SEMINOLE TRIBUNE“Voice of the Unconquered”

$1.00 www.seminoletribe.com Volume XXII Number 6 May 4, 2001

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Chickee Church Academy dedication, see below.Egg Hunt, page 16. Egg decorating contest, page 16. Brighton kids spend a day with nature, page 4.

By Barbara Secody TUBA CITY, AZ: THE NAVAJO

NATION – Amidst cheers and jeers, formerNavajo Chairman Peter MacDonald returned hometo the Navajo Nation, after serving nearly eightyears of his 14-year prison sentence. It was aprayer answered for him and his family, who nevergave up in their tenacious attempts to secure hisrelease. As it has always been, there are no luke-warm feelings when it comes to the formerChairman. He is either loved or hated by his peo-ple, with the ratio being closely split 50/50.Following his release, a website was set up, wherepeople could express their opinions regarding thecommutation of his sentence. Even though manystill harbor the grudges regarding the incident inWindow Rock – which resulted in the tragic deathof one of his supporters, most of the Dine’ feel itnecessary to move on and make serious attempts atrestoring hozho (harmony) among the people.Once that happens, the healing may begin.

After contacting Mr. MacDonald, he wasgracious enough to grant an interview to TheSeminole Tribune regarding his life, time spent inprison, his reunion with family and friends and hisplans for the future.

The following is an interview with Mr.Peter MacDonald, former Chairman of the NavajoNation who has been released from Federal prisonafter serving nearly eight years of a 14 year sen-tence. President Clinton commuted his sentence –the day he left office.

Secody: Ya aa teh! Mr. MacDonald, and thank youfor your time. First of all, we would like to wel-

come you home and are in hopes that you are feel-ing well at this time.

MacDonald: Yes, hello. Greetings to ChairmanJames Billie and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Itis good to be home with my family and friends. Iam feeling well, but have been taking thingsrather slowly since I had hip replacement surgery.The physicians have put certain restrictions onme, and there are things I still am not able to do.I look forward to visiting the SeminoleReservations in the future.

Secody: Mr. MacDonald, what is your clan?

MacDonald: I am Hashkaahazdzoho (yucca fruitin a row), born for Betanii (Father’s clan).Paternal grandfather’s clan is Tsinsikadni (treestanding) and maternal grandfather’s clan isAshi’I (salt).

Secody: What Chapter on the Navajo Nation areyou originally from?

MacDonald: I am from TeecNosPos chapter,born and raised there.

Secody: Could you please tell us about your fam-ily composition? For example, brothers, sisters,etc.

MacDonald: I have three living sisters, all

New ConstructionPlans Lead ToHotel ClosureBy Dan McDonald

TAMPA — Once it was the crown jewel of theSeminole Tribe of Florida’s accomplishments, a facility that,when it opened, attracted a crowd of dignitaries and praise asthe first hotel constructed and run by an Indian tribe.

Called the Sheraton Tampa East, the $11 millionhotel on the Tampa Reservation opened in December of 1986with 156 rooms. In 1990, then called the Sheraton Four-Points, the hotel added a six-story addition, which housedanother 120 rooms. Now, since April 2, the sprawling whitehotel is closed, awaiting a wrecking ball.

“It’s sad in a way, that’s for sure,” said SterlingHoward, general manager of the facility that is making wayfor a $150 million hotel, casino, parking garage and HardRock Café.

“We had a staff of 180 employees. They’re all gone,except for six people doing last minute cleanup and security.I don’t really understand the planning and concept of what’scoming, but I guess someone has it all figured out. This wasa good facility. We normally ran about 70 percent occupancy,which was competitive for this market. Hopefully, the newfacility will do as well and even better. I guess the casinowill draw more people.”

According to Tim Cox, Seminole GovernmentOperations Manager, the new facility will include a 250-room, 12-story hotel, the Hard Rock Café, 75,000 square feetof gaming space and a four-story parking garage.

“It (the old hotel) was supposed to be torn down inmid April sometime,” Cox said, revealing the actual hotel sitewill become the site of the parking garage. “I know the proj-ect is waiting on the signing of loan documents, but, I’m notin charge and don’t have many details.”

While the actual demolition and new constructionhas been delayed, the decommission of the old hotel is pro-

By Tommy BennBRIGHTON —Miss Lizina

Bowers,19 has successfully completed thecurriculum requirements and the qualificationcourse standards set by thr State of Florida toobtain her Florida Bail Bonds License. MissBowers meet the high standards of theFlorida Bail Bonds School Program toreceive her agents license issued by theFlorida Criminal Justice Dept.’s as a LimitedSurety Agent.

Lizina has been interested in crimi-nal justice since high school. Obtaining herFlorida Bail Bond License is her first step inpursuing higher education in her chosen fieldof study criminal justice.

The 80 hour class course held inMiami was offered by National SuretyServices of Florida, Inc. Miss Bowers is thefirst Seminole Tribe of Florida member toreceive her Bail Bond License. She now hasto complete an apprenticeship program withan established Bail Bond Agency for sixmonths.

A meeting and interview has beenscheduled with Mr. John G, and Mr. DougMiller of Miller and Sulh Bail Bond Agentslocated in Kissimmee, Florida. The Millerand Shul agency will to help the young MissBowers find a suitable bond agency for her tocomplete the needed hours required to serveher apprenticeship under.

Chickee ChurchAcademy DedicationHeld In HollywoodBy Barbara Secody

HOLLYWOOD — As with all reservations withinthe Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hollywood has seen a lot ofchanges in the last decade. One major addition has been theopening of the only Christian school located on any FloridaSeminole reservation.

On April 10, the Chickee Church Academy was offi-cially dedicated after a celebration dinner and play held at theChickee Independent Baptist Church in Hollywood.Although the academy actually opened in September of 2000,board and staff wanted to wait until the facility was betterfurnished before the formal dedication.

At 6 p.m., a dinner was served to community andchurch members, friends and guests who came to share in thecelebration. Gladys Wigden and Pepper Harris, long-timemissionaries on the reservation, visited unsuspectingly withfriends – totally unaware of what surprise awaited them.Amazingly, even the young folks were able to suppress theirexcitement - so as not to give away the “secret”.

