Americans.” know about the stock market, so you have to invest believe it’s important during those formative years to communications, mathematics and applied finance. The Some of the 13 Tribes represented at FIYP included in different types of companies,” Osceola said. “We have a memorable experience like that.” Florida Indian Youth Program (FIYP) is a summer the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, Cherokee and Lumbee had agriculture and consumer goods companies; the At the end of the program, awards were presented. program, but it isn’t camp. Not by a long shot. Tribe of North Carolina. consumer goods dropped the most.” Billy, of Naples, earned the Outstanding Leadership Under the watchful eyes of chaperones and Osceola’s two sisters and mother went to FIYP, so A critical component of the program is learning Academy Youth award, which includes a $750 counselors from July 14-28, the group of 45 students she always knew she would go, too. about government, U.S. and Tribal, and the concept scholarship, and the Outstanding Journal award. Melton attended challenging classes, toured the state Capitol “We learned a lot about technology, how to keep of sovereignty. The students created their own Tribe, also earned the Outstanding Leadership Academy and lived in the dorms at Florida State University a budget and that you should definitely go to college,” adopted a constitution and elected officers. Youth award, and Bowers earned the Outstanding (FSU). The program, part of the Florida Governor’s said Osceola, 14, of Big Cypress. “We did math in Past participant Christine McCall, who attended Journal award. Council on Indian Affairs (FGCIA), aims to motivate groups. The class was not just about the answers, but FIYP when she was 14, said she had no concept of “The classes kept our minds stimulated,” McCall students to finish high school and continue in a post- how you get the answer. We learned different ways to sovereignty or her role as a Tribal member at that age. said. “I believe we should be constantly learning and secondary program, college or the military. get the same answer. It was fun.” “I learned how to share my culture with other educating ourselves.” Bob Kellam, the FGCIA employment and training The FIYP used its bank as a teaching tool. Students people who didn’t grow up with the same traditions,” The importance of attending FIYP wasn’t lost on director who runs the program, said probably 98 percent got paid $6 per hour to attend classes and learned said McCall, a student at the Art Institute of Fort this year’s group. of students who participated in the program during its how to manage their money, balance a checkbook and Lauderdale. “The program also taught me people skills. “I think a lot more kids should go and get the 33 years continued with school. follow bank procedures for deposits and withdrawals Living on a reservation, you get used to who you are experience,” Osceola said. “It looks good on a resume Tribal members Alisia Billie, Nathaniel Jim and within their checking accounts. Each Thursday they with all the time. When you go somewhere new, you and in a job interview. It shows you can work with a Marsha Osceola attended this year’s conference, along went to the mall, so students had to put their new-found have to know how to interact and present yourself.” team and are open to new things.” with Miccosukees Angel Bowers, Kelly Hounshell knowledge to use and budget carefully. Many Tribal members who attended FIYP still use and Kailyn Huggins. Tribal members Kaitlin Billy and Students also participated in an online Wall Street the skills they learned in the program. Paula Bowers-Sanchez promotes education in PSA

the goal is, you get what you put into it. I’ve seen what happens when kids don’t try, and I’ve seen what happens when they do.” The messages of the PSAs include a general welcome to the school year, the importance of staying in school, the negatives effects of substance abuse and the value of staying fit and healthy. Possible plans for further PSAs include a cultural exchange to ensure Tribal traditions continue with future generations. The videos also stress the responsibility the youth has for the survival of the Seminole Tribe. Bowers- Sanchez urges students to aim high because they represent the Tribe’s future. “You could be the next founder of Google, Facebook or Apple,” she said. “Just get out there and do your best. You can achieve anything if you just give it your all.” Photo courtesy of Linda Iley Jonathan Devon Bowers, far left, sightsees with his classmates during his summer abroad. Beverly Bidney Bowers-Sanchez was born in Brighton, raised in Hollywood, graduated from Hollywood Hills High Paula Bowers-Sanchez records a PSA to encourage youth to School, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology follow their dreams and work hard. from New York University and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern Tribal member studies abroad BY BEVERLY BIDNEY University. Staff Reporter “When I went away to school in New York, I was BY LINDA ILEY Colosseum in Rome. all alone,” Bowers-Sanchez said. “It was scary, but it Higher Education Adviser “The program gives high school and college HOLLYWOOD — Paula Bowers-Sanchez wants was the best thing I ever did.” students the opportunity to study abroad and experience to empower Tribal youth and encourage them to follow The message she hopes the youth will learn is FLORENCE — Jonathan Devon Bowers left his a much different lifestyle,” Bowers said. their dreams, whatever they may be. Her message is to simple but critically important to their lives: Work reservation and his country on June 14 to participate In addition, Bowers learned to adapt to another work hard because then success will naturally follow. hard, do your best and you will succeed at whatever in a summer program in Florence, Italy. This college culture and made great friendships with students of To get the message out to the youth, she recently taped you choose to do. preparation program earned him college credits at the other cultures. He said that while in Italy, he got the a few public service announcements that will play in “I was born and raised on the reservation; I came Florence University of the Arts. sense of the old and the traditional, much like his own Tribal schools and on Facebook and YouTube. from where these kids are now,” she said. “I want them For four weeks, Bowers lived and studied at one Native American culture. “I want them to see there are no limits,” said to know if I can do it, so can they.” of the most treasured centers of art, culture and history. Bowers not only returned home with college credit Bowers-Sanchez, who successfully followed her dream He said he met a lot of people, studied artworks and but also with memories of people and places and a of becoming an actress and singer. “No matter what sculptures, and visited “cool” places nearby, such as the wider understanding of the world.

