www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXVIII • Number 17 December 14, 2007 Museum Debuts Seminole Exhibit Page 3 Hollywood Gets Holiday Makeover Susan Etxebarria Page 14 (Front Row, L-R) John Wayne Huff, president pf the Brighton Veterans Group, Moses B. Osceola, Archie Johns, Chairman Mitchell Cypress, Brighton Board Rep. Johnnie Jones, Brighton Council Rep. Roger Smith, Stanlo Johns, President Richard Bowers Jr., (Back Row, L-R) Coleman Josh, Sammy Gopher and Wonder Johns. Florida Seminole Veterans Center Groundbreaking By Susan Etxebarria On Nov. 15 a groundbreaking ceremony for Guard member, Steven Bowers, officiated as emcee. The BRIGHTON — In the spirit of true Seminole this building took place. Those in attendance learned first thing Bowers did was recognize the Tribe’s veter- warriors, the veterans at Brighton never gave up. For that this center will serve the needs of all Seminole ans, those who have passed away and those with special several years they proposed, planned and pushed for a Tribe veterans, as well as be used for community and honors. He also recognized Seminoles on active duty dream, and finally their dream has come true. official Tribal meetings. and the warriors who died fighting for freedom. Due to their diligence and perseverance a new In attendance were Tribal officials, architects, He then welcomed a special speaker to the “star” is born. The star is that of the pentagon-shaped, designers, contractors, builders, well-wishers and veter- podium, John Wayne Huff, president of the Brighton 20th Annual BC 24,321 square foot Florida Seminole Veterans Center ans and their families. Seminole Veterans. Huff said the Brighton vets began Veterans Day being constructed in Brighton. Site preparation began The Color Guard posted the colors, and Page 7 the first week in December. Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs Liaison, and Color See VETS, page 6 Letters . 2 Education . 9 Health . 11 Litefoot Wows Ahfachkee Audience Sports . 17 By Judy Weeks Native American Music Awards, including Best Rodeo . 22 BIG CYPRESS — Award-winning Hip Hop/Rap Recording, Best Male Artist, and he Announcements . 33 Native American actor, rap artist and motivational was 2005’s Artist of the Year. speaker, Litefoot, has visited the Big Cypress Litefoot’s new album, Relentless Pursuit, community before, but each time he arrives it is will be his first major label release and will hit like the first time. When he and his wife Carmen the stores nationwide during the spring of 2008. Tribal Council walked out of their His very successful motor home on businesses are making Nov. 27, the chil- their mark in the music Meets in Tampa dren at Ahfachkee and fashion industry. By Chris Jenkins were waiting with Dividing the TAMPA — The Tribal Council anticipation. school body into two met at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Last year, groups, he began with Nov 16. They passed 47 resolutions on the this member of the the pre-kindergarten to regular agenda including: Cherokee Nation of fifth graders first thing Resolution 16: Service line Oklahoma, visited in the morning. Litefoot agreement (289’ X 18’) between Lee 211 reservations in is extremely adept at County Electric Cooperative and the 40 states and trav- adjusting his message to Seminole Tribe of Florida-Immokalee eled more than reach the level of all age Seminole Indian Reservation; 54,000 miles in 12 groups and has the Resolution 17: Service line months during his unique ability to make agreement (325’ X 20’) between Glades Reach The Rez his listeners believe that Electric Cooperative and Edna Tommie- Tour. He initiated he is talking with them, Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation; his 2007 tour this not at them. Resolution 18: Service line past August and by Judy Weeks The younger agreement (400’ X 25’) between Glades December will crowd hung on his every have reached 50 With his arm around Lariah Balentine, Litefoot word as he described his Electric Cooperative and Rudy Mariann talks to the student about the Creator. Billie-Big Cypress Seminole Indian reservations deliv- travels and accomplish- Reservation; ering a powerful ments while instilling in Resolution 19: Grant of message to Native them the desire to reach Easement for right of way to Florida Americans of all ages. The Seminole Tribe of their potential and recognize their self-worth. Power and Light Company for Seminole Florida, The Pequot Tribe and The Cherokee Reaching out to the sixth grade through Water Treatment Plant-Hollywood Nation, are major sponsors of this unprecedented high school he said: “I see the war on drugs, but I Seminole Indian Reservation; effort. want to see better results on the battle field. Don’t Resolution 20: United States In addition to Litefoot’s Reach the Rez smoke! Don’t Do Drugs! Become a direct example Tour, he has starred in ten films and television Department of the Interior Fish and See LITEFOOT, page 