By 7 p.m. the stage was set for the evenings’ pro-gram. Rev. Arlen Payne, Pastor of the church, welcomedeveryone, and shared a scripture reading of Psalm 1 and aprayer. The first presentation on the program was a Seminolelanguage demonstration presented by Jo North and BonnieMotlow. They displayed large flash cards depicting numbers,animals and nature scenes. They quizzed the audience on theMikasuki language translations. Herbert Jim, who was unableto attend the dedication service, teaches the students the classdaily at the Academy.

Next on the agenda was the presentation of the play,“That Morning After”, written and directed by KiKi Shaller.The play, presented by cast and crew of the ResurrectionEnsemble Theater, depicted emotional scenes from the dayafter Christ died. The students did an excellent job in theirpresentation.

“The Resurrection Ensemble Theater was organizedin order to give CCA students, and other youth, the opportu-nity to participate in different areas of stagecraft. Because anensemble cast has no ‘stars’, students are encouraged to workcooperatively for the good of the entire production. The term‘resurrection’ was chosen because it suggests a rising up, anda birthing of what is highest and most beautiful in the spiritof man. Our young performers are all new to the craft of act-ing, and while a smooth performance without flaws is alwaysto be encouraged and hoped for, the main focus of our theateris to provide wholesome theatrical experiences which rein-force Christian principles for our students,” said Shaller.

Cast and crew members included Talina Castillo,Spencer and Zachary Battiest, Harmony Stewart, Lauren and

See HOTEL, page 7

See CHICKEE, page 6

Lizina BowersReceives BailBond License

Former Navajo Charirman MacDonald Comes Home

See MACDONALD, page 7 Navajo Chief Peter MacDonald.

By Libby BlakeALBUQUERQUE – The 18th Annual

Gathering of Nations (GON) welcomed tens ofthousands Native Americans and visitors to ‘ThePit’ April 26 – 28 for the largest pow-wow inNorth America. Over 3,000 drums, singers and

dancers participated and competed for $125,000 inprize money.

Miss Seminole Princess, Desiree Jumper,joined with over 20 other young ladies represent-

Gathering Of Nations Biggest Ever

Lib

by B

lak

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Miss Indian World 2001 Ke Aloha Alo (White Mountain Apache/Hawaiian/Samoan).

See GATHERING page 8

Along, long time ago, before theChickee Church was built, ourgroup used to go many different

places to hold our services. Joann Miccohad a restaurant where the SeminolePolice Department station is now, and thisis where services wereheld for a while. Beforethat, we went to the gym-nasium and at times wemet in the home orempty apartment of oneof the church members. Iused to think that theway we moved around was the same asMoses when he used to roam with hisgroup in the wilderness.

Then, finally, the Council gaveus a small plot of land in front of the clin-ic. At first, we held services in a tent thatwas erected on the lot.

Then, one day, Ronnie Doctorgot some men together and they went outand cut cypress logs and cabbage palmfronds and they made a church. TheChickee Church. That was over ten yearsago, and we've been meeting there eversince. But, we always had a problem. Thechurch was built over a water line and wewere always being warned that if the linebroke, it could wash our whole churchright away.

Finally, this month, we're goingto move into a new home. A new buildingis going to become our meeting place andthe Chickee Church is coming down.

I thank God that He let ourChurch survive all this time, but I can't

tell you how sad I'll be to see that ChickeeChurch come down. We'd love to keep it,but it's time to move our Church awayfrom that water line.

And, we've also gotten muchbigger. Last Sunday there were about 87

people at the service.People had to standoutside to hear thesermon. It was agreat turnout and itwas especially nicebecause we had a lotof youngsters at the

service. That's great to see.Soon, we'll be in the new build-

ing, which holds over 150 people. It willseat everyone, but it won't be the same.But, we're going to save the old buildingand maybe we'll use some of the logs tomake a covered porch for the newChurch.

As for a name, well, chickeemeans house in the Miccosukee language.It doesn't mean a thatch covered house.It's any house. So, maybe we'll still callthe new place the Chickee Church.

Until then, we'll still be meetingfor a few more weeks in the originalChickee Church. Everyone is invited tocome and visit before we move into ournew home. It's an opportunity that willsoon be gone, and I hope you come withus. It's your last chance to follow Mosesas we move out of the wilderness forgood.

Hope you come out and join us.

By Charles FlowersTALLAHASSEE — Pithlachocco, the “place of long

boats,” has been officially listed on the National Register ofHistoric Places.

Secretary of State Katherine Harris, who visited the sitewith Chairman James Billie this January, made the announce-ment last month. The Register is maintained by the NationalPark Service of properties significant to national, state, or localhistory. Other Florida examples include the Art Deco neighbor-hood of Miami Beach, St. Augustine’s historic district, and sixsites in Everglades National Park, including Anhinga Trail,Shark River Slough and the 10,000 Islands ArchaeologicalDistrict.

Listing on the Register provides some protection, espe-cially from developments where federal funds or permits arerequired.

“The listing of the Lake Pithlachocco Canoe Site pro-vides national recognition of this extraordinary find of Indiandugout canoes – the largest of its kind in the United States,”Harris said.

Chairman Billie supported the state’s efforts to fast-track registration of the site on the National Register, to ensureprotection of the ancient canoes, and other artifacts that may yetbe discovered.

Last May, the first of what would be nearly 100 canoesthat have been located and mapped, were discovered on thenorthwestern shore of the kidney-shaped lake named for anearly-19th century Indian fighter from Georgia – Dan Newnan.Although little remains of Newnan’s battle, the canoe evidence isstriking.

Radiocarbon dating of 53 of the 93 canoes mapped sofar shows they were built over a span of time from 5,000 to 500years ago. That range alone “shows the continuity of boat-build-ing traditions that continue to be an important aspect of modernNative American culture in Florida,” according to a release fromHarris’ office.

“This canoe find is of great significance to the south-eastern Indian people and all of Florida citizens,” Harris said.