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BY ANDREA HOLATA Staff Reporter

BRIGHTON — On Aug. 16, students and parents gathered in Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School’s lunchroom where they were introduced to all the 2012- 2013 school year teachers by principal Brian Greseth. Greseth mentioned the collective academic accomplishment of last school year and said he looks forward to this year. He also talked about school policies, including sports requirements and tardiness. Afterward, students eagerly walked to their new classrooms to meet their teachers and to get their supply lists to prepare for the first day of school on Aug. 20. Parents reviewed curriculum, provided contact Andrea Holata information and saw where their kids would learn. Dana Smith gets a breakdown of the curriculum for the year by history teacher Jade Braswell. Beverly Bidney Teacher Cynthia Wilkes shows sixth-grader Thomlynn Billie, 12, center, her desk. Family members Alice Billie, Tahnia Billie, 4, and Jane Billie accompany her. Ahfachkee holds open house

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Staff Reporter BIG CYPRESS — When faced with a new situation, knowing what to expect can help ease anxiety. With that in mind, Ahfachkee School gave students a sneak peek on Aug. 16, allowing them to see their classrooms and meet their teachers before the first day of school. Principal Lucy Dafoe told parents and students what to anticipate this year and introduced new teachers. The school-wide focus this year will be to improve math and reading levels, as well as to increase daily attendance. Andrea Holata “We are data driven and will use the data to get all Stacy Jones fills out contact information for son Marcos Reyna while first-grade teacher Cindy Ringstaff stands by. the kids up to grade level,” Dafoe said. “We plan to do whatever it takes.” New programs include an expanded, full-time music program, which includes choir and band for fourth- through seventh-grade students, and now the Beverly Bidney athletics program for middle and high school includes Principal Lucy Dafoe shakes the hand of second-grader district league competition for the golf and volleyball Colten Bert, 7, as his father, Jody Bert, looks on. teams. CHAMPS (Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement and Participation), a classroom and behavior for excellent attendance, and there will be consequences management program, will also be implemented to for truancy. Dafoe plans to work with parents to enlist ensure each classroom provides the best possible their help in getting children to school, but the school learning environment. will also have case managers for students who miss too Based on 30 years of research in the fields of many days of school. education and psychology, CHAMPS teaches students After Dafoe spoke and families enjoyed dinner, how to behave in school and what teachers expect from students visited their classrooms and met their teachers. them in specific situations. For example, students learn “I had a busy summer and am ready for school,” how best to ask for help, when it is appropriate to get said fifth-grader Charlie Frye. up from the desk, how to communicate effectively and Sixth-grade teacher Cynthia Wilkes was ready, too. what the goal is for each classroom activity. “I expect them to come with their thinking caps on Andrea Holata Andrea Holata And because attendance numbers affect funding and ready to take in all the knowledge they are going to Kindergarten teacher Betty Tillis is all smiles when it comes Mom Karen, Saniya, Meleah, dad Stanley and son Stanley from the Bureau of Indian Education, the school will get,” she said. “It’s going to be a great year.” to meeting her new student Carlee Osceola. Rodrigues visit the kindergarten classroom at PECS. vigorously enforce attendance. Incentives will be given Library, Education have open house 7th Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Outside, the Learning Resources Department had Staff Reporter backpacks filled with supplies, as well as supply lists and calendars for various schools that Tribal students College-Career Fair 2012 BIG CYPRESS — The start of the school year is attend. The Culture Department displayed animal wood an opportune time to showcase Tribal services to those carvings, beaded items, axes, patchwork, bows and who may benefit from them. In Big Cypress, the Willie small canoes. Frank Library, the Culture Department and Education’s “This is an opportunity for kids to see what we Learning Resources Department held their annual open have to offer, but we are here to talk to parents, too,” house with a focus on information and activities. said Carine Eugene, education adviser. “The Education “We are a small rural library,” said Gretchen staff is here, and it’s a good time to interact with them.” To all 9th - 12th Grade Students, AVP and College Students, Parents, and all DeBree, branch librarian. “We want kids and parents to But the highlight for most of the kids appeared to interested Seminole Tribal member adults be aware we are here and what we have available. It is be the enormous inflatable waterslides. a good time to meet the staff and promote the library.” “We thought it would be a fun outing,” said Glynnis Come Explore Strategies to Help You Prepare for college/career The library gave reference books to each child, Bowers, who attended with her daughters Sierra who could choose an atlas, dictionary, encyclopedia, Bowers, 14, and Shana Balentine, 10. “We always have almanac or book about animals. They also had an arts a good time at these events.” and crafts area where kids made sand art candle holders.  Meet College/University and Educating Students, Technical School Representatives Transforming Communities...

