Smaller version of FSU homecoming Football underway at Indian Day for Tribe delayed until spring Moore Haven High v COMMUNITY v 6A EDUCATION 1B SPORTS v 5B www.seminoletribune.org Free Volume XLIV • Number 9 September 30, 2020 Hard Rock Seminole Tribe key partner on fans get ‘immense’ Fort King project sneak peek Big plans for National century that involve the U.S. government are often lopsided and paint Seminoles in an Historic Landmark in Ocala unflattering light. of proposed But a project moving forward at Fort BY DAMON SCOTT King in northeast Ocala is looking to change Staff Reporter those narratives and deliver something Virginia accurate. The 42-acre site, which is also a National Many historians have presented an Historic Landmark, is set to undergo a $14.7 project inaccurate version of Seminole history – million transformation after a 15-year master sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. plan was recently approved by the city of BY DAMON SCOTT That is, if there was an effort to tell the Ocala and Marion County. Staff Reporter history in the first place. It’s not just the scope and dollar amount In addition, the histories of the 19th Hard Rock ventures are underway across the globe, even as the hospitality industry has faced new challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hard Rock International unveiled one of its latest partnerships in mid-September with a public viewing of a 3D model for its proposed Bristol, Virginia, hotel and casino project that would mark the first such project in the state. The new Hard Rock hotel and casino would be located at the site of the former Courtesy Keifer Calkins Bristol Mall – located at 500 Gate City Seminoles, including Daniel Tommie, have participated in Seminole War reenactments at Fort King in Highway – if voters approve a local Ocala. The fort is scheduled to undergo a major development and reconstruction project. referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. The Virginia General Assembly and that’s significant; it’s also that the Seminole immersive as well,” the 40-page master plan the Bristol City Council had previously Tribe has been engaged in the process from states. “[It] sets the course for interpreting authorized to give voters the decision on the start. the most accurate version of Seminole War approval of the project during this year’s The plan consists of two major parts: the history …” general election. development and construction of a museum Paul Backhouse, the senior director Bristol is the twin city of Bristol, and education center and the reconstruction of the Seminole Tribe’s Heritage and Tennessee – just across the state line. It has of the entire Fort King complex – including Environmental Resource Office, said the been nicknamed the “birthplace of country archaeological and archival research work. partners on the Fort King project have been music.” Courtesy Keifer Calkins Fort King will be home to an education center and museum, set to be completed in the next five years. “The end goal is to provide a park clear about their intentions. F See HARD ROCK on page 6A that is not just passive in its education but F See FORT KING on page 4A Tribal member Allen Colon earns Senators: Give tribes promotion to SPD lieutenant more access He’s also previously served watch program. When it turned out that he was the only applicant for the program, he to CARES Act the Tribe as sergeant, patrol was instead offered a job as a community service aide. That led to him attending and officer and community graduating from the Fort Myers Police funds academy in June 2007. He served as an service aide SPD patrol officer until 2016 when he was promoted to sergeant. BY DAMON SCOTT BY BEVERLY BIDNEY “I love being on the road,” Colon said. Staff Reporter Staff Reporter “You get to interact with the community and tourists, anyone and everyone who comes through the reservation. I like working with Even as some states continue to emerge people and helping the community. I want to from various Covid-19 restrictions, the BIG CYPRESS — Allen Colon’s be a person you can count on.” ongoing hit to the service, tourism and ascension through the ranks of the Seminole Auer saw something unique about hospitality industries remains profound. Police Department continued Aug. 17 Colon. He is one of only a handful of tribal Those impacts are especially felt among when he earned a promotion to the rank of members who have been sworn SPD officers tribal enterprises within Indian Country – lieutenant. over the years. many of which rely heavily on those sectors The Seminole Tribal member, whose “At a certain point in his career, I saw to fund government operations, programs aspirations to be a police officer extend back he started to take an interest in preserving and services. to his teen years, has excelled in a variety of the Tribe,” Auer said. “He got to see from an Because the situation is still a bleak roles during his nearly 15 years of service officer’s standpoint some of the issues that one, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in with SPD. All along the way – first as a affect the Tribe. By his questions, he was Washington, D.C., has issued a call for an community service aide, then as a patrol taking more responsibility. He is committed increase in access for tribal governments officer and more recently as a sergeant – he’s to the betterment of the Tribe.” to two specific lending programs that were earned respect. As a sergeant, Colon interacted with the created under the CARES Act. “He identifies with Tribal members and community and supervised officers. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and police officers,” Seminole Police Chief John “I liked taking care of them as much as Economic Security (CARES) Act, is a $2.2 Auer said. “It’s rare that people understand taking care of the public,” he said. “Being a trillion economic stimulus bill that was both. He never loses that insight.” lieutenant is completely different than being passed in March. A second stimulus bill has As a Seminole, Colon, 53, has a unique a sergeant; there is more responsibility and been stalled in Congress for months. perspective on his chosen profession. administrative work.” The group of lawmakers calling for “I have a better understanding of the Colon spent about 12 weeks at SPD the greater lending access for tribes consist community,” he said. “It isn’t the easiest headquarters in a mentoring program, of four senators: Tom Udall, D-NM, vice job being a Tribal member because you are where he worked with William Latchford, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian looking at both sides. Sometimes that makes executive director of public safety, Auer and Affairs; John Hoeven, R-ND, chairman of it difficult, but we get through it. Knowing Kevin Tyrie, assistant chief of police. While the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs; the language and growing up in the culture there, Colon learned how every department Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, ranking member of is a good tool to have.” within SPD works and learned there was a the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing As a lieutenant, Colon is the reservation lot more he didn’t know. and Urban Affairs; and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, commander for Big Cypress. His new “I know I have a lot to learn,” he said. chairman of the Senate Committee on responsibilities include daily police “But I will do my best and take care of Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. operations, initial response deployment, whatever comes up. The buck stops here in The senators sent a letter Sept. 16 to follow ups, complaints, education, making my office. It’s a lot of responsibility and I Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and sure staff is equipped and trained, maintain won’t take it lightly.” the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, discipline and interact with the community. Police officers are among the first Jerome Powell, encouraging them to take He is one of five reservation commanders; responders who are on the front lines of action on behalf of tribes. the others are in Brighton, Hollywood, the pandemic. Auer saw how concerned Courtesy photo “Tribes and tribally-owned businesses Immokalee and Tampa. from across Indian Country have been Colon was for his officers and their possible Allen Colon has been promoted to lieutenant at the Seminole Police Department. A self-described “old school” person, exposure to Covid-19. severely impacted by the economic strains Colon has worked since his youth and has “He was looking out for his officers,” brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic,” earned everything he has. As a way to give Auer said. “Public safety is never convenient “He has a thirst for information that perspective, he is invaluable to the Tribe. the letter reads. “These businesses, from back to the Tribe, he decided to pursue a and he understands that.” most people don’t have,” Auer said. “He did He was a logical and excellent choice and a hotels, conference centers, restaurants, and career in law enforcement with SPD. Auer believes the decision to promote all the right things and asked all the right perfect fit for the community.” entertainment venues to gas stations and In 2006, Colon saw his opportunity and Colon was the right one as he watched him questions. Because of his unique perspective shopping malls, are some of the biggest planned to join the SPD’s neighborhood rise to the top. and the ability to see the job from that employers and income generators for tribal and nearby non-tribal communities.” F See CARES ACT on page 3A Visit the Tribune’s website for news throughout INSIDE: Editorial......................2A Health.............................9A Sports..............