The discovery of the canoes coincided with a state-per-mitted logging operation that damaged at least seven of theancient craft, according to archaeologists with the Division ofHistoric Resources.

The damage focused attention on the practice of dead-head logging – removing timber that had sunk during the time ofintense logging. That caused Gov. Jeb Bush to ban deadhead log-ging on Florida lakes, a move which was praised by environ-mentalists, who have also sought an end to deadhead logging inFlorida rivers.

The Seminole Tribune 2 May 4, 2001

Pithlachocco Listed OnNational Historic Register

Lahbungen pethet tahlahgim (In the mud lays a boat).

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Seminole Tribune

Editor:I grew up in Hollywood and

went to school with Curtis Osceola. I alsoknew Moses Jumper Jr. He made me ablood brother a long time ago. I was bornin 1959 in Hollywood. My name is RayE. Wensel II. Can you let me know howMoses Jumper is doing? If you can, pleasefind out more about me being a bloodbrother.Thank you all so much for your help onthis matter. May only good things come toyou all.

Ray Wensel IIdocgray80@hotmail.com

Editor:My subscription to the Seminole

Tribune expired, and I’m enclosing a $25check for renewal. I miss reading theSeminole news and news from “IndianCountry.” I want to write a few wordsabout the Seminole Museums. My wish isevery school child in America could visitthe Seminole Museums.

I visited the Ah-Tah-Thi-KiMuseum and campsite with my daughteron the Big Cypress Reservation. Such abeautiful and educational place. It’s quietand peaceful surroundings. It is one thingto read about clothing, crafts, and living,but to experience the demonstrations andtraditions is the real experience.

Dorothy EblinBoyton Beach

Dear Ms. Connie Brightwell:Regarding your letter to the edi-

tor of the Seminole Tribune dated4/13/01, the Ahfachkee School is notinterested in reviewing/critiquing themanuscript for Bordering On The Edge.Normal protocol asks that requests forthe participation of my staff in suchactivities be made directly through theschool’s administration.

Regarding gauging the accuracyof the manuscript in question, I feel thatDr. Patricia R. Wickman, is in a muchbetter position to judge the content valid-ity of the prospective novel.She works for the Seminole Tribe and isa reknowned Florida historian. Perhapsif you contacted her, she would be inter-ested in assisting you amidst her busyschedule.

Regarding your statement in youletter to the editor, “How can youngerchildren who are living in this centuryunderstand the death of the Evergladesand Tribal life…”, I disagree with youthat Tribal life has experienced death.Tribal life, in my opinion, is alive andwell though different possibly than whatyou recollect at another time. Pleasetake care.— Dr. Patrick V. Gaffney – Principal

The following is the letter from the April13 issue,

Editor: Shocked! The new Learning

Center, the Gymnasium, the School (welldeserved . . . those trips to Clewiston hadto stop!), the old Learning Center that willbecome the police station, the futurebuildings that will be in the hammockbesides the existing Ah-Tah-Thi-KiMuseum.

I was born and raised in Florida.

I grew up in Hollywood. Everything westof University Drive was no man’s land.Everglades 84 (I-595—I-75) and AlligatorAlley were spooky roads to travelupon. In the 1980s rapid change began, ofcourse, I don’t need to tell you. But forpeople who weren’t around in the 50s and60s this metropolis west of UniversityDrive to the Eastern Everglades’ borderdoes not shock their souls like it doesthose who know it wasn’t always devel-oped.

I was camping in the Everglades(actually, Markham Park) four yearsago. Weston offended me so profoundlythat I wrote a children’s novel. I wanted towrite about the drastic change and at thesame time not come off too didactic. Iwanted, in the process of writing this fic-tion, to educate the young reader with thefacts about the flora, fauna, nations, anddeath of the Everglades.

How can younger children, whoare living in this century understand thedeath of the Everglades and Tribal life ifthey don’t know its birth and life which isbeing strangled before their adulthood?

On the day I set up my tent, Iasked my brother, “Are we really in theEverglades? Then, where’s the boundariesfor Weston, or Broward County now thatHollywood Boulevard goes all the wayout to Flamingo where it’s all developed?Do they keep erasing the border line?”Shocked!

The novel is entitled: BorderingOn The Edge. An aging EvergladesIndian, who manages a Fort LauderdaleBeach hotel, recruits two young hotelguests to help him deliver ancient sawgrass dust to the angry geo-gods. I haveforwarded the manuscript to variousteachers who have categorized the novelas fictional history/study unit/supplemen-tal reading, i.e., history text can be dryand a fictional history novel can be usedto “pull from.” “Pull from” means sub-jects are exposed in the novel about theEverglades formation, water control prob-lems, extinction both in flora and fauna,Seminole Indian Wars, etc.

I would like to send the manu-script to a willing teacher at Ahfachkee.I’m sure the subject matter is commonsense at Ahfachkee, but I’d like to makesure the facts are portrayed in an enter-taining yet fairly accurate manner.

Connie Brightwell, Auteri, NY,cauteri@impop.bellatlantic.net

Editor:It is only fitting that the

Seminole Tribe acquirers land in OsceolaCounty once again. That area was part ofthe land given to the Seminoles by Treatyof Moultrie Creek in 1823. Coacoocheewas born in a village on an island in LakeTohopeliga around 1807. The northwestpart of the county has Reedy Creek,which used to be Hatchee-Lustee Creek(Black Creek), and was also once thehome of the Seminoles. And the county isnamed for one of the most famous war-riors in Seminole history—Osceola.If the Orlando Sentinel or the county offi-cials act surprised of the Tribe’s land pur-chase, they only need to refresh theirmemory by reading their own newspaperarticles about it that was published in theSentinel about 3 years ago. This is nosecret deal, and has been done in the

open. The attitudes reflected by theSentinel and county officials show igno-rance and stereotypical behavior. What isso wrong with allowing the originalinhabitants of the area to come home

Sincerely,Chris KimballFort Morgan, Alabama

Editor:I am a student from sawgrass

springs who just finished coming from aschool trip from billie swamp safari.Ithought the place was awesome.I lovedthe chikee huts were very cool. Ialso likedwhen that guy cat tail was teaching usabout snakes.He was very funny.The bestpart of the trip was when we went on theairboat and when we went on the swampbuggy in the night. Thanks alot Ihad a lotof fun.Iplanning to come back soon.Keepup the good work.