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Friday, October 12

Beverly Bidney 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Kids play on the inflatable waterslide during the open house event. Registration begins at 9:00 am

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel ALL Juniors and Seniors should 1 Seminole Way DEFINITELY attend! Bring your parents and visit with Hollywood, FL 33314 representatives from colleges and universities, trade and technical schools.

Please contact your Reservation Advisors: BR (863)763-3272; BC (863) 902-3200, IMM /NA (239) 867-5303; TA (813) 246- Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney .dvisor at (954) 989-6840, Sierra Bowers, 14, and Shana Balentine, 10, make sand art The Tigertail family enjoys some treats at the Open House. 3100; HLWD /FTP (954) 989-6840 candle at the Willie Frank Library. From left, Thomas, 6, mom Sheli, Rebecca, 2, and Abigail, 10. ext. 10540 or AVP @ ext. 10557. 7B • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

123456789 BACK TO SCHOOL

Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney Moms walk their children to their first day of the new school year at Ahfachkee on Aug. 20. Valerie Whiteside, Ahfachkee teacher coordinator, helps Ahfachkee pre-kindergarten teacher Renee Barry students with their schedules. helps Sahara Tiger find her name on the Smartboard.

Andrea Holata Andrea Holata Andrea Holata Eighth-grader Deliah Carrillo waits for her first day of class to begin at the Kamyah Fudge smiles on her way to find her Kindergarten teacher Kimberly Toms welcomes new students to her classroom on the Charter School’s first day of Charter School in Brighton. kindergarten classroom at PECS. school on Aug. 20.

Kathryn Stolarz Kathryn Stolarz Beverly Bidney Early childhood intervention specialist Will Bacon hangs out with the kids at the coloring table at the Hollywood Preschool. The four- and five-year-old class heads back to the Damien Fish, 10, enters his fourth-grade classroom at classroom after breakfast. Aubrey Cypress leads the way. Ahfachkee for the first time as his mother, Leslie Fish, looks on.

Judy Weeks Judy Weeks Kathryn Stolarz Aldricia Cummings cools off at the Immokalee back-to-school send off. “I’ve had a lot of fun this summer, but I’m glad we’re Maya Bowers, Alex Rodriguez and Sylas Billie play with toy crawlers during their first days back at the Hollywood She said, “I had a wonderful time at the Immokalee Recreation Summer going back to school,” said Carlize Bermudez at the Preschool. Program.” Immokalee back-to-school send off. 8B • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

Returns to the Express Scripts Pharmacy Network

The Seminole Tribe of Florida Health Department is pleased to announce that Express Scripts, the company the Tribe uses to manage your prescription drug benefit has reached an agreement with Walgreens, which will allow Walgreens to re-enter their pharmacy network. Therefore, as of September 15, 2012 Walgreens will begin participating in the Express Scripts pharmacy network and you may begin using Walgreens on September 15th.

While the Tribe encourages you to use the Seminole Pharmacy located on the Hollywood reservation, we are happy to offer you additional choices and added convenience in your pharmacy selection.

If you wish to move your prescriptions to Walgreens on or after September 15th, please do one of the follow:

• Take your prescription bottle to Walgreens; they will contact your old pharmacy to transfer your prescription. • Call Walgreens and ask them to contact your old pharmacy to transfer your prescription. • Ask your doctor to call Walgreens with your prescription information.

You can find a complete list of local participating pharmacies by signing in to www.express- scripts.com and clicking on “Find a pharmacy”.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Express Scripts at 1-877-266-1881. You may also contact the Seminole Pharmacy at 1-866-961-7210 or one of the Seminole Tribe of Florida Clinics.

