Q&A with outgoing Jessica Osceola 5th state title for Miss Indian World discusses her art bowler Allie Williams v COMMUNITY v 5A ARTS 4B SPORTS v 5B

www.seminoletribune.org Free Volume XLV • Number 3 March 31, 2021 Haaland Tribe’s to tackle vaccination weighty numbers tasks at increase Interior BY DAMON SCOTT BY DAMON SCOTT Staff Reporter Staff Reporter The rate of positive The committee hearings are done, HOLLYWOOD — Covid-19 cases and deaths from the virus have Senate confirmation is in the books and a both decreased in Florida and across much of swearing-in has taken place. On March 16, the country in recent weeks. However, health Deb Haaland was confirmed by a vote of 51- officials warn that while there are reasons for to-40 to lead the Department of Interior. She optimism, the pandemic isn’t over and the was sworn in March 18 – her first day on the threat is still real. job as secretary. The positive developments have taken Naturally, Indian Country celebrated place in the midst of increased vaccinations the historic significance of the moment. across the country and internationally, Haaland is the first Native American to lead including among Tribal Nations. the agency and the first to hold a cabinet For the Seminole Tribe, the number of position. In 2018 she also made history as tribal members and tribal employees receiving one of the first two Native American women the Covid-19 vaccination has risen since the elected to the House. effort was launched in late December. “The impact of Native American The tribe’s Health and Human Services representation at the top of a federal agency (HHS) department said that as of March 24, that so directly affects our daily lives DOI/Twitter tribal members and those who live in the cannot be overstated,” National Congress Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo, is sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Interior on March 18 in Washington. She is the first Native American cabinet tribal community had received 831 first dose of American Indians president Fawn Sharp secretary in U.S. history. shots and 682 second dose shots. said in a statement soon after the Senate The tribe has been administering the vote. “The relationship between Tribal leading a 60,000-employee agency that is oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Some of the first steps Haaland is two-shot Moderna vaccine. Nations and the federal government has been charged with overseeing 500 million acres Bureau of Indian Education – two agencies expected to take include a halt on new oil Employees working for the tribe had fractured for far too long. Having an ally like of federal lands, federal waters off the U.S. that position Haaland to address the needs of drilling, reinstating wildlife conservation received 631 first dose shots and 504 second Secretary Haaland who is not only deeply coastline, dams and reservoirs across the Native Americans – a group that has faced rules that were rolled back by the Trump dose shots. qualified but is from our communities has west and the protection of thousands of a variety of injustices over generations and administration and a fast moving expansion The tribe also recently expanded the potential to transform the government- endangered species. that has been impacted disproportionately by of wind and solar power on public lands and eligibility to employees at all Seminole to-government relationship and will be vital The job also entails upholding trust and the pandemic. waters. Gaming venues in Florida, which include in advancing Native American issues for treaty responsibilities for the country’s 574 Seminole Hard Rock properties in Hollywood generations.” federally recognized tribes and millions of Priorities in focus and Tampa. Haaland now has the huge task of Native Americans. The Interior Department F See HAALAND on page 4A F See VACCINE on page 9A Jack Smith Jr. earns praise for service to STOF, Water Commission Helped tribe secure water rights

BY BEVERY BIDNEY Staff Reporter

BRIGHTON — After a lifetime of service to his tribe, Jack Smith Jr. retired from the Seminole Water Commission in November 2020. Smith, 73, served as Brighton Councilman in 1987 when the Water Rights Compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the State of Florida and the South File photo Florida Water Management District (the Jack Smith Jr. District) was created. Smith signed the compact in his capacity as councilman. clean as it can be. In 1988, Tribal Council created the “We have good people in the ERMD Water Management Office with Smith as offices that work with us and keep us its Brighton representative. About a year informed,” he said. later, the council created the Seminole Water Smith has dealt with governmental Commission to oversee the water office, File photo issues for his entire career, starting with which later evolved into the Environmental The signing of the water compact May 15, 1987. From left are SFWMD Governing Board Vice Chair Y.D. York, Max Osceola, Fred Smith, Nancy Motlow, Jack Tribal Council. Resources Management Office (ERMD). Smith Jr., Gov. Bob Martinez, Jim Shore, Priscilla Sayan, Wanda Billie, Counsel for the Tribe Jerry Strauss, and Governor’s office representative Timer “He has been an integral part of the Smith continued his tenure on the Tribal Powers. tribe,” Tiger said. “Jack’s been an essential Council until 2001 and was appointed to it out,” Shore said. “The District, Florida’s Winters Doctrine, a Supreme Court decision supersede any government agency. There is part of the commission and has come up the Water Commission in 2008. The Water attorney general, and Timer Powers, a in 1908 which gives tribes the rights to all an inherent right of the tribe for water use.” with a lot of ideas over the years. He’s been Commission consists of seven members: representative from the governor’s office, waters that arise on, border, traverse or are Since the 1980s, the tribe’s standard instrumental in all this stuff.” two each from Hollywood, Big Cypress and were all involved. The Water Commission encompassed within their reservations. of living and degree of development Smith’s contribution to the tribe is Brighton and one from Immokalee. is like our own District with rules and “The compact reflects the special status have changed significantly. All of the apparent to those who worked with him over “We didn’t have any control of the regulations that control water on the of the Seminole Tribe and entitles them to development on the reservations since then the years. flow before the compact,” Smith said. “We reservations. Council was supportive of original water rights,” Myers said. “What was accomplished because of the water “Jack will really be missed,” Myers have since improved the flow through the the effort that we would have more stable is unique is it establishes these rights which compact. said. “The uniqueness of Jack is that he is reservations.” availability of water. In the long run, that’s differ substantially from rights of other “Jack was a key ally and was extremely well balanced at everything; agriculture, “The idea of the compact started in what the compact did. Now we have a Florida citizens.” supportive in what it would assert for wildlife and water resources. He has a good my time,” said Jim Shore, Tribal Council working relationship with the District and As a result, the compact allowed the tribe the tribe regarding sovereignty and self- breadth of knowledge and understanding for general counsel. “When there was flooding, the state.” to develop ERMD, the Water Commission determination,” Cunniff said. “He helped all those disciplines and is leaving a great we would be flooded in Brighton because Smith had a lasting impact on the Water and empower Tribal Council to administer usher in a lot of development and served as legacy.” property owners north of us opened their Commission, even before he joined it as a its own water code. a tribal watchdog. The commission assures “Jack is a man of many trades. He is a culverts to drain excess water and flood us. commissioner. “Jack is a wealth of knowledge. He has the tribe is protecting its water resources for cattle owner, served in the military and is on During droughts, they would close those “Jack is one of the pioneers who tremendous memory for things that occurred seven generations.” the board of the Florida Seminole Veterans culverts and we would be without water.” knows the flow of the water on the land,” in the past,” Myers said. “He has a very good During his approximately eight years Foundation,” Councilman Howard said. “He When Shore began working with the said Brighton Councilman Larry Howard. understanding of the water resources on the on the Water Commission, Amos Tiger comes from a pedigree of leadership. He’s tribe in 1981, the tribe had already filed a “I am sure he educated others who served reservations and is a talented guy.” has seen big changes, including more someone I looked up to growing up and I lawsuit against the state. After a change in alongside him for all those years. He is an All tribal development and infrastructure tribal government projects and Everglades still look up to him today.” leadership in Tallahassee, the state offered active person to this day. I appreciate him for improvements that have to do with water restoration. He said anything the state Smith’s plans for the future include to settle with the tribe. Instead of dealing the time he dedicated to the tribe.” go through the Water Commission, which does that involves water traveling through tending to his cattle and spending time with with drought and flooding, the tribe wanted When the water compact was written, submits a detailed annual work plan to the the reservation goes through the Water the family. to handle the water flowing through the ERMD senior scientist Stacy D. Myers District to notify it of the tribe’s projects. Commission. What was the best part of serving on the reservations, if landowners would agree not worked for the District as a liaison between Kevin Cunniff, ERMD director, said the Tiger said the commission’s work used Water Commission? to flood or keep water from them. Shore said the District and the tribe. He said the compact tribe has a unique relationship with the land to be just about housing, but now it also “Getting more access to water for cattle it took a few years before the compact was is a unique legal document and is the only and has been intimately tied to water for its addresses algae blooms and other things that and people,” he said. signed. one that exists east of the Mississippi River. survival. come out of Lake Okeechobee. The bottom “They figured we weren’t going Water compacts are more common “It is the lifeblood of the culture,” line is the tribe has to make sure water anywhere so they decided we should work in western tribes. They are based on The Cunniff said. “Its cultural aspect should running through the reservation leaves as

INSIDE: Editorial...... 2A Sports...... 5B Visit the Tribune’s website for news throughout Community...... 3A Education...... 1B the month at seminoletribune.org 2A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Editorial On Deb Haaland, Native American history and renewed hope

•Laura Tohe misunderstood and mistreated since the infrastructure, inadequate medical services and that we’d graduated from the same a stable society. From these stories, women beginning, but where tribal nations were and resources — conditions that lead to the high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. are portrayed as intelligent, self-determined, placed under the responsibility of the impoverishment of the mind and spirit. By the end of the gathering, we exchanged and possessing strength. They demonstrate department that oversees the management I and many of my fellow Native addresses. I thought our friendship was a that women are in charge of their lives and ost Americans are probably of a wide range of natural resources on Americans believe Biden’s appointment passing moment, so I was surprised when bodies. familiar with Crazy Horse, public lands, including honoring treaty of Haaland is monumental. Now that she I received her letter. She was excited that My single mother raised six children Geronimo and Disney’s responsibilities to Native peoples. has been confirmed, she holds a major seat her application to study at Swansea in the and once drove us home safely through a M It may have been considered an at the table of American government. Her U.K. was approved. We corresponded, but blinding blizzard. My aunt saddled her horse distorted version of Pocahontas. They may have heard of gold medalists Jim Thorpe improvement when tribal affairs transferred confirmation has the potential to transform eventually our lives took separate directions. and took charge of our livestock at branding and Billy Mills for their athletic footprints from the Department of War to the then- past injustices, to build a more equitable My path led me to write against the time. And my grandmother, without a and the Navajo Code Talkers, who devised a new Department of Interior 170 years ago. government in which Native Americans, who invisibility of Native people through poetry, college degree, became one of the first military code based on the Navajo language The reality is the decimation of the Native hold a large voting bloc, gain a voice. It’s an stories and essays. Deb’s path led her to use Navajo teachers. I credit their influences and to help defeat the Japanese during World populations continued. Treaties were broken opportunity to bring Indigenous thinking to her gifts in the legislative process. In the high expectations for my love of language War II. Beyond that, the remaining slate of or not honored, treaties that stipulated for the stewardship of the land, water, air and the early 2000s, I co-edited, “Sister Nations,” and stories, and for my success as a poet and nationally known Native Americans remains medical and educational support. That ecosystem, and address the negative impact an anthology of Native American women librettist. sparse, stereotyped and invisible. And education came through the process of of the destruction of cultural and sacred sites writing. Haaland submitted a poignant Haaland brings her Laguna background almost entirely male. assimilation in the boarding schools and the on and near Native homelands. It’s a chance short story about a daughter witnessing as one raised with community values, a That’s changing with Deb Haaland, erasure of Native identity and culture — to to consider more carefully interests in public the end of her mother’s life journey as a sense of responsibility for the earth and the having made history as one of the first the point that as late as the 1950s and 1960s, lands that impact Native land and resources. moment of grace. I remembered our earlier resilient spirit of Native communities. The Native American women elected to the when I was growing up, I wasn’t allowed Deb Haaland’s confirmation also brings conversations about our mothers, their traditional Laguna clothing and jewelry she House of Representatives in 2018. President to speak the Navajo language, lest I get to the forefront the image of the resilient and resilience and even their severity, our shared wears at government occasions is her power Joe Biden’s appointment of her as United punished for it. intrepid Native American woman elected cultures and the matriarchal societies we’d suit. It makes her visible to the First Nations States secretary of the interior heralds a During the summer when I lived with as lawmaker in one of the most powerful grown up in where women held leadership of this country; it enables Native Americans tremendous opportunity — a new page my paternal grandmother, we walked 3 countries and democracies. Her unique roles in the family and didn’t have to fight to see themselves in her; it symbolizes for Native Americans, Alaska Natives and miles to the windmill to wash our hair and background has the potential to benefit all for their place. diversity that makes a nation strong, where Native island communities. It represents clothes. Water, wood and coal were hauled Americans in the kind of leadership derived From these societies come the voices Native Americans see a place for themselves hope for undoing destructive policies of the from a distance to her home. Electric power from having a sense of community in policy of women who strive to make a difference and are reminded that they have a voice. And previous presidential administrations. But lines ran not even a mile from her house, and decision-making. in government, literature, law, science, Haaland’s moccasin wraps show that she most of all, it represents renewed hope for yet she used kerosene lamps for light, wood I first met Deb Haaland in Norman, medicine and education. The Laguna stories stands on sturdy legs, ready to accomplish the land and for the Indigenous nations of to cook with and coal to warm her home in Oklahoma, at the 1992 inaugural Returning of time immemorial tell of sisters who the important work for all Americans. this country. the winter. My grandparents and relatives the Gift Native Writers’ Festival when we create the world through the power of their Since the Department of Interior was then and now still live with many of the were beginning writers. Haaland’s bright thoughts and a courageous woman who Laura Tohe is the poet laureate of the established in 1849, none of the secretaries conditions that enabled the coronavirus to personality and easy demeanor made for helps her community during times of great Navajo Nation. This article is from deseret. have been members of a tribal nation. spread rapidly and widely this past year, friendly conversation. We connected over distress. The Diné stories tell of a sacred com and will be in the April issue of Deseret This in a country where Native Americans infecting and taking many lives — poverty, how our lives overlapped — our shared woman who was a lawgiver and brought one Magazine. have not only been systematically ignored, lack of clean water, food deserts, poor Laguna Pueblo heritage, our strong mothers of the principal blessing ceremonies to create What difference will this $31B in resources make for Native communities?

• From WBUR (Boston) needed to be innovative and entrepreneurial surge at all means that we’re at capacity during the 1970s under President Nixon, of to their community needs. to make sure our community did not become pretty quickly. So we had to really scramble all people, went toward self-determination “The idea that we have the federal a hotspot. You know, despite the state of and get really creative. So some of the funds for tribes. The federal government was government stepping in to be able to say Arizona becoming one of the world’s top that have already been out, and trying to give realizing they weren’t going to meet these we’re going to fund the preservation of resident Biden’s American Rescue hot spots during the pandemic, two separate us some support for the impacts, were good. obligations and tribes were going to try to languages and other cultural components Plan contains massive spending times during this public health emergency. “I think for this conversation, more grow their economies to be able to take care of your communities, it’s recognizing the measures for Native American So this funding is timely because the specifically the American Relief Plan, what it of this. tribal way of governing, and it’s also a P community, as you know, we utilize all of does is help us not just deal with the impacts “The only reference we can go to complete federal policy shift. And only in communities. What will it take to turn the dollars into actual transformation? our funding from the Cares Act. And this like we have been in trying to organize these is during the American Recovery and the last couple of years has this happened. Here is a portion of a discussion on American Rescue Plan Act funding will not crisis centers to take care of our people and Reinvestment Act, you know, just over a The federal government was in the business the WBUR (Boston) program “On Point” only see the community and other tribes protect our people. But it’s going to help us decade ago. And during that time, President before taking Native kids and sending them with host Meghna Chakrabarti. Guests through the pandemic, but will help us to recover and hopefully come out of this crazy Obama had provided significant resources, way to boarding schools to be taking away include Dante Desiderio, executive director put the tribal infrastructure in place, should time, more prepared, more structured. And, which we thought were, you know, it was their languages. of the non-profit NAFOA; Stephen Roe we be faced with a similar situation in the you know, the hope would be that we also about $2.7 billion, maybe $3 billion in “And they were also in the business Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian future. But also address the disparities that have more diverse economies. resources, which effectively doubled the of being able to tamp down on cultural Community near Phoenix, and Dr. Mary have been persistent for decades and longer.” “And just on that last point, we rely budget of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and activities. And the resurgence of the federal Owen, practicing family physician and on economic development to fund our got some help out in a programmatic way. government, recognizing, one, the role of president of the Association of American On the Covid pandemic’s impact on government programs and services because I think what’s different about this package, tribal leaders, but also recognizing how Indian Physicians and director of the Center Native communities of this chronic underfunding by the federal and its impact will be significantly better, important culture is. It’s not just for the of American Indian and Minority Health at government. So it goes beyond just an because this is discretionary money. This tribal leaders. This is America’s oldest the University of Minnesota. Dante Desiderio: “The chronic economic downturn. It’s an economic and a is money. This is the federal government languages. The tribal governments are underfunding by the federal government government downturn. It’s a funding crisis. recognizing that tribes have the ability to the oldest governments. And we have the has been going on for generations. And that And our industries are a huge part of our know what’s best for their own communities. oldest cultures in this country. And I think What difference will this $31 billion in chronic underfunding had consequences economy in general. And Indian country is “... Every tribe is different. Every tribe it’s so important as a national treasure to be resources make for Native communities? during this pandemic. So Indian country in the hospitality space. has different historic consequences that able to go in this direction for the federal had higher infection rates and higher death “So tourism, hotels, gaming and all of they’re working through. Every tribe has government. Stephen Roe Lewis: “This funding rates than any other population in the nation, that. Completely shut down. Completely a different approach to developing their “And when you look at what happened is a historic level of funding for tribal especially early on in the pandemic. So shut down. So you had in Indian country communities and different cultures. So this in the pandemic, the reason this is in there, governments, not just because of the amount the amount of funding allocated to tribal ... multiple crises that were hitting, the discretionary money is historic. The only or one of the reasons, is that the people who of funding, but because of the equitable governments in the American Relief Plan, economic and the health care. So going thing we can turn to is significant funding are most vulnerable were older language treatment of tribal governments. And ... the it won’t solve everything, but it goes a long forward in the American Relief Plan, there’s before this was the Recovery Act and that speakers and the people who tell the stories acknowledgment of tribal sovereignty and way in being able to address some of these this idea that. One, it’s going to be a longer went out through programs.” in our community. When we lose an elder self-determination that have played just a social and economic disparities that have time period, which is very hopeful. There’s to Covid, we often lose a bit of that culture. tremendous amount of critical support in our been laid bare during this crisis. And I’ll a bit of infrastructure in there. So the idea is On how ‘spiritual infrastructure’ will You know, I know in my community, the response to this pandemic. give you a couple of examples. that we’re going to build out, be able to be in help strengthen Native communities into elders tell stories during our culture camp “You know, in the early days of the “One is the inadequate funding for a position to protect our people, have more the future and pass along what life was like from when pandemic, what was missing for tribal housing. We have the highest occupancy diverse economies.” they were growing up and everything. It’s governments was our federal partner. Our rates in housing in the country. And Dante Desiderio: “I see this in a a valuable resource for passing that on. So relationship is with the federal government, when a pandemic hits, and you have On historic underfunding for Native much bigger picture. And the significance the significance of this, I think, is really as sovereign tribal nations. It’s a government multigenerational housing and you have American communities of this can’t be lost here. So tribal leaders important to note.” to government relationship. And until this a community or Indian communities in are different from every other elected year, the pandemic response was delegated general that have higher social interactions, Dante Desiderio: “I don’t think we leader in this country. They also have the This program aired March 23 on WBUR to the states. So there were a lot of gaps and it can be devastating during a pandemic. And have to look that far back, because there responsibility of carrying on culture and in Boston. To listen to the 50-minute program inconsistencies of how tribes were treated. the other part, and I know we’ll get to this a hasn’t really been too many historic spending carrying out ceremonial practices. So that in its entirety, visit wbur.org. “And we realized early on that we little bit later, is the Indian Health Service packages for Indian country. It’s a reason makes these tribal leaders have the additional has been chronically underfunded. So any that tribes during the Self-determination Act responsibility as well as the responsiveness