LumenisC@hotmail.com

Editor:For one of my graduate classes, I

was to gather an anthology of articlesregarding funding of reservation schools.Unfortunately, the federal powers that bewhich are responsible for funding do notmake a habit of publishing articles aboutthe poor job they do funding NativeAmerican Education on the various reser-vations throughout the U.S. After observ-ing their practices of a lack of funding forNative American Education in Florida andArizona, somehow I’m not too surprisedat the federal government’s lack of brag-ging about it in published articles!

I have made some other observa-tions & I will appreciate your response. Itappears that those tribes which have natu-ral resources to develop, such as on theBig Cypress which has the advantage ofthe nearness of the riparian area of theEverglades, into tourism or which havedeveloped resorts & casinos near well-populated areas, such as Casino of theSun & the Apache Hondo Casino, havegenerated their own funding which is usedto improve education, housing, & healthcare on the rez.

I am impressed with the achieve-ments of the Seminole Tribe, which hasliterally taken charge of the naturalresources available on the Big Cy. Theparental involvement in their children’seducation and the outspokeness remindsme of my mother, whose father was partSeminole. There is a world of differencein the websites and available developedresources of the Seminoles of Florida andthose of Oklahoma, like day and night.

It would seem that those tribeswhich are doing the best are those whichhave made it a point to not wait for feder-al funding or regulations to improve edu-cation on the reservations. Is this anaccurateconclusion on my part? If you know ofany websites which could give me furtherinformation, I will be ever so grateful foryour help with my research.

Sincerely,Veronica Valentino

P.S. KXCI has played some tracks fromChief Jim Billie’s CD. It’s great! Signupfor your free USWEST.mail Emailaccount http://www.uswestmail.net

letters/e-mail6300 Stirling Rd. Hollywood. FL 33024 tribune@semtribe.com

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Publisher: James E. BillieDirector: Dr. Betty Mae Jumper

Editor: Virginia MitchellDesign/Layout: Melissa Sherman

Design/Layout Assistant: Vanessa FrankReporters: Libby BlakeArchivist: Ernie Tiger

Contributors: Tommy Benn, Janice Billie, Jessica Cattelino

Suzanne Davis, Diane Diaz, E. BowersBob Kippenberger (Photos)

Brian Larney (Design), Mark Madrid, Gary Padgett, Rhonda Roff,

Benny Secody, Patsy West, Dr. Patricia R. Wickman

Ten years ago, the Chickee Church was built.

Chickee Church

Betty Mae

Jumper

The Seminole Tribune 3 May 4, 2001

R e f l e c t i o n s B y P a t s y W e s t

Well into the 20th century and insome cases up to the 1950’s, theFlorida Seminole and

Miccosukee Indians generally governedthemselves judicially. The old adage of“an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”was the general rule, in other words ifsomeone hurt someone, they could expectretaliation, this pitted clan against clanwhen a wrong was committed.

“Each time an Indian was caughttelling a lie, a bit of ear was cropped off.Usually after a couple of crops theybecame either truthful orcareful,” recalled Miamipioneer Mary DouthitConrad. Ear cropping wasthe punishment in thecase of Crop Ear Charliewho had gotten drunkand divulged forbiddeninformation in the 1870’s.The alcohol stimulatedCharlie to relate an inci-dent to some white drink-ing buddies that incrimi-nated his tribesmen.Charlie told how someyoung Seminole men hadmurdered a settler namedShives and his familyyears before in what wasknown as an “unsolvedmurder.” The news wasso shocking that Charlie’sdrinking buddies feltcompelled to tell theSheriff and the law camedown on the localSeminoles. However,since the murder hadtaken place years beforeand was an isolated case,and since the areaSeminoles had thereto-fore been exemplary citi-zens, the authoritiesdecided to let it go. But,Charlie did not fare sowell. Because he could have caused hispeers to be imprisoned or worse yet pro-voked the whites to rise up against theSeminoles, he was punished by the tribalcouncil and had his ear cropped off.

W. Stanley Hanson of Ft. Myerswas referred to as the “white medicineman” of the Seminoles because of hisclose ties to the Big Cypress group, andhis honorary involvement as a judge for atleast one Seminole council decision whichinvolved capital punishment. In the 1930’sHanson noted that a member of a slainSeminole’s family (clan) had the right totake the life of the killer within four daysof a murder. If the accused killer kept outof sight for 4 days however, he was grant-ed immunity until the next Green Corn

Dance when he could plead his case.However, it was seldom that a murderwould go unpunished if the offender couldbe caught. There were ways around thesystem however. If someone had commit-ted a punishable crime they could hide outuntil the next Green Corn Dance. If theywere able to reach the Corn Dancegrounds undiscovered, they would indeedgo unpunished. It was the Wind clan, whoupheld law and order according to Albertde Vane, an avocational historian whospent much time with the Seminoles inthe 1940’s and 1950’s. The Wind clancould “hunt down and bring to justice anoffender any time throughout the year, oruntil the following Green Corn Dance.”

Capital punishment was alsopracticed by the Florida Seminoles intothe twentieth century. Most murdererswere considered candidates for capitalpunishment, but incest was also punish-able by death. Incest, as it applied to theSeminoles’ matrilineal kinship system,meant having relations with a person ofyour own clan. This was considered aserious crime, as it undercut the importantbasic kinship system on which the culturewas based. Miscegenation or having achild outside the Seminole gene pool wasalso punishable by death for the motherand the child. By the 1920’s the motherwas apparently exempted, as a couple ofinstances in the 1920’s show. However,

the children of such relations were stillkilled at least as late as the 1920’s and atserious risk until the 1940’s. Betty MaeJumper and her brother Howard were thefirst half breed Seminole children toescape being killed in the 1920’s.