Hollywood Health Clinic Brighton Health Clinic (954) 962-2009 (863) 763-0271

Big Cypress Health Clinic Immokalee Health Clinic (863) 983-5151 (239) 867-3400

Tampa Office (813) 620-2860

1C • The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012

Jobe Johns continues legacy at Josiah Johns Memorial Rodeo

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY and Phoenix LLC. As a member of the extended Johns family, rodeo quite a show at the arena. For those just starting a rodeo Staff Reporter “I love the adrenaline and winning,” said Jobe, a runs in Jobe’s blood. The Josiah Johns Memorial career or those well into it, Brighton is clearly the place ninth-grader in Troy, Ala. “Competing against grown Rodeo, an annual event held for more than 10 years, to be with your boots on. men doesn’t bother me at all.” is named for the all-round cowboy and cattleman who BRIGHTON — To say the Johns family likes It has been a busy and fruitful year for Jobe, who had a successful rodeo career before passing away in the rodeo is like saying the Ford family likes cars. The won third place as the all-round cowboy at the National an automobile accident in the early ‘80s. His son Marty latest rodeo enthusiast in the family, 13-year-old Jobe High School Rodeo Association’s 2012 National Johns produces the rodeo through his company Marki Johns, is galloping to the top of the field. Junior High Finals Rodeo in Gallup, N.M. and won the Rodeo. His daughters, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins Jobe recently competed against his peers and adults following events at the Alabama Junior High School all compete in the rodeo as well. in the Josiah Johns Memorial Rodeo held at the Fred Rodeo Association 2011-2012: first place all-round “It’s a family affair,” said Marty, also the general Smith Arena in Brighton. During the junior rodeo on cowboy; first place tie down calf roping; second place manager at the Brighton Casino. “The memory of my Aug. 17, he won five events, and although he didn’t fare team roping; first place chute dogging; first place ribbon father gives me all the power in the world.” as well during the adult rodeo on Aug. 18, he managed roping; first place goat tying; first place bull riding. Marty likes the consistency of events at rodeos, to hold his own. “I practice every day at home,” Jobe said. “I love but knowing everything can go wrong keeps him on his “He’s bad to the bone and is doing a good job being here; there is nothing about the rodeo I don’t game. His company owns the animals in the rodeo, with against these men,” said Tara Johns, Jobe’s mother. like.” the exception of the participants’ personal horses. “But he’s still only 13, so I have to help him get ready.” A well-rounded kid, Jobe also enjoys hunting for “We take care of our animals,” he said. “They eat His wins in the junior rodeo qualified Jobe to deer and turkey and socializing with his peers. Billy Joe before we do.” compete in the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) in Johns, originally from Brighton, is proud of his son’s Marty is also a partner with Paul Bowers Jr., and Las Vegas on Nov. 6. This was the last Eastern Indian accomplishments. together they own the Five Star Rodeo Company, which Rodeo Association (EIRA) event of the season, so his “He’s been working pretty hard to get to this point,” produces Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association first-place finishes in chute dogging, steer riding and said Billy Joe, a former rodeo cowboy. “He could have events. breakaway calf roping qualified him for the INFR event a career if he wants one.” In addition to Jobe, cowboys and cowgirls from all and won him the EIRA youth all-around cowboy award The Johns’ Alabama ranch contains a ring, and over the country competed in this year’s Josiah Johns Beverly Bidney for the third consecutive year. rodeo cowboys often bring Jobe good horses to ride for Memorial Rodeo. Jobe Johns practices with his rope at the Josiah Johns Jobe began rodeo riding at 4 years old, and he training. Joe Beaver, an eight-time world champion and The bucking horses, steer, calves and nimble- Memorial Rodeo on Aug. 18 in Brighton. would like to make a career in the rodeo. He already family friend, works with Jobe during his visits. footed horses with their cowboys and cowgirls put on has sponsors, including Cinch National Rodeo Team F See more RODEO photos on page 3C Lady Seminoles win NASA softball championship Hayla Boyz place third in baseball tournament

