www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXVIII • Number 11 August 10, 2007
What’sInside Jennifer Chalfant Crowned 2007- 2008 Miss Florida Seminole Princess Alicia Nunez Crowned 2007-2008 Jr. Miss Seminole
Cattle Shipping
Page 4 Felix DoBosz Max Osceola at the press conference. New Starting Location Revealed for Youth Conference Page 8 Winterfest Boat Parade By Felix DoBosz FORT LAUDERDALE — On July 26, five months before the annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade takes place on Dec. 15, a press conference was held to announce its relocation. The parade route used to begin at Port Everglades, a lim- ited view starting point, and will now start in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale on the New River at the Broward Performing Arts Center. Stephen Galla It then cruises east to the Wellness Conference Emcee Moses Jumper, Jennifer Chalfant, Chairman Mitchell Cypress, Alicia Nunez and President Richard Bowers. Intracoastal Waterway, then north to its cus- Please see pages 29-32 for story and photos. tomary destination Santa Barbara Lake in Page 9 Pompano Beach. This change will allow an additional estimated 250,000 spectators to cheer while lined up on both sides of the nar- Health ...... 12 row New River. Home owners, condo own- Education ...... 14 Tamiami Trail Field Office Grand Opening Celebration ers and guests will have a fantastic view Sports ...... 17 from their homes and balconies as well as Announcements ...... 24 By Elizabeth Leiba can take a look around and see how ing services provided after school for restaurants and hotels. This year’s boat parade should News from Indian Country . . .25 OCHOPEE, Fla. — Tamiami we’re living out here.” students. Trail community members, Tribal Osceola introduced his staff “Today is a very special day prove to be the best ever because it will not employees and friends gathered for the members as well as Assistant Director of because we’ve come a long way,” grand opening of the Petties Osceola Sr. the Housing Department James Oleksak. remarked Osceola. See WINTERFEST, page 5 Trail Field Office in Ochopee, Fla. on Osceola’s staff is working in conjunction Oleksak assured the community Aug. 3. The event was hosted and with the Housing Department to bring that the Housing Department is there to emceed by Trail Tribal Liaison William many new improvements to the Trail serve all their needs to the best of their Council Holds Osceola who gave the crowd a warm Community. ability. Seminole Hard welcome. Osceola explained that among “I want you to know we are “I’m glad you’re here today. I’d the planned improvements are the build- here to serve you,” he said. “One of the Meeting in BC like to welcome you,” said William ing of two story homes in the preserve things we want to do is expand the num- Rock Hotel & Osceola. “It’s really great that you made for community members as well as a ber of camps that are available.” By Chris Jenkins it out here because we’re so far out. You movie room, new computers and tutor- BIG CYPRESS — The Seminole See TRAIL, page 5 Tribal Council met for a regular meeting Casino Sweeps on July 23 on the Big Cypress Reservation. They passed 39 resolutions Region with including: Tribe Donates $25,000 to Kyle Petty’s Resolution 19: Grant of easement for right-of-way to Tampa Electric Company for Tampa Seminole Hard Rock ‘Best of’ Awards Hotel & Casino; Victory Junction Gang Camp Submitted by Bitner Goodman PR Resolution 22: Amendments of HOLLYWOOD — Casino Player the Seminole Tribe of Florida 401(k) Plan; magazine editors recently announced the Resolution 23: Approval of the Motorcyclists Celebrate 13th Annual Charity Ride Across America 2007 Best of Gaming Awards, which are Seminole Tribe of Florida amended and based upon reader response. The Seminole restated Supplemental Executive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino secured first Retirement Plan; place for Best Overall Hotel Casino and Best Resolution 24: Amendment of Overall Entertainment, and among 37 other the Seminole Tribe of Florida Seminole first place awards, two second place awards Indian Casino 401(k) Plan effective Jan. 1, and one third place award. 2008; The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Resolution 25: Purchase of Casino swept the region in nearly all cate- Apple® computers for the Brighton gories for overall hotel casino, entertainment Charter School; and dining. On the hospitality side, Seminole See COUNCIL, page 3 Hard Rock garnered first place for categories including Best Overall Hotel and Best VIP Services. The casino was named Best Overall Casino, Trendiest Casino, Best High Board Holds First Limit Players Lounge, Best High Limit Slot Area, Most Innovative Slot Floor and Most Frequented Casino, among others. Meeting With New Entertainment designations include Best Overall Entertainment, Best Bar, Best Pool Area, Best Pool Bar; Best Nightclub, Representatives Best Place to Shop and more. Council Oak received recognition as Best Steakhouse and By Elizabeth Leiba and Felix DoBosz for its Champagne Brunch. Several Seminole HOLLYWOOD — The Paradise restaurants won accolades in cate- Seminole Tribal Board of Directors met gories, as well. for a regular meeting on July 27 on the The Best of Gaming awards are tal- Hollywood Reservation. They passed six lied in more than a dozen different regions resolutions: around the country. This year, more than Resolution 5: Authority to apply 4,000 reader responses from around the for beer and wine sales license at the con- country were received. Now in its 12th year, venience store located on the Brighton these awards are widely considered the con- Seminole Indian Reservation; sumer standard by which the industry is Resolution 6: Approval of offi- Felix DoBosz measured. cials authorized to conduct business with Kyle Petty and Max Osceola hold the check with Seminole Tribal citizens and their spouses after completing the charity ride. “Gaming may be expanding in the Office of Special Trustee for American Florida, but our readers remain loyal to Indians; South Florida’s stunning Seminole Hard Resolution 7: Amendment to By Felix DoBosz Hollywood, Fla. was the seventh and final Gang Camp, founded by Kyle and wife Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood — one Resolution BD-006-07; HOLLYWOOD — On the after- stop of this fund raising ride, which start- Pattie Petty, is dedicated to the memory of the highest-end, amenity-driven gaming Resolution 8: Approval of noon of July 20, the Seminole Hard Rock ed out 2,600 miles north in Bar Harbor, and honor of their son Adam Petty. resorts on the East Coast,” said Adam Fine, authority to execute documents necessary Hotel & Casino roared to life, welcoming Maine on July 14. Adam was a fourth generation Casino Player magazine’s editor-in-chief. to receive timber funds owed to the a motorcade made up of almost 300 cus- Kyle Petty remains one of the NASCAR driver who was killed in May “The property is definitely in a class of its Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. from the tom touring motorcycles and their riders. most popular NASCAR drivers and is 2000 in a tragic practice run for the own.” Bureau of Indian Affairs; Seminole Paradise signified the comple- also founder of the ride; he is the son of NASCAR Busch Grand National Series tion point of the 13th annual Chick-fil-A® the legendary NASCAR and Hall of Fame See BOARD, page 2 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. driver Richard Petty. The Victory Junction See RIDE, page 6 See AWARDS, page 26 The Seminole Tribune 2 August 10, 2007
50th Anniversary Events & Activities The staff of The Seminole duction will focus on many aspects of www.seminole50.com and fill out the Tribune is proud to be a part of the 50th Seminole life, from 1800-2007, and will RSVP form. Transportation and hotel Anniversary celebration of the Tribe’s also be performed by Seminole Tribal cit- accommodations must be made through corporate charter, forming the Seminole izens. During the theatrical production a each Community Representative. Tribe of Florida, Inc., and constitution, video treatment by Seminole Because this historic event will officially forming the Seminole Tribe of Broadcasting will feature the story of the fall on a school day, the Education Florida. Seminole Tribe of Florida from its early Department will mailing letters to each On Aug. 21, 1957, residents of history through the 20th Century. school requesting an excused absence for the Dania (now Hollywood), Big Cypress Tribal employees are welcome the day. and Brighton Reservations voted, and Some other exciting activities a majority showed their support in that are happening in addition to the favor of creating these two docu- listed events include, the sealing of the ments. time capsules in the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki On Aug. 21, 2007, we hope Museum vault. If you would like to that all Tribal citizens will participate participate by including a letter or in the commemorative events: at 9 photo in your reservations time cap- a.m. a press conference will be held sule, see your Community under the Council Oak. Then at 11:30 Representative. Keep in mind that a.m. a luncheon/fashion show in the space is limited and each steel capsule south parking lot of the Hollywood is the size of a bank tube. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, parallel Community Outreach to 441. Upon registration, special Coordinator Edna McDuffie is putting 50th Anniversary gifts will be handed together a 5k walk/run in Big Cypress out to Tribal citizens who attend the on Aug. 17. Registration is at 6:30 a.m. event. Following lunch there will be a and the race starts at 7 a.m. For the 2 p.m. Theatrical Production in the location please call (863) 983-5798. Hard Rock Live Arena in Seminole There will be another 5k Tribune Archive Photo Paradise. walk/run for the Hollywood communi- The luncheon/fashion show ty in Cooper City at Brian Piccolo Do you recognize these two Seminole elders? See the next issue for the answer. will display six time periods of Park. The park is located at 9501 Seminole clothing, dating back to the to attend the second viewing of the the- Sheridan Street. Registration is at 6:30 1800s, with Tribal men, women and chil- atrical production; this show time will be a.m. and the race starts at 7 a.m. For dren of all ages showcasing the clothing. announced at a later date. more information please call Tina Board On stage under a 30 foot Tribal citizens are requested to Mennella or Brenda Bordogna at (954) Continued from page 1 Council Oak replica, the theatrical pro- RSVP by calling (866) 625-5380 go to 965-1300. Resolution 10: Approval of Farm was hopeful after presiding over his first Service Agency program documents and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. meeting. delegation of signatory authority to Bowers took office in June. President; and “Well, we got off to a slow start; I Resolution 11: Approval of think we accomplished what we had set Navajo Prep School Shines agreement with Exquisite Car Wash to be out to do for today,” he said. “I think once located at the Hollywood Trading Post at a new administration comes in it’s just like [Editor’s Note: Dr. Dean Chavers is director of Catching The dean of instruction, John Tohtsoni Jr., is one of our the Hollywood Seminole Indian get acquainted type atmosphere and so the Dream, a national scholarship and school improvement CTD graduates. John finished at Purdue University in 1994 with Reservation after that I think [the Board meetings] will organization in Albuquerque, N.M. He welcomes your comments honors, and went straight to NPS. He has earned his master’s President Richard Bowers said he run smoother.” on this column, inquiries about scholarships, and inquiries about degree in education from the University of Colorado with honors, Catching the Dream grants. His e-mail address is attending during the summers. [email protected]. The opinions he expresses are his We inducted him as a new board member of Catching own. © Copyright 2007] the Dream in June. By Dr. Dean Chavers John ran the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) pro- Tribune Submission Form The first time I visited Navajo Preparatory School (NPS) gram at NPS for the past decade. He brings his students to the 20 years ago, I was less than impressed. The young man I talked Exemplary Institute that we run each April in Albuquerque, and Attention Seminole tribal citizens and employees: If you would like to submit to was one of the dorm aides. He was 30 years old and was think- they amaze people with their abilities. John lets the students run an announcement (birthday, baby, marriage, etc.) or story idea to The Seminole ing about going back to college again. the workshops they do, which is what amazes people. Tribune, and to insure correct spelling, please fill out the information provided He had been to college two or three times before, and Getting admitted to the NPS is harder than getting admit- below. If you have any questions about deadlines, etc., please call The would drop out and go to work. This time he was thinking about ted to most colleges. The school draws mainly from 67 middle Seminole Tribune at (954) 985-5702, Ext. 4, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Our fax finishing college and becoming somebody. He asked me if he schools around the reservation. Students have to apply, submit an number is (954) 965-2937.. could apply to us for a scholarship. essay, go through a series of interviews and visit the campus to “Sure,” I told him. “But you have to make straight A’s. meet people. They also have to take a test on campus. Write Your Announcement Below (Please Print Clearly) Do you work really hard at college when you go?” When they are admitted, it is almost a guarantee that “No,” he said. “I don’t work hard. No one ever told me they will be graduated. And their graduation is almost a guarantee ______before that I have to get straight A’s.” that they will enter and finish college. “Well, I’m telling you,” I said. Students stay on campus from Sunday night until Friday ______And I have told several thousand other Indian students afternoon. Then buses take them home for the weekend. The the same thing ever since. buses pick them up again Sunday afternoon to bring them back to ______The young man later finished college and today is some- campus. They have five dorms on campus, including four that are body. During that time, NPS has also changed its colors and has brand new. ______become a strong symbol of hope for Indian Country. You don’t They have a full complement of activities on campus. have to be Navajo to attend the school. They have students from Baseball, football and basketball are the big sports. Students can ______the Pueblos, the Utes, the Apaches and several other Tribes. But also play on track, cross-country, softball, volleyball and golf their mission is clear. teams. They also have a variety of clubs for students to join, from ______They are in business to produce the next generation of National Honor Society to the American Indian Science and Navajo leaders. And they are doing a bang-up job. Their motto is Engineering Society and the Eagle Marching Band. ______“Leading into the Future.” They also offer Navajo language, history and culture to It was called Navajo Methodist Mission when I first vis- all students. Most Navajo students take advantage of these cours- PHONE: ______ited it. I wanted to talk to the headmaster that day, but he was not es, while few of the non-Navajo students do. on campus. Several people told me later that he might have been The academic counselor is Sandra Westbrook, who has ADDRESS: ______drinking. He was not setting a great example for young people. been on the campus for several years. She has seen the college Then 15 years ago the school was about to close. The attendance rate go from 90 to 100 percent during her tenure. CTD MOTHER: ______Methodists had started it in Farmington, N.M. in 1880. They, like awarded her the honor of Counselor of the Year this past April. a lot of other denominations, decided to get out of the “Indian Students can also get tutoring and counseling at any FATHER: ______business” in the 1970s and 1980s. time. They can go all the way through pre-calculus in math while The Lutherans, the Episcopalians, the Catholics and they are there. Most colleges require calculus for science and CHILDREN: ______some other denominations either got out of the “Indian business” engineering majors, so students leave fully prepared for college. entirely or retrenched. One of the few that did not was the Sabrina Hood, dean of student life, oversees a comprehensive sys- GRANDPARENTS: ______American Baptists, who still support Bacone College in tem of dorm life, study halls and other services to make sure stu- Muskogee, Okla. dents succeed. CLAN: (OPTIONAL) ______Peterson Zah was the president of the Navajo Nation at Kathy Lee, the librarian, oversees a library of more than If you would like your photos mailed back to you, the time. Within a few years they decided to buy the Methodist 9,000 volumes, enough to put them in the highest category with Mission and turn it into a college preparatory school. It was one the accrediting agencies. The school is fully accredited by the please include your mailing address. of the wisest decisions the Tribe has ever made. North Central Association. The Board of Trustees is small, only The Board hired Betty Ojaye, who was running the five members, but they have a close relationship to the campus. SUBMITTED BY: ______Navajo North Central Office, to head the school. Except for a few NPS is clearly a role model for Tribal education in the years when she stepped aside to run the development office, U.S. Other Tribes should take it as an example and develop their DATE: ______Ojaye has remained at the head of the school. own prep schools. After 37 years in this business, I have my She has done a magnificent job, as evidenced by these doubts as to whether the other schools will ever change to put statistics: More than 90 percent of the graduates have gone on to Indian students into college. college for the past 12 years; In two of the past four years, 100 As Bob Burnette from Rosebud used to say, they have percent of the graduates have gone on to college; and the dropout been discriminating against Indians for so long that they can’t dis- The Seminole Tribune rate has been less than five percent for more than a decade. criminate in favor of Indians. f you need a reporter or you would like to submit an article, birthday wish or poem to The Seminole Tribune, please contact the Editor-In-Chief Virginia IMitchell at (800) 683-7800, Ext. 1260, fax (954) 967-3482, or mail to: The Seminole Tribune, 6300 Stirling Road, Hollywood, Florida 33024. Dear Editor, ny? Or was that tradition not part of the he following deadlines apply to I am so pleased that you have Seminole Tribe? Photo Quiz Answer Editor-In-Chief: Virginia Mitchell branched out into artist (April 27 issue) I mean no disrespect to anyone in all submissions for inclusion Editor: Elizabeth Leiba into The Seminole Tribune: and book reviews. They are an excellent the Tribe but I would appreciate, if possi- T Assistant Editor: Shelley Marmor addition to the publication Thank you, ble, some information on this ceremony. Business Manager: Darline Buster Issue: August 31, 2007 Susan Moore Respectfully, Graphic Designer: Melissa Sherman Hiraida Garcia Deadline: August 15, 2007 Design Assistant: Stephen Galla Dear Editor, Production Assistant: Lila Osceola-Heard I am doing a research project for Dear Ms. Garcia, Issue: September 21, 2007 Reporter: Chris Jenkins Deadline: September 5, 2007 my nutrition class and need to find out if Thank you for your interest in Photo Archivist: Felix DoBosz there are any foods that were prohibited in native ceremonies. The universally known Receptionist: Valerie Frank Issue: October 12, 2007 the Seminole Indian culture. Thank you for Sweat Lodge Ceremony is not traditional- Deadline: September 26, 2007 your help. Sincerely, ly practiced by the Seminole people. This Contributors: Gabriela Lombardi ceremony originates from the Plains Emma Brown, Judy Weeks, Tribes. Issue: November 2, 2007 Tony Heard, Iretta Tiger, Deadline: October 17, 2007 Dear Ms. Lombardi, You may wish to contact the Susan Etxebarria, Elgin Jumper, Thank you for your interest in Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum Gordon Oliver Wareham our food restrictions. Given the eight dif- of the American Indian for research Please note: Late submissions will be ferent clans and life-ways of the Seminole opportunities. posted in the following issue. The Seminole Tribune people, there are very few food restric- Sincerely, tions that apply to each Tribal citizen’s Tina M. Osceola Advertising: is a member of the Native American Journalists Association. daily life. Some examples for some fami- Director of Museums Advertising rates along with sizes and lies include turkey, mushrooms, snake other information may be downloaded Letters/e-mails to the editor must be signed and may be edited for publica- and certain birds. Dear Editor, from the internet at: Sincerely, I recently read an article in The www.seminoletribe.com/tribune. tion. Subscription rate is $30 per year by mail. Make checks payable to The Tina M. Osceola Miami Herald about the Tribe. I just want- Seminole Tribune, 6300 Stirling Director of Museums ed to tell you how proud you all should be Postmaster: Road, Hollywood, FL 33024. Phone: to be examples to all of great humanity, Send Address Changes to: (954) 985-5702. Fax: (954) 965-2937. Dear Editor, helping one another without greed and The Seminole Tribune Or subscribe on the Internet at I was trying to do some recent ensuring everyone has success. 6300 Stirling Road www.seminoletribe.com research on something called the Sweat Congratulations, Hollywood, FL 33024 © Seminole Tribe of Florida Lodge Ceremony. Is there someone in the Ileana Varas Lester Lee Gopher & Arnie Johns Gopher Seminole Tribe who performs this ceremo- The Seminole Tribune 3 August 10, 2007