www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXVIII • Number 10 July 20, 2007 What’s Seminole Horse Inside Whisperer Tells His Story in Book By Susan Etxebarria On May 15 a reverent book came off the presses, which gives readers a glimpse into the depth of Seminole culture. It is a touching story, more like a parable, of an unlikely friendship between a Seminole elder and a white woman. The book, titled Ah-Ho-Ne-Ce – The Josiah Johns Memorial Seminole Horse Whisperer, is about Jimmy Scott Rodeo Osceola and written by C.J. McAdams. She is a resi- Page 11 dent of Buckhead Ridge, Fla., and owner of The Dust Collector, an antique shop in Okeechobee. Open Mics and Minds Page 14 Judy Weeks The flying swings were a big hit at the Immokalee Independence Day carnival. See pages 23, 30 & 31 for more Independence Day coverage. Firecracker Walk/Run by Dawn’s Early Light Jimmy Scott Osceola By Elgin Jumper At the outset, Suzanne Davis, allied health manag- BIG CYPRESS — At dawn, about 6:30 a.m., on er, took the gathering through a series of preliminary warm- McAdams writes humbly and simply about July 4, 21 participants either walked or ran in the third annu- ups and stretches. the lessons she has learned from Osceola. The 68- al Firecracker Walk/Run. The early staging of the event “First thing in the morning you’re not quite lim- year-old Seminole man took her imagination places Immokalee Incentive served as a precaution to the extreme heat later in the day. bered up like you might be later on in the day, so you need and showed her things that few people ever experi- The distance of the track is roughly 3.2 miles or to wake your muscles up just a little bit,” she said. “It helps ence, she said. Awards & 4-H Banquet three kilometers, that is, one and a half miles up and one and to avoid injuries.” In her eloquent stories, the author shares Page 20 a half miles back. The event took place near the bridge and Walking and running are two of the best exercises how she encountered a kindred spirit in Osceola one the L-28 Canal and the dirt road on the east side of the resi- people can do to keep their blood sugar levels and blood windy day in November 2005, when he walked into dential area. pressure down. They make a drastic difference in overall The Dust Collector for the first time. From that day Education . .9 The Walk/Run was organized by Edna McDuffie, health. But since not everyone is at the same level forward, this soft-hearted grandmother not only wel- Health . .14 community outreach coordinator for the Big Cypress comed the artist from Brighton, but created a special See WALK, page 15 Sports . .17 Wellness Center, along with the support of health educators place in her antique store to display his artwork. For Announcements . .25 and Tribal officials. In attendance Osceola, it became a healing place. were: Big Cypress Council McAdams is a gifted storyteller, having par- News from Indian Country . .29 Representative David Cypress, ticipated in folk festivals over the years. Perhaps this President Richard Bowers Jr. and was her fascination with Osceola. He, too, is a story- Chairman Mitchell Cypress, who have teller. But she will say it is much more than that. long been involved in these ongoing Over the past 19 months, Osceola taught her health and exercise-oriented events. much about the Native American ways; a belief sys- Two tables were set up by tem that had a profound affect on her life. Thirsty for Tribal health educators for sign-up this knowledge and the wisdom of Indian ways, she sheets and several bowls of fruit were invited Osceola to make the store a home away from available for participants to partake of. home where he could sit in his own designated rock- Plenty of bottled water was also on ing chair. He was invited to visit as often as he liked. hand to keep walkers and runners And he came often. hydrated. A Tribal EMS crew and Up until that life-changing day McAdams ambulance were stationed nearby in had little knowledge about the Seminoles. She knew case of any emergencies. Fortunately, See WHISPERER, page 7 their services weren’t needed. “It’s good for the Tribe,” pointed out President Richard Bowers Jr., “It’s good for our health, and we should do more to promote it because of the high diabetes percentage within Judy Weeks the Tribe. There needs to be more Martin and Nicole Slavik and Nick involvement because of our children, Zepeda were dressed for the Pirate starting them on the road to healthier Dinner. lifestyles at a young age. And hope- Elgin Jumper fully we’ll get more parents Nia Cypress and Aileen Cypress finishing up the three mile track. Naples Students involved.” Cruise