The time to return land to Native Americans is long overdue

is one of the country’s most significant land occupants. manipulation. Canada has offered official apologies to • Michael Albertus transgressions. Many of the biggest My research shows that many Several recent high-profile legal cases First Nations and founded a Truth and challenges facing native communities today, governments across the hemisphere in the United States have grappled with parts Reconciliation Commission to investigate from rampant poverty to lower social and exacerbated the problems that resulted from of this legacy. For instance, the Supreme the legacy of its Indian Residential Schools resident Joe Biden’s pick for economic mobility to health issues cast in this initial displacement in the mid 19th to Court ruled in 2020 in McGirt v. Oklahoma and provide recommendations to further Interior secretary, Rep. Deb high relief by the pandemic, can be traced mid 20th centuries. They resettled native that roughly half of Oklahoma’s land lies reconciliation with its indigenous groups. Haaland (D-N.M.) will be to the attempted extermination and then groups on reserves or returned selected within the jurisdictional boundary of a Colombia and Bolivia have granted P assimilation of Native Americans through private lands in an authoritarian fashion and Native American reservation. The case was native communities enormous reserves of responsible for upholding the country’s treaties with Native Americans. Haaland American land policy. structured property rights in restrictive and a victory for tribal sovereignty with major lands, and Mexico has given indigenous should use her unique position to rectify one Land dispossession is at the root paternalistic ways such as withholding land consequences for criminal and civil law communities living in ejidos greater self- of the most damaging early Indian policies of contemporary property rights and titles, forcing diverse indigenous groups within the territory. But it stopped short of governance and property rights. of the United States, which sought to break landholding across the Americas. European together into homogeneous communes and implicating land issues. down tribes and assimilate natives: the colonizers and migrants displaced indigenous dictating how they could use their land. The United States lags behind many systematic dispossession of native land. populations across the hemisphere and These policies divided communities and kept other countries in the Americas in its Along with the enslavement of Black created exclusionary private property rights them weak and subservient to governments, treatment of indigenous land claims and Americans, this forced land dispossession systems for themselves that ignored prior facilitating enduring exploitation and indigenous legal and political autonomy. F See LAND on page 2B

The Seminole Tribune is a member of the The following deadlines apply to all Advertising: Publisher: The Seminole Tribe of Florida Advertising: Donna Mason, ext. 10733 Native American Journalists Association. submissions to The Seminole Tribune: Advertising rates along with sizes and other Phone: 954-985-5700 [email protected] information may be downloaded online at: Letters/emails to the editor must be signed http://SeminoleTribune.org/Advertise Senior Editor: Kevin Johnson, ext. 10715 and may be edited for publication. Issue: April 30, 2021 [email protected] Deadline: April 14, 2021 Postmaster: © 2021 Seminole Tribe of Florida Subscription rate is $35 per year by mail. Please send address changes to: Staff Reporter: Beverly Bidney, ext. 16466 Make checks payable to: Issue: May 31, 2021 The Seminole Tribune [email protected] The Seminole Tribune Deadline: May 19, 2021 6365 Taft St. 6365 Taft Street Suite 1003 Staff Reporter: Damon Scott, ext. 10704 Suite 1003 Hollywood, FL 33024 [email protected] Hollywood, FL 33024 3A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Community A Seminole brothers’ first new song together in a decade touches inner struggles, dreams

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY but we have to clean ourselves up, slap on aren’t. Our storytelling is always about Staff Reporter a smile and look the part. I hope this song honesty, so we wanted to be open about what touches people and helps them. If it uplifts we are feeling. Even though it is a song of Spencer Battiest and Doc Native’s first one spirit, I have done my job.” troubles, it’s also a song about perseverance.” new song together in 10 years premiered The first verse is about feeling lost The song was written and recorded in with a music video on YouTube. The debut as Native tries to fight his way out of Native’s home studio before the pandemic; of “Dream” on March 15 quickly attracted the struggle. The second verse is about the video was conceived and filmed in the thousands of views in just a few hours. finding the strength to keep going while midst of it. “Doc and I haven’t done a song together acknowledging the struggle. The chorus In the video, two Native children watch since ‘The Storm’ in 2011,” Battiest said. reflects the importance of having dreams. TV and change the channel until they see “We wanted to say where we are in our lives The bridge cements the lesson of picking other Native people. They see a video of now, being older and more experienced. It’s himself up off the ground and vowing never the Miss Indian World contest and other one of the most personal songs being that it’s to let things hold him down again. dancers. By the end of the video, the kids are our story.” “Our dreams and what we want to inspired to put on regalia and dance alone The Seminole brothers purposely accomplish in life can be a fantasy, but we are in their living room. The Miss Indian World released the new song on the 10th anniversary still wide awake to what is happening in the committee gave Battiest permission to use its of “The Storm,” the story of the Seminole world,” said Battiest, 30. “Like the injustices video of the pageant. people that was released in March 2011. Indigenous people go through every day; “Everyone has to dance from their “Dream” is about who Battiest and repression and not being heard. The final homes and living rooms now,” Battiest said. Native, formerly known as Zach “Doc” lyric is how it is a fight to get people to take “That wasn’t a thought in our minds when Battiest, are today. The song is about you seriously or listen to the experience of we wrote the song. Everyone is taking the overcoming life’s struggles. Native wrote a Native person. It has so much meaning, resources they have and still getting the job and rapped the verses; Battiest wrote and not just because I did it with my brother, but done, showing their culture and representing sang the chorus and the bridge. we show more of our hearts and what we go their tribes.” “The idea was to have a fight song, through every day. It’s not always rainbows The video also shows some Native an anthem and a call to action,” Native and sunshine.” Americans the brothers admire, including said. “I’ve had battles with depression and “Everybody’s having trouble with Bryson Jones, a child from Oklahoma who anxiety. We wanted to write a love letter to mental health,” said Native, 31. “We don’t struggles with Tourette syndrome; Cheyenne those going through inner battles and let always feel 100 percent and we don’t talk Kippenberger, the Seminole Tribe’s first Miss them know they aren’t alone. A lot of us about that. It’s very detrimental to peoples’ Indian World who has spoken throughout artists struggle with mental health issues, mental health to say you’re OK when you her reign about mental health issues; Oscar- winning actor Wes Studi; Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland; the two-spirit couple Adrian Stevens and Sean Snyder; and Paula Bowers-Sanchez, a Seminole who started her career in the entertainment industry as an actress and singer as the brothers were growing up. “They energize us to keep striving for our dreams,” Battiest said. “A public service announcement Paula Bowers-Sanchez made inspired me as a kid. She was fearless going after her dream; she just got on the stage and showed her talent. That was the moment for me when I was a young teenager.” Battiest and Native have performed together for years, most recently with the Mag 7 group headed by Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas. “We are like yin and yang,” Native said. “He’s all the smooth best parts and I’m the Matt Gagnon/Time Honored Media fire to his ice, or vice versa. Any time we Seminole brothers Spencer Battiest, left, and Doc Native on the set of their music video “Dream.” The “Dream” music video perform, we invite each other. We saw it had video was filmed in Utah and directed by Adam Conte (Oneida and Mohawk). A scene from the music video “Dream,” which drew more than 15,000 views on YouTube in its first 10 been 10 years since ‘The Storm’ and thought days. it would be great to write another one.”

PROBLEM?

SOLUTION:

GUY SELIGMAN, P.A. A t t o r n ey a t L a w 954.760.7600 4A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Hard Rock properties to be Stimulus bill directs $31 featured in Sports Illustrated billion to tribal nations BY DAMON SCOTT ways to implement the funds. swimsuit issue and digital media Staff Reporter Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic majority leader, said during a The American Rescue Plan that was speech on the Senate floor that the legislation BY KEVIN JOHNSON commitment to entertainment via the passed by Congress and signed into law by “takes us a giant step closer to fulfilling our Senior Editor integration of musical elements throughout.” President Joe Biden set a benchmark for trust responsibilities to all Native Americans, The partnership also includes musical Native Americans that has never been set Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.” components, retail collaborations and before. In addition to funding for a wide range HOLLYWOOD — The Guitar Hotel social initiatives, such as the Instagram The $1.9 trillion stimulus bill directs of Covid-19 related issues, the bill includes and Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit launch of #StrongLikeAWoman, a viral $31 billion for Tribal Nations. It’s a record $20 billion for tribal governments and $6 issue – both known for attracting a lot of social challenge that asks women to show amount of funding that is significant because billion for the Indian Health Service and eyes – are teaming up. their followers what makes them strong tribal programs – like the Indian Health other Native American health systems, Through a partnership announced in and powerful. The post coincides with Service – have historically been underfunded including $20 million for Native Hawaiians. early March, Hard Rock’s resort properties International Women’s Month in March. and it provides an opportunity to shore up The Bureau of Indian Education will in the U.S. will serve as backdrops in SI’s Additionally, SI Swimsuit and Hard what have been perpetual deficits. It’s also receive $850 million for the schools that swimsuit issue and digital media content. Rock plan to host panel discussions, fireside significant because the money gives Native it supports, which includes the Ahfachkee The swimsuit issue is scheduled to be chats and musical performances to discuss American communities a chance to start School on the Big Cypress Reservation released July 20. key topics facing women globally. The series to recover from the pandemic – one that and the Miccosukee Indian School west of “I’m super excited about the partnership will serve as a fundraiser for female-focused has hit many tribes harder than the general Miami. that we have with SI Swimsuit and the charitable causes via the Hard Rock Heals population. The bill also included $20 million to Hard Rock because it’s two iconic brands Foundation. The Centers for Disease Control and establish an emergency Native language that have been around for so long, finally The swimsuit issue launch event, which Prevention said last summer that Native preservation and maintenance grant program. meeting together and making something is scheduled to take place at Seminole Hard Americans in almost half of the states were Many tribes are moving urgently to ensure incredible, and I can’t wait to see how this Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood later this more affected by the virus than their white their languages are not lost as elders die. issue turns out,” SI Swimsuit model Haley year, will feature musical performances at counterparts. It’s an initiative the Seminole Tribe knows Kalil said during an interview segment Hard Rock Live. With the new funding also came a well and has put into practice at its Pemayetv with Hard Rock International chairman and On the retail end, a co-branded promise that distribution would be easier and Emahakv Charter School on the Brighton Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen on Hard merchandise series will feature Hard Rock more equitable. The first stimulus package in Reservation and through its work in the Rock’s social media. T-shirts and sweatshirts customized for March 2020 directed $8 billion to tribes, but Tribal Historic Preservation Office. The two-year-old Guitar Hotel that sun-seekers. The items will be available for much of it was held up due to distribution Other funding includes $1.2 billion towers above the reservation of its owners – purchase at select Hard Rock shop locations snafus and then challenges in federal court. for housing and $1.1 billion for primary, the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Hollywood and shop.hardrock.com. The support for tribes fulfills a promise secondary and higher education programs. – is featured with model and registered “There’s a synchronicity between by a Biden administration that pledged Many in Indian Country say the new nurse Maggie Rawlins of Charleston, South Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and Hard greater outreach and consideration for Indian administration has been a more responsive Carolina. Rock International that generates a really Country before and after the election. It’s an one so far. Additional Hard Rock destinations powerful partnership,” Hillary Drezner, attempt to loosen the grip of many decades Lynn Malerba, the chief of the Mohegan mentioned in the announcement include head of partnerships at Sports Illustrated of strained relationships with the federal Tribe in Connecticut, told the New York Tampa, Atlantic City and Sacramento. Swimsuit, said in a statement. “This government and its neglect of the treaty Times that President Biden and the new The resorts’ offerings captured by SI exciting opportunity brings together two obligations it is required to uphold for the Congress seem to better understand the photographers range from blackjack legendary brands that share a commitment to country’s 574 federally recognized tribes. challenges in Indian Country. tournaments to spa experiences to cooking innovation and excellence, and allows us to “The National Indian Health Board She praised the new funding as the lessons. create unique content and experiences. Hard is thrilled that Tribal Nations will receive federal government recognizing “for the “We are thrilled to be teaming up first time that Tribal Nations participate in James Macari/Sports Illustrated Rock has been an incredible partner and we support for vaccinations, relief from terrible with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, which are excited to be joining forces with them.” loses in their health systems, and that the national economy and have the same continues to offer one of the most anticipated The Guitar Hotel and Maggie Rawlins, a model and responsibilities to the health and well- registered nurse from Charleston, S.C., appear The partnership comes as Hard Rock after a year of educating lawmakers about and celebrated annually released media approaches its 50th anniversary date. In June how funding works most effectively and being of their citizens as state and local publications in the world,” Keith Sheldon, in this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue governments.” scheduled to be released July 20. 1971, the first Hard Rock Café, with owners efficiently for Tribal Nations, that knowledge president of entertainment for Seminole Peter Morton and Isaac Tigrett, debuted in is reflected in this law,” NIHB CEO Stacy A. “If you consider the Native population, Gaming and Hard Rock International, said London. The Seminole Tribe purchased Bohlen said in a statement. depending on what estimate you are using, in a statement. “This exceptional partnership brand to a global audience in new and is 3 to 5 percent of the population and we unique ways while highlighting our ongoing Hard Rock in 2006. The Department of the Interior, now will enable us to showcase the Hard Rock headed by Secretary Deb Haaland, and received 1.5 percent of funding, that’s officials from the Bureau of Indian Affairs significant,” Malerba said in the interview. have begun a series of consultations with “It’s a much greater number than the previous tribal leaders to discuss the most effective administration had provided to us.” New housing funds latest in tribe’s HUD connection

BY DAMON SCOTT for construction of rental housing, water Staff Reporter infrastructure, renovations to health clinics for Covid-19 testing and treatment, and HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole emergency food supplies. Tribe’s relationship with the U.S. Department The HUD relationship also extends of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the tribe’s Native Learning Center in remained strong in late February with the Hollywood. The NLC is supported by an announcement of more funding for housing- IHBG – awarded by HUD’s Office of Native related projects. American Programs (ONAP). The funding HUD awarded the tribe a $1 million allows NLC’s programs and services to Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) to be offered for free or at a reduced cost for support development and operation of Native Americans and those working within affordable housing. Indian Country. The award was part of more than $652 ONAP administers housing and million in all for hundreds of eligible Native community development programs that American tribes and Tribally Designated benefit Native Americans. Housing Entities, or TDHEs. Providing more housing opportunities The Miccosukee Tribe received more for tribal members is something the tribe than $74,000 in the award as well. has been working on in earnest across Rendering courtesy Hard Rock “The U.S. government has a several reservations in recent years. One of The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is scheduled to open May 14. responsibility to carry out trust obligations the latest is on the Hollywood Reservation, to Indian tribes, and with this funding, HUD where Lennar Homes is building 103 rental is acting to meet these obligations,” HUD’s townhomes and 74 single-family homes at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana eyes spring opening acting secretary Matthew E. Ammon said in Seminole Park. It includes three- four- and five-bedroom single-family homes – half BY DAMON SCOTT a statement. – are located near the south shore of Lake on the Jackson family – whose house at 2300 The new funds can be used for a range of one-story and half two-story. Most of the Staff Reporter Michigan, about 25 miles from downtown Jackson Street is about four miles east of the affordable housing activities on reservations townhomes will be three bedrooms, but Chicago at 5400 West 29th Ave. casino. and related areas. In addition to affordable 28 will be four bedrooms. The project is It’s been more than a year since Hard Rock officials have been in the “I believe the energy that surrounds [the housing development and operation, the expected to be completed this year. members of the Jackson 5 helped celebrate process of hiring hundreds of new employees casino] is going to be catalytic to other folks funds are available for the modernization The development is located in an area a groundbreaking for the Hard Rock Casino to staff the venue. outside of the community, and inside the of existing housing, housing services, of the reservation that was previously a Northern Indiana. After some delay, Hard “It’s hard to put into words how community, wanting to step up and make … crime prevention and safety and “activities mobile home site that offered residences to Rock officials announced a May 14 opening magnificent it’s going to be,” Matt Schuffert, significant investments …,” Gary’s mayor, that provide creative approaches to solving the public. Those homes have since been date. president of the facility, recently told the Jerome Prince, recently told the Northwest affordable housing problems.” demolished and Seminole Park is now set The $300 million development is Northwest Indiana Times. “When you see Indiana Times. Last summer, the Seminole Tribe aside for tribal members only. located in Gary – the Jackson’s hometown. the facility and the quality of the finishes Schuffert added that Hard Rock would received $900,000 from a HUD Indian The development is spread across a 44- It’s where brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine and the quality of work that is being done, consider in the coming years the addition Community Development Block Grant for acre stretch on the east side of State Road founded the group in 1965. Younger brothers arguably there’s not much competition from of a hotel and parking garage that would be threats posed by the Covid-19. It was part of 7. It is close to the Trading Post, Seminole Marlon and Michael would later join up. that perspective in this market.” connected to the casino. $100 million in funds distributed to Native Police Department, Seminole Fire Rescue, There were concerns by the Indiana Schuffert is a Gary native who graduated Meanwhile, about 120 miles northwest American tribes to mitigate the effects of the Seminole Gaming warehouses, Seminole Gaming Commission that caused a pause in from Indiana University Northwest. He’s of Gary, Hard Rock officials are preparing pandemic. Wholesale Distributors and Okalee Village. the casino moving forward regarding one of also a longtime casino executive in the to open a casino development in Rockford, Those funds were made available the casino’s owners whose gaming license region. Illinois. had been previously suspended – former Hard Rock fans will recognize many of If approved, the $310 million Spectacle Entertainment CEO Rod Ratcliff. the food offerings – a signature Hard Rock development would include restaurants said. However, the situation was recently Cafe, Council Oak steakhouse, YOUYU and bars, a 1,600-seat entertainment venue, F HAALAND She was quoting an Interior Department resolved after Ratcliff agreed to sell his Noodle Bar, Fresh Harvest Buffet and 1,500 slots, 55 tables and a sports book, From page 1A report from 1851, under then-Secretary ownership interests and permanently Constant Grind coffee shop. There also will along with other amenities. Alexander H.H. Stuart. relinquish his gaming license. be a Center Bar at the nexus of the gaming The Seminole Tribe is the parent Haaland is at the center of the Biden “I’m a living testament to the failure of The 200,000-square-foot casino, with floor and a VIP lounge. entity of Hard Rock International. More administration’s climate agenda. She has that horrific ideology,” Haaland said. 1,650 slot machines and 80 table games, and Hard Rock’s signature music information is at hardrock.com. said she will be a “fierce advocate” for public Haaland has promised to help repair its many amenities – sports book, restaurants, memorabilia will be incorporated lands and will fight climate change. Haaland the legacy of broken treaties and abuses retail and 2,000 capacity Hard Rock Live throughout the casino – plenty of it focused was one of the first co-sponsors of the Green committed by the federal government toward New Deal, which seeks to address climate tribes. change through job creation and reducing Many tribes have their land held in NIGC appoints Jeannie Hovland as associate commissioner economic inequality, among other measures. trust by the federal government, but leaders “A voice like mine has never been in Indian Country have said the U.S. has STAFF REPORT a statement. “I will continue my commitment Families in the U.S. Department of Health a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the abdicated its responsibility to protect the of respecting tribal sovereignty and I look and Human Services. ANA promotes self- Department of Interior,” Haaland wrote on land, wildlife and other culturally important forward to visiting with tribal leaders to sufficiency for Native Americans through Twitter before her Senate vote. “Growing up tribal assets. Jeannie Hovland, a former tribal affairs learn how I can best serve them in this role.” discretionary grant funding for community in my mother’s Pueblo household made me With Haaland at the helm comes a hope advisor to U.S. Senator John Thune, was Hovland’s background includes a projects, and training and technical fierce. I’ll be fierce for all of us, our planet, that many issues will be corrected. appointed Jan. 17 to a three-year term as 13-year stint serving Native American assistance. She also served as deputy and all of our protected land.” Tribal consultations have begun across associate commissioner on the National communities in South Dakota as an advisor assistant secretary for Native American The 35th-generation New Mexican, a the country – an Obama administration rule Indian Gaming Commission. to Thune. She counseled Thune on legislation affairs at the Administration for Children Democrat from Laguna Pueblo, has also that was reinstated by President Biden. The Hovland (Flandreau Santee Sioux) joins such as the Tribal Law and Order Act and the and Families. been placed at the center of Biden’s push for consultations concern lands development the three-member commission that includes Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008. “Commissioner Hovland’s career path racial equity. and right of way issues for projects like Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer Hovland also served in the Department shows a commitment to Indian Country. During her confirmation hearing pipelines, including other topics. (Coharie) and Vice-Chair Kathryn Isom- of the Interior as a senior advisor to the I look forward to working with her in our Haaland acknowledged that the Interior Tribal leaders say the previous Clause (Taos Pueblo). assistant secretary for Indian Affairs. shared mission to promote tribal economic Department had been used in the past as a administration often did not seek consultation “I look forward to collaborating with Most recently, she served as development, self-sufficiency, and strong way to oppress tribal communities. on issues like opening the Arctic National Chairman Simermeyer and Vice-Chair commissioner of the Administration for tribal governments,” Isom-Clause said in a “This moment is profound when we Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, the Keystone Isom-Clause as the commission continues Native Americans (ANA), which is an office statement. consider the fact that a former secretary of Pipeline and an 85% reduction of the Bears its important role to serve and protect the of the Administration for Children and the Interior once proclaimed his goal to, Ears National Monument in Utah. integrity of Indian gaming,” Hovland said in quote, civilize or exterminate us,” Haaland 5A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Q&A with Cheyenne Kippenberger World cake contest. I made a Facebook page special to carry the title of Miss Indian Special farewell to be and organized a contest throughout Indian World and use this platform in the best way Country, including Canada, for three age I can. I used it to talk about mental health held as reign ends for categories. We had about 90 people enter. I and representation. It was important to be did a second one on Valentine’s Day. authentic, be real with the audience and talk Seminole Tribe's first Initially I didn’t know what to expect, about things we all experience. Just be the I didn’t think anyone would be thinking best person you can be for the well-being of about Miss Indian World. Once I started the world. Miss Indian World doing virtual events and conferences, event Going from being Miss Florida invitations started coming in. Being able to Seminole to Miss Indian World made me BY BEVERLY BIDNEY connect has been good medicine for myself look at the bigger picture. Our communities Staff Reporter and it helped us all get through this pandemic. all experience similar things around the country and the world. There is so much What were some of the highlights of power in our people uniting, empowering your time as Miss Indian World? each other, connecting and uplifting voices. As Cheyenne Kippenberger prepares for Being able to connect with our people I let my platform be utilized for all good the end of her extended reign as Miss Indian the way I’ve been able to, I’m so blessed to things. World, she shared some highlights from her think I’ve come out of Miss Indian World two years of wearing the crown. with more family. I’ve had the honor of What did you learn about Indian Crowned MIW for a one-year term being adopted into a Cheyenne family in Country that you didn’t know before? in April 2019 at the Gathering of Nations Oklahoma, went to New Zealand with the One thing that never ceased to surprise Powwow, Kippenberger’s position was crown and was honored with a holiday “Miss me is no matter what community I go to, at the extended for a second year when the Indian World Cheyenne Kippenberger Day” core of our people, teachings and morals we pandemic caused the cancellation of the on August 2 in El Reno, Oklahoma, and got share the same values. Community, respect, 2020 pageant. The MIW pageant has been a key to the city, too. love and kindness. I’ve seen it everywhere, I canceled again for 2021, but will he held felt it in the hospitality I’ve received and the in 2022. Gathering of Nations will be a How did virtual appearances differ family I was adopted into. It’s the beauty of livestreamed event from April 23-24 and from in person events? being Indigenous, no matter where you are will include a “Special Farewell to Miss Native people are very communal. from. Indian Country is small but you don’t Indian World Cheyenne Kippenberger.” We have an understanding that wherever realize it until you travel around. You feel Kippenberger, the first Seminole to serve we are, we connect. It’s like being with the love and it makes you appreciate who as MIW, recently spoke with the Tribune. family. Our communities haven’t been able you are and how you are raised. I’ve always to get together in about a year. It’s been reminded myself I represent my family, As Miss Indian World, how did you hard not to come together and hug each my ancestors and my tribe. I can feel that meet with people during the pandemic? other. Indian Day, pow wows, conferences, everywhere I go, even on virtual visits. This year I’ve connected with more pageants; these are things we look forward people, groups and communities than I to all year long. Our annual schedules have What are you going to do next? would have been able to do in my first year been abruptly stopped. It’s just hard for MIW has given me such an insight into just by getting on Zoom or WebEx. In the community-oriented people, it really hurts. I who I am and who I want to be. Before Miss beginning I was trying to find my footing, haven’t seen friends in over a year; it’s been Florida Seminole, I was studying accounting my style and figure out how I could bring that hard on my heart and my emotions. Trying but never felt fulfilled. Now I am sure of who same energy I would have if we were in the to bring a little sense of normalcy and a I am and what I want to be. I want to study same room together. It was difficult, I had to glimmer of hope to people goes a long way. public health and help people. I want to come up with different ways to be engaging represent; I am going to show the non-Indian and capture the audience. My [Miss Indian What were some challenges of serving world who we are. World] committee helped a lot. Eventually I as MIW? A lot of what I was doing [as MIW] found my style of presenting. Being away from our people, friends was talking about commonalities in our I used to have to get on a plane for six or and relatives. I’m a huge people person and communities, health, social and economic eight hours to get anywhere. This brought the it’s been hard not to be able to connect in issues. All of these things fall under public opportunity to go to a lot of different places person. We are always going to go through health. There is a lack of data about Native I wouldn’t have been able to go previously. tough things, but we are tough people. I have Americans so who better to go after those I put all my energy into every presentation, a new found gratitude for our community. things than a Native woman. We see that they deserve that from Miss Indian World. It’s important to take care of each other raising our kids with culture, elders and In the beginning it was weird. I am used and really appreciate that we are who we around our people and our ways is a positive to walking around a room and engaging with are, which is Seminole. Let’s be a stronger thing. I want to give them peer-reviewed everyone. I had to be creative and come up community for each other. information that isn’t out there. For the first with another way to get people’s attention. Another challenge over the two years has time in my life I have direction. I never knew This is where the beauty of technology been believing that I can do this and be the what my purpose was. I want to take my comes in. I had to maintain a consistent best Miss Indian World I can be. I am going own and our peoples’ experience and put it and large presence online on Facebook and to leave my own legacy. I am someone who forward. Instagram. Indian Country was my audience has been so supported, I need to remember MIW has given me the confidence and and social media was the most effective way to be kind to myself and believe in myself. belief in myself that I can do these things. to reach them. There is a fierceness and a feistiness to me I had pop quizzes and surveys on What was the best experience during and I’m going to use that. I want to share our Jarrette Werk Instagram and let people ask me about me your reign? stories. I want to be that platform. Miss Indian World Cheyenne Kippenberger poses in Salt Lake City. and my reign. At Christmas time, we couldn’t I’d like to pinpoint one event, but the be with our families and I wanted to give entire experience is absolutely incredible. something back to the community for anyone Whether meeting with elders or youth, it’s at any age. I came up with the Miss Indian

