Irvin Peithmann Navy next step for Skyla Osceola focuses remembered Eecho Billie on healthy return COMMUNITY v 7A EDUCATION v 1B SPORTS v 4B www.seminoletribune.org Free Volume XLIV • Number 4 April 30, 2020 Precautions for Tribe, Indian Schools, families adjust to remote Country continue in battle against learning amid COVID-19 BY KEVIN JOHNSON COVID-19 Senior Editor STAFF REPORT and BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Staff Reporter Although the coronavirus pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has shut has taken a toll throughout Indian Country, down school campuses, but not education. the Seminole Tribe has been diligent in its The learning process for the remainder efforts to protect its communities on every of the 2019-20 academic year continues from reservation. a distance as schools – including Pemayetv Tribal Council’s March 16 declaration Emahakv Charter School in Brighton and of an emergency closed Tribal offices and the Ahfachkee School in Big Cypress – have businesses until further notice, but the settled into online classwork. Public Safety Department – which includes On April 18, Gov. Ron DeSantis Seminole Police, Fire Rescue and Office of announced all public schools in the state Emergency Management – has been working would remain closed for the rest of the meticulously to keep Tribal members and academic year and continue operating online. their loved ones safe. PECS students are sheltered safely at SPD officers have been reinforcing the home and adjusting to the school’s virtual importance of safer-at-home guidelines to instruction, which began March 30. Tribal members on each reservation. The Principal Tracy Downing began to guidelines are also posted on the reservations’ prepare for the possibility of closing PECS electronic message boards. on March 13. Spring break was scheduled Police and fire personnel self-monitor for March 16 but was extended until March twice daily and wear personal protective 30. During that time, teachers created lesson equipment (PPE) for every response plans for their classes using the distance tribalwide. learning plan developed by Downing. At the As of April 20, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki same time, computers were distributed to Museum, Billie Swamp Safari and the students who needed them. Swamp Water Café in Big Cypress remain Courtesy photo According to Downing, things are going Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School students from the Jimmie family take their classes online at home in April in the school’s virtual learning program that closed. Sadie’s café is open for pick up orders well. only and its general store continues to restrict was set up when the campus closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The siblings are, from left, first-grader Micah Jimmie, sixth-grader Miley “I couldn’t be happier and more proud Jimmie and fourth-grader Marley Jimmie. the number of customers inside at one time. to be working with a community of people (students, parents, Brighton, teachers, staff members) who are dedicated and devoted an educator, and I have seen first-hand the the manner in which we conduct ourselves F See COVID-19 on page 5A to the education of young people. There character of the people I work with. I’ve when faced with challenges and adversity,” F See SCHOOLS on page 2B is no profession more noble than that of always said that our character is defined by Downing wrote in an email to the Tribune. Hard Rock, Seminole Gaming provide community support during pandemic BY KEVIN JOHNSON • Hard Rock Café in Orlando shared Senior Editor its generosity during these difficult times by supplying complimentary lunch for health care workers at AdventHealth Orlando. The Hard Rock International motto “All “…we jumped at the chance to help XL is One” is taking on additional significance 1067’s (radio host) Johnny Magic when he during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through asked if we could cook and serve hot meals food donations, free meals and other to health care workers on the frontlines,” charitable outreach, Hard Rocks across the Hard Rock Café posted on its Facebook page country and Seminole Gaming are showing April 10. “Today, thanks to the generosity of support for those on the front lines, including Johnny and some Hard Rock Orlando food health care workers, firefighters, paramedics truck magic, we were able to deliver lunch to and police officers, as well as community our brothers and sisters at the AdventHealth organizations. Orlando campus. We will all get through this Here are some examples of how Hard together one day a a time.” Rock and Seminole Gaming have been • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & helping communities: Casino Hollywood delivered food and Seminole Casino Hotel/Facebook Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee donates food to the Community Cooperative in March. The soup kitchen serves the homeless and hungry in Southwest Florida. beverages to The Pantry of Broward, which a delivery of food and beverage items to Bay area. supports seniors in need and grandparents support the families and friends within our “We’re thankful to have such an