10 Wildlife Service Grant application to fund programs, released 10 albums and won seven the Seminole Tribe of Florida Wildlife Management Program proposal for fiscal years 2008, 2009, 2010; Resolution 21: First Amendment Thanksgiving Holiday in Immokalee to the Twentieth Annual Work Plan sub- By Judy Weeks mitted to the South Florida Water Gordon Oliver Wareham IMMOKALEE — The Immokalee Management District by the Seminole Traditional dancers perform for the DNA crowd. Seminole community looks forward to the Tribe of Florida; Thanksgiving holiday each year when they set Resolution 22: United States aside time to count their blessings and reflect Environmental Protection Agency grant on the many achievements of the previous application to fund the Seminole Tribe of Discover Native America year. Thanksgiving is a time for strengthening Florida Watershed Management Base family ties and renewing friendships as every- Program Clean Water Act, Section 319 one takes time out of their busy lifestyle to non-competitive grant program proposal Pow-Wow & Music Festival relax and enjoy a bountiful dinner together. for the Tribal fiscal year 2009; Immokalee Preschool Resolution 23: Hillsborough By Elgin Jumper TAMPA — When they occur, successful comebacks are always a The Immokalee Preschool students River State Park memorandum of agree- and their parents gathered at the Senior Center ment to provide in-kind services in-lieu of good thing. And the Discover Native America Pow-Wow & Music Festival, held in Tampa at the Florida State Fairgrounds’ Entertainment on the evening of Nov. 8 for their annual mitigation for the restoration and enhance- Thanksgiving Dinner. The hall had been deco- ment of selected wetland and upland Hall — located next to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino — Nov. 16-18, was definitely a clear success. rated for the occasion in fall colors with tradi- buffer habitats; tional designs, characters and symbols of the Resolution 24: Kronos The gates opened at 9 a.m. each morning and closed at 10 p.m. nightly. This much-needed pow-wow was organized by Frank Moore Jr., seasonal harvest. Incorpated Sales, software license and The lavish buffet included both service agreement, and depot exchange Ciara Billie-Guerue, Wanda Bowers, Christine McCall, Britney Yescas and Oliver Wareham, among others. turkey and ham prepared by the Preschool Judy Weeks support agreement for Timelock staff. This was accompanied by generous side Spencer Aguilar is thankful for dessert. Equipment, software and related services “They were all a big help, a big part of the success,” said Moore Jr. “The [Tribal] Council was happy, and they want us to do it again next dishes contributed by the parents, who had for the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & made allowances for a kid-friendly menu to Casino-Tampa; year.” this evening’s turnout. Your commitment to Seminole Tribal leaders who attended this immensely important satisfy all age groups. Resolution 25: Engagement letter Seminole Preschool Director Leona these youngsters helps to lay the foundation for for audit of the combined Seminole event were: Chairman Mitchell Cypress, President Richard Bowers, the future of the Seminole Tribe.” Hollywood Council Rep. Max B. Osceola Jr., Big Cypress Council Rep. Tommie Williams remarked: “Although Gaming Enterprises financial statements, Immokalee is a small community with a limited Speaking on behalf of her staff, and for the combined financial statements David Cypress, Brighton Council Rep. Roger Smith, Trail Liaison William Preschool Manager Michelle Ford said: “We are Osceola and Big Cypress Board Rep. Cicero Osceola. number of preschoolers, the families are very for the Hollywood and Tampa Enterprises, supportive of their children, as evidenced by See THANKS, page 27 See COUNCIL, page 14 See DNA, page 16 The Seminole Tribune 2 December 14, 2007 o all of my people … I wish you the joys of Tthis holiday season. Remember that the best present we can receive from one another is sharing a blessed holiday with our loved ones. Please don’t drink and drive. We must continue to remember the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces stationed in Iraq and other places in the world, and pray for their safe and quick return. As members of the Seminole Tribe, we all have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. Keep the spirit of Christmas in your heart always and let us all rejoice and celebrate as we look forward to the New Year! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Mitchell Cypress, Chairman Seminole Tribe of Florida eason’s greetings! As we roll into this holiday season, let us take a few moments from our feasting and merrymaking to reflect on the Strue meaning of Christmas. We are overwhelmed with commercial- ism, telling us to buy the most expensive gifts, and Santa’s reindeer and Grinches are the theme. It is easy to lose sight of why Christmas is cele- brated.