More ‘Employer of Choice’ NICWA gives honors for Seminole Hard Rock shoutout to STOF STAFF REPORT STAFF REPORT Chairman of Hard Rock Digital, said in a statement. "The recognition means a great The National Indian Child Welfare HOLLYWOOD — For the fifth time in deal, given the many outstanding gaming Association acknowledged the Seminole six years, Seminole Hard Rock has earned industry companies included in the survey." Tribe in its events bulletin. NICWA gave a top "Employer of Choice" honors from The survey was conducted online for shoutout to the tribe as the host sponsor of casino gaming industry executives, the a six-week period in fall 2020. Thirty-three NICWA's virtual Protecting Our Children company announced March 23. percent of all respondents ranked Seminole conference April 11-14. The latest Casino Gaming Executive Hard Rock as their employer of choice. The The message reads: “This year, we Satisfaction Survey from Bristol Associates second choice was picked by slightly more welcome back Seminole Tribe of Florida as and Spectrum Gaming Group rated 34 casino than 20%. our Host Sponsor. Their generosity to NICWA companies or standalone casinos. Nearly Survey respondents were asked to over the past decade has enabled thousands one-third of 1,064 unique casino gaming list their top two employers of interest. In of Native children and their families to stay industry executives picked Seminole Hard previous years, respondents were asked to together and thrive. Learn more about their Rock as their top choice among brick and name their top three employers of interest. tribe’s successes at the opening conference mortar casino companies. Other honors for the Seminole Tribe’s plenary session. Thank you, Seminole Tribe Hard Rock Online Casino was voted entities in recent years include: Land Based of Florida!” "Employer of Choice" among 29 iGaming Operator of the Year at the Global Gaming Here’s a look at upcoming NICWA and mobile sports betting organizations. Awards in late 2020, first Place J.D. Power events: "These latest results are proof of the Award for guest satisfaction among upper *April 11-14: 39th annual Virtual exceptional working environment we have upscale hotel chains, as well as a trio of Protecting Our Children Conference created for team members at our Seminole employment related awards from Forbes, *April 19-22: April training institute Hard Rock and Hard Rock-branded casinos, which ranked Hard Rock among America's session on positive Indian parenting as well as our Hard Rock Online Casino," best large employers, best employers for *April 29-30: April training institute Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming, women and best employers for diversity. session on understanding Indian Child Chairman of Hard Rock International and Welfare Act of 1978. NICWA For more information visit nicwa.org. This message appears in NICWA's events bulletin. RichaRd castillo Cancer can be scary. 954.522.3500 Health care coverage is your partner to ensure helping the you have access to the seminole community treatment you need. For Many Years 24 houRs a daY Since 1990 I have protected rights like yours. My office defends DUIs, drug offenses, suspended With health care coverage, licenses, domestic violence, and all felonies and you don’t have to fight misdemeanors throughout Florida and the United States. cancer alone. The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertise- ment. Castillo worked as a Public Defender in Broward County from 1990-1996 and has been in Contact your local Indian health care private practice since 1996. In 1995, he was voted RIchaRD caStIllo the Trial Attorney of the year. He graduated from provider for more information, visit FloRIDa cRIMInal DeFenSe attoURney Capital University in 1989 and was admitted to the Healthcare.gov, or call 1–800–318–2596. Florida Bar in 1990, Federal Bar in 1992, and the Fed- www.caStIllolawoFFIceS.coM eral Trial Bar in 1994. 6A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Tribe’s 4-H kids show results of hard work

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY to March 26. Staff Reporter The 4-H’ers showed 44 swine, 29 steer and 15 heifers. The participants each occupied the ring alone while an SMP video Since the pandemic began, 99 kids crew documented it. Kids walked their in the Seminole Indian 4-H program have animals as if they were showing for a judge demonstrated they can weather just about in the ring, but this time the cameras served any storm while raising their livestock for as eyes for the judges. the annual show and sale. Each 4-H’er led a hog, steer, heifer or “It’s been an interesting year,” said cow-calf pair through a very specific course Kimberly Clement, Florida cooperative in the ring so the videographers could display extension 4-H special projects coordinator. the animal from every possible angle. Kids “We were working in uncharted grounds, but were directed to move the animal in a variety we had more animals this year.” of ways until the front, back and each side The 4-H year concluded March 26 with were successfully filmed. a very different kind of show, or shows. A three-minute video of each 4-H’er There was not one location and one time for with his or her animal will be sent to the all the 4-H’ers to compete; instead, virtual University of Florida/IFAS Department of shows were held in Big Cypress, Brighton, Animal Sciences judges, who will make a Hollywood and Immokalee from March 22 final determination of the winners in each class and select the grand champion, reserve champion and junior, intermediate and Beverly Bidney senior showmanship winners for swine, steer Harmany Urbina shows her 1,156-pound steer in Brighton during the virtual Seminole 4-H show March 25. She got her steer from Beulah Gopher’s herd. and heifer categories. The judges are Todd Thrift for cattle and Kyle Mendez for swine. Seven hogs were shown March 22 The kids seemed to take the changes in at the 4-H barn in Immokalee. Kids and stride. Veteran 4-H’er Karlyne Urbina, 17, of parents kept socially distanced from other Brighton, has been in the program since she competitors and left the grounds when they was 4-years-old. finished showing. “This year not showing with other kids This was Ariel Concepcion’s first time feels a little weird,” she said. “It was different raising a 278-pound hog, which she named and a little harder.” Pumba. She enjoyed the process, but didn’t When she got in the ring with her like it when she had to use the whip to make 1,204-pound steer, she demonstrated him move. confidence and control of the animal. “I was afraid to hurt him,” said Ariel, Before going into the ring, animals were 9, of Immokalee. “It took a lot of practice. weighed and an ultrasound scan was taken I don’t like when I have to whack him, but to measure the carcass content. Rebecca my whip worked [in the ring]. I used it on the Weeks, of RW Livestock Ultrasound, back of his neck to steer him.” showed the kids what she was doing and why Homer Beltran has been in 4-H for three as she moved the ultrasound scanner on the years, but this was the first year his hog animal’s skin to see what was underneath. made weight and he showed it in the ring. For steer, Weeks measured the rib-eye His mom, Anna Motlow, was pleased with area, back fat and quality grade. For hogs, she how he did. measured the loin area and back fat. During “He’s been taking care of his hog,” the process, 4-H’ers learned about the grades said Motlow, of Immokalee. “And he’s of meat measured by the intermuscular fat, been learning responsibility and having or marbling, as seen through the ultrasound. accountability.” “She made sure to take the time and The Brighton 4-H grounds were busy explain the scientific knowledge of what with shows for two days; steer and heifers Beverly Bidney the meat of their animal broke down to,” were shown March 25, hogs March 26. Lindi Kulipa Julian wrangles her heifer into the ring Clement said. “This was the best educational Carter was the first in the ring to show her during the Brighton show. experience the kids have experienced this steer. It was her first time raising such a large year.” animal. Bubba was a 992-pound Brahma-

Beverly Bidney Augustice Jumper leads his 1,319-pound steer through the Brighton show ring.

Beverly Bidney Homer Beltran shows his 259-pound hog in Immokalee March 24. An SMP camera crew, his mother Anna Motlow, Immokalee Council liaison Raymond Garza and 4-H helper in the ring Marvin Hines watch his progress through the ring.

cross steer. “He’s different than the other ones,” said Lindi, 10. “He was the only who was being calm. He was nervous so I sat down with him. I knew he was the one I needed because he just fit with me.” Although Bubba didn’t make weight, Lindi exhibited him and he will go into the family pasture for the time being. Brace Miller, 9, and Khoal Cochran, 11, demonstrated confidence in their abilities with steers and heifers. Brace raised a steer, while Khoal raised a steer and three heifers, including a cow-calf pair. He also showed his steer in the Moore Haven youth livestock show March 3. “Nothing was too hard about it,” Brace said. “I even ride mine.” Unlike previous years, there was no crowd to cheer the kids, but parents kept a close watch as their children made their way around the ring. “As a parent, watching your kid participate with animals shows a form of love, care and respect,” said Justin Gopher, Creek Gopher’s father. “He’s been in 4-H for five years. He has a lot of care forall animals, dogs, horses, cows. He has a tender hand when it comes to his animals.” 4-H’s online auction featuring the kids’ livestock was scheduled to be held March 30-31. Bidders would be able to view all the livestock on video before placing a bid in Beverly Bidney the click-to-bid auction. Beverly Bidney Brace Miller guides his 1,058-pound steer through a turn in the show ring. Lindi Carter shows determination to move her steer through the Brighton show ring. 7A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Nez Perce’s Jaime Pinkham tapped ERMD uses BIA grants to monitor for Army Corps position endangered, invasive species BY DAMON SCOTT Staff Reporter BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Staff Reporter Indian Country reacted positively to the Biden administration’s recent decision to For several years, the Seminole Tribe appoint a member of the Pacific Northwest’s has received grants from the Bureau of Nez Perce Tribe to a top position at the Army Indian Affairs to fund the Environmental Corps of Engineers. Resource Management Department’s Jaime Pinkham would serve as principal endangered species and invasive species deputy assistant secretary of the Corps programs. The funding allows ERMD to for civil works, a post that doesn’t require monitor and manage wildlife, plants and Senate confirmation. Like President Biden’s vegetation on the reservations. nomination of Deb Haaland to lead the “We have a robust wildlife program,” Department of Interior, choosing Pinkham is said Karli Eckel, ERMD environmental seen as another significant move to increase science manager. “It helps protect the tribe’s the presence of Native Americans in federal interests and sovereignty by keeping and decision-making roles. Courtesy University of Arizona maintaining awareness of surrounding Pinkham’s position would represent Jaime Pinkham projects that have the ability to affect tribal the highest-positioned political appointee resources, animals, plants, vegetation and overseeing the Corps until Biden nominates River in eastern Washington which has cultural areas. It’s all one ecosystem. The an assistant secretary, which would require BIA is happy with the work the tribe does.” caused a decline in the salmon runs that his Senate confirmation. tribe historically fished. ERMD’s wildlife program conducts Naming Pinkham is also important visual surveys and analysis for various The Corps itself has previously because the Corps, like the Interior, is invited Pinkham to train incoming district endangered species, including the northern involved in a number of projects that affect crested caracara, a bird that is native to commanders on how to best work with tribal ERMD website Native American communities, although governments. Florida. The bird looks like a large black and A juvenile Cuban tree frog on the Big Cypress Reservation. priorities often differ. white hawk with an orange face, but is in the Pinkham supported President Obama’s In Florida, the Corps is the top halt of the construction of the Dakota Access falcon family. They rely on pastures, so the federal agency responsible for Everglades common concern is development activities pipeline – a 1,172-mile-long stretch from estimates there are only 120 to 230 adult Those surveys give the scientists a baseline restoration. It has worked on the multibillion- North Dakota to Illinois that the Corps is will change the distribution of the species. panthers in the state. of visual and auditory information. Native dollar Comprehensive Everglades ERMD has been monitoring the species for involved in. Another species endangered due to frogs have been hard to find in some areas. Restoration Plan (CERP) since 2000. The “I do bring that unique perspective based 21 years. habitat loss is the Florida bonneted bat, the “In 2016 some invasive species such Seminole and Miccosukee tribes are two Other endangered species tracked by on being a former member of tribal council, largest in the state which can reach about as the Cuban tree frog have increased,” stakeholders as well. running natural resource programs for the ERMD include the Everglades snail kite and 6.5 inches with a 20 inch wingspan. ERMD Eckel said. “They eat native frog species in Tribal leaders are concerned lately game animals such as hogs, white tailed deer tribes working on a lot of intergovernmental erected acoustic detectors and can listen for circumstances where the Cuban tree frog is about a variety of water-related construction and collaborative relationships,” Pinkham and turkeys. Surveys are done using remote their calls to pinpoint their location. The the larger frog.” projects along Lake Okeechobee, including wildlife cameras, which are almost entirely said in a recent interview with the Seattle bats are another important contributor to the Other invasive species causing concern water storage near the Brighton Reservation. Times. funded by the BIA grants. By monitoring ecosystem; they are pollinators and eat two are the Burmese python, Argentine black and Leaders believe the storage projects wildlife under the auspices of the federal or three times their body weight in insects white tegu, green and spiny tailed iguanas have the potential to cause life threatening ‘Excites us’ grant, the tribe gains the ability provide every night. and cane toads. flooding, property damage, negative input into how its resources may be affected. “The community has expressed interest “Pythons are here, but based on our environmental impacts to water supply and When asked when he would start his new “The BIA recognizes how successful in bat conservation,” Eckel said. “Tribal surveys of small mammals and wading agriculture – and that it encroaches on tribal the tribe has been in managing their own position, Pinkham told the Seminole Tribune members know and appreciate them.” birds, we haven’t seen significant drops in lands. via email March 24 that he had not yet been resources through the wildlife program,” ERMD also conducts surveys of bears, those populations,” Eckel said. “We think There’s hope that Pinkham’s presence Eckel said. briefed by the Biden administration on those gopher tortoises and indigo snakes. Indigo I-75 has been a good barrier for preventing will improve communication between the details, and thus was “not in a position to The most endangered species on and snakes, which often live in gopher tortoise a full invasion of the snakes. Not to say they Corps and tribal communities and allow near the reservations is the Florida panther. make any official statements about priorities burrows, are native to Florida and eat other aren’t here, but based on our current level of greater transparency in project development. at this time.” Since it is adapted to a very specific area snakes. The burrows are monitored with data, it isn’t to the extent of our neighbors in “I would say that the appointment of in South Florida, the species is vulnerable However, in a 2016 Chicago Tribune cameras to look for invasive species, of South Florida.” Mr. Pinkham represents an opportunity op-ed that he co-authored, Pinkham called to habitat loss. Male panthers require more which none have been found to date. ERMD is a participant in the for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and land than any other species in the state at on the federal government to uphold its tribal Invasive species are also monitored Florida Python Control Plan Working other sovereign tribes to have an ally in treaty obligations and share decision-making 200 square miles per animal. The Florida by ERMD, which has conducted annual Group – currently under development – Washington, D.C.,” Paul Backhouse, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission duties, writing that Native Americans are reptile and amphibian surveys since 2014. which is an interagency plan involving senior director of the tribe’s Heritage and not “merely consultants,” but “legitimate, representatives from state, local, federal Environment Resources Office (HERO) said. sovereign governments with capable natural agencies and the tribe. When completed, “We hope he will be interested in coming to resource managers.” the plan will include methodology and Florida to visit the projects associated with “The federal government strings together techniques for understanding pythons Everglades restoration.” the words ‘government to government’ and and recommendations for detection and ‘trust responsibility’ to describe its relations implementation of programs. ‘Unique perspective’ with Native American nations,” the authors “We make sure the tribe is part of it to wrote. “But it is action, not words, that have a voice in its development,” Eckel said. Pinkham has a diverse and extensive matter. When tribes enter into treaties and “It’s good to have input in the plan to make professional background. agreements with the federal government, a sure it is aligned with tribal interests.” He earned forestry degrees from Oregon sacred deal is made.” The most problematic species is State University and Peninsula College in Tribal leaders say Pinkham’s potentially the python, which could threaten Washington State. He was elected twice appointment provides a chance for tribal resources, but the most problematic to the Nez Perce Tribe’s governing body, institutional change at the Corps. species consistently observed are Cuban tree including as treasurer when the tribe took its “Mr. Pinkham has grown up in the frogs and iguanas. first steps into gaming. sacred place of the salmon,” Faith Spotted “Iguanas are in a stage that they can be He led the tribe’s natural resource Eagle, an elder of the Yankton Sioux Nation eradicated,” Eckel said. “We are working programs and was involved in salmon and activist who fought the Dakota Access with animal control to educate tribal restoration, water rights negotiations, wolf and Keystone XL pipelines, said in a recent members as to what to do if you find one recovery and land acquisition. interview with Environment & Energy and how to discourage iguana. Our website Pinkham previously served on the News. “[He] excites us, gives us hope.” has all the information.” governing council of the Wilderness Society Jamie Williams, the president of the The website is semtribe.com/stof/ – a group that seeks to protect 109 million Wilderness Society, was one of the co- ERMD services/ermd-wildlife. acres of wilderness in 44 states. authors of the op-ed with Pinkham. He issued Water issues in the Pacific Northwest A black spiny tailed iguana spotted on the Brighton Reservation. a statement after Pinkham’s appointment. have been on Pinkham’s radar for many “I can’t think of anyone more qualified years. to lead the Army Corps and begin to undo As executive director of the Columbia the Corps’ historic injustices at this key River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, he moment than Jaime Pinkham,” he said. led efforts to restore the region’s salmon “Jaime’s expertise on tribal sovereignty and Chickasaw Nation’s Janie Hipp nominated for population and worked to protect tribal passion for conservation will bring balance fishing rights. to decision-making at the Army Corps of general counsel at USDA Pinkham is connected to the long fight Engineers.” over four Corps dams on the Lower Snake STAFF REPORT board of trustees said in a statement. “We are thrilled that she will bring this experience to USDA as General Counsel and NAAF fully WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden supports her in this role.” Trail cameras taken from Big announced March 15 his intent to nominate Hipp is also the founding director Janie Hipp (Chickasaw Nation) as general of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Cypress National Preserve counsel of the Department of Agriculture. Initiative at the University of Arkansas. Hipp, who grew up in southeast Oklahoma, Prior to launching the initiative, she served earned law degrees from Oklahoma City as national program leader for several BY BEVERLY BIDNEY that supports the big cat population. University and the University of Arkansas. programs at the United States Department of Staff Reporter “The Florida panther is one of the She began her legal career in the 1980s. Agriculture National Institute for Food and most endangered mammals in the United Her background includes serving as Agriculture. Seven trail cameras used to study the States and, unless this neurological disorder CEO of the Native American Agriculture Hipp also served within the Oklahoma elusive Florida panther in the Ochopee is identified and controlled, the panther Fund, which expressed its endorsement of Attorney General’s office and was advisor area of Big Cypress National Preserve were population may not continue to exist in South her. for tribal affairs and director of the apparently stolen between Jan. 21 and Feb. Florida. Damage or theft of government “Janie Hipp has done an astounding Office of Tribal Relations in the Obama 2. property is a serious incident and we are job building NAAF from the ground up Administration. Law enforcement rangers are asking asking the public to assist us in identifying since 2018, from a court order into a private Courtesy NAAF for assistance with the investigation of the “For more than 35 years prior to her Janie Hipp the responsible parties,” Big Cypress charitable trust that has distributed over $28 federal service, Janie built an outstanding cameras, valued at around $2,300. Theft of National Preserve Superintendent Thomas million in grants to benefit Native American career as an agriculture and food lawyer government property is a federal offense. Forsyth said in a statement. farmers and ranchers,” Jim Laducer (Turtle and policy expert. Her work has focused on agriculture and food law,” U.S. Secretary of The cameras are a tool in determining Anyone within information is asked to Mountain Chippewa), chair of the NAAF the complex intersection of Indian law and Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in a statement. the presence of a neurological disorder found contact the park immediately. Additionally, in Florida panthers and bobcats. The Florida you may call or text the investigative services panther is a federally endangered animal branch tip line at (888) 653-0009 or submit Rep. Sharice Davids appointed to economic committee whose remaining population is confined to a tip online at nps.gov/ISB, click “Submit a South Florida. The Big Cypress National Tip.” You can remain anonymous. FROM PRESS RELEASE “We are in the middle the worst works for Kansans and people across the Preserve is the largest area of natural habitat economic crisis in a generation, and it will country.” take Republicans and Democrats working The committee is comprised of 10 WASHINGTON — Two-term U.S. together to help our economy not just members from both chambers of Congress. Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS) recover, but come back stronger,” Davids There are 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans the Joint Economic Committee, a bicameral (Ho-Chunk) said in a statement. “I’m who perform a variety of tasks, including Congressional committee that reviews honored to serve on the Joint Economic holding hearings, performing research, and economic conditions and recommends Committee as we work to address this crisis advising other members of Congress. improvements in economic policy. and rebuild in our economy in a way that Open air market at History Fort Lauderdale FCA to meet in resumes April 11 Marco Island FROM PRESS RELEASE Second Ave.) and along the Riverwalk. Admission to the New River Open The Florida Cattlemen Association’s FORT LAUDERDALE — History Fort Air Market is free. General admission for annual convention and allied trade show Lauderdale’s New River Open Air Market History Fort Lauderdale’s tours and museum is scheduled to be held June 14-17 at the will return April 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in each consecutive Sunday thereafter. Farm- students (through age 22 with a valid student Marco Island. For more information visit fresh food and handmade crafts and other ID). Admission is free for members, military floridacattlemen.org/. items from more than 50 vendors will be and children ages six and under. For more NPS available in a socially distanced atmosphere information call (954) 463-4431 or visit us Trail camera photo of Florida panthers. in front of the New River Inn (231 SW historyfortlauderdale.org. 8A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021