Offences of a more minor nature,but nonetheless punishable were slothful-ness (not assuming one’s share of thedaily camp regimen), drunkenness, shirk-ing of marital responsibilities, acting in away that the Seminole cultural mores con-sidered to be abnormal or indiscreetwhich included: boasting, ambitiousbehavior, or in Charlie’s case, discussingthings that he shouldn’t with outsiders.Signing documents, a tribal taboo well

into this century, might also come underthat ruling. Individuals who were repeatoffenders of non capital punishable crimescould find themselves on death rowbecause the minor punishments and coun-seling did not seem to have an effect. Theintervention of tribal medicine to effect acure for disruptive behavior was also veryimportant to the process of integrating theperson back into the graces of the tribe. Aperson who had been condemned to dieby the Tribal Council was given time tosettle his affairs before he was put todeath. — Reflections 188

BRIGHTON — On March 23the Billy Osceola Memorial Library onthe Brighton Reservation opened its new,glass-etched doors to a spacious expandedfacility which more than doubles its size.One side is able to accommodate the juve-nile materials and resources and there is anicely furnished new adult section with aquiet reading and meeting area.

The United Methodist Volunteersin Mission, represented by their Seminolemember, Mabel Haught, graciously spon-sored this undertaking. However, comple-tion of the two-year project was not possi-ble without the additional assistance ofthe Chairman’s office, Councilman JackSmith Jr. and his staff, Ray Collier and hisconstruction crew as well as the manyMethodist volunteers.

An official inauguration will takeplace in the near future, but until then thelibrary is welcoming everyone to checkout this beautiful new facility and the sev-eral hundred new books that recentlyarrived.

The Hollywood Dorothy ScottOsceola Memorial Library also hasreceived lots of new titles to browse or

check out, and the computer lab now hasall 12 PCs hooked up to the Internet. Thelibrary staff encourages anyone to comeover to read or use the computers.Instruction is available for novices andthere are several fun typing programsavailable for adults or kids to practicekeyboard skills.

Big Cypress Willie FrankMemorial Library is keeping most of itsnew books in boxes, waiting for theupcoming move to a spacious first floorlocation in the new office complex sched-uled to open soon. Immokalee hasn’tbeen left out either, because plans havestarted for the construction of a new com-munity building, which will include alibrary. In the mean time Immokalee staffare busy with new music classes as wellas evening adult and junior scrabble con-tests.

Contact your individual librariesby phone, e-mail or just drop by to read,explore, study or surf! Also, look forLibrary Summer Program information inthe next Tribune.— Submitted by Diane Diaz, Librarian

Seminoles And Law And OrderPART 1

By Barbara SecodyHOLLYWOOD — Gladys and Pepper are their names

– and saving souls is their game! It seems like they have beenaround forever, and for some – they have. For 34 years the twomissionaries have been permanent fixtures on the Seminolereservation. They are two of the most highly respected andrevered non-Seminole residents ever to reside among theSeminole people.

Gladys, who is currently 84 years young, was born andraised in Naples, New York. The only girl in a family of sixchildren began singing gospel music with her five brothers.They soon began touring theUnited States as the WigdenFamily Gospel Singers. Alongthe way, she was introduced toShirley Antone, matriarch ofthe original Antone FamilySingers. She also met theSonny Claus Family as well asother Native American singinggroups who preached and sangalong the gospel music circuit.Gladys quickly connected withthese wonderful people, whoeventually would be herstrength during the most diffi-cult years of her life.

Meanwhile, PepperHarris, a long-time acquain-tance of Gladys (since 1945),was residing in Millville, NewJersey. She graduated fromKings College with aBachelor’s degree in 1956 -after successfully completing Pine Brook Bible College in PineBrook, New Jersey. They stayed in touch through the years andmet for visits when both schedules permitted.

By the mid sixties, the last of Gladys’ family had passedon, leaving her to continue on alone with their music ministry. Itwas at that time she was reunited with Shirley Antone, whoinvited her to accompany them to Hollywood, Florida wherethey were scheduled to sing for the Seminole people at theMekusukey Baptist Church. She decided to join them on theirvisit, where she met other Seminole Christian people. Shelearned of the great need for missionaries here, and vowed topray for guidance.

Eventually Joe Billie, of Brighton, who had met Gladysthrough the Antone Family, extended an offer for her to comeand minister to the people of the Brighton reservation. Sheagreed to come; and made a commitment to help in any way theLord would lead her. However, Joe passed on prior to herarrival, before informing his successor, Dick Bowers, of his invi-tation. So when Gladys arrived, everyone was confused for ashort time about where she was really needed the most.

It was 1967, and Betty Mae Jumper was the Chairmanof the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Betty Mae, already a devoutChristian herself, received word of the situation, and requestedthat Gladys come to Hollywood. When the two spoke, she con-vinced Gladys that Hollywood had the most urgent need – espe-cially in regards to the young people. After meeting with Pastor Bill Osceola, it was decided thatGladys would reside on the Hollywood reservation, where she

would help wherever she was needed. She was provided amobile home, which was set up behind the Mekesukey BaptistChurch.

Gladys, with her kind and gentle ways, immediatelybonded to many of the people as she began teaching music to theyoung people. She made herself available for anyone who need-ed spiritual guidance. Some just wanted to talk about their prob-lems – everyone trusted her. She offered spiritual guidance tothose who were troubled and turned away no one.

Through the years, her unfaltering example was thebasis for many coming to the Lord to serve. She fed the people

spiritually and even fedthose who had no food.Gladys would give any-thing she had to someonein need and, by 1969, shefound herself over-whelmed with her musicteaching and ministrywork.After consulting with

Pastor Osceola and thechurch Elders, she con-tacted long-time friendPepper who was workingin New Jersey. She invit-ed Pepper to come andvisit – sharing with herthe great need for mis-sionary work among theSeminole people. Peppereagerly agreed to come,and took up residencewith Gladys in her trailer

behind the church. Her services as a teacher and her rapportwith the young people took her back and forth betweenHollywood, Brighton and the other reservations.