amazing who are raising their grandchildren community at this time. #AllIsOne,” Hard community partner and for the opportunity throughout Broward County. Rock Hollywood posted on Facebook on to give back to our Tampa Bay community,” “The Hard Rock mantra “Take Time to March 25. Hard Rock Tampa wrote on Facebook. be Kind” is more important now than ever Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino • Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee before. We care. We share. We are proud Tampa donated more than 11,000 pounds of provided a big boost to Community to support The Pantry of Broward with food to Metropolitan Ministries on March Cooperative in Southwest Florida with the Hard Rock San Diego/Facebook 24 in support of the Ministries’ initiative donation of thousands of pounds of food. Thanks to Maryjane’s restaurant at Hard Rock to serve 3,000 to-go meals at 25 locations Hotel San Diego, free meals were provided to first daily during the COVID-19 crisis. The responders in San Diego on April 6. organization helps the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in the Tampa F See SUPPORT on page 4A Visit the Tribune’s website for news throughout INSIDE: Editorial......................2A Health.............................9A Sports............... ............4B Community..................3A Education....................1B the month at seminoletribune.org 2A • The Seminole Tribune • April 30, 2020 Editorial Indian Country’s pandemic recovery plan • Patrice H Kunesh, JD MPA According to the Harvard Project on employment opportunities, these jobs are too • Using trust lands efficiently for both lift up those most at risk, both now and over American Indian Economic Development, often highly concentrated in just two sectors business and community needs such as time. tribal governments generate extensive - public administration and gaming-related housing This also means recognizing that gaming and non-gaming economic impacts businesses. Compared to nearby county In addition to pursuing economic business enterprise and social welfare are he world is reeling from an and benefits well beyond the reservation areas, reservations overall have significantly security, tribes should ensure equality of two sides of the larger issue. The work here Tunprecedented global economic borders with over $100 billion in outputs fewer workplaces per resident and slightly opportunity within their own institutions will involve deep investments in enhanced shock brought on by the sudden onset (the value of sales and services reflecting more jobs per resident due to a workforce and reliable delivery of public services. educational opportunities from birth to and rapid spread of the highly infectious an extensive supply chain network). concentrated in government and casino- For decades now, tribes have valiantly adulthood, with an emphasis on quality COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Collectively tribes are the 13 largest related jobs. pursued self-governance despite historical early childhood development and workforce In Indian Country, tribal leaders have employer nationwide, employing more than This glaring imbalance and over- and current severe underfunding for basic training. Moreover, embedded in this stepped up to protect their communities by 1.1 million jobs, paying out more than $35 dependence on a narrow range of employers services, including education, health care, approach is the pursuit of structural changes closing casinos and related businesses (such billion in wages and benefits. In addition, creates high vulnerability to economic and public safety, food, and housing. Post- and pathways to economic opportunities as hotels and convenience stores). For tribal tribal governments pay over $20 billion in social shocks. Indian Country experienced pandemic tribal governments must smooth and resources. Overall economic and social leaders, though, combatting the virus comes taxes and direct payments to federal, state, similar exposure during the 9-11 attacks out of the delivery of trust services and life will be radically more equal for Native at a severe cost. Tribal governments are both and local governments through revenue and the 2008 Great Recession, but most allocation of responsibilities with the Bureau peoples. the providers of essential services to tribal sharing agreements. survived by recalibrating their operations of Indian Affairs. So what do tribes do now? citizens and major employers of thousands Tribal government gaming allowed and restructuring their debt. This recovery For example, wherever possible tribes They have to start talking and thinking of people. tribes to return revenues to their communities will be different, however. Indian Country’s should assume responsibility for land use about tomorrow, making it a priority to Closing casinos not only shuts down through essential government services. These response to these changes requires effective and development. Their ability to control restore the social and cultural fabric of their reservation economies and disrupts the include reservation infrastructure from roads leadership and a commitment to an inclusive and manage the leasing process of trust lands communities.