With Tribal Youth Helps Rebuild His Fire-Damaged School Participates in Fiesta Bowl with Champion Boise Broncos Mickey Mouse By Robert C. North Sr. The Seminole Tribe Submitted by Education Dept. By Judy Weeks NEW MEADOWS, sent a check to Wyatt’s school Louise Gopher, Kyle Doney and Emma Brown CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Idaho — Tribal citizen, Wyatt to assist with covering the dam- Fifteen students enrolled in the Naples Deitz, 11, son of Erica and ages. Education Program joined their parents on Bruce Deitz of New Meadows, “We were in shock,” Higher Education the docks in Port Canaveral to embark on Idaho, said he “felt sad” for exclaimed John Preston, princi- a Disney Cruise on June 10. Boarding a two reasons. First, his school pal of Meadows Valley luxury ship, they enjoyed a four-day trip to music room and gym were Elementary School, “We [the the islands of the Bahamas. severely damaged due to a fire Meadow Valley School District] 2006-07 Graduates The theme of the voyage is natu- caused by faulty wiring, but the send our thanks to the Seminole By Linda Iley, Higher Education Advisor rally developed around the Disney charac- fire did not spread to the entire Tribe of Florida.” The Education Department is proud to ters and brings the magic of the theme school due to fire walls. Wyatt said he feels bet- announce its 06-07 graduates: park to the roaring seas. Whether 2 years “I was also sad ter now that hopefully his music Laura Billie from Hollywood graduated old or 80 years young, there are a multi- because our music teacher trav- classroom and gymnasium will with a bachelor of arts degree in public management tude of fun-filled activities available at all els to school for 45 minutes be repaired by the time he starts from Florida Atlantic University. She said she plans times. The nine-story ship has several each day, and he did not have a school again in the fall, when he to start her master’s degree program in public admin- large swimming pools, courts for shuffle music classroom to teach in will be entering the sixth grade. istration at Nova Southeastern University in the 2007 board, basketball and tennis, as well as art and he has been traveling this If assisting his school fall term. After her graduate studies, she intends to and craft centers. same route for 25 years,” Wyatt was not enough, Wyatt also work for the Tribe. After an activity-filled day at sea, explained. recently participated in a sum- Our two graduates with an associate in arts the sailors reached their first port of call in So Wyatt wrote to the mer football camp at Boise (AA) degree in business administration are Jessica Nassau, where they enjoyed a quick tour Seminole Tribal Council and State University. The Boise Buster, from Hollywood, and Andrea Holata, from of this well-known tropical isle. Walking requested assistance to help State Broncos were the come- Tampa. Buster graduated from Broward Community the streets where pirates once tread, they rebuild his music classroom from-behind, Cinderella story College and Holata from Hillsborough Community were able to experience a brief lesson in and gymnasium. He further winners at the 2007 Fiesta Bowl College. They both plan to pursue their bachelor’s history and shop for souvenirs before con- explained that without the in Phoenix, Ariz., defeating the degrees. tinuing their odyssey. music classroom, students from Oklahoma Sooners Elrod Bowers, who is now the Tribe’s Chief Back aboard ship, they had an Meadow Valley School had to Submitted by Robert C. North Wyatt, along with Operation Officer, recently graduated with a bache- opportunity to join the Oceaneer Club, and be transported to an “old folk’s Wyatt delivering the check to John Preston from the approximately 2,000 youth from lor’s degree in business management at Florida were entertained by comedians, dance home” for music class. Wyatt, Seminole Tribe of Florida to help rebuild the several northwestern states, International University. Previously, he earned a shows and theater productions. Interacting a clarinet player, stated that he school’s burned music classroom and gym. learned football skills and tac- bachelor’s degree in political science from Wheaton with Disney characters throughout the and his classmates “wished we tics and then played “Bronco College. His extensive education makes him well pre- cruise, the youngsters participated in a could have our music class back.” Ball” — a non-body contact form of football developed by pared for the challenges of his job. wealth of well-planned activities. “Wyatt was compelled to help his school,” said the Boise State coaching staff.