BY ANDREA HOLATA over by winning 12-11, which gave them a shot at the Staff Reporter championship game. On day two, the Lady Seminoles took to the field KINDER, La. — Native Tribes from the for a rematch against the She Devils. With the sun Southeast traveled to Kinder, La. to compete in the beating down on them, the Seminoles fell behind with annual Native American Sports Association (NASA) a score of 6-12. However, they weren’t finished yet. softball tournament. Coming from behind in the last inning once again, Four teams from Seminole Country (two men’s the Lady Seminoles rallied on two outs to win the and two women’s) made the road trip to participate tournament by 1 point with a score of 13-12, proving in the annual NASA tournament from Aug. 10-11, that they still had many years of game left. hosted by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. Showing The Seminoles were awarded a team trophy, that they still have fight in them, the Lady Seminoles championship jackets and of course, bragging rights. brought home the championship trophy and the Hayla If it weren’t for the sponsorship of Leslie Osceola, Boyz came in a respectable third place. who paid the tournament entry fee, and Hollywood The Lady Seminoles, a combined team from Board Rep. Chris Osceola, who purchased the Hollywood, Brighton, Immokalee and Choctaw Seminoles’ jerseys, it all would not have been possible Photo courtesy of Salina Dorgan reservations, made up the “40 and over” championship to win the tournament, said Salina Dorgan, Lady The Super Seminoles-Brighton, a girls’ 16-18 team, win their division during the NAYO tournament in Philadelphia, Miss. team. Seminoles team member. The Lady Seminoles started their winning journey “The Lady Seminoles team would like to give a by defeating the Cherokees 9-2 in game one, but they big thanks to all those that made it possible to play in lost their second game to last year’s champions, the She the NASA tournament,” Dorgan said. Tribal youth compete in NAYO Devils, by a close score of 7-8. The Hayla Boyz played two games on Friday and Having played two games already, the Lady six games on Saturday, making it all the way to the Seminoles started to slow down. The Cherokees quickly semifinal round. The combined team from Brighton, baseball and softball tourneys gained the lead by a score of 11-8 in the last inning. Hollywood, Immokalee, Big Cypress and Cherokee With one chance left on final bat with bases loaded, reservations was awarded third place, receiving a team trophy and T-shirts. one third-place finish. The Super Seminoles-Brighton, the Lady Seminoles’ Carlene Osceola hit a long-drive BY BEVERLY BIDNEY a girls’ 16-18 team, won their division, while the ball out to center field, clearing the bases. They took Staff Reporter Unconquered Lady Seminoles, a girls’ 13-15 team, placed third. PHILADELPHIA, Miss. — Eleven Seminole “We aren’t a very big Tribe so we have fewer kids baseball and softball teams traveled to Philadelphia, to choose from, but we still do very well,” said Wildcat Miss. to play at the Native American Youth Jumper, Recreation aide in Brighton and a coach at Organization’s (NAYO) annual tournament held from the tournament. “When we win, the other Tribes don’t July 19-21. like it too much. They are all working to get better in Categorized by age, about 500 youth on teams from athletics.” the Seminole, Cherokee, Choctaw, Seneca and Poarch Wildcat Jumper, who grew up playing in NAYO Creek Tribes competed in boys’ baseball and girls’ fast- tournaments, understands the rivalries and sees the pitch softball. About 250 Tribal members attended the Tribal kids figuring it out, too. tournament to cheer on the Seminole teams. “They know they have to work to get better,” he “It’s a great thing that brings Tribes together,” said. “It’s fun to have a rivalry; it gets them motivated. said Moses Jumper Jr., a founding member of NAYO It can get heated at times, but for the most part it’s a and a coach at the tournament. “Relationships have good rivalry.” developed and endured through sports, and it has given This was the first year NAYO included 8 and under our young people a sense of unity.” teams, who performed well. Established in the 1980s, NAYO unites Native “The Recreation Department’s philosophy is the American Tribes across the country for friendly younger you start them, the better off they will be,” said competition through sports. Its founding Tribes Richard Blankenship, Tribalwide director of Recreation. (Seminole and Cherokee) and those who joined shortly “We were happy to see them out there. The Tribe was after (Choctaw, Seneca and Poarch Creek) still form well represented athletically, socially and showed great the core of the organization, Jumper said, but all non- parental support. It was a great experience, and I hope member Tribes may participate in the tournaments. to keep the kids active throughout the year.” Annual tournaments include baseball and softball in Wildcat Jumper coached the youngest girls’ team the summer and basketball in the spring. The host Tribe and knows the importance of keeping young kids sponsors the tournaments, which rotate between Tribes. engaged in the game. “We’ve always been a mainstay because we’ve “They took third place, but I’m really proud of always seen the importance of it,” Jumper said. them,” he said. “Those little girls played their hearts The Seminole sports program, which has a out. They had three games in a row and were worn out reputation of being one of the top in the Southeast, at the end. I told them it showed they left everything on performed well in this year’s tournament. Results of the field and they should be proud. I’m just glad to see Photo courtesy of Salina Dorgan the Seminole teams included one championship and new, young ballplayers coming up.” The 2012 NASA “40 and over” softball champions, the Lady Seminoles, gather after their victory.