The museum’s oral history collection: content and security

BY ALEX BANKS Oral History Assistant, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

BIG CYPRESS — Long before Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum European colonizers came to this continent Technology changes quickly and the oral histories on all these older media have been migrated to and wrote down their versions of history, modern safe digital storage. This process will continue as technology does not stop changing. Native peoples expertly practiced the oral transmission of history, passing down culture and personal knowledge from one set of restrictions placed upon them. Any As of right now during the Covid-19 generation to the next. Oral history was the community member seeking to share their pandemic, the oral history collection primary method of knowledge sharing used story with the museum should rest assured continues to grow. We continue to add by Native peoples to preserve shared and that their story will be kept safe. The privacy even more unique and diverse stories via past experiences within their clans, families, of the individual’s personal story and of the web-based video and audio conferencing and larger cultural groups. Over the last tribe’s history is taken very seriously. platforms. Even though this method of century or so, oral history has also evolved So while this overview of the collection recording oral histories is not ideal from into a specific academic discipline by which and its importance to the tribe cannot be too a quality or experience standpoint, the a historian and narrator can interact with one specific in referencing individuals and their quality remains acceptable while the safety another to come to a greater understanding testimonies, it can describe the wide variety and health of narrators and interviewers of the history being discussed. This personal of oral histories collected. The collection is appropriately maintained as the highest relationship within the research process includes recordings from 1960 up to as priority. acknowledges the agency of willing recently as 2021. The stories told can vary in We are dedicated to hearing your stories participants to more actively and accurately the type of storyteller as well as topic. There and preserving the more personal histories record personal and cultural history, and are several interviews in which the narrator the tribe would like to share, so that future stories that have for far too long been only describes their life in its entirety, yet there generations can not only listen and watch written and interpreted by outsiders and Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum are also several shorter interviews that detail what has already been shared and recorded, oppressors, i.e. the “white man’s” version of Bobby Henry, of the Tampa community, has sat down with us many times over the years to preserve the art and talent of things like alligator but then continue to add on their generation’s history. his story for future generations. wrestling. If one were looking for stories of chapter to that ever-expanding story. If you The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum’s oral beadwork, tourism, politics, legends, songs, would like to add your story to the museum’s history collections exists primarily as a traditional foods, camp life, the Seminole oral history collection, please contact me, resource for tribal members to explore and hard drives, all of which are securely stored restricted to tribal access only, and further Wars, the Vietnam War, cattle, federal Alex Banks, the oral history assistant. further their knowledge of their community’s and locked away in safes within a vault. The still there are several recordings for which recognition, etc., they would find what they I’d be happy to discuss the process and history and culture. The collection includes security and privacy of these oral histories the intentions of the narrator are unknown. were looking for within the museum’s oral opportunities with you at your convenience. videotapes, cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs and is no small matter. Several recordings are Therefore, we make sure they have a full history collection. Here are ways to celebrate Earth Day in April BY HERO STAFF Jill Horwitz, STOF climate resilience Watch officer, and Marty Bowers, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Young Voices for the Planet film series education coordinator, will be distinguished Kids, check out these short movies to Since 1970, citizens across the globe speakers at the Florida session, hosted by see what other young people are doing and have celebrated April 22 as Earth Day, an University of South Florida Patel College get inspired to take action. Through uplifting annual event to show support for our planet of Global Sustainability and The CLEO and inspiring success stories, this series and catalyze advocacy on environmental Institute. This is one of 100 events happening empowers youth to claim an essential role protection. Today, over one billion people simultaneously around the world to discuss in their communities and catalyzing positive worldwide join in solidarity for the Earth. regional climate solutions, energy justice, change. This day of activism and education has and a path to a green recovery. https://www.youngvoicesfortheplanet. become so popular that many celebrate it for https://www.solveclimateby2030.org/ com/youth-climate-videos/ the entire month of April. Post Perform CONNECT WITH OTHERS Florida Food Waste Prevention Week, Climate Change Theatre Action 2021 Are you looking for ways you can April 5-9 More than 50 plays and short readings celebrate Earth Day? Whether you are South Florida public and private are available for you to perform. This year’s young or old, want to be a spectator or take partners are hosting a week of online theme is “Envisioning a Global Green center stage, there is something for everyone. events and social media challenges to raise New Deal”, and works center on what Here are just a few of the virtual Earth Day awareness about how reducing food waste an equitable, sustainable, decarbonized, events Seminole Tribe of Florida staff are reduces hunger, protects the environment and just society look like. http://www. participating in this year: and saves money. climatechangetheatreaction.com/ www.savethefoodfl.com Join Participate Solve Climate 2030 Global Power Florida Climate Week April 19-22 ERMD Dialogs April 7 Take part in a week’s worth of events Blue-winged teal ducks enjoy their day in Big Cypress. with guest speakers to help you understand the impacts our changing climate is having on the Sunshine State. • Find a location where you can sit Are there many varieties? Are there birds in https://floridaclimateweek.org/ comfortably. Find a tree, a field, garden or the bushes? Do you see nests? How many lake to sit near where you can spend some different types of lichens and bromeliads time to reflect and observe all that surrounds are growing on the trees? Are the flowers CONNECT WITH THE EARTH Celebrate Earth Day everyday by you. When you find a nice location, spend 10 blooming? Are the leaves starting to grow enjoying the beauty of the Earth that minutes in one spot and make observations for the springtime? surrounds you. Taking a hike, planting a of the environment surrounding you. • Now take a deep breath. Find the native garden, or bird watching are just a • Can you see the sky? Is it clear or fresh air and enjoy the nature surrounding few examples of activities that promote does it look like rain? Make a note of the you as you travel on to your next destination. appreciation for natural resources. A nature weather and conditions. The fresh winds of Want to see a list of these events, hike is an activity that you can do with your spring bring in the smells of orange blossoms activities, and resources all in one place? family, friends, or alone to celebrate near or in bloom or freshly cut grass. Check out the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum’s far from home. It does not matter if you live • Close your eyes and listen for a website www.ahtahthiki.com and social in the city or in the woods, taking a walk minute. What do you hear? Listen to the media pages. We will be posting these outside is something you can do every day birds chirping in the bushes, hawks calling opportunities and more as the day to appreciate nature no matter what else is from the tops of tall trees. Do you hear approaches. The HERO team looks forward happening in the world. Go outside and multiple birds? Can you hear them calling to hosting a live Earth Day event of our own enjoy the sights and sounds of the natural other birds? Try to whistle. Can you mimic in 2022. world, and experience the Earth in all its the call of the birds? Think about how birds and other wildlife communicate with each This article was compiled by staff ERMD beauty. The tips below will allow you to other. from the Seminole Tribe's Heritage and Yellow flowers provide a picturesque setting in Brighton. celebrate the Earth as it is around you no matter where you are: • Now look at the plants around you. Environment Resources Office (HERO).

Upcoming programs offered by National Museum of the American Indian

FROM PRESS RELEASE School student uniform. Notah Begay III Foundation, which provides sustainable agriculture and food production Hidatsa and Arikara Nation; and Leonard health and wellness education to Native more important than ever. Moderated by Forsman, Chairman, Suquamish Tribe. Indigenous Poetry: Resilience youth. Michaela Pavlat (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Moderated by Carmen Davis (Makah/ The National Museum of the American April 9-30; on demand. Living Earth brings together Native Chippewa Indians). Panelists include Kelsey Chippewa-Cree/Yakama), editor of Native Indian is offering the following virtual events Via YouTube @SmithsonianNMAI innovators and practitioners dedicated to Ducheneaux-Scott (Cheyenne River Sioux Business magazine. in April and May. For more information visit using Indigenous knowledge to protect Tribe), Jack Poshano (Hopi) and Marco AmericanIndian.si.edu. Reflecting on a difficult year, Indigenous and sustain the environment. Through Ovando (Shoshone-Paiute Tribe). Film Screenings poets offer inspiration as they recite poems cooking demonstrations, conversations April 22-25; on demand APRIL about resilience. The National Museum of and film screenings, this year’s festival Cooking Demonstration the American Indian celebrates National explores agriculture trends, innovations and April 22-25; on demand Gather In Dialogue: Smithsonian Objects Poetry Month with poetry reading from sustainability in Indigenous communities Director: Sanjay Rawal and Social Justice National Poet Laureate Joy Harjo (Mvskoke/ and Native-owned businesses. Mariah Gladstone (Blackfeet/Cherokee Producer: Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/ Thursday, April 8; 5 p.m. EST Creek), Kealoha Wong (Native Hawaiian), The festival is made possible through the Nation), founder of IndigiKitchen, an Creek) Free, registration required Natalia Diaz (Akimel O’otham) and Jamaica support of the Native American Agriculture online cooking platform, will explore https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in- Osorio (Native Hawaiian). Fund. traditional Indigenous foods and show how Gather is an intimate portrait of dialogue-smithsonian-objects-and-social- to incorporate them into our everyday lives. the growing movement amongst Native justice-tickets-137997613577?aff= Living Earth Virtual Festival: The Youth in Action: Americans to reclaim their spiritual, Business of Agriculture in Indian Country Sustainable Agriculture Building the Business of Agriculture political and cultural identities through food What is the connection between a desire April 22-25; on demand April 22-25; on demand in Indian Country sovereignty, while battling the trauma of for recognition of one’s culture and activism americanindian.si.edu/online-programs https://nmai.brand.live/c/ April 22-25; on demand centuries of genocide. for equity? Join educators from the National youthinactionapril Portrait Gallery and the National Museum In celebration of Earth Day, the National Experts address a crucial issue—creating Voices from the Barrens: Native People, of the American Indian in a conversation Museum of the American Indian’s annual This panel discussion brings together innovative, robust and ecologically sound Blueberries and Sovereignty about identity and assimilation in relation Living Earth Festival will be available on young Indigenous leaders to address the role food systems and agricultural businesses Director: Nancy Ghertner to a portrait of activist Zitkála-Šá/Gertrude demand over four days. The festival will that traditional ecological knowledge plays in Indigenous communities. Speakers Canadian Director: Brian J. Francis Simmons Bonnin (Yankton Sioux), an open with a message from Notah Begay III in their work as farmers and entrepreneurs. include Dawn Sherman (Lakota/Delaware/ (Mi’kmaq) outspoken critic of Indian boarding schools, (Navajo/Isleta Pueblo), four-time PGA Tour With the onset of COVID-19 and ongoing Shawnee), CEO of Native American Natural F See NMAI on page 4B and a 19th century Carlisle Indian Industrial champion, sportscaster and founder of the issues of climate change, investing in Foods; Mark N. Fox, Chairman, Mandan 9A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Health

for the first shot and send a notification when F VACCINE the second shot is due. Two weeks after the Worth the climb at Hard Rock Stadium as event From page 1A second shot is administered, the vaccine becomes 94.5% effective against the virus. raises money for American Lung Association The Seminole Tribe is the parent entity While the virus has disproportionately of Hard Rock International. affected Native Americans, in many cases Seminole Fire Rescue personnel have tribal vaccination rates have outpaced those BY KEVIN JOHNSON been administering the shots to those who of the general population. Senior Editor are eligible and prescreened at the fire station The Indian Health Service recently in Hollywood in a drive-thru format. reported it surpassed its goal to administer The "Fight for Air Climb" usually Dr. Vandhana Kiswani-Barley, the 400,000 vaccines across Indian Country. takes place indoors in a downtown Miami executive director of HHS, said the tribe was The Seminole Tribe has thus far received its skyscraper. This year, however, due to safety in the process of acquiring doses of the Pfizer vaccines from IHS and has avoided many of concerns with the Covid-19 pandemic, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines as well. the snags and issues that state-run vaccine the annual event that raises money for the “We are continuing to vaccinate with distribution has experienced. American Lung Association shifted outdoors. the help of Public Safety. The numbers [of For example, as many tribes have More than 400 participants, including positive Covid-19 tests] are going down opened up vaccine eligibility to anyone several firefighters in gear, ascended and within the tribe,” she said. over 18 years of age, the state of Florida descended the long aisles of stairs inside HHS and Public Safety staff have been has only recently made those who are 50 Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on carrying out the tribe’s vaccine strategy for years and older eligible to get in line for an March 6. The result was more than $140,000 more than three months through a phased appointment. raised as of late March. eligibility process. Eligibility requirements Those under 18 years of age are currently “For the safety of our constituents and have opened up over that time to include not eligible to receive any Covid-19 vaccine, staff, we pivoted to an outdoor venue this employees of the tribe who are not tribal although trials are underway. year and saw a tremendous outpouring of members and now Seminole Gaming Tribal members and employees can call support and participation from the local employees. the HHS hotline at (833) 786-3458 for more community,” Chrissy Cohen, the American Those that are eligible and wish to information about the vaccine. Lung Association’s executive director, said receive the vaccine are placed on a waiting in a statement. “Thank you to all of our list. Staff from HHS and Public Safety then participants, volunteers and sponsors who makes contact to schedule an appointment came together to make a difference in the lives of people facing lung disease, lung cancer and Covid-19.” In addition to helping the association’s battle against lung cancer and lung disease, Victoria O'Keefe named to leadership chair in the funds will support the organization’s Native American health at Johns Hopkins Covid-19 action initiative to address the virus and protect against future respiratory virus Metro-Dade Firefighters Local 1403/Facebook pandemics. More than 400 participants, including several area firefighters, tackled the stairs at Hard Rock Stadium FROM PRESS RELEASE Metro-Dade Firefighters Local 1403 was in Miami Gardens on March 6 for the "Fight for Air Climb" that benefits the American Lung Association. the presenting sponsor of the event. BALTIMORE — The Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health in Maryland has selected Victoria O'Keefe, a member of Cherokee and Seminole Nations of Oklahoma, to a five-year faculty leadership chair in Native American health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. O'Keefe, a psychologist who develops, implements, and evaluates culturally-driven behavioral health interventions in partnership with Native American communities, has been named the first holder of the Santosham Chair in Native American Health, named for the Center's founding director Mathuram Santosham. O'Keefe was appointed an assistant professor in the Department of International Health at the Bloomberg School in 2016, Johns Hopkins University becoming Johns Hopkins University's first- Victoria O'Keefe ever tenure track faculty member of Native American heritage. The chair provides book called Our Smallest Warriors, permanent support for Native American Our Strongest Medicine: Overcoming research leadership at the Center, giving COVID-19. The book, which has reached faculty the flexibility to create culturally tens of thousands of Indigenous families, competent innovations that leverage tribal promotes communal efficacy, strength, sovereignty and build upon community and hope in the face of the pandemic. In strengths. addition, O'Keefe is working with colleagues O'Keefe obtained her undergraduate to develop an Indigenous version of degree in psychology, then completed a Psychological First Aid for frontline workers clinical psychology doctoral program at addressing COVID-19 in tribal communities. Oklahoma State University, where she In the past year, she also led the production of worked in a laboratory for the study of a new strengths-based guide for tribal leaders suicide risk and resilience and was awarded to prevent youth suicide, called "Culture the Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship. Forward," which will be disseminated Indigenous suicide prevention has been a nationwide. Her newest work is focused on focus throughout her studies. advancing an Elders' Resiliency curriculum O'Keefe's leadership has contributed to promote youth wellness and prevent mental health resources to the Center's suicide that was designed by the White American Lung Association COVID-19 response, including a children's Mountain Apache community. Firefighters ascend the long stairways at Hard Rock Stadium in support of the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb. Head of N.D. Indian Affairs Commission Indigenous women chefs program continues in April resigns to join Sanford Health FROM PRESS RELEASE Hawk (Pawnee and Athabaskan), who was After receiving her bachelor's degree in born and raised in the interior of Alaska, Culinary Arts from Seattle Central College, FROM GRAND FORKS (N.D.) HERALD In an interview with Forum News around the Athabaskan village of Mentasta- Echo-Hawk has been working as a cook Service, Davis said he will assume a newly The annual Conference on Native American Nutrition, which highlights the home to the matriarchal chief and subsistence in some of Seattle's most innovative and created role within Sanford Health where rights activist, Katie John. Watching John popular restaurants for several years. She North Dakota's top liaison between the he will work with tribal clinics and health culinary expertise of Indigenous women, will present the next installment in its and other Indigenous peoples fight for food has also worked as a private chef, catering state and tribal nations announced March 22 departments to ensure all tribal citizens have sovereignty, as well as seeing her mother various events from the local Native non- that he plans to resign at the end of April. access to proper health care. "Celebrating Indigenous Women Chefs" live webinar series April 13 from 1 p.m. to 2:15 strive to make healthy, home-cooked meals profits and Native community events with Scott Davis, an enrolled member of the He said with his role he hopes to give for her and her six siblings has given Hillel pre-colonial, Indigenous meals. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and a descendent tribes the opportunity to improve health p.m. (ET). The featured chef will be Hillel Echo- a unique and important perspective on diet For more information and to register go of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, care systems. Davis will assume his role as and wellness. to www.hfhl.umn.edu/indigenouschefs. resigned as executive director of the North Native American outreach coordinator in Dakota Indian Affairs Commission — a early May, and said he will work with the position in Gov. Doug Burgum's cabinet — tribal nations in North Dakota first and then New online tool to join Sanford Health to lead the company's hopefully eventually tribes in other states allows Indigenous Native American outreach. where Sanford Health works, including Davis held the position for almost 12 South Dakota and Minnesota. patients to years, and in his resignation letter he noted In October, Davis was placed on paid that he has served three governors and 23 leave after allegations of misconduct. An anonymously tribal nation chairmen, according to a news internal investigation found he engaged in report racism release from the governor's office. a "personal relationship" with another state "For more than a decade, Scott has been employee, but he did not abuse "his position FROM CBC NEWS a dedicated leader in advancing state-tribal of authority." He was reinstated about one relations, continuously and passionately Indigenous patients in month later. British Columbia, Canada, are advocating on behalf of each of our state’s Davis declined to comment on whether five tribal nations at the state and federal now able to anonymously report his resignation is related to the misconduct experiences of racism in B.C.'s level for solutions and partnerships to investigation, saying he wanted to protect his address the many complex and generational health-care system, thanks to a family's privacy. new online tool. challenges in Indian Country," Burgum said Davis' resignation is effective on April in a statement Monday. Safespace allows people to 30. share their own or their loved ones' experiences in a health- Muscogee (Creek) Nation Health System care facility and rate the facility. The B.C. Association of selects Everbridge for vaccine efforts Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC), whose website hosts the app, aims to use FROM PRESS RELEASE vaccinations among its more than 90,000 the information to figure out citizens located in the Tulsa area. patterns of racist incidents in the Everbridge, Inc. announced March 15 Everbridge serves dozens of Native healthcare sector, and present that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Health American and First Nations tribes across solutions on how to address System of Oklahoma selected the company’s North America, including Wyandotte, these issues with policymakers. vaccine distribution solution to coordinate Choctaw, Seneca, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Safespace was created by and administer the Covid-19 vaccine to Osage, Navajo and Mi’kmaq. Canadian Medical Association its tribal members. The Muscogee (Creek) Recent deployments of Everbridge to president-elect Dr. Alika Nation, the fourth largest Native American power vaccine distribution also include Lafontaine, an Alberta-based tribe in the country, chose Everbridge Indian River County and Sarasota County in anesthesiologist of Anishinaabe, to automate the registration, scheduling, Florida, St. Clair County in Michigan and the Cree, Metis and Pacific Islander administration, tracking, and reporting of entire state of West Virginia. descent. 10A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 SEMINOLE SCENES