Pepper eventually began to tutor the children at the oldDorothy S. Osceola Building, located near the Hollywood gym.There, the children would come in after school and she wouldspend time daily with them – helping them with their school-work, and counseling those with problems. She too, soonbecame a trusted friend to the Seminole people.

Through the years, Gladys and Pepper have done muchfor the Seminole people, and have been accepted by many – aspart of the family.

Thirty-four years later, the two missionaries are stillspreading God’s word and are still committed to the Seminolepeople. In an emotional ceremony held on April 10 inHollywood, they were bestowed with one of the greatest honorsthey had ever received. (See Chickee Christian Academy story.)

Gladys and Pepper both worked tirelessly in theirefforts to help the Chickee Church realize their dream of startinga Christian school on the Seminole reservation – after all it hadalways been their dream as well.

Although the ladies were totally stunned by the dedica-tion service – which had been a well-kept secret up until the timeof the actual announcement by Rev. Arlen Payne, they were hon-ored by the gesture. Although they are not able to get around toas many functions as they would like, they are still going strongand are still there for the people – their people - now and always.

Gladys A. Wigden And H. Pepper Harris:

First Ladies Of Seminole Christian Ministry

Pepper (L) and Gladys pose with Pastor Payne.

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By Barbara SecodyHOLLYWOOD — The Chickee

Independent Baptist Church on theHollywood reservation, like many of itsmembers, has evolved from humblebeginnings. At one time, it was simplyknown as “the little Chickee Church at thecorner.”

The one-room “chickee” - (theMikasuki word for house) - served as atemporary facility for the new church,which only had a handful of members atthat time. Today, the congregation, whosepopulation has grown to great numbers,enjoys a beautiful doublewide mobilebuilding – located right next door to theoriginal building – and is now known asthe Chickee Independent Baptist Church.The little chickee is now gone it willalways remain dear in the hearts of thoseit served for so many years.

The history of the ChickeeChurch dates back to 1983, when circum-stances dictated the need for a new churchto serve the Hollywood community.Several of the members began the processit would take to start in a new church. Thegroup prayed for spiritual guidance andprayed for a sign that they were doingGod’s will. They began to move forwardwith the idea, and were able to acquireland located at the corner of 64th Avenueand Osceola Circle. It didn’t take long torealize that no money was available forthe purchase of a building to house a newchurch, so the decision was made to con-struct a chickee, which would temporarilyserve as their new place of worship.

Ronnie Doctor, who was an inde-pendent chickee builder, gathered hisworkers together, and with the help ofmany of the other men in the group, beganconstruction as soon as the necessarypaperwork was completed. Even theladies pitched in and everyone did theirpart. They worked hand-in-hand for longhours each day until the beautiful chickeewas completed in 1984.

Dr. Lew Stewart, who was aretired preacher from Pennsylvania,accepted the invitation to serve as the pas-tor of the new church - which immediate-ly started drawing in new members. Forseven years, he led the congregation and

preached at the little church until he wasforced to leave – due to his wife’s healthproblems. Her illness would requiremuch of his time, so with great sadness inleaving the church he had helped grow,and the people he had come to love, heresigned.

In 1991, Rev. Arlen Payne filledthe vacancy as pastor of the church, whichwas now growing larger each week.Eventually, the little chickee became toosmall to accommodate the large congrega-tion, and the decision was made that alarger building must become their numberone priority.

Several members approachedChairman James Billie, and pleaded theircause. The Chairman assisted them intheir acquisition of a new building, and inthe summer of 1994, the congregation cel-ebrated the dedication of the new building– which was placed next door to the littlechickee. With a bigger building, came abigger name. They became known as theChickee Independent Baptist Church.

This summer will mark the tenthanniversary of Rev Payne’s service to thechurch as pastor. He, wife Lana, and chil-dren Sara, Rachael and James haveenjoyed living among the Seminoles andare well liked by the members.

Rev. Payne has done much dur-ing his tenure as pastor. He was instru-mental in the planning and implementa-tion of the concept to bring in a Christianschool to the Hollywood reservation.Church members say that he has goneabove and beyond his duties as pastor, andhas always been there for the people.They look forward to a long, continuedrelationship between the Payne family andthe Seminole people.

Visitors and new members arewelcome to the church, which always hassomething exciting happening. “Sing-spi-rations,” revivals, dinners, (dinners…din-ners… and more dinners), birthdays andmuch more are celebrated. One memberstated, “If there is nothing in particular tocelebrate, we make up something to cele-brate: but we always celebrate something– especially our salvation and the manyblessings the Lord has bestowed upon us.”

Bigger building with bigger name.

Chickee Independent BaptistChurch Recalls Humble Beginning

Tom Billie, John Willie, and Billy Motlow. Elders and Councilmen were responsible for decisionsconcerning the welfare of tribal individuals.

Deidre Hall with museum attendant Linda Frank.

Seminole Libraries On TheMove – Growing Inside And Out

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The Seminole Tribune 4 May 4, 2001

By Barbara SecodyHOLLYWOOD — As prayers are being

answered in a big way at the Chickee Church on theHollywood reservation, one block in that yellow brickroad to advancement has been the addition of KiKiShaller to the congregation. KiKi, who serves as an assis-tant to the Pastor, Rev. Arlen Payne – also wears manyother hats these days. She serves as Special ProjectsDirector/Independent Consultant and art instructor for theChickee Church Academy (CCA). In fact, KiKi has beeninstrumental in the success of the inception of the newschool, which was recently dedicated.

A whirling ball of energy, KiKi, with her con-stant warm smile and sparkling dark eyes, has been aGodsend to the church and school with her multi-talentedskills and contributions to the children and youth. Shehas a background in the arts - and even more experiencein public relations, which she has used to benefit the cur-riculum at the academy.

KiKi teaches an art class for the students at theschool, which includes multi-media, clay artistry and the-ater. She has recently started the Resurrection EnsembleTheater, comprised of the CCA students, who enjoy theexperience of performing before live audiences. Mostrecently the group performed at the dedication of the newschool, and presented a one-act play aptly entitled “ThatMorning After”, which was written and director by KiKi.