Tribal members tune in to London Olympic Games

BY KATHRYN STOLARZ “For the Olympics, regardless of race, color or Lyle placed 35th in her individual event as one of the Copy Editor whatever, you can come together and be happy for youngest American dressage riders in equestrian. your team,” he said. “Hopefully our kids will watch it While they competed admirably this year, only The 2012 London Olympics captivated much and that they draw some inspiration from that.” three Native Americans have medaled in individual of the world’s attention, and Seminoles were no Bowers was happy to learn that several Native events in the past 100 years: Jim Thorpe, Billy Mills exception. Americans competed in this year’s games, including and Duke Kahanamoku. Chairman James E. Billie was among many Tribal Mary Killman, of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Tribal member Moses Jumper Jr. couldn’t help but members who tuned in to catch the action from July 27 Oklahoma; Mary Spencer, a First Nation Ojibway; think of Thorpe as he watched this year’s Olympics. to Aug. 12. About 10,500 athletes from 204 countries Tumuaialii Anae, a Native Hawaiian; and Adrienne “[The Olympics] reminds me of the great athletes, competed for 2,100 medals on the world’s biggest Lyle, of the Cherokee Nation. Spencer competed for especially like Jim Thorpe,” he said. “You could stage – including several Native Americans. Canada and the rest represented the U.S. probably compare him now today to Michael Phelps Chairman Billie told assistant Norman Bowers “I wish one of them was one of our own Tribal because of the magnitude of all the events he did in that he enjoyed watching the games with son Eecho members,” he said, “but as long as it’s a Native one sport.” Billie. The Chairman was impressed to see U.S. American…I’d definitely hope they would place.” Thorpe, of the Sac and Fox Tribe, won gold anniversary of those games as part of the “Best in the swimmer Michael Phelps break the world record for Killman placed 11th in the synchronized medals in the pentathlon and decathlon in the 1912 World: Native Athletes in the Olympics” exhibit. The most Olympic medals earned, Bowers said. swimming finals with partner Mariya Koroleva; Stockholm Olympics, making him one of the greatest medals were then brought to London and displayed. Bowers, who participates in several sports around Spencer made it to the quarterfinals in the inaugural Native American athletes of all time. This July, the year of women’s middleweight boxing; Anae was medals were showcased at the Smithsonian’s National the reservation, said he kept his TV on the games F throughout the day and night to cheer for the U.S. the goalie of the gold-winning water polo team; and Museum of the American Indian in honor of the 100th See OLYMPICS on page 2C 2C• The Seminole Tribune • August 31, 2012 Tribal youth excel in basketball Tribe to play in Hawaiian BY BEVERLY BIDNEY went to NCAA Division 1 schools like Staff Reporter Villanova and FSU,” he said. “I chose Embry-Riddle because they said I could basketball tournament Basketball is a popular sport on play right away.” BY KATHRYN STOLARZ “We don’t know much about the the reservation and a healthy hobby A member of the National Copy Editor [Seminole] Tribe itself,” she said. “I think for Tribal youth. DeForest Carter and Association of Intercollegiate Athletics there’s a mutual curiosity about each others’ Courtney Osceola are a couple of Tribal Division 2 and The Sun Conference, Seminole athletes will fly to Hawaii culture, so we’re excited to make that role models who continue to play while the team’s season starts in September to shoot hoops and exchange culture with exchange happen.” striving for academic excellence in and runs through March. Although the Native teams from around the nation from The tournament began three years college. basketball season is long, Carter focuses Oct. 5-7 during the third annual Hawaiian ago as a way to gather Native groups from DeForest Carter on academics. Way Fund Basketball Tournament. across the country, Meyer said. It also raises As a kid growing up in Big Cypress, “It’s school first and then basketball,” It will be the first time a team from money for the Hawaiian Way Fund, which DeForest Carter loved playing football. said Carter, a sophomore studying Florida will attend. promotes Native Hawaiians’ community- But the rest of his family enjoyed business administration. “The coaches Tribal member Jason Don Billie and culture-based initiatives, such as hula basketball, so Carter often found himself make sure we focus on schoolwork and registered the Seminoles’ team of seven groups and cultural language arts groups. watching them play. When he was 10 keep our GPAs at (a minimum of) 2.0 men to play in the “35 and older” category Although basketball is not the most common years old, he tried it and liked the game so individually and 3.0 for the entire team.” after finding out about it on the basketball sport for Native Hawaiians (canoe paddling much, he hasn’t stopped playing. Today Carter has met people from all over website www.NativeHoops.com. and surfing are), Meyer said basketball’s he plays for his team at Embry-Riddle the world through basketball and has “Not everybody goes to Hawaii to universal appeal prompted them to choose Aeronautical University in Daytona even played against some NBA players play basketball,” said Billie, who is excited it for a competition. Beach as a shooting guard. through the Amateur Athletic Union about networking opportunities. “It’s just “It’s something we saw is very popular “I love the sport and have met so while in high school. He always thought somewhere different.” with the (other) Native groups,” she said. many people through basketball,” Carter about going into business for himself, but Elton Shore, Jason Cypress and Travis Indigenous men’s and women’s teams said. “I never thought I’d leave my he wants to come back to Big Cypress Osceola are the other Tribal members will compete for cash prizes up to $2,500 reservation, but it has given me so much when he graduates college to start a registered. Billie recruited Dave Smith, of while networking and building friendships. opportunity.” basketball team there first. Kathryn Stolarz the Yaqui Tribe, from Arizona, and Jesse Other teams already registered include Carter played for