Photos via Facebook (3) GRITTY PERFORMANCE: Above, Seminoles Tucomah Robbins (left) and Quenton Cypress (right) compete in the GRIT Strength Challenge with teammate Andrew Wallin (center). The event was held at Fort King, near Ocala, on Feb. 27. Sponsored by CrossFit Iron Legion, the event served as a fundraiser for the Fort King National Historic Landmark. The challenge events mimicked daily activities during the Seminole Wars in the 1800s using only those primitive objects. The three are also members of the Osceola Warrior Legacy which participates in historical reenactments, including at Fort King.

At upper right, Wallin (left) rolls a barrel as Cypress and Robbins assist with a rope.

At lower right, Robbins watches as Cypress sees how long he can hold up two large logs attached to chains.

Hard Rock Atlantic City Amber Loveland/The King’s Academy HONORS FOR HARD ROCK AC: The Atlantic County (N.J.) Board of Commissioners honored Hard Rock Hotel & Casino THE SHOW MUST GO ON: The King’s Academy senior Aubee Billie performs in “Little Women,” a musical produced Atlantic City at its Feb. 16 meeting with a resolution praising Hard Rock’s commitment to team members during the global by TKA Theatre Company and the Smith Family Conservatory of the Arts at the prep school in West Palm Beach. The pandemic. Hard Rock Atlantic City President Joe Lupo, left, accepts the framed resolution from Commissioner John Risley. show was broadcast in February as a free streaming performance with no tickets sold for seating. Billie, who is the current Jr. Miss Florida Seminole, has appeared in several productions during her high school career, including leading roles in “Miss Saigon” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Beverly Bidney (2)

4-H FUN: At right, 4-H Pee Wee member Paisley Arteaga, 6, shows off her rabbit named Plumz, which she cared for since December, at the Immokalee 4-H show March 24. At left, Ryker Miller and Kade Johns, both 7, watch the steer competitors at the Brighton 4-H show March 25.

Kevin Johnson BOXING LEGEND PASSES: Leon Spinks, shown here attending a boxing function at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in 2015, died Feb. 5 at age 67. Spinks won an Olympic gold medal in 1976 and captured the heavyweight championship by defeating Muhammad Ali in 1978. When he entered the ballroom for the 2015 event using a walker, several boxing stars in the room gave him a hearty applause. 11A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 NATIONAL NATIVE NEWS Montana tribal voting bill clears If passed, implementation of the bill’s - Fox 61 (Hartford, Conn.) to get the General Assembly to pass the to properly consult with Native American committee after substantial revisions requirements would be overseen by the resolutions. “I’m really proud to work with tribal nations when completing inventories Legislature’s State-Tribal Relations Interim Ducheneaux becomes first Native them. They really made history,” she said. of their collections, leading it to misclassify A heavily amended bill to expand Committee. In 2017, Stanford became the first city some remains as “culturally unidentifiable.” - Helena (Montana) Independent American appointed Administrator in Kentucky to sign an Indigenous Peoples’ The Museum administrators wrote that Native American voting access in Montana of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency advanced from a House committee March Record Day proclamation thanks to Garner. And last the Department of the Interior constrained 19, although at least one tribe involved in year she pushed for and received a statewide the Museum’s inventory process through Native American tribe wants Yolo SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A member of proclamation signed by the governor. “shortened consultation timelines and the legislation expressed disappointment the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is the first with the changes. County officials to move regular quotas,” forcing it to classify some Native American to serve as the USDA’s -The Advocate-Messenger (Danville, remains as culturally unidentifiable. House Bill 613 was brought by Rep. cannabis farms Administrator of the Farm Service Agency. Sharon Stewart Peregoy, D-Crow Agency, Ky.) “The museum did not then and does Zach Ducheneaux began his new position not now intend that those preliminary as an attempt to resolve some of the barriers A Native American tribe that calls the Feb. 22. to voting access on the state’s Indian Peabody Museum apologizes for determinations be final,” they added. “Since Capay Valley in Yolo County, California, “I think it speaks volumes for the vision 2001 the museum has actively continued reservations. After it was introduced late home is looking to move cannabis growers of the Biden administration and Secretary practices around Native American in the session, members of the House State consultations.” to another part of the county and away from Vilsack’s leadership to come in just a cultural objects, announces In an interview with The Crimson on Administration Committee held morning the valley. decade from settling a lawsuit with Native work sessions over the past week, aiming for policy changes March 27, O’Loughlin said she was pleased In Capay Valley, cannabis farms are Americans to having a Native American at the policy change around voluntary a middle ground between budget-conscious seen by some as a burden. lead the organization that was actually being counties and tribes demanding improved Peabody Museum of Archaeology repatriation that Pickering and Deloria “I have never locked my doors in 30 sued…it’s really a monumental honor that I and Ethnology at Harvard University announced in their letter. access to the polls on reservations. years until recently,” said Charles Opper get to hold,” Ducheneaux said. Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, administrators apologized for the “pain” the “The fact that they have now expressly from Rumsey. Ducheneaux lives on a cattle and horse museum caused by its refusal to voluntarily changed their policy regarding the D-Browning, worked closely with other For Opper, who supports the legalization ranch location on the Cheyenne River committee members on the legislation. He return certain funerary objects to Native repatriation of funerary objects, and that of marijuana, cannabis farms are causing Reservation. He has been running his American tribes and pledged to reverse they put that on the website, is extremely acknowledged the bill was substantially him headaches. operation, The DX Ranch, since 1993 and he different than what had been initially the policy in response to a letter from the good news,” O’Loughlin said. “Gasoline generators run 24/7. is preparing for the next generation to take Association on American Indian Affairs last proposed by Native groups and tribes. Refrigeration on these containers run 24/7,” over, which will be the fourth generation. “This was a work in progress and like month criticizing the museum. - The Harvard Crimson he said. Before becoming Administrator, In February, the association sent a I’ve told people, it’s kept me up a lot of He said the traffic has picked up on the Ducheneaux held a variety of leadership nights,” Running Wolf told the committee. letter to University President Lawrence Crow Nation policing case heard north end of the Capay Valley along with roles including executive director of the S. Bacow accusing Harvard of legal and But despite his lingering concerns, he called crime, specifically theft. Intertribal Agriculture Council, vice chair of before U.S. Supreme Court it “a big start.” moral violations in the museum’s practices “These are not minor incidents. These the board of the Northwest Area Foundation regarding its collections of Native American The committee passed the measure are thefts involving hundreds and hundreds and serving on the Tribal Council for the In 2016, a Bureau of Indian Affairs unanimously — one of the only Democrat- human remains and cultural objects. In the of thousands of dollars,” Opper told FOX40. Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe from 2000- letter, the nonprofit said Harvard’s practices officer is patrolling the highway near Crow sponsored voting bills to find bipartisan Neighbors who didn’t want to go on 2004. Agency. He finds a car pulled over on the side momentum during a session dominated are in violation of the Native American camera echoed the same sentiment: That the As head of the Farm Service Agency, Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. of the road. He approaches the vehicle and by Republican initiatives. The GOP holds cannabis farms in the valley have to go. Ducheneaux is charged with carrying finds a man displaying signs of intoxication sizable majorities in both chambers, as well Bacow initially responded to the “It hasn’t really hit home until the tribe forward the initiatives of the administration association’s chief executive, Shannon with drug paraphernalia nearby and a gun. as the governor’s office. stood up,” Opper said. and Secretary Vilsack. When the man, Joshua James Cooley, is But changes to the bill cost the support O’Loughlin, in early March, writing that That’s the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Ducheneaux said he hopes to take the he had asked Peabody Museum Director charged with drug-related crimes, his lawyer of at least one of the state’s tribes. Andy owners of Cache Creek Casino Resort. agency in a direction where they start to successfully argues that the evidence from Werk, Jr., president of the Fort Belknap Jane Pickering to respond in detail to the The tribe says around half of Yolo look at investing in agriculture and get Association’s letter. that night should be suppressed because Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes, joined County’s cannabis operations take place in away from lending and borrowing. He the tribal police officer shouldn’t have had the March 18 work session over Zoom to In a five-page response March 25, the valley, which is why they’re asking the wants people to realize that agriculture is Pickering and Peabody Museum NAGPRA authority over Cooley, a non-Indian. voice his frustration with the amendments. county to relocate those farms away from a valuable investment opportunity if they On March 23, the Supreme Court heard “Fort Belknap faces resistance every Advisory Committee Chair Philip J. Deloria the Capay Valley. can find a way to get the capital out there denied that the museum was in violation of the case to determine what authority tribal year from county election officials that do not The tribe is also looking to protect that our producers need to be empowered police have when detaining and searching, want to provide services on the reservation,” the law, but apologized for past practices Native American artifacts in the area. to take control of things like climate-smart and announced changes to the museum’s particularly when dealing with non-Natives. Werk told the committee members gathered Tribe Chairman Anthony Roberts agriculture, local food system development The question at the center of U.S. v. for the work session. “… As edited, this law research and repatriation policies that match released this statement: The current and more equitable treatment across the some of the association’s demands. Cooley is: When can tribal officers detain does not actually provide any relief to our situation in the Capay Valley is unworkable. spectrum. and search non-Native suspects when community.” In the response, Pickering and Deloria So, a cannabis ordinance that perpetuates assured O’Loughlin of their “concrete patrolling Indian Country? Native Americans living on rural the current situation is unworkable. This - KELOLAND-TV (Sioux Falls, S.D.) Missoula-based Attorney Eric Henkel, reservations often face prohibitively long commitment to the return of individuals to would be obvious to all if there was an fulfill the ethical and moral imperative of the counsel of record for Joshua James distances to county polling places, such environmental impact report that showed Cooley, told the high court Tuesday: “The as the more than 50 miles that a Blackfeet Sheryl Lightfoot appointed NAGPRA.” how the Valley has changed with cannabis. “We intend that the Native American issue here is about inherent tribal authority reservation resident in Heart Butte would But so far, Yolo County has produced no UN representative for the rights of over non-Indians. Through decades of have to travel one-way to the Pondera individuals in the Peabody Museum will such report. Indigenous Peoples be transferred through repatriation or consistent opinions, this court has delineated County election office in Conrad. During The county is in the middle of passing the scope of that authority to exclude police his comments, Werk said some Fort Belknap disposition,” they wrote. that ordinance that states where marijuana University of British Columbia “The museum has no interest in power over non-Indians. Especially on residents must undertake 90-mile round trips operations can and can’t be. professor Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot has been non-tribal lands such as the public right of to register to vote or cast ballots. subverting or delaying NAGPRA’s “We have to be careful, we can’t just appointed as a member of the United Nations implementation. Our museum is not the way here where Officer Saylor seized and And mail ballots aren’t always an open it up and let everybody do what they committee to promote and protect the rights searched Mr. Cooley.” easy option, either, with many reservations proper place for these remains, and we are want,” said Yolo County Supervisor Oscar of Indigenous people. committed to their return.” The U.S. Government’s attorney, Eric lacking residential mail delivery services. Villegas. It’s the first time an Indigenous woman Feigin, argued that if the justices wrote Obstacles to voting in 2012 fueled a lawsuit Passed by Congress in 1990, NAGPRA Villegas says it’s important they take from Canada will hold the position of North required any institutions that receive federal a ruling siding with Cooley’s argument, filed by several tribes against the state and care of all the issues before the ordinance is American representative on the UN Expert Indian Country police in Montana and the some counties, which resulted in a settlement funding to compile inventories of Native final. Some cannabis farms agree as well. Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous American human remains and cultural nation will be extremely restricted. that governs their current voting access. “We do want to hear the tribe’s concerns. Peoples. “[It] substantially chills tribes’ ability, The original bill would have required objects they held in their collections We are in favor, in support of finding a way “I am incredibly grateful and humbled in consultation with Native American even to enforce their own laws against their that each county with reservation lands where we can make this all work,” Villegas by this opportunity to help advance the own members and endangers everyone on within its boundaries provide two satellite tribes, and to repatriate them when they said. rights of Indigenous Peoples around the could determine a tribal affiliation. When Indian reservations.” election offices on the reservation, along The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation told world through this work for the UN Expert During arguments, Justices tried to with a ballot deposit location in each institutions classify remains or objects as FOX40 they are willing to put their money Mechanism,” said Lightfoot in a written “culturally unidentifiable,” tribes can claim understand the practical implications of reservation town more than 10 miles away where their mouth is. statement from the university. limiting tribal authority over non-Natives. from those satellite offices. The amendment, those items through a different process They think the price tag could be around The committee is made up of seven that sometimes requires them to submit Here’s Justice Samuel Alito questioning also passed on Friday, removed the ballot $10 million to move the entire operation and independent experts who are tasked with Attorney Henkel about what a tribal officer deposit sites while cutting alternative or evidence of affiliation. Under that process, buy the land. advising states on implementing the United the institution can also sometimes choose could do if they had reasonable suspicion satellite offices to one per reservation. “We all kind of want it to be a kind Nations Declaration on the Rights of the that a non-Native, like in Cooley’s case, is Those changes reflected concerns that to repatriate only human remains, but not gentler place,” Opper said. Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). associated funerary objects. under the influence. election administrators had voiced with The 46 articles of UNDRIP affirm the “He could certainly ask the individual to the costs of implementing the bill in its The association claimed in its initial - KTXL Fox40 (Sacramento, Calif.) rights of Indigenous people to live in dignity, letter that Harvard had “caused continuing stay there while he contacts law enforcement. original form. The state is not appropriating maintain their culture and participate in But can he officially detain? No, I do not any money to the counties to carry out the physical, emotional and spiritual trauma to Conn. governor, tribes reach government decision-making, among other Native Nations and their citizens” by placing think so,” Henkel responded. new law, essentially making it an unfunded things. “It’s voluntary. All right,” Alito mandate. agreement an undue burden on Native American Lightfoot says one of her main concerns tribes to provide evidence when requesting continued. “So, does it depend on the severity Dulcie Bear Don’t Walk, the elections in her new role will be the preservation and of the offense? What if it is a situation where administrator for Big Horn County, said she MONTVILLE, Conn. — Connecticut repatriation, and by refusing to voluntarily revitalization of Indigenous languages, some return some funeral objects in addition to he has reasonable suspicion that this person is the only employee of the county’s elections Gov. Ned Lamont, Mashantucket Pequot of which have been pushed “to the brink of is a murderer?” office, although she normally has one part- Tribe Chairman Rodney Butler, and remains. extinction” by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pickering and Deloria acknowledged “If he’s got reasonable suspicion that time staffer. Under a current the settlement Mohegan Tribe Chairman James Gessner Jr. “Not only was there a tragic physical this person’s a murderer?” Henkel asked. agreement, she is required during the month announced an agreement has been reached that in the past, the museum had refused to loss of elders and knowledge-keepers during voluntarily repatriate some cultural objects “Yeah, mhmm,” Alito said. leading up to the election to operate alternate between the administration and both tribes the pandemic, which in many cases is the “No, I don’t think that’s enough elections offices on both the Crow and that will allow the state to modernize gaming along with human remains, as the AAIA’s strength of language left in Nations, but letter had alleged, and announced that they because reasonable suspicion is such a low Northern Cheyenne reservations, both of options available to state residents. then in addition to that, there was the loss of threshold,” Henkel said. which include land in Big Horn County. Key components of the agreement had begun the process of repatriating those regular and ongoing contact between elders objects. Attorney Mary Kathryn Nagle says As the only employee in a county include: and younger people within Nations,” her until this point, it’s been common practice election office running on a less than • An 18 percent tax rate for the first “The Peabody Museum apologizes for statement reads. those refusals and the pain they caused,” for tribal officers to stop and detain non- $200,000 annual budget, she said the five years on new online commercial casino Lightfoot says her first step will be to Indian suspects within the reservation and existing requirements force her to close gaming (or “iGaming”) offerings, followed they wrote. “The moral context of the return consult Indigenous leaders across Canada of a human being to a tribal nation means that then transfer them to relevant authorities to the main county elections office in Hardin by a 20 percent tax rate for at least the next and the United States. be prosecuted and jailed. for all but two days each week before the five years those things placed in a burial — personal, spiritual, and ceremonial items — should be “No one here is asking the Supreme election. Two days each week she operates • A 13.75 percent tax rate on sports - CBC News Court to give tribes anything. We’re asking an office in Crow Agency, and once a week wagering transferred along with the person or persons with whom they were buried.” them to maintain the status quo,” Nagle said. she relocates to Busby, on the Northern • Connecticut Lottery shall have Nagle, who filed an amicus brief for Cheyenne Reservation. the right to operate 15 retail sports betting Kentucky legislature adopts “We have changed our policy and are in the process of reaching out to tribes affected the U.S. Government in the case, represents As the bill was originally written, she locations, as well as operate an online sports Indigenous Peoples’ Day resolutions the Indigenous Women’s Resource Center would have had to operate a total of four betting skin by the past policy and informing our present and future tribal partners of this change,” and says the earlier rulings on Cooley’s satellite offices each day of the week, from • Connecticut Lottery shall have the The Kentucky Senate and House of case remove tribal authority, despite tribal the time when mail ballots go out through right to sublicense locations to the state- Representatives have adopted permanent they added. Responding to the AAIA’s claim that officers receiving the same training as their Election Day. licensed parimutuel operator resolutions declaring the second Monday federal and state counterparts. “The cost of funding this would be • Connecticut Lottery will undertake of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day the museum used did not take advantage of relevant geographic information that Monte Mills, director of the Marjorie extreme for our county,” Bear Don’t Walk new retail sports betting venues in Hartford to honor and recognize “the unique Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic at the said March 16. “I don’t disagree with the and Bridgeport contributions made by indigenous peoples could have been used to determine the tribal affiliation of many of the remains University of Montana, is not involved in idea of the bill. I am just finding difficulty • License agreement to be for ten to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the the case. Mills says while Cooley’s side is with implementing it.” years with a five-year extension option United States of America.” the Peabody had labeled as “culturally unidentifiable,” Deloria and Pickering wrote arguing that tribal police should have very The amended bill leaves most of the • Expansion of iLottery and Keno Stanford resident Angelia Arnett Garner limited authority, the U.S. government is specifics on election office locations, as through the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, was instrumental in getting both Sen. Rick that geography alone is often not enough to determine a tribal affiliation. saying Congress has given more authority to well as days and hours of operation, up to including the sale of draw tickets online Girdler (R) and Rep. David Meade (R) to tribes already. the counties and tribes to hammer out. And • Both tribes agree to halt the sponsor the simple resolutions in the Senate The AAIA’s letter had also protested that the Peabody had not publicized its policies “Part of what the United States is because the state has no authority to require development of an East Windsor casino and House. arguing in this case is, ‘Look, this isn’t an the tribes to pay for services, the bill simply through the duration of this agreement “It is really a privilege to sponsor this for NAGPRA compliance. The museum is currently designing a website, which it issue because tribal police under the Indian notes that counties and tribes may also come “Connecticut is on cusp of providing a resolution and bring attention to the history Civil Rights Act, basically have to guarantee up with a cost-sharing agreement to pay for modern, technologically advanced gaming of Kentucky’s Indigenous People and their anticipates launching in the early summer, that will provide more public information on the same protections that anybody would get expanded services on the reservation. experience for our residents, which will be contributions to our state and nation,” Meade under the Constitution,’” Mills says. Stewart Peregoy’s bill also no longer competitive with our neighboring states,” stated. “Many Kentuckians, including me, these policies, Deloria and Pickering wrote. The museum will also announce Mills says there’s been something of a includes a provision to allow voters to register Lamont said. have Native American ancestors. My own theme during the last decade of the Supreme and vote with “nontraditional addresses,” “The Mohegan Tribe is very thankful great-grandmother was 100% Cherokee, so “formal policy changes in research protocols and permissions regarding human remains Court limiting tribal sovereignty while intended to cover tribal members who may to our partners in government, both the I personally appreciate the work that Angela Congress is moving in the opposite direction. have a narrative description of where they Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Garnett Garner is doing to bring attention to and associated funerary objects” in the upcoming months, they added. The AAIA “If a decision from the Supreme Court live. But it was removed, as existing law the State of Connecticut, for reaching our Native American heritage.” sort of confirmed tribal authority here, then already allows voters to register without a collective agreement on a path forward Girdler said, “Kentucky’s history is had demanded that the museum impose a moratorium on all research on its collections you know, it would sort of support those specific address as long as their precinct can for modernizing our state’s gaming rich, and indigenous people are a part of congressional efforts to continue to recognize be identified. entertainment industry,” Mohegan Tribal our story.” Girdler added that he has a of Native American human remains and cultural objects, and that it remove a search broader tribal jurisdiction to protect tribal “While we would have hoped to see Council Chairman James Gessner Jr. said. “great appreciation” for that rich history and members within the reservation.” the original bill passed, we think this is “This will allow Connecticut to generate through the simple resolution, and wanted to tool from its website that displayed photos of Native American funerary objects. The Supreme Court’s decision on U.S. a great first step toward getting equity in tax revenues from sports and online gaming express his appreciation and “commemorate v. Cooley will be written sometime in the the electoral process in Indian Country in that are competitive with other states, to the Native American peoples’ histories and Pickering and Deloria took a more defensive stance in responding to the coming weeks or months. Montana,” Keaton Sunchild, the political benefit of both state and local municipal culture. director for Western Native Voice, said after budgets, as well as our tribe’s members.” Garner said it was her “honor and association’s claim that the Peabody violated NAGPRA by sometimes failing - Yellowstone Public Radio (Montana, the bill cleared the committee. pleasure” to work with Girdler and Meade Wyoming) 12A • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021

