Indian Country on Wall Street

www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXVIII • Number 14 October 12, 2007 Forty Resolutions Passed at Council Meeting By Chris Jenkins HOLLYWOOD — The Tribal Council met on the Hollywood Reservation on Sept. 13. They passed 40 resolutions including these 25: Resolution 17: Service line agreement (70’ by 20’) between Glades Electric Cooperative, and Seth Robbins - Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation; Resolution 18: Service line agreement (100’ by 20’) between Glades Electric Cooperative, and Carlene DiCarlo Osceola - Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation; Seminole Talent Resolution 19: Service line agreement (600’ by 5’) between Embarq FKA Sprint Florida, Inc., and Matthew Gopher Showcase at BCC for location of a buried telephone cable - Brighton Seminole Page 10 Indian Reservation Resolution 20: Issuance of service line agreements between Glades Electric Cooperative and Emma Brown, Lucy M. Bowers and Chad Huff - Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation; Resolution 21: Grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for funds to assist in water quality monitoring in FY 2008 for determining the extent of pol- lution on Tribal lands of the Seminole Tribe of Florida; Photo Courtesy of NAFOA Resolution 22: Tribal Response Program application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for all reservations of (L-R) Seneca President Maurice Johns, and representing the Seminole Tribe, President Richard the Seminole Tribe of Florida for the purpose of public health Bowers and Brighton Tribal Council Representative Roger Smith at the opening bell ceremony. and cultural use preservation; Resolution 23: U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Halloween Safety Indian Affairs Water Resource Management planning and pre- development program application for funding for all reservations Tips from SPD Indian Country On Wall Street of the Seminole Tribe of Florida; Page 14 Resolution 24: Approval of work authorization form for Banyan Air Services, Inc., relevant to services for Tribal air- Tribal Leaders Ring Opening Bell at Exchange craft; Submitted by NAFOA experts in the field of Tribal finance and enterprise. See COUNCIL, page 3 NEW YORK — The leaders and finance For the representatives of some of the most suc- officers of five Tribal Nations made history on cessful Tribes who took part in the Mercantile cere- Sept. 7 when they became the first Native mony, ringing the bell in the capital of the financial Americans to preside over the ringing of the open- world was a thrill, and represented a milestone Ahfachkee School ing bell at a global financial exchange. Maurice event for all Tribal nations. “Moe” John, president of the Seneca Nation of “I rang the bell not only on behalf of the Indians, Richard Bowers Jr., president of the Seneca Nation, but all natives in the country,” said Unveils New Mascot Seminole Board of Directors, and Deron Marquez, John, who dressed in traditional Seneca regalia for former chairman of the San Manuel Band of the event. “I rang it in memory of all the Seneca Seminole Warriors Show School Spirit Team USA Hosts Mission Indians, sounded the start of trading at the elders who have helped all Tribes reach the point New York Mercantile Exchange, accompanied by where we are investors in the stock and commodi- Softball Clinic cheers and applause from traders on the floor and ties markets.” Pages 20-21 the more than 100 Tribal council members and “In my time as a Tribal leader I have had finance professionals packing the audience for the the opportunity to participate in a lot of interesting Letters . 2 occasion. events, but the ringing of the bell is one of the Education . 9 The bell-ringing was the highlight of the coolest things I have ever done,” said Marquez, Health . 13 final day of the Native American Finance Officers whose term as chairman at San Manuel saw the Sports . 17 Association’s (NAFOA) 25th Annual Conference – Tribe become an innovator and leader in economic Housing News . 25 “The Wall Street Summit,” an event that brought development. Announcements . 30 together many of the most respected leaders and See NYMEX, page 4 Tribal Education Leader Moves On Louise Gopher Retires as Director By Chris Jenkins In 1970 she was the first Seminole BRIGHTON — Louise Gopher, woman to earn a four year degree, graduating Panther Clan, has helped educate many and with her bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic inspired hundreds more in her quarter of a cen- University. tury working for the Seminole Tribe’s Education Since joining the Tribe’s staff in 1982, Department. Gopher serves as the Tribe’s Gopher said education has been her one and Education director, and while her journey has only job and focus. Within that department, she been interesting, she said it is now time to move has moved up through the ranks over the years, on. assuming the role of director in 2003. As a trendsetter, Gopher graduated in The Brighton resident has had a lot to 1965 with her associate of arts degree from be proud of but says her crowning achievement Indian River Community College and was cho- is the Pull-Out Program. Focusing on kinder- sen as Seminole Princess that same year. During garten through fifth grade student education in her tenure, she represented the Tribe at the Miss the areas of Seminole language and culture Indian America Pageant in Sheridan, Wyo., development, it has helped maintain the Chris Jenkins where she received the honorable mention Seminoles’ rich heritage and legacy. These Louise Gopher award. See GOPHER, page 9 Shelley Marmor Pedro Zepeda (L) and Chairman Mitchell Cypress (R) assist in Fort Pierce Community Hosts Indian Day Celebration revealing Ahfachkee’s new Seminole Warrior mascot. By Elgin Jumper house, rock climbing and a water slide, tom- By Elizabeth Leiba FORT PIERCE — The Fort ahawk-carving, stickball games, a Seminole BIG CYPRESS — A week of school spirit activities Pierce community hosted a much-anticipat- fashion show and storytelling. culminated in the Ahfachkee School’s spirit rally, held at the ed Indian Day Celebration on Sept. 22 at Sandra Fox, an Emergency Herman L. Osceola Gym on Sept. 27. At the rally, students and the Chopco Youth Ranch. This is the fourth Management Planner with the Seminole faculty alike had an opportunity to show their Seminole pride. year for the important event, organized by Tribe of Florida’s Office of Emergency The spirit rally kicked off with opening remarks from Sally Tommie, Fort Pierce liaison, Debbie Management, directed the various games Coach Randall Cleckler who served as emcee and led the crowd Christophe, her assistant, Hope Sneed, Fort and activities that were much delighted in in a rousing chant of “Seminole Warriors!” Pierce community involvement coordinator, by the crowds. Students were acknowledged for their achievements in Shamy Tommie, director of the Chupco “This is actually my first Indian physical education, class spirit and individual spirit. Classes were Ranch, Mary Joe Micco, caterer, and the Day Celebration,” Fox said. “I’m a relative- also recognized for door decorating and their unique spirit RMG-Redline Media Group. ly new employee with the Tribe, so this is cheers, which each grade level had an opportunity to showcase at During the daylong event, atten- great to come out and see the atmosphere, the spirit rally. dees enjoyed the traditional Seminole fare, and meet some of the Tribal members I’m Chairman Mitchell Cypress was in attendance and provided by Mary Joe Micco of Brighton, working for.” emphasized the importance of learning Seminole culture, com- that was served for breakfast, lunch and din- In addition, a performance by mending non-Tribal teachers for making the effort to learn the ner. A large white open-air tent was set up Native American hip-hop artists Culture culture. near the Chupco Office Building for the Shock Camp, featuring Indigo, Kiri, and Ke, “It’s good to learn Seminole culture. We learn your cul- occasion. performed in front of an enlargement of a ture, so you can learn ours,” said Cypress with a laugh. “We “We’re excited you decided to join Guy LaBree painting entitled Time Travel. share.” us this year for our celebration of Indian There was a clear sense of family and com- Cypress expressed his pride in the Ahfachkee School for Day,” announced Sally Tommie, Fort Pierce munity in Fort Pierce, and this was quite creating a new mascot to show their school spirit. Liaison. “This is by far the largest crowd prevalent in every aspect of that fun-filled “Like I always say in the Seminole Tribe or anywhere, we’ve ever had to date, and we hope to get day. its teamwork,” he said. “Everything happens through teamwork bigger and better as we continue on.” “This is really nice,” exclaimed and I’m glad to be part of it.” “The main mission of the day,” she Remus Griffin, Bird Clan. “We’ve got a Principal Terry Porter described the significance of spir- pointed out, “is to provide a day where nice crowd here, so we’ve come a long way, it week and why the new mascot is so important to the school. everyone could get together, break bread, and I hope it keeps on progressing.” “Some other schools have what they call a homecoming enjoy the camaraderie we all bring together, Tribal Preschool Director Leona week. This is like our homecoming week,” Porter explained. and also to respect and appreciate what this Tommie Williams, who is originally from “This was the mascot that was selected, voted on by students. day means to us as Native American peo- the area, but now resides in the Hollywood This is your mascot and it defines who we are.” ple.” community, echoed Griffin’s sentiments. The long anticipated moment arrived when the new The planning for this particular day “The celebration is very good,” Ahfachkee School mascot was finally unveiled.

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