Annual Seminole Tribal Fair and Pow Wow Set to Kick Off in Hollywood
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Native American Wyatt Youngman Ahfachkee girls full of murals in Miami leads FSC fraternity energy, victories COMMUNITY v 3A EDUCATION v 1B SPORTS v 1C www.seminoletribune.org Free Volume XLIV • Number 1 January 31, 2020 Kastelic says 20th annual Rez Rally - a healthy start to challenges to ICWA aren’t new decade for hundreds of runners, walkers about protecting BY BEVERLY BIDNEY children Staff Reporter BIG CYPRESS — More than 650 BY DAMON SCOTT people came from every reservation and Staff Reporter every generation, from elders to infants, to compete and connect at the 20th annual Rez Rally on Jan. 11 in Big Cypress. Those who have monitored ongoing The breezy, cool weather at the platinum challenges to the Indian Child Welfare Act edition of Rez Rally couldn’t have been say the past 15 months have been more better. The theme, “Seminole Strong,” was alarming than usual. taken literally as the invigorated participants A Jan. 22 hearing by the U.S. Court of ran, walked or were wheeled through the Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans 3-mile or 1-mile course. didn’t do much to quell what is seen as “I do it for my health,” said President the underlying issue: a continued and, of Mitchell Cypress, who has walked in late, ramped up assault on inherent tribal every Rez Rally. “I have diabetes and the sovereignty. medication helps, but you have to exercise It’s not known when the court will issue and help yourself as well.” a decision based on the latest hearing. None Sponsored by the Integrative Health had been issued by press time. program, Rez Rally promotes healthy Sarah L. Kastelic (Alutiiq) is in the thick lifestyle choices such as nutrition and of the fight. She is the executive director of the exercise. An additional purpose of the National Indian Child Welfare Association popular event is to encourage people to (NICWA) – a position she’s held since 2015. remain active, have some fun and enjoy the The group is hosting its 38th annual camaraderie of the day. Beverly Bidney “Protecting Our Children” conference March “The ultimate goal is to create a 29 to April 1 in Denver. Kastelic is expecting community of health with everybody Kaleb Thomas leads the pack at the start of the 20th annual Rez Rally in Big Cypress on Jan. 11. 1,600 to attend. The Seminole Tribe of working together towards wellness,” said Florida is a sponsor. Suzanne Davis, Integrative Health program led by the fitness department. “The years pass so quickly,” Rep. Buster a chance to see. “The whole organization was founded on manager. “It is a way for people to come “We all enjoy getting together at these said. “Diabetes is our biggest problem, “The family reunion of Rez Rally is the the heels on ICWA’s passage,” Kastelic said. together to support each other and build events,” said Chairman Marcellus W. besides drugs and alcoholism. We all need to best part,” Osceola said. “It’s the biggest “Tribal leaders were excited their authority relationships to go forward on their wellness Osceola Jr. “Even though we are in teams take care of ourselves to maintain our lives. get together we have and it’s great to see was being recognized.” journey.” of our reservations, remember we are all Start working on your nutrition and exercise, everyone from different reservations. It’s But that authority is in increasing Before the race began, the crowd Seminole Tribal members. Do your best which helps control type 2 diabetes.” really hard to get together like this.” jeopardy. gathered in the Junior Cypress Rodeo Arena every day of your life from here on out.” For all its health benefits, Rez Rally is Sisters Marissa and Angelina Osceola, Kastelic’s organization works on a to hear from Tribal leaders and to get their Brighton Board Rep. Helene Buster has also a time for socializing. Steve Osceola of Naples, have been running together for a variety of issues to stabilize ICWA’s standing. blood moving with some warm-up exercises been involved with Rez Rally since it began has participated in about 70 percent of the She and her staff train social workers and in 2000. events and loves seeing people he rarely gets F See REZ RALLY on page 4A develop curriculum. NICWA’s clients are tribal members and tribal affairs workers, administrators and other leaders and those who work in related areas like substance Annual Seminole Tribal Fair and abuse and health. The “Protect ICWA Campaign” consists of NICWA, the Native American Rights Fund, National Congress of American Indians and Pow Wow set to kick off in Hollywood the Association on American Indian Affairs. All four work in tandem to engage BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Ballroom. Special guests include Cowboy Indian Country and its allies on the threat to Staff Reporter Troy and DJ Sinister. the almost 41-year-old law and direct them Other entertainment on tap includes toward actions they can take. a freestyle alligator wrestling competition After months of uncertainty, it looked HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole Tribal Fair and Pow Wow will fill the Hard Feb. 8 and 9 as well as wildlife shows. as if an immediate threat to the law would The Native Reel Cinema Festival will ease a bit after an August 2019 decision by Rock Hollywood Feb. 7-9 with colorful regalia and the sound of beating drums as be held Feb. 7 and 8 and will include the a three-judge panel on the aforementioned 30th anniversary screening of “Powwow Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. hundreds of dancers and drummers compete for more than $150,000 in prize money. Highway,” and a Short Film Festival. That summer ruling nullified a previous Celebrities scheduled to appear include Gary decision in Oct. 2018 by District Court Judge Billed as the 49th annual Celebration of Native Arts and Culture, each day will begin Farmer, Keith Secola, Martin Sensmeier, Reed O’Connor of the Northern District of Eugene Brave Rock, Maddona Thunder Texas (first Brackeen v. Zinke now Brackeen with grand entries (Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Feb. 8 at noon and 7 p.m.) During Hawk, Marcella Gilbert, Elizabeth Castle, v. Bernhardt) that ICWA was unconstitutional Adrian Stevens and Sean Snyder. because it was “race based and violates the grand entry the Seminole and Lakota Women Warriors color guards, dignitaries, Hosted by actor and stuntman Eugene the equal protection clause of the U.S. Brave Rock, the screening of “Powwow Constitution.” royalty, celebrities and dancers take the floor and fill every inch as they dance around in an Highway” will be Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. and will “The way he made that decision was feature a question and answer period with kind of sketchy,” Kastelic said. “He didn’t do ever tighter circle. Competitive dance events will feature its star Farmer, who will also join Secola the legal analysis we would expect.” for a musical performance. Fans will have A hearing the following March in New men’s straight, fancy and grass, women’s cloth, fancy shawl, buckskin and jingle and a chance to take photos with their favorite Orleans appealing O’Connor’s decision celebrities as well. naturally made Kastelic and others nervous. men’s and women’s northern traditional. The drum competition will include northern and The Short Film Festival will be Feb. Would it be upheld or overturned? 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Films include “But we had some good signals. The southern categories. The event will also offer enough “Fast Horse,” “Legacy,” “ALLAPATAH,” Eugene Brave Heart/Facebook (above); file photo (right) judges asked really smart questions; then we “Sweetheart Dancers” and “Warrior Above, actor and stuntman Eugene Brave Heart got a wonderful decision that basically threw traditional Seminole patchwork, beadwork, baskets and crafts, along with items from Women.” There will also be a question and is scheduled to be among the celebrities at the out all of the claims the opposition made,” answer session with Thunder Hawk and Native Reel Cinema Festival during the Seminole Kastelic said. other Native American tribes, to keep any shopper busy. Gilbert of “Warrior Women” and Stevens Tribal Fair and Pow Wow. At right, a dancer However, immediately after it was and Snyder of “Sweetheart Dancers.” performs at last year’s pow wow. overturned the Brakeens and several other Country music stars Big & Rich are scheduled to be the headliners with a free For more information visit families, including the attorneys general of semtribefairandpowwow.com/. Texas, Indiana and Louisiana, requested an concert Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. in the Seminole F See ICWA on page 9A Ahfachkee murals preserved through laser scanning BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Working with the University of South Staff Reporter Florida, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office spent Jan. 27 and 28 using a state- BIG CYPRESS — In 1993 and 1994, of-the-art laser scanner and photography to Seminole artist Mary Gay Osceola used her document the artwork and create digital three talent and experience to paint 13 murals dimensional visualizations of the murals, on the walls of the Ahfachkee School in which adorned the school’s hallways, library Big Cypress. Those murals, which depict and cafeteria. Seminole life and legends, have been “Laser scanning is an up and coming preserved for posterity despite the imminent preservation technology,” said Lacee Cofer, demolition of the building, which was built THPO chief data analyst. “It’s gaining more in 1991. ground and is becoming more popular. We “We wanted to save the images so are pretty excited about it.” we have a memory of the building,” said USF lab director and archeologist Laura Principal Dorothy Cain.