his high school “Basketball is a sport that requires Scholar Courtney Osceola recently started MacCoughlin and Ray Penola, of the Sioux those from Washington, D.C., Alaska and team, Montverde Academy located west hard work,” he said. “Just having talent coaching basketball in addition to playing. Tribe, from North Dakota, to play for the North Dakota. Meyer said in the past they of Orlando, which has a nationally and won’t take you anywhere. As long as you Seminoles as well. Billie said he’s been averaged 12-14 teams at the tournaments, internationally renowned basketball work hard, you can succeed in anything.” playing basketball with them for 15 years. but she hopes more will attend this year. program. He received the Coach’s Courtney Osceola team win the 2010 NAYO tournament. Hollywood Councilman Marcellus W. “When I think Seminole, I know that Award in both junior and senior years of Tribal athlete Courtney Osceola, 19, She also played in all-star games for 4 Osceola Jr. paid the team’s entry fee, and there is a lot of history,” she said. “But high school. The award is given to the is also chasing her dreams and encourages Love of the Game’s March Madness each teammate will be responsible for travel I don’t know a lot, and I’m just looking player coaches pick as best all-around all Tribal youth to do the same. tournament and Broward vs. Dade expenses. forward to having the opportunity to get up team player. From there, he earned a Osceola, daughter of Joe Dan and counties during high school. Tournament coordinator Kehau Meyer close and personal with [the Seminoles]… scholarship to Embry-Riddle. Virginia Osceola, Bird Clan, has made Traveling is one of Osceola’s said she is excited to meet the Seminoles, It gives me the opportunity to do more than “A lot of my high school teammates a name for herself on the basketball passions, and basketball tournaments whom she considers “cousins of sorts.” just Googling something.” court by emerging as a key player while have helped make that happen. She’s attending University School in Davie. competed in Canada and across the She continues to play in intramurals as nation, including New York, Las Vegas parents need to get them out there.” a sophomore at Georgetown College in F OLYMPICS Particularly, Jumper thought of the and Hawaii. From page 1C Kentucky. Basketball also gives Osceola a potential of young Tribal gymnasts as he Although she doesn’t consider healthy outlet for stress and emotions, watched the U.S. team take home a gold in the herself a shooter, North Broward she said. In addition to Thorpe, swimmer Olympics this year. Preparatory School head coach Greg In addition to playing, she’s Kahanamoku gained international attention “We got a bunch of our little girls who are Walker begged to differ. expanded her horizons by coaching. for his stellar performances in the Olympics. involved in gymnastics,” he said. “I hope they “I think of her as a shooter,” he said Osceola coached the Tribe’s women’s The Native Hawaiian won an individual can take it further.” as North Broward took on University team in the 2012 Native American gold and a silver in a relay for the U.S. at Although Seminoles haven’t yet made School in the Class 3A Regional Finals Basketball Invitational. the 1912 Olympics. He also earned golds in names for themselves in the Olympics, Jumper during her senior year. “She’s a tough, “Coaching is a change,” she said. an individual and a relay event in 1920 in acknowledged that a lot of Tribal members tough player.” “It’s a lot more thinking because you Antwerp and a silver in 1924 in Paris. have achieved greatness in their sports, like Playing to her strengths as a forward have to analyze what the other team was Forty years later, Mills, of the Oglala his cousin David Jumper, who was inducted and point guard, Osceola helped her thinking.” Sioux Tribe, won the U.S. a gold medal in the into the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame school qualify for regional finals for the When it comes to academics, Osceola 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. earlier this year. first time in history. Although they lost, is currently interested in journalism. The first recorded Native American Another successful Seminole athlete, her coach had positive things to say Whatever she ends up studying, she participation was in the 1904 St. Louis, Mo. 2011 EIRA Regional Champion Leanna Billie about her performance. wants to bring her knowledge back to the Games, where athletes like Black Eagle, brought home gold buckles in the first and “Courtney is an all-around unselfish Tribe and work for them, she said. Spotted Tail, Snake Eater and Rain in Face third rounds of the Ladies Breakaway. Billie, person and student athlete,” University Her advice to youth is this: “Find out competed on the gold-winning Canadian and a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys head coach Greg Farias said. “All that what you love and stick with it…There silver-winning American lacrosse teams. Association, said she watched some of this shows on the court. She has the ability are so many possibilities for us.” Jumper, who recently retired from 38 year’s Olympic diving and volleyball and felt to score at least 20 points per game, but years as the Tribe’s Recreation director, has inspired. she’s all about helping her team out.” Raevin Frank interviewed Osceola seen a lot of Tribal athletes in his lifetime, and “When you watch some of the background In high school, Osceola earned at Seminole Media Productions he hopes they will watch the Olympics and get stories of what they’ve done to get there, it impressive accolades: MVP of her Workshop. Kathryn Stolarz contributed inspired. makes me want to strive more in my events freshman and sophomore years and the to this article. “They’ve got the training and they’ve got as an athlete,” she said. “I’m really aiming to Photo courtesy of DeForest Carter Coach’s Award for her junior and senior the finances to take it beyond what they can be world champion someday, so it’s all going DeForest Carter plays college basketball for years. One of her career highlights was do now,” he said. “We’ve got the facilities toward that.” Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. helping the Tribe’s You Don’t Want It today…We’ve got the instructors…The TickeT BrokerS \\\\\\\\\\\\\\