Since becoming involved in theater projects, the stu-dents have gained more self-esteem and have been able to con-quer their shyness and hesitations to speak in front of people.

KiKi’s arrival to the church in 1999 came aboutthrough what church members refer to as “divine intervention.”KiKi was searching the Internet for a Christian-based indige-nous group where she could use her expertise to assist in what-ever way she was needed. She came across the Seminole web-site and subsequently got in touch with Rev. Arlen Payne.

Rev. Payne invited her to visit the church, where sheimmediately fell in love with the Seminole people. Not longafter, she began her daily commute from West Palm Beach toHollywood to help out where needed. Church members recallthat she was always available to assist with everything fromadministrative duties assigned by the pastor – to working withthe young people. Help is always needed at the church, as so

many of the members are strapped for time during the daytimehours – due to work or other necessary daily businesses.

Eventually, after a year of commuting betweenHollywood and West Palm Beach, KiKi decided to take up res-idence in Hollywood making her much closer to the church andher work. It was in Hollywood that she met her husband Jim,and the two were eventually married. Jim now also helps outaround the church and school – recently designing the beautifulcertificates presented to the youth for their special achieve-ments.

Church and community members, especially theyouth, feel blessed that KiKi has become a part of what JoannOsceola recently called “the family of God,” and want her toknow that she is greatly appreciated for her unconditional dedi-cation to the church and school. Kudos and Sho-naa-bi-shaa’to KiKi!

By Tommy BennOKEECHOBEE — “Barefoot

Artist” Guy LaBree, Photographer “Borjn’and father and son sculptors Brad and BradCooley Jr — all with long time ties to theSeminole Tribe of Florida — showcasedtheir work at Miss Kitty Raulerson’s“Absolutely Art Gallery” in downtown ear-lier this month.

Arcadia resident Guy LaBreespent much of his time with his Seminolefriends on the Dania(Hollywood)Reservation sleeping in the NativeAmerican’s Chickee, drinking sofkee“These friendships have stayed in my heartand have been the title subject of much ofmy work.”

Swedish born “Borjn” lives in thetiny hamlet of Lakeport where the ‘gladesand Lake Okeechobee have been the centerof much of his work. Honing a special rela-tionship with Florida wildlife, natural habi-tat, native foliage, and Florida native peo-

ple one, the photographer travelels by air-boat ,bass boat, buggy or horseback tomake his camera lens shutter.

The Cooley also use the Seminolesand their local wildlife as subject material.The senior Cooley has been sculpting forover 30 years ; the younger Cooley about10. They start with models carved in clay,hand tooling and covering with latex rub-ber. After a wax impression, the image isdipped into a ceramic plaster and replacedwith molten liquid bronze. Once cooled thecast is removed using a small sculptor’shammer. Voila! Bronze!

The Cooley are presently workingon a special larger than life bronze imageof the great Seminole leader “Sam Jones”.

The evening events also served topromote Raulerson’s Gallery business andto allow the “Friends of the OkeechobeeBattlefield” a forum to promote the savingof the historic landmark.

L/R: Brad Cooley, Cooley Jr., Kelly Raulerson, Guy LaBree, and Shawn Henderson.

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By Tommy BennBIG CYPRESS — Glenn Osceola

has open the newest business on the BigCypress Reservation Osceola’s Feed, RanchSupply and Deli.

A full service Deli with an excel-lent sandwich board serving both hot andcold fare. Soda Fountain with ample seat-ing to enjoy your choices of bill of fare.There is also two (2) regulation sized pooltables for a quick game or two while yourwait for your food being prepared.Osceola’s also has a DRIVE-THRU SERV-ICE offering canned bottled and fountaindrinks candy snacks cookies chips icecream for when you get the munchies.

Glenn tries to keep plenty of feedand hay on hand always for his customerslivestock needs. Caring various (TDN)digestible protein rations to maintain ahealthy well balanced dietfor your individ-

ual animals needs.“ We plan on adding more inven-

tory as our business grows” stated Osceola,adding more animal health products andsupplies horse and dog wormers vet wrapfly spray tick flea collars. Various barn typehardware items, snaps feed and water buck-ets, stock tanks, livestock panels, muckforks racks, shovels, garden supplies.Eventually we hope to have a full line ofsaddle and tack, bits, spurs, ropes fence pli-ers, fence post and fencing materials whatever the rancher might need we will even-tually have.” added Osceola..

Drop in at Osceola’s have sand-wich ,a cold drink, play a game of pool,make yourself at home.

“If you need something special foryour stock let me know and I’ll be morethat happy to get it for you”.Glenn Osceola.

In a hurry? Drive in - drive out with your favorite sub and soda.

Full Service Deli In Big Cypress

Dale Carnegie Graduation

CLASS 6: Yvette Jumper, Charlotte Burgess, Lorene Gopher, Mary Ella Gercak,Charles Hiers, Jr., Ron Padgett, Tasha DeRienzo, Christina Billie, Pauline Good –Highest Award for Achievement, Ciara Billie, Tom Gallagher, Samuel Tommie.

CLASS 7: Anji Walton - Highest Award for Achievement, Grace Holdiness, AlanJumper, Barbara Lukas, Barbara Calisanti, Lizette Jimenez, Lisa Mullennix, AndreaLieberman, Suzanne Jaeger, Catherine Terburgh, Micheal Onco, Glenn Derrick,Hannah Billie, Nathan Gowen, Douglas Smith, Randy Santiago, Stephen Bowers,Janice Osceola, Candy Cypress, Brenda Cypress, Tilde Fleites, Laura Cook, KernCook- Descheene.

Kudos To Kiki

Kiki Shaller accepts dedication from Pastor Payne.

2001 SEMINOLE PRINCESSJUDGES LUNCHEON:Chairman James Billie was thehost for the 2001 SeminolePrincess judges luncheon at TheClewiston Inn on March 30.Almost every judge was able toattend and they all receivedlovely plaques with theSeminole Princess DesireeJumper and the Junior MissSeminole flanking theChairman with the great back-drop of the August evening.Desiree Jumper gave a shortsynopsis of what she’s beendoing these past six months asthe Tribe’s princess. Her speechwas wonderful and full of greatanecdotes on her adventures.