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21-SHRH-01170-March Seminole Tribune Ad.indd 1 3/9/2021 10:00:33 AM 1B • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Education B CSSS PECS students learn about civil rights, the Holocaust

offers tribal BY BEVERLY BIDNEY surgeon and his family hide a rabbi and his special necklace that all Jews had to wear if People saving people. Jews saved from Staff Reporter family in their home and use the doctor’s they were a Jew. Also I learned that the Jews death. hospital to hide other Jews before finding were good people. But something that is students them safe passage to Sweden. unfair in the movie is … that people thought I watched how people got together, and World War II is generations away from “They are both historical fiction,” that the Jews were bad and wanted to take risked Florida Virtual today’s fifth graders, but teacher Michelle Pritchard said. “Danish people hid Jews them away. I think these are a lot of unfair Their lives to save Jews from the Nazis. Pritchard brought the era to life for her in ambulances and morgues and tracked things and they need to be more respectful 10- and 11 year-old students at Pemayetv them after the war to bring them back. It’s to people.” I learned that there were secret codes, School option Emahakv Charter School during its annual remarkable how that little country worked Case Prescott wrote, “There is a right and drugs civil rights project. together to save the Jews.” way and a wrong way to treat people. I think On handkerchiefs to keep the German’s The project included a unit on the One reason why Denmark was that black people were treated unfairly. We dogs from BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Holocaust, specifically how citizens of successful in hiding and saving its Jewish can stop this by putting posters that say black Being able to smell where the Jews were Staff Reporter Denmark saved about 7,200 Jews from the citizens is because King Christian X would lives matter. … I kind of feel bad for black hiding. Nazis in 1943. not allow Jews to wear the Stars of David on people because they get bullied.” Pritchard and her students spent about their clothing. Without it, German soldiers Students also wrote reflective poems, I found out that when people get As the 2020-21 school year enters its three weeks on the civil rights project, which were unable to distinguish who were Jews. together as a class and individually. This is together for final quarter, the Center for Student Success also included slavery and Black history. Typically, fifth graders study explorers the class poem: Good, they can do anything. & Services (CSSS) is focused on enrollment “I try to do something different with the and the American Revolution and don’t learn “I read a book about the Jewish people for the 2021-22 year and recently hosted an kids,” Pritchard said. “The WWII unit fits about world history until middle school. in Denmark who were in trouble. I thought that the Germans were going online informational session about Florida nicely with civil rights and human rights. “I love seeing the light bulb go off in I watched a movie that was very close to kill Virtual School (FLVS). What astonishes the kids is they don’t really students’ heads,” Pritchard said. “There are to the book I read and it showed me history. Annemarie or her family for helping the “At the beginning of the pandemic, we have an understanding of slavery, so I try to some subjects you want to see their faces I learned that a necklace with the Star of Jews found many schools were not versed in the share that we didn’t just have Black slaves. when you teach.” David was something special to the Jewish Escape. virtual modality,” said Michael Giacchino, There is still modern day slavery.” To end the unit, students answered people. CSSS director. “The transition to online To commemorate International Day for questions about how people should be I found out there was a war and there I learned about history, and how teaching impacted the students. FLVS has the Abolition of Slavery, the class learned treated, what are some examples in history was shooting with the Resistance. horrible that time been doing it successfully for a long time.” there are 70 million women and children still of people being treated unfairly, what they I thought it was similar to Star Wars. Must have been to be singled out for Founded in 1997 as the country’s first enslaved around the world. Some are sent as learned from the unit and how has it impacted I learned that the Germans were trying who you are, statewide internet-based public school, children to be indentured servants in wealthy their thinking. to kill the Jewish people and there were spies Just because you are Jewish. FLVS provides K-12 education to students in homes. While watching “Miracle at Midnight,” that helped them. Florida and around the world. There is no cost To learn about the Holocaust during Melanie Bonilla learned that Jews were Now I know that discrimination is Now I know that it could happen again for Florida students. Students earn a standard WWII, the students read the book “Number being treated unfairly by German soldiers wrong.” if we let it. high school diploma, all teachers are certified the Stars” which tells the story of a Jewish in Denmark and hid in the woods to evade Braylen Thomas’s reflective poem: Next time it might be me that needs help and follow state educational standards. family’s escape in 1943 from Copenhagen, capture. “I read a story about discrimination, to “A lot of students have struggled with Denmark. Students also watched the movie She wrote, “The Star of David was a and one about Escape.” e-learning,” said Shavonna Daniels, CSSS “Miracle at Midnight,” in which a Danish K-12 program manager. “We wanted to provide a resource to our families. All the [FLVS] teachers are well versed in e-learning and have been doing it for years.” PECS celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday During the WebEx session March 9, Dr. Yamilca Gomez, district relations manager for FLVS, explained how the online school works. There are two programs, Flex and Full Time. The Flex program is open year round for elementary, middle and high school students. The elementary program offers core classes including language arts, math, science and social studies as well as electives and specials such as art, computer science, Spanish and physical education. Homeschool students usually use the Flex program. The middle and high school students may choose from more than 190 core and elective courses. Electives include keyboarding, computer programing and coding essentials, photography and career research. Students are expected to turn in the work on a weekly basis and teachers provide feedback through email. Although there are no one-on-one daily lessons, students may set up an appointment with the teacher for individual help. Students work at their own pace but if they don’t complete work for three weeks, FLVS will withdraw the student. The Flex program may also be utilized to make up classes and fulfill graduation requirements for students in traditional schools. All credits are transferable to a student’s school of record. Since the Flex program is not a school of record, attendance PECS/Facebook is not taken. Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday March 2 with a week filled with art activities. Students and staff proudly displayed their art in their virtual classrooms. “There was a gap that needed to be filled in regards to summer learning,” Daniels said. “Students typically lose information over the summer. The Flex program offers students an opportunity to bridge that gap and then go back to their home schools.” Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School The Full Time program is all about FGCU community hopes for healing structured flexibility. Students attend a fixed, students of the month - February 2021 180-day school year schedule from August to of grief through COVID memorial June. Students take six courses per semester and participate in state testing. Courses are available 24/7 online, so students can study BY DREW STERWALD create a sweeping visual representation of any time and any place. FGCU 360 the magnitude of the global pandemic’s toll. About 11,000 students are enrolled in The art installation, “Field of FLVS and class size is not an issue. Remembrance, Cathedral of Sky,” which “We have plenty of teachers,” Gomez FORT MYERS — Alfred Diaz, proud remains in place through April 5, was said. “Very few courses have a wait list, but Marine, family patriarch and grandfather to dedicated March 23 as part of “FGCU those students are usually placed within 48 Florida Gulf Coast University sophomore Remembers: The Covid Memorial Project.” hours. Parents like the structure; students just Alessio L. Luna, died of Covid-19 in A related interactive exhibit called “What log in.” October. We Lost, What We Learned, What We Hope Students receive a chart that shows what Naomi Hooker, loving grandmother and For” is on display in the ArtLab Gallery. assignments are due each week. Attendance trusted confidante to senior Brittany Hall, Seeing the 10,000 handmade tributes is taken every day during homeroom and died of Covid-19 in September. shaped like calla lilies spread out in the FLVS monitors truancy. Yolanda Clugh, matriarch of a Jamaican grass “really puts things into perspective,” “The full time program is more for immigrant family and grandmother to junior said Aaron Lowe, an environmental science families who need a school that specializes Aaron Lowe, died of Covid-19 in April. major from Miami who had a special in e-learning,” Daniels said. “The credits These names represent just a few of relationship with his late grandmother. She are transferable as long as it is a school the countless people on the minds and in helped him stay in school by paying some of under the umbrella of FLVS. Flex credits are the hearts of students as they reflect on the his tuition. transferable regardless of whether the school thousands of ceramic votives dotting FGCU’s is in the FLVS system.” Great Lawn. Humble handmade symbols Communication with teachers in FLVS of individuals lost, the tributes collectively F See FGCU on page 4B can be more convenient than other schools because FLVS teachers are available until 8 p.m., which is helpful for some families. CSSS will host another meeting with FLVS for families June 8 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Registration and other information will be discussed. CSSS shares information about the session via email flyers and the CSSS website, and advisors will contact families directly. “We don’t promote schools, we generally pass along the availability to speak to the community,” Giacchino said. “We offer them FLVS because virtual school is what they do. I’ve known people who have gone through FLVS since 2005; they know what they are doing.”

James Greco/FGCU FGCU alumna David Webb represented the Haudenosaunee, a confederation of six Native American nations, at the memorial dedication March 23. Representatives of diverse faiths spoke at the ceremony. 2B • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 AWARE program introduces Kylee Russell, Hud Oberly Mental Health First Aid to be featured speakers at

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY The process of helping in any situation UNITY conference Staff Reporter depends on the needs of the child. Mental Health First Aid isn’t meant to be a substitute STAFF REPORT people. In addition to his current work, There are tools to help if someone is for medical care or counseling. woven throughout his life he has served having a heart attack (CPR) or is choking “It is the first step,” Henry said. “A Indian Country by working for UNITY, teacher would try to connect so the child MESA, Ariz. — United National Indian participating in programs with National (the Heimlich maneuver). But tools for Tribal Youth (UNITY) will hold its annual helping individuals going through a difficult feels safe and comfortable. Kids may need Indian Education Association, College more additional support, but this is to make midyear leadership conference virtually on Horizons, and Graduate Horizons and, most mental health issue aren’t as widely known. April 23-24. The event will engage Native That is about to change with the them feel safe and know it will be okay. recently, working for the Sundance Institute These things happen; we want the stigma to youth from across the country through Indigenous Program to assist in identifying addition of Mental Health First Aid to the workshops, breakout sessions, music and arsenal of the Health and Human Services’ be reduced.” and developing emerging Indigenous Parents and anyone who is working cultural sharing. filmmakers and their stories. Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Participants will hear from guest Resiliency Through Education) team. around or involved with youth will all Registration for the conference is free get the same training where they learn to speakers Kylee Russell (Lenape), an and includes complimentary registration for Mental Health First Aid is a course accomplished young actress who stars on that teaches how to identify, understand identify concerns and connect with the child. two additional UNITY webinars on March One example of the training is ALGEE, several Disney projects and is also a singer, 27 and April 9, and a virtual youth event and respond to signs of mental illness. The songwriter, and dancer, and Hud Oberly training teaches the skills to provide initial which means Approach and Assist, Look with the National Museum of the American for signs of trauma and anxiety, Listen non- (Osage/Caddo/Comanche), creative director Indian on April 22 when UNITY’s 2021 help and support to someone developing or for Urban Native Era. experiencing a mental health crisis. judgmentally, Give reassurance and support, Class of Earth Ambassadors will be Courtesy UNITY (2) Encourage appropriate professional help and Russell is a native Californian. She is of announced. Above, actress, dancer, singer and songwriter “We can now teach the course to tribal Cape Verdean, Native American and African members and families,” said Dr. Brittany a self-help strategy. The theme for this year’s conference is Kylee Russell (Lenape) and, below, Urban Native During the pandemic, the AWARE American descent. Her acting career started celebrating 45 years of empowering Native Era creative director Hud Oberly (Osage/Caddo/ Henry, AWARE mental wellness manager. at age four when she landed her first national “It’s a nice addition to the program. We are a program has held virtual sessions in youth. Comanche) will be guest speakers during UNITY’s Ahfachkee, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter commercial. She has more than 40 national “This is a milestone year for us in many leadership conference April 23-24. small team, so it’s a good way to give people commercials under her belt, and is perhaps more skills and tools to recognize what is School and preschool classes tribalwide. ways. Not only are we honoring our 45-year The program gives students activities to help most known for her role on Disney Channel’s anniversary, but we’re also celebrating the going on with their own kids. It’s also a good “Jump In!” She has also been featured in the way to bring mental health awareness to the them feel calm, do art projects, talk about resiliency of our youth community in what emotions and healthy expression. Prior to award-winning film “Mississippi Damned,” has been a challenging year,” Mary Kim community.” and has had several guest-starring roles Because of the pandemic, AWARE going virtual, the AWARE team was trained Titla, executive director of UNITY, said in on how to do telehealth sessions. on television series. She starred in “Hank a statement. “We are looking forward to hasn’t been able to offer the Mental Health Zipzer’s Christmas Catastrophe” and sang First Aid training for families and the “Mental health is so necessary,” Henry coming together to share our experiences said. “We promote resilience in the kids. We all of the original songs on the movie’s and traditions once again. community yet, but Henry hopes to have the soundtrack. In early 2021, she released her program in place by the end of the summer. don’t want to leave them with emotions they The conference will also include cannot process.” latest single, “Stitches.” Her music is on UNITY all-star trainers Chance Rush, Robert The training is a full eight-hour day filled Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. with useful information. Henry plans to roll out the AWARE Johnson, Pearl Yellowman, Juanita Toledo, program with activities for the Boys & Girls Oberly is the creative director for Urban and Marcus Guinn. In addition, there will be The goal of the program is youth mental Native Era (UNE), a brand that specializes health, which targets ages 12 to 18 and up Clubs and families to do at home. opportunities for youth-to-youth live virtual “Kids desire connections,” Henry said. in clothing design and content to increase connections via Zoom during the second to 25, which is about the age mental health the visibility of Indigenous peoples. Based concerns may begin. “They are hearing about scary Covid, it’s half of the program each day. hard for a kid to process. They wish Covid in Los Angeles, Oberly’s focus with UNE is For more information, to view the draft “The purpose is to improve mental marketing and clothing design. Through all health knowledge and skills so people can would go away, they miss their friends and agenda and to register visit www.unityinc. teachers. Kids thrive with connections. of his work experience he strives to increase org or call (480) 718-9793. respond to someone who is in a crisis or the representation of modern Indigenous having difficulties and help them avoid a It’s hard to just look at a screen all day; full-blown crisis,” Henry said. “It can also sometimes that causes them to feel anxious. reduce the stigma of mental health. This Our job is to give them coping strategies.” is an opportunity to normalize it and help families understand it.” PECS announces in-person testing schedule BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Assessment (FSA), Florida Comprehensive Parents or guardians must conduct a Adjusted FSU homecoming Staff Reporter Assessment Test (FCAT) Science and End screening of the child for Covid-19-like of Course (EOC) testing by appointment symptoms or a fever exceeding 100.4. If to take place April 6-11 Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School beginning April 6. either of these are present, the student may principal Tracy Downing notified parents, Parents and guardians will receive not attend school. Downing suggests parents guardians, families and members of the each student’s testing schedule from their or guardians should contact their health care STAFF REPORT April 9 Brighton community that third through homeroom teachers. Students typically test provider for further advice. Homecoming Parade, 2-3 p.m. eighth grade students will attend school in from four to seven days, but this year when Downing is not sure how long Phase II The annual Homecoming Parade person for standardized state testing starting a student is not at school for testing, he or will last, but she will announce additional TALLAHASSEE — After being organized by the Student Alumni Association April 6. she will attend PECS’ distance learning phased reopening plans as they are postponed for months due to the pandemic, will take place in the Donald L. Tucker Civic In an email sent March 30, Downing instruction. scheduled. Florida State University’s homecoming Center Staging Lot. This year’s parade will wrote, “A person’s character is defined, Students will be required to wear masks “As family members, students, faculty celebration will finally take place April 6-11 be a reverse parade, in which floats, parade in part, by their ability to face adversity at school. PECS will supply one for those and staff, and as a community, we have with several changes. entries and performers will remain stationary and challenges and overcome them. This who don’t bring a mask. Students will be shown how adaptable and resilient we are The festivities will include alumni while spectators drive through the parade school year, as we maneuvered through a seated at desks equipped with Plexiglas during this unprecedented time in our lives events, a reverse-style parade and the area in their vehicles to view the participants. global pandemic, we certainly faced many barriers and will be socially distanced from and in our history. As we move through the inaugural spring alumni awards. The week This parade format will follow current challenges. However, we overcame them one another during testing. phases of our ‘Phased Reopening Plan,’ we will wrap up with a four-mile run through COVID-19 guidelines and encourage social with grit, determination, and a spirit unique PECS will provide transportation to and will be sure to keep you up to date and fully campus that will end on the 50-yard line in distancing. The parade will feature floats, to our community.” from school for testing, but drop off and pick informed,” Downing wrote. Doak Campbell Stadium, which is exactly entries and appearances from numerous In the reopening, known as Phase II, up of students will also be allowed during where the Seminole Tribe’s princesses campus and community organizations. The students will take the Florida Standards specific times. traditionally stroll across during normal event will be livestreamed at https://www. homecomings to crown the school’s chief facebook.com/fsualumniassociation. and princess at halftime of the homecoming Spring Alumni Awards, 5:30 p.m. football game. The FSU Alumni Association will The princesses will not attend this present the inaugural Spring Alumni Awards, Canada’s first Indigenous language degree year’s activities, but FSU’s royalty will honoring the recipients of the Grad Made still be crowned at an evening pep rally in Good award, Alumni Ambassador Award the stadium April 9. The following day the Scholars, and the Garnet & Gold Key’s Ross to be offered at British Columbia university football team will hold its spring game. Oglesby honoree. This virtual event will Spectators will be required to wear masks. recognize the accomplishments of notable BY TWILA AMATO community “to provide a comprehensive The BNLF program is the first degree to The annual parade April 9 will have a alumni, faculty, and students who have Coast Mountain News and high-quality education in Nsyilxcn.” come out of a newly designed framework for far different route this year. The participants secured their place in the history of Florida (British Columbia, Canada) “The idea that there’s only knowledge Indigenous language learning put forward won’t be going anywhere. Instead, spectators State University by pushing boundaries and in English or French is absolutely not true,” by the First Nations Education Steering will drive through the parade area in their redefining standards within their respective UBCO associate professor of Indigenous Committee and Indigenous Adult and Higher vehicles to view the participants. The event fields. To register for the event, visit https:// The first bachelor’s degree program Studies Dr. Jeannette Armstrong said. Learning Association. will be livestreamed. gonol.es/spring-awards-2021. in Indigenous language fluency, for all “Language is identity. Indigenous Graduates of the program can continue Here’s a look at the schedule: Homecoming Live, 7 p.m. of Canada, will be offered right in the knowledge systems and an Indigenous to work in education, social services, The Annual Homecoming Live pep Okanagan. paradigm – how we view the world and how culture, tourism, and resource-management April 6 rally will be held in Doak Campbell Stadium The program will be offered at the we interact – is deeply rooted in language.” positions. FSU Then and Now, 12 p.m. and feature appearances by special FSU University of British Columbia Okanagan Language learners in the program will The partnership between NVIT and the Join Sandra Varry, University and performers and a well-known comedian. (UBCO), in partnership with the Nicola be provided with a deep understanding of En’owkin Centre means students will be Heritage Archivist, for a webinar on the The evening will culminate with the Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) and not just the language, but the culture and able to transfer the credits they earn at the history of Florida State’s campus and its crowning of Florida State’s Homecoming the En’owkin Centre in Penticton. customs as well, the university said. two schools to the new degree program. The current trajectory. Varry also will discuss the Chief and Princess. Social distancing, mask The goal of the program is to increase Armstrong also said they hope the BNLF is also designed to meet prerequisites history of FSU’s libraries. Registrants will requirements and other safety practices will the number of fluent Nsyilxcn speakers, as program will foster the revitalization of for other post-secondary programs, which have the opportunity to submit a question be in effect. For additional information, visit Indigenous languages in the province are Nsyilxcn. means students can pursue further studies to in advance of the event to be answered live. https://homecoming.fsu.edu/events/hc-live. endangered. “This is an important step in acting on complete their degrees. Registration is available at http://gonol.es/ According to UBCO, the Bachelor Indigenous people’s rights to develop and FSUThenAndNow. April 10 of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency (BNLF) transmit their languages, knowledge, and FSU Football Spring Game, 5 p.m. is designed to work closely with the oral traditions.” April 7 The FSU Football Spring Game will take TEDxFSU conference, 2 p.m. place at Doak Campbell Stadium and will include two 12-minute periods. Stadium gates Using the theme “Unmuted,” the event most brutal policies, sparking the infamous the Department of Interior’s Office of Federal will feature speakers on the TEDxFSU stage will open at 4 p.m. All seating in the stands will be general admission. All attendees must F LAND Trail of Tears that removed Indians from the Acknowledgment: the federal recognition of in the FSU Alumni Center ballroom as well From page 2A southeast to designated “Indian Territory” tribes. Consider the Mashpee Wampanoag as remotely, performances from local artists, practice social distancing when seated, and masks are required at all times unless eating west of the Mississippi River. The reservation tribe of Massachusetts. Despite being rooted and opportunities to engage around ideas. system unfolded in subsequent decades, in coastal Massachusetts and eastern Rhode TEDxFSU is committed to providing a safe or drinking. For more information, visit Dozens of tribes across the United States http://gonol.es/SpringGame. cordoning off Indians into designated and Island for thousands of years and sharing conference for a limited in-person audience are now pushing for land restoration. And often undesirable areas away from white in the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims, and a quality experience for those who join Haaland has voiced support for land returns. April 11 settlements. they were only federally recognized as a virtually. More information on speakers, Take for example the Mandan, Hidatsa But no single policy was more tribe in 2007. tickets and access is available at https:// Garnet & Gold 4 Miler, 8 a.m. and Arikara Nation in Missouri. After being The Inaugural Garnet & Gold 4 Miler damaging than the Dawes Act of 1887. The A decades-long fight for land resulted in www.tedxfsu.com. forced onto a small reservation of their Dawes Act accelerated and systematized a trust of 300 acres granted to the tribe in race to “Finish on the 50” offers runners and ancestral lands at Fort Berthold in 1870, the walkers of all skill levels a four-mile course dispossession at a grand scale by focusing 2015. But because the tribe was not under April 8 government flooded more than a quarter of within reservations themselves. federal jurisdiction in 1934, when President FSU Ring Ceremony through FSU’s campus and finishes on the it when the Garrison Dam was built in 1953, 50-yard line inside Doak Campbell Stadium. Land was often tribally owned in a Roosevelt repealed the Dawes Act, the Senior students will be honored with a forcing most of the nation’s members to communal fashion within Indian reservations Department of Interior stripped the tribe of its hybrid version of the traditional ceremony For participants unable to participate in relocate. And in spite of several Department person, the FSU Alumni Association is in the late 1800s. The Dawes Act sought to land in 2018 following a lawsuit by residents this year starting with a socially distanced of Interior directives, North Dakota has break up these tribal holdings by subdividing in the area. As one citizen of the tribe put it, pickup event from 2-5 p.m. at Westcott Plaza, presenting a virtual option, which may be deprived the group of its ownership of the completed April 9-11. COVID-19 safety them into individually-owned plots through a the fact that the tribe doesn’t meet the federal where students will have an opportunity Missouri riverbed. process known as land allotment. Allotment guidelines is “a perfect illustration of how… to celebrate while picking up their rings, protocols will be in place to ensure a safe The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara event for all in-person participants. The sought to break down tribal cohesion and anti-Native federal Indian policy has been including a photo opportunity, snacks and nation now faces an all-too-common reality: assimilate Indians into American cultural throughout our history.” souvenir items. That evening, a ceremony event is limited to the first 1,500 in-person it is bogged down in legal battles just to get runners and walkers and the first 1,500 norms and capitalist economic practices. Haaland should use her unique position will be streamed live for ring recipients to the federal government to uphold its former When the government opened a to push forward the country’s reconciliation enjoy remotely. virtual participants. Register at https://www. promises. The nation’s chairman, Marx Fox garnetandgoldfourmiler.com. reservation for allotment, families on the with Native Americans through land points out that “We have been marginalized reservation were given plots of land that restitution. After all, land is at the core of her and pushed off our territory and for more were held in trust by the Department of vow in her confirmation hearings to “honor than a century the federal government has Interior. “Excess lands” not allotted could be the sovereignty of tribal nations.” attempted to steal what their own experts sold off to private citizens from outside the agree is rightfully ours.” Biden, he says, has reservation. This policy ultimately stripped Michael Albertus is an associate the opportunity to right this historical wrong. nearly 100 million acres from reservation professor of political science at the Land settlement reached a fevered pitch land. University of Chicago. His most recent book in the 1800s with southern and westward The claims of many Native Americans is “Property without Rights. This op-ed expansion. President Andrew Jackson’s who are fighting for their land hinge on an appears on thehill.com. Indian Removal Act of 1830 was one of the arcane bureaucratic process housed within 3B • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021

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GET STARTED TODAY APPLY BY MAY 3 How can a degree from UF Online fulfill your dreams? Take the first step now at ufonline.ufl.edu/get-started. 4B • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Native artists Jessica Osceola, Velma Kee Craig share spotlight in St. Pete MFA talk

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY “I wanted to touch on some taboos in Staff Reporter my culture, like making eye contact,” she said. “I use bead necklaces to show my identity as a Seminole.” Artists Jessica Osceola (Seminole) A bronze piece “Mother?” was the and Velma Kee Craig (Diné) held a virtual result of Osceola’s five-day walk with her conversation about their artwork Feb. aunt Betty Osceola and others in 2015 to 25. Hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts, protest a potential project slated to be built St. Petersburg, the artists discussed the across the Everglades. The project was never commonalities and differences of their work. approved. Both artists draw inspiration from “That piece was part of a show “Return their Native American traditions while From Exile: Contemporary Southeastern incorporating contemporary materials and Indian Art” and traveled around the country,” trends in their pieces. Osceola is a ceramist, Osceola said. “It commemorated the 70-mile sculptor and multimedia artist; Craig is a walk through the Everglades. It was a long, weaver and textile artist. quiet walk where everyone reflected on what Osceola said she became an artist by was going on around us. A lot of good came watching members of her family create from the walk.” things in her great- grandmother’s camp in Craig wrote poetry and short screenplays Naples. before she began weaving 10 years ago, but “I was at my great-grandmother’s she continues to be a storyteller through her knee as she made things all day,” she said. textile designs. “I learned from her. Everyone was always One of Craig’s pieces was featured in Courtesy image making something around me. Men made the Museum of Fine Arts’ recent exhibition poles; my sisters and grandmother sewed.” Velma Kee Craig’s textile “Bar Code/QR Code” as viewed during the virtual artists conversation Feb. 25 with artist Jessica Osceola, event host Stephanie “Color Riot! How Color Changed Navajo Chill, development coordinator, Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg and artist Velma Kee Craig. During college, Osceola stepped Textiles,” organized by the Heard Museum away from her culture but returned to it in in Phoenix. Craig’s textile in the show is “Bar She sketched it out and worked out the in the Naples Community Center. graduate school by reintroducing herself to Code/QR Code,” which depicts an American math. It took a year to make the piece. “The community center is a great place all the things she grew up with. Seminole flag whose stripes are represented by a bar “I wanted viewers to understand to walk in, have a cup of coffee and for culture remains an important component of code and stars by a QR code. The inspiration experimentation and innovation in the hours on end sit around a circle of sewing her work. for the piece came from QR codes on signs designs is still going on,” Craig said. “I am machines,” Osceola said. “We bounce ideas Osceola showed images of the self- for foreclosed homes. a living Navajo and people are surprised around. But there is also a competitive portraits she sculpted in clay highlighting “People were losing their homes,” Craig to see Native people are still living. I aspect to it. I always want to be better than facial expressions, muscle and bone said. “I kept seeing them as I walked through understand that because we are written about my sister but she’s a really great sewer.” structure. One shows her looking directly at my neighborhood. I decided to use it as the in textbooks and we don’t have a presence Osceola believes cultural appropriation the viewer. star portion of the flag textile.” in pop culture or media, people come away is an issue of identity theft. When she saw a with the misunderstanding that we don’t skirt by designer Donna Karan that looked exist anymore or aren’t thriving, which is like Seminole patchwork, she wrote to the not the case. We wanted to make sure people company. Karan insisted the design was her know Navajo weaving is still going on, but own idea. Designer Ulla Johnson created a there is a wide spectrum of weavers. Not all line of resort wear based on a book about are utilitarian textiles, people are making Seminole patchwork. art.” “She admitted it and just took it line Another of Craig’s pieces was a for line,” she said. “Our sewing is our collaboration between the Navajo Nation identity and designs are handed down from and Disney films, which translated “Finding generation to generation. Those things are Nemo” into the Navajo language. The piece very personal, it’s who we are. We have to shows a few tropical fish swimming around push back against that, so I keep sewing a sea anemone. “Sound and Creation” uses more and more. I work with younger kids at vibrant and muted colors in the shape of a the community center to teach others.” DNA double helix and included audio tape Osceola said non-Seminoles often want as a textile in the weaving. to know what the patchwork designs mean. Craig believes the diversification in “Fire, rain, man on horse, telephone weaving styles will continue to grow. poles are older style. New ones are chickees “I see myself sticking with Navajo and corn on the cob, with tiny squares that weaving,” she said. “I want to pass it along to look like pixels. They’re really fun,” she Courtesy photo my children and hope to be around to teach said. Jessica Osceola created this self-portrait, a ce- my grandchildren to weave. I have a lot of One patchwork design Osceola created ramic relief sculpture, as part of her Master of ideas for series and groupings of textiles. I is known as “Biracial Man on Horse.” Fine Arts show in 2016. Courtesy photo want to make sure I get those ideas I have in “I’m from two different backgrounds: white and Native American,” she said. “I femininity and role as a Seminole and a Jessica Osceola’s 11.5 inch by 8.5 inch by 1 inch bronze relief sculpture titled “Mother?” was my sketchbook done.” mother in all of my work.” included in the exhibition “Return From Exile: Contemporary Southeastern Indian Art” which traveled Osceola started sewing shortly after always like to use that in my work. The to museums around the country from 2015 to 2017. giving birth because her son needed pattern is a play on those two things. But traditional clothing. She spends a lot of time what remains the same is my identity, Book about dispossession of Native Americans wins Columbia award

FROM PRESS RELEASE Diplomacy award. Territory’ in the West. Far from being retells the story of this epic moment as “Katrina: A History, 1915-2015,” by According to the award’s jury, “Saunt’s ‘natural’ or ‘inevitable,’ as contemporaries a tragic conjecture of the histories of Andy Horowitz, was the other winner. Columbia University Libraries Unworthy Republic is a brilliant, searing (and even some historians) have portrayed, indigenous people, antebellum slavery, and The winners are judged in terms of announced in March that Claudio Saunt’s account of ‘Indian removal’ in the 1830s Saunt documents the vast amount of global capitalism. Saunt has written a bold, scope, significance, depth of research, and “Unworthy Republic, The Dispossession of United States: the state-sponsored expulsion ideological, political, and logistical work that haunting account of ‘Indian removal’ that, in richness of interpretation that they present Native Americans and the Road to Indian of an estimated 80,000 native peoples from undergirded this federal policy. Combining its polished scholarship, beautiful prose, and in the areas of American history and Territory” is one of two winners of its 2021 their homes east of the Mississippi River and brilliant synthesis, deep archival research, original argument, is a worthy recipient of diplomacy. In all, 213 books were submitted Bancroft Prizes in American History and brutal deportation to an ill-defined ‘Indian and powerful prose, Unworthy Republic the Bancroft Prize.” for consideration for the 2021 prize.

Crow Country follows several tribal As part of her graduation, Lake held a lūʻau traditions from his father and is sharing that F NMAI members who are fighting for better food MAY to celebrate the occasion. This is a tradition knowledge with his son, Kahikinaokalā. From page 8A and a better future for their community. Takamine continues as she presents lūʻaus Domingo’s culinary inspiration comes from The Story of the Lūʻau: Dance and for her graduating students. Kumu Vicky his kupuna (ancestors), ʻohana (family), life This film documents the wild blueberry One Word Sawalmem Cooking Demonstration will present the story of lūʻau which will be mentors and a network of dedicated friends harvest of the Wabanaki, who live in both Director: Natasha Deganello Giraudie May 1 – 31; on demand followed by a dance presentation that would who wholeheartedly support his endeavors. the United States and Canada. Co-director: Michael “Pom” Preston americanindian.si.edu/online-programs be enjoyed at celebrations and significant He will be demonstrating some of the recipes (Winnemem Wintu) Explore the story of the Native events, such as births, graduations, weddings associated with the lūʻau. He will also share Crow Country: The Right to Food Hawaiian tradition of lūʻau and learn why and many more ʻohana (family) gatherings. the healthful and sustainable character of Sovereignty A rare look into the life of Native it plays such an important role in Hawaiian Chef and Hawaiian cultural practitioner these traditional food sources. wisdom keepers, men and women respected culture featuring Vicky Holt Takamine, Kealoha Domingo elevates the art of cooking Director: Tsanavi Spoonhunter within Indigenous communities for their renowned kumu hula (master teacher of to a new level by honoring the connection (Northern Arapaho/Northern Paiute) intimate knowledge about living in balance Hawaiian dance), and ʻūniki (graduated) as a to the ‘āina (land), kanaka (humankind), with the natural world. kumu hula from hula master Maiki Aiu Lake. and mea ʻai (food). Kealoha learned the

explaining in English, he recited the “This is a beautiful way to represent she said. The ripple effects of isolation and need for more resources for communities to F FGCU Gano:nyok, a traditional address of thanks everything that has happened,” Hall said. lost human connections on mental health cope with it. An advocate for mental health From page 1B given before important gatherings. “My grandmother was a fighter. In the are compounding the pandemic’s impact on and for therapy, she’s involved in Active He noted that America’s indigenous hospital, she said ‘I’m going to make it.’ She physical health. Minds, a nationwide organization that helps “It’s a wakeup call,” he said of the peoples suffered through waves of infectious was determined to pull through. What I’ve “There’s a lot of grief I didn’t get to college students struggling with mental memorial. “To stay clean, but also not to live disease throughout their history, long learned is that it’s important to tell those you process properly, or even just to be able to illness. in fear but be aware. Don’t take things for before the coronavirus began to take a love that you love them. And that we’re not appreciate them for each loss,” said Maguire. “For the first time ever, the entire world granted.” disproportionate toll on them. alone. Everyone who is grieving right now, “I’m hoping this memorial will be a has experienced some degree of anxiety all A similar theme echoed in the remarks “Looking out across at all these the whole world is grieving with them.” chance for me to able to really grieve their at once,” she said. “If you live in that state of ministers from diverse faiths invited to sculptures that represent human beings, it is Like many who lost loved ones, Alessio loss and honor them in the process. I think of mind of grief all the time it can be hard speak at the dedication about what their so incredibly impactful to have this visual Luna, an Honors student in criminal justice this will bring a lot of healing to students, to function all day. There has been more communities have lost and learned during representation of the people just in Florida and political science, was unable to be with faculty and the community.” talk about mental health, and it’s become the pandemic. Professors Maria Roca and who have been victims of this pandemic,” his grandfather, Alfred Diaz, when died in Maguire, who planned to speak at a less stigmatized. But there’s definitely more Patricia Fay proposed and organized “FGCU he said. “Looking at all the lives represented October because of hospital restrictions. Palm Sunday ceremony at the memorial, work to do in the future.” Remembers” as a public expression of here makes me think of our ancestors who When Luna had a chance to say goodbye by hoped the “FGCU Remembers” project collective grief and an opportunity to honor also succumbed in really large numbers to phone, all he could hear in response was the would draw attention to the pandemic’s those lost to Covid-19. pandemics. Losing 90% of your population, beeping of the machines keeping Diaz alive. widespread psychological impact and the “Family matters more than we realized,” you would lose your wisdom keepers, your “I was able to relay the message to him William Glover, pastor of Mount Hermon faith keepers, those who understand the arts, that I loved him,” said Luna, who fondly Ministries in Fort Myers, said in his address. those who understand tool making, those recalled time spent with his grandfather “When the community works together, we who understand agriculture. Our culture was watching “Law & Order” reruns and Mets can do amazing things. If we take care of decimated by waves of pandemics.” games. A Marine Corps veteran, 75-year- ourselves, we take care of each other. We The coronavirus has taken an especially old Diaz was living in good health in a VA are all vulnerable. We are all connected harsh toll on the 574 recognized tribes. nursing home when he and others on his and interdependent. We are all one race, the Indigenous Americans are dying floor contracted the virus apparently from an human race.” of Covid-19 at twice the rate of white infected staff member, according to Luna. Rickey Anderson, pastor of Followers Americans. It has been widely reported “His death was unexpected, tragic and of Christ Fellowship Ministries in Fort nationwide one in every 475 Native traumatic on our family as well as myself,” Myers, also called for people to stand by Americans has died from Covid since the Luna said. “His death could have been each other in these uncertain times. He start of the pandemic, compared with one in preventable.” then spontaneously broke into a soaring every 825 white Americans and one in every Luna said he hoped to achieve a sense of interpretation of the gospel song “I Know 645 Black Americans. healing from visiting the campus memorial Who Holds Tomorrow”: Brittany Hall, a senior majoring in and felt that his grandfather would be there “I don’t worry o’er the future integrated studies, attended the dedication with him in spirit. For I know what Jesus said to honor all those lost but especially her His hope for healing is shared by FGCU And today I’ll walk beside him 83-year-old grandmother Naomi Hooker, junior Kelly Maguire, an Honors psychology For he knows what lies ahead.” who perished from Covid-19 in September. major who helped install 1,000 of the ceramic James Greco/FGCU FGCU alumnus David Webb (’04, Hall’s grandfather died shortly afterward votives on the lawn. She has lost five friends Representing Southwest Florida lives lost, thousands of votives were treated with a copper glaze that Environmental Studies) represented the from non-virus related causes. They were to various causes during the pandemic. None turned shades of green and blue when fired. “Because they’re shaped by hand, they are not uniform,” Haudenosaunee, a confederation of six like another set of parents to her — “we succumbed to infection. They were victims said Professor Maria Roca, who proposed and organized the memorial along with Professor Patricia Native American nations he is part of. talked about everything,” she said. of suicide, overdose and domestic violence, Fay. “Each person lost to COVID-19 was unique, too.” Speaking the Tuscarora language and 5B • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 Sports C Ahnie Jumper nears final stretch of FGCU softball career

BY KEVIN JOHNSON Senior Editor

Entering the final couple months of her softball career at Florida Gulf Coast University, Ahnie Jumper admits that she “can see the finish line.” Four years ago, the starting point in NCAA Division I softball looked a lot Courtesy photo different for Jumper, whose role on the The Neshoba Central High School girls bowling team celebrates after winning its fifth consecutive Eagles has ascended from pinch runner her Mississippi state championship in February 2021. Seminole tribal member Allie Williams, center freshman year to starting catcher as a junior holding trophy, has been a part of all five. and senior. The blend of athletics and academics, which this year includes helping homeless people in Lee County through an internship, Allie Williams leads Mississippi has served her well. “The family and memories I created team to fifth straight state with traveling and being at the school and having so many resources open to me to bowling championship succeed,” has meant a lot to her, she said. Jumper, who is from the Big Cypress BY KEVIN JOHNSON Williams’ individual accomplishments Reservation, hopes more memories are still Senior Editor this season included earning top medalist to come. With most of their non-conference in Class II at regionals and states. Her schedule finished, the Eagles (17-11 entering best scores in three-game series were a 721 April) have shifted their focus to conference Sam Segreto/FSU The girls bowling dynasty at Neshoba series/240.3 average and a 708 series/236 games which started in mid-March. An Central High School shows no signs of average. impressive 9-1 start in Atlantic Sun Florida Gulf Coast University senior catcher Ahnie Jumper is behind the plate as the Eagles face Florida State University on Feb. 27 in Tallahassee. slowing down. Williams is also excelling outside of high Conference action shows the Eagles are a For the fifth consecutive year, Neshoba school. She and a few of her bowling friends strong contender for the conference title. won a Mississippi state championship in have qualified to compete in the United “I think we’re better than in past years. The 2021 edition started slowly with Off the field, Jumper changed her major early February. States Bowling Congress’s Junior Gold We’re athletic, but I think we just need a four losses in its first five games, including to social work after being an early childhood Allie Williams (Seminole Tribe of Championships this summer in Indianapolis. little more chemistry together,” Jumper said three to No. 21 University of Central Florida. education major. She’s getting first-hand Florida/Mississippi Band of Choctaw She competed in the 2019 tournament in prior to the start of the ASUN slate when the FGCU’s victory column includes one-run experience in her field by working in an Indians) has been a part of all five Detroit. team had a 9-10 overall record. wins against UCF and North Dakota and a internship for Community Cooperative, a championships. She led the way with the top After she graduates next year, she would Jumper picked an ideal time to have a two-game sweep against the University of Fort Myers-based organization that helps individual score in this year’s Class II state like to bowl for a college team. career-best game at the plate. In the team’s Connecticut. homeless people and others in need. She’s final at Fannin Lanes in Brandon. Her 555 “I’m keeping my hopes up to do so,” she second conference game, she went 3-for-3 A few weeks ago FGCU dropped a involved in case management, meals on pins helped her earn all-state honors along said. and scored a run in a 4-2 win against Stetson pair of games to No. 15 Florida State in the wheels and homeless services, all of which with teammates Ashton Luke and Sarah Remarkably, this year’s championship on March 13. “Unconquered Invitational” in Tallahassee. she said has been a positive experience. Lewis. squad had no seniors, which speaks to This season FGCU was picked to finish As a Seminole facing a team named “I like being a service to them. They’re Neshoba rolled a 2415 as a team and won the depth of the program, and means an third in the ASUN preseason coaches poll Seminoles, Jumper said there wasn’t any a different population. I love working with the Baker series 3-0 against Long Beach. experienced crew will be back trying to and received two of the nine first-place added significance for her in those games. them,” she said. Neshoba has won state championships make it six in a row next year. votes. It’s been nine years since FGCU last “They’re a solid softball team, but Although Jumper has an additional year every year since Williams, the daughter of “So I believe we are expected to be one, won the ASUN tournament and made its first they’re just another team,” said Jumper, who remaining of playing eligibility due to last Seminole tribal member Brandi Williams, if not the top team in our class again next and only appearance in the NCAA Division caught both games and went 0-for-3 at the season being cut short, she said this season first joined the team as a seventh grader in year. I am expecting even greater things from I tournament. plate. is her last. She is scheduled to graduate this 2017. Being able to rotate a steady mix of Allie next year,” Blount said. Being below .500, which is where the After the FSU games, Jumper notched spring. This summer and fall she plans to hit younger bowlers with more experienced team was before reeling off seven wins in one hit and one RBI each in consecutive wins the road for tour rodeos as she tries to qualify ones each season has proven to be a winning eight conference games, is a rare occurrence against Florida A&M and South Dakota. for the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las formula for a program that has won state in the Dave Deiros era, which is to say the As of March 30, she is batting .316 with Vegas, Indian Country’s biggest rodeo where titles in six of the past seven years. entire existence of the program. Deiros has six hits in 19 at-bats. she has competed in the past. In a sport where steps are crucial, been the head coach since day one in 2003. FGCU has a few non-conference games For now, she’s concentrating on Neshoba has not missed one. The Eagles have been a model of consistent remaining, including at home April 21 completing her degree and helping the team “Although almost every year we have success with only two sub-.500 seasons in against No. 6 Florida. Senior Day will be in its pursuit of an ASUN championship. lost a few starting members, we’ve always nearly 20 years. April 25 against Jacksonville. been able to adapt with the new and returning people,” Williams said. “The team has become my family – girls and boys (teams) – so being comfortable with each other allows us to stay calm and do what we know to do.” “One of our goals is to keep a few bowlers from each grade so the younger ones will have a couple of years to learn the game before they are put into the matches,” Neshoba coach Joey Blount said. This season Williams, a junior, led the team with a 198 overall average. “It was a big boost from the previous year, however, there’s always room for improvement,” she said. She was the high scorer in eight of the team’s 10 matches. In addition to scoring improvement this season, Blount said Williams also showed tremendous advancement in her approach. “I could tell much improvement in Allie’s mental game this year,” he said. “Her focus has always been great and her desire Courtesy photo to win or bowl well was there, but in the Allie Williams holds the Class II Mississippi state past she has let her emotions get the best of bowling championship trophy that her Neshoba her. At times her emotions made it difficult Central High School team won in February 2021. to give her advice. This year she did not get Williams, a junior, rolled the high score in the visibly upset when things did not go her way. class and earned all-state honors. ACC Network (2) She kept her composure and kept bowling.” Above, Florida Gulf Coast University catcher Ahnie Jumper tags out a Florida State runner Feb. 27 in Tallahassee. Below, with some creative cardboard spectators in the stands, Jumper takes an at-bat. INFR moves forward with plans for 2021 season STAFF REPORT tribal, local and state guidelines as it pertains to health issues and our events,” Bo Vocu, Indian National Finals Rodeo is INFR president, said in a statement. moving forward with plans to hold a 2021 For the 2021 season, INFR plans to championship. shift from its usual region-based format and The organization announced Feb. 19 instead will sanction a greater number of tour that it intends to hold a rodeo season and rodeos and qualifiers for the finals, which is finals. scheduled to be held Oct. 19-23 at South “The INFR is excited to rodeo again. I Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. More think our members, contestants and fans are details are scheduled to be forthcoming. ready to rodeo as well. We plan on moving For more information visit infr.org. forward in a safe manner that coincides with All-Native youth golf tournament to be held in New Mexico STAFF REPORT Winners will qualify for the Notah Begay Notah Begay’s NB3 Foundation will III Junior Golf National Championship host its second annual All-Native National in December. Qualifying for the national Youth Golf Tournament Aug. 8-10 at Santa championship is taking place throughout the Ana Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New year. Mexico. For more information visit www.jgnc. org/. 6B • The Seminole Tribune • March 31, 2021 NSU Lexi Foreman concludes high basketball school career with 16-point player aspires night in state semifinals

to become BY KEVIN JOHNSON her sinking one of her two 3-pointers on the Senior Editor night. But Anadarko’s 34-29 lead with a Indian Country minute left in the third eventually melted The Anadarko High School girls away as Tuttle outscored the Lady Warriors medical doctor basketball team’s season didn’t end the way 11-3 the rest of the way to advance to the the Lady Warriors wanted, but senior guard championship. A layup by Foreman gave Lexi Foreman still departed on a high note Anadarko a 36-35 lead in the fourth quarter, thanks to an impressive performance in the BY KEVIN JOHNSON but it proved to be the team’s final lead of state semifinals. Senior Editor the season. In her final game for Anadarko, Tuttle went ahead 40-37 on a 3-point Foreman, a Seminole Tribe of Florida tribal So what is physiatry? play with :14 seconds left. Anadarko didn’t member, scored a team-high 16 points to go get off a quality shot as time expired. That’s a question Kyarrah Grant hears along with five rebounds, three steals and just about every time she tells someone her Anadarko was the reigning state champs, one assist in a 40-37 loss to Tuttle in the having captured the previous tittle game in career ambition. Oklahoma Class 4A semifinals March 11 in The easy part 2019 and then saw its title hopes last season Oklahoma City. dashed when the postseason was canceled for Grant (Navajo/ Anadarko, which had won 20 games in Choctaw) is telling due to the pandemic. The Lady Warriors a row, was shaky early and fell behind 7-0 finished this season with a 23-3 record. people she wants in the first quarter, but Foreman kept her to be a medical For Foreman, the road to the state team from getting blown out. She provided semifinal included a game-high seven assists doctor; the tough the spark the Lady Warriors desperately part is explaining in a 47-28 win against Fort Gibson in the needed with a layup followed by a rebound 4A Area III championship; nine points in the title and what it and a 3-pointer that sliced the deficit to 7-5. encompasses. a 62-32 win against Byng in the regional Foreman was a force on the boards with championship and 14 points, nine rebounds Physiatry four rebounds in the opening quarter, which is the field of and five steals in a 57-35 win against Grove ended with Tuttle ahead 9-7. in the state quarterfinals. physical medicine Foreman scored four points in the and rehabilitation. Foreman, the daughter of Matt and second quarter and finished up with a nifty Alicia Foreman and granddaughter of the late Grant wants to assist on a hoop that sent the teams to specialize in the Coleman Josh, will be headed to Edmond to halftime knotted at 18-18. play for the University of Central Oklahoma. sports medicine The score was tied 29-29 late in the aspect of physiatry. Kyarrah Grant She signed with UCO late last year. third quarter when Anadarko surged to a The Foreman name will continue on at Physiatrists are five-point lead and briefly grasped control medical doctors Anadarko with Lexi’s younger brother Eli of the game. Once again, Foreman was being on the football and powerlifting teams. who make diagnoses and prescribe the pivotal as she forced a turnover that led to Courtesy photo therapies that physical therapists will Anadarko High School freshman powerlifter Eli Foreman. subsequently perform. Often, physiatrists lead a team of medical professionals which could include physical therapists, occupational therapists and physician extenders. Eli Foreman competes in Grant is a pre-med student at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. She’s a Oklahoma high school state biology major. She’s a psychology minor. And she’s a guard on the NSU women’s basketball team. In other words, she’s very powerlifting meets busy. If everything goes according to plan, BY KEVIN JOHNSON In the high school regional meet, she will also be a Native American doctor, Senior Editor Foreman placed fourth in the 242-weight a profession that is sorely underrepresented class with a 420 squat, 240 bench and 450 from within Indian Country. In fact, a 2018 deadweight. American Medical Association report showed Anadarko High School’s Eli Foreman At states, Foreman finished fifth in his Native Americans account for just 0.4% of wrapped up an outstanding freshman season weight class out of 14 lifters in the junior the physician workforce. The numbers aren’t in powerlifting. high championship. getting better. According to the Association Foreman qualified for the Oklahoma In the state large high school meet, of American Medical Colleges, out of 20,387 junior high and high school state powerlifting Foreman finished 18th out of 27. His medical school graduates in 2019-20, only 35 meets. lifts were 440 squat, 240 bench and 455 were American Indian or Alaska Native. Foreman, a Seminole Tribe of Florida deadweight. “Especially with the lack of opportunities, tribal member, placed third at the junior Foreman is the son of Matt and Alicia it’s hard for Native Americans to have any high regional meet in the heavyweight class. Foreman and grandson of the late Coleman opportunity to become a doctor,” Grant Courtesy photo He squatted 425 pounds, benched 230 and Josh. He is the younger brother of Anadarko said. “I know there are a lot of smart Native Lexi Foreman (31) plays in her final game for Anadarko High School on March 11 in the Oklahoma Class deadlifted 460. standout basketball player Lexi Foreman. Americans out there, but they don’t have that 4A state semifinals. opportunity to get where they want to be. I’m very blessed to have that opportunity to become the doctor that I aim to be.” Initially, Grant wanted to be a physical therapist, figuring that would be a good way to stay involved in sports after her college Kaleb Thomas starts Trevor Thomas leads playing days end. But when a nurse told her about a lack of physiatrists, her curiosity piqued and career goals shifted, and so did college baseball career Warner past Judson her academic address. How did someone who spent the first STAFF REPORT 10 years of her life living in a rural area of STAFF REPORT 2-2 tie in the sixth inning of the seven-inning Arizona and the next 10 in a small Mississippi game. It was Thomas’s first extra-base hit of town wind up in bustling South Florida? the season. Academics certainly played a role. Kaleb Thomas’s first collegiate baseball Two games later he had a single and a A run-scoring double from Trevor walk in a loss to Ave Maria. “NSU has a really good medical school,” season is in full swing. Thomas lifted Warner University past Judson she said. Thomas, from the Brighton Reservation, As of March 30, Warner had a 20-15 College, 6-2, on March 11 in Lake Wales. record. Thomas has started 10 games. In 28 Athletics also figured heavily in her is a freshman outfielder and pitcher at Thomas, a junior outfielder from the decision to switch to NSU in 2020 after Clarks Summit University in northeast at-bats, he has five hits, two RBIs and five Brighton Reservation, delivered the clutch walks. spending two years at the University of Pennsylvania. The campus of the Christian go-ahead RBI as a pinch hitter that snapped a Tennessee at Martin. college is close to Scranton and about a two- “I talked to (NSU head coach LeAnn hour drive from both New York City and Freeland-Curry) and I really liked her. When Philadelphia. she offered me a scholarship, I took it without As of late March, Thomas had appeared a second thought,” Grant said. “I like the in five games with one start. He had no hits coaches. They’re really easy to talk to and through his first five at-bats. they’re very willing to help you in any part Thomas scored his first college run of your game.” March 9 in a 13-4 loss to Cairn University. An added caveat to Grant’s decision He also made his pitching debut that day, to come to NSU was her friendship with tossing four innings of five-hit ball with three Seminole basketball standout Skyla Osceola. strikeouts and eight runs allowed. They played together a few years ago on a His only other appearance on the Clarks Summit team coached by Osceola’s father Marl that hill came March 23 when he pitched one Kaleb Thomas is in his freshman season on the won a NAYO championship in New York. scoreless inning against Wells. He allowed Clarks Summit University baseball team. “It was a lot fun playing with Skyla one hit and fanned one batter. because she works really hard and she’s Clarks Summit entered April with a 2-6 Trevor, plays for Warner University in Lake really smart, too,” Grant said. record. Warner Thomas isn’t the only college baseball Wales. Their parents are Gene and Michele When Grant decided to transfer, her eyes Warner University outfielder Trevor Thomas. turned toward Florida. player in his family. His older brother, Thomas. “I was talking with Skyla, and her parents were talking with my parents about how it would be pretty awesome if we went to the same school. She was already here at Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team aims to make NSU,” Grant said. Indeed, Osceola had been on the team since 2017 when she had an outstanding Olympic competition under its own flag freshman season as the Sharks leader in assists and defensive rebounds and she led FROM CANADIAN PRESS status. Iroquois Nationals in the coming 2022 on our international experience, our the Sunshine State Conference in assist-to- Even though the Iroquois Nationals World Games. international standing, our sovereignty, and turnover ratio. Iroquois Nationals lacrosse star Randy finished in third place at the 2018 World The decision on the Iroquois’ National the good things that’ll happen if we’re there But the Osceola-Grant reunion at NSU Lacrosse Championships, they were not Olympic Committee application for the playing lacrosse, the game we originated,” only took place in practices. Due to the Staats was angry at first, but he now says an international snub of his team only fueled initially included in the top eight teams 2028 Games is scheduled to be made in said Leo Nolan, executive director of the pandemic, the university opted to cancel selected to compete at the 2022 World 2024. Iroquois Nationals. all games this season. The Sharks were left his desire to play on the world stage. Three years ago, the International Games. “We basically have to sell the IOC with plenty of practices and intra-squad “I thought it was a mistake at first,” scrimmages, but no games. Grant, who won Olympic Committee granted the sport of lacrosse provisional status for the 2028 Staats recalls. “I was frustrated, I was upset. two state championships at Choctaw Central It actually kind of helped me, in a way, FOR SALE High School in Mississippi, retains this year’s Games, scheduled to take place in Los personally, because it allowed me to have LAST SIX OF MILEAGE/ STARTING BID eligibility, meaning the redshirt sophomore Angeles. confidence to voice my opinion.” VIN# YEAR MAKE MODEL HRS CONDITION PRICE has three seasons left. But to make the Olympics, the Iroquois A tweet from Staats about the World A82197 2007 FORD PICKUP TRUCK F150 XL SUPERCAB (4WD) 156,854 Poor $465.00 Even though Osceola is no longer with Nationals, strong competitors in other Games sparked attention, leading to an 431900 2006 EZ-GO GOLF CART SHUTTLE CART N/A Poor $1,206.00 the team, she and Grant won’t have trouble international venues, will have to prove to outcry, said teammate Brendan Bomberry, B62501 2012 FORD SUV ESCAPE XLT (FWD) 214,024 Poor $1,430.00 finding each other to shoot hoops. That’s the International Olympic Committee that also a Mohawk from Six Nations. 010558 2009 HONDA SUV PILOT FWD 103,745 Poor $2,264.00 because Grant is living with the Osceola they represent a sovereign nation distinct from Canada or the United States. “We really saw the power of social A82211 2007 FORD PICKUP TRUCK F150 XLT (4WD) 216,965 Poor $2,346.00 family on the Hollywood Reservation while media and the power of our voices that, if attending NSU. Lacrosse players from the six First 197744 2007 CHEVROLET SCHOOL BUS BLUEBIRD SCHOOL BUS 68,000 Fair $3,181.00 Nations that make up the Haudenosaunee we speak up, we can make a difference and D72701 2006 FORD PICKUP CRANE TRUCK F350 XL SUPERCAB DIESEL 4X4 W/LIFTMORE CRANE 144,437 Poor $5,291.00 As for becoming acclimated to South that was really awesome to see,” he said. Florida, Grant said she’s amazed by the large Confederacy compete not for Canada or the C08337 2014 FORD SUV EXPLORER INTERCEPTOR PKG (4WD) 215,626 Fair $6,745.00 U.S. — the settler states where their nations The resulting uproar and the voluntary population and the vast number of restaurants withdrawal by Ireland Lacrosse’s Senior compared to where she’s come from. She’s are nested — but for their confederacy. As a provisional Olympic sport, lacrosse National Team from the international eager to get a taste of life here, but has been competition caused World Lacrosse and hesitant due to the pandemic. is now eligible for the World Games — an Note - Previously advertised items are not reflected on this advertisement, only new listings. For more information contact Fixed Assets Dept. 954-967-3640, 954- the International World Games Association 966-6300 ext. 20034. “There are so many things to do here that international competition considered an to reverse their decision and include the NEW!! - Tribal Members only- access this information at the website: http://semtribe.com/FixedAssets. (Registration required) I want to do,” she said. audition for sports with provisional Olympic