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Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney A cowboy quickly ties up a calf. Jobe Johns successfully ropes a calf during the Josiah Johns Memorial Rodeo on Aug. 18 at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton. Paul Bowers Jr. watches as a young cowboy’s bucking horse is about to break free.

Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney Beverly Bidney A rider attempts to rope a calf. Jobe Johns waits for his next event on his horse. A bareback bucking horse rider manages to stay on the horse. The goal is to stay on the horse for six seconds without falling.

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Birthdays

Lawrence, Kan. July 30, 2012

Those of you who attended Haskell (HI) from 1962 on as a student, as a babysitter or played softball with or against him and those others who are still his close friends even today, on Sept. 10, 2012, John Scott Harjo will become 50 years of age. So if you could take few minutes out of your busy life and call him, text or even send a card, John will be very much surprised and appreciate hearing from you. I’m sure you will help him to feel better about his age to be! John’s address is: 2512 Mayfair Dr. Box 6, Lawrence, KS 66046. Call phone number 785-312-0261. Thank you and my best regards to each of you.

– Esther Harjo Submitted by the proud grandparents: Robert and April Stivers Thank you Congratulations

The family of the late Roger Smith would like to me (Diane) during the most difficult time. say that we are sorry for not responding to all who sent God bless you all. condolences. We waited until the grieving process of – Family of late Roger Smith, 1953-2012 the traditional months had passed. Thank you for all the flowers, cards, letters and prayers during this difficult time for our family. It was such a pleasure to have heard and read all the beautiful comments made about Roger and “that smile.” What an amazing person he was. He touched the lives of so many people in the time he was with us. Words can never express how much it meant to our family to learn what a powerful impact he had on so many he came into contact with (even the hospital staff). Although we could not have asked for a more loving husband, father and grandfather, we will truly miss him. He will not be forgotten. Again, thank you so much for all the kind words and to everyone who came to our camp and those who helped with the cooking. I especially want to express thanks to Onnie Osceola, Molly Shore and Bobby Clay for being with Diane, Dana, Trisha, Amanda and Brittany with Roger. Words of Support July 13, 2012 Time was requested to do a presentation of the Mr. Stephen Bowers, Liaison Veterans Affairs AIVMI Project before the Yakama Tribal Council Seminole Tribe of Florida during their regular monthly business session. Tribal 6300 Stirling Road Council passed the proposed resolution unanimously. Hollywood, FL 33024 I wish to commend yourself and others who have Congratulations, Congratulations to the new Miss Florida Seminole provided dedication and hard work to see the proposed Mr. Bowers, monument become reality. Renee Amber Stivers Congratulations to our amazing and beautiful Greetings, sir. I am the Interim Program Manager Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further We’re very proud of you for all daughter Alexis Aguilar on her winning the Miss for the Yakama Nation Veterans Affairs Program and assistance regarding this project. Florida Seminole crown for 2012-2013. We are very also a member of the Yakama Warriors Association. your accomplishments and hard proud of you and all you have accomplished at such I have had the pleasure of meeting you, Mitchell Respectfully, work. an early age. We look forward to seeing what your future holds. Good luck on your reign and make your Cypress and other veteran members of your Tribe Max Corpuz, Jr. We love you, when you traveled up here to Yakama. We here on the Interim Veterans Affairs Program Manager Tribe proud. Yakama Reservation are very much in support of the “Semper Fi” Dad (Robert Stivers), April and Love Mom and Dad (Vanessa and Pete Aguilar Jr.), AIVMI and totally agree Native American veterans cc: Veterans Committee – Yakama Tribal Council the entire family deserve the recognition they have fought and died for Post Office Box 151, Fort Road sisters (Cartaya and Caniah), brothers (Ethan, Jack, this great country we live in. Toppenish, WA 98948 Nehemiah, Zephaniah and Ezekiel) Call to Action Classified There’s a radio station up this way in Tampa. It’s your computer at www.WMNF.org every Sunday night a community radio station that is supported by the from 9-11 p.m. listeners. Twice a year, the radio station has marathons The show has attracted me to hear the likes of in which the listeners are asked to make their pledges Chairman James E. Billie, Paula Bowers-Sanchez and to their favorite shows. During the marathon week, Seminole Star Search winners and others. each show will have a certain amount to raise for Let’s show our Native pride to the powers that be Get Out of Jail their show to stay on air. The marathons are held in at the WMNF station and help the Two Worlds show Fast! April and in October, and I would like to take this make its goal. opportunity to call on my fellow Seminoles to support Always N.D.N. Call Myrna Loy and make your pledges come October for the Two Worlds show. The Two Worlds show is where music – Alex Tucker, Hollywood Reservation, Otter Clan of Native artists are played. The show can be heard on (954) 583-9119. Tribal dividends, MasterCard and Visa Poem accepted.

I will always remember what I was told, 24 hours • Speedy The Path We are strong just like gold. Release • Professional The way I be is the true Indian in me. Sawgrass and blue skies will never ever go away, Service. Seminole and Miccosukee is the path that I know, The sun will shine on us each and every day. So honor and respect is what I show. What the old people say is true. 1128 NW 31st Ave., That is what I know, What the old people say is true, Ft. Lauderdale, FL We are Unconquered and always will be. Their knowledge helped me grow. Freedom is what we gained, 33311 So all together I will show no shame. – Patrick Doctor Jr. (Gator)