BIG CYPRESS — On April 16,while many students were sleeping in or watch-ing TV on their day off from school, approxi-mately 20 students from the BrightonReservation traveled to Big Cypress to learnabout archaeology, medicinal plants, and waterresources. The students and their chaperoneswere hosted by the Tribe’s Water ResourceManagement Department and AH-TAH-TI-KIMuseum, which haves provided similar pro-grams for the past several years.

This year’s trip was also a chance toshow the students the international significanceof their homeland by hosting members of theEverglades-Pantanal Initiative (EPI), Maria doCarmo Zinato, of the Center for EnvironmentalStudies, and Cecy Oliviera, a Brazilian journal-ist and author of Agua Online. EPI is a jointproject between the Florida Center forEnvironmental Studies and South Americaninstitutes trying to protect the Pantanal fromthe dredging and draining that damaged theEverglades ecosystem. The PantanalMatogrosso, located between Brazil, Paraguayand Bolivia, is very similar to the Evergladesecosystem, and native peoples in that area areconcerned that navagation canals will threatentheir traditional practices will be threatened by the navigationcanals.

Maria do Carmo Zinato, of the Center forEnvironmental Studies, and Cecy Oliviera, a Brazilian journal-ist and author of the Agua Online. Cecy was particularly inter-ested in the cultural importance of the plant and animal specieson Big Cypress and the Tribe’s efforts to protect its waterresources.

The first of three stops was a hammock behind JamesBillie’s pasture. After nearly getting stuck in the sand, the var-ious vehicles made it back tothe beautiful spot, where stu-dents gathered around anarchaeologist employede byofthe AH-TAHHA-TI-KIMuseum, Mr. Bill Steele, tolearn what archaeology cantell us about the past. Mr.Steele , who attended theclass trip, first reminded themthat the most importantresource for understandingtheir history is their elders,and he encouraged them tospeak with their familiesabout how archaeologicalresearch should beis done.Steele then discussed thetools that archaeologists useto understand the past, includ-ing documents, artifacts, and ecofacts (information from thenatural environment). Using artifacts such as a turtle-backscraper and glass bottles, Steele introduced them to the basicprinciples of archaeology, such as design. With the Museumand Mr. Steele’s guidance, the students began to detect clues intheir surroundings: they learned why Indians chose to buildsettlements on high ground, they recognized a settlement siteby nearby citrus plants, and they even helped dig and screenfor artifacts. Sure enough, they found animal bones and apiece of pottery, and from this they learned about long-ago res-idents’ lives.

The whole group piled back into vans and headed fora pine flatwood, where they enjoyed lunch and took a breakbefore their lesson on medicinal plants. Happy Jones identifiedthe names and uses of several important plants, with WillieJohns as her translator. The students had the privilege of learn-ing from an expert, and some shared stories about how Indianmedicine helped them or their families. Jones encouragedthem to learn about medicine plants in order to take care offuture generations.

Finally, it was time to get wet and dirty. Everyoneheaded for the borrow ponds inJames Billie’s pasture that weredug as part of the Wetland ReserveProgram effort to return the area toa thriving wetland. Dr. BillDunson, environmental scientist inthe Water Resource ManagementDepartment, helped students to usethe seining technique – gatheringaquatic organisms with a fine meshnet – as a way to learn about all ofthe life beneath the water surface.Students identified fish, spiders,plants, frogs and insects. After tak-ing some time to swim and play,everyone packed up their just-caught critters and headed back toBrighton.

Willie Johns, BrightonEducation Department, considers

these programs important for teaching Brighton kids abouttheir natural surroundings: “We’re educators. We want ourkids to know about the animals that live with them and theenvironmental differences between reservations.” Bill Dunsonhopes that these programs will help Seminole youth to developa greater appreciation for their own natural world, to “under-stand the incredible beauty of nature” and learn to preserve it.Since most public schools offer very little environmental edu-cation, he believes that tribal departments can and should pro-vide supplementary instruction. Judging from the students’tired but smiling faces, they seem to agree.

Brighton Kids Spend A Day With Nature

Not so bad to get wet and dirty!

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Using the seining technique to identify aquatic organisms.

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The Seminole Tribune 5 May 4, 2001

CCommunity Newsommunity News

BIG CYPRESS — On Monday,April 23, a team of Taiwanese filmmakers rep-resenting Chinese Television Services (CTS)came to film Billie Swamp Safari, the BigCypress community and some of the Tribe’senterprises.

The CTS team first took off on anairboat to visit the cypress domes and otherareas of the wet prairie the Big CypressReservation’s Billie Swamp Safari. Next,James Billie met with the team and exchangedgreeting and phrases in native tongues anddiscovered a Seminole phrase was also aChinese phrase, much to everyone’s surprise.

Off the team flew to the Turtle Farmand Feed Production Plant on the BrightonReservation, then back to Big Cypress for atour of the community. CTS team membersreflected that the viewers of their program willbe pleasantly surprised to see how modern theSeminole Tribe is. According to Suny, thedirector of the series, “this documentary willbreak the concept of what the viewers think ofhow Native Americans live and work as theybelieve Native Americans still live like theIndians in Cowboy and Indian movies”.

The Swamp Water Café offered theteam fry bread with honey, alligator nuggets,frog legs and at fish to sample. They sampledall but liked the catfish and fry bread themost.

To round out the visit, the team wentto the Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum to learn moreof the history and culture of the Seminoles.

CTS has been filming their award-winning documentary show “Wonders of the

World” for twenty years. They have four filmteams circling the globe to film the ongoingprogram and have only been to the U.S. threetimes, including this visit. The program has aviewing audience of over 200 million inTaiwan, Mainland China and the Pacific Rim.

Through TV programs like this, thepromotion and TV show on Nick at Night’s“Wild Thornberries” to a viewing audience of92 million, E! Entertainment Channel’s fea-ture on the Safari to over 52 million viewersand many more like this, Billie SwampSafari’s Marketing Director, Lucy Evanicki,has stretched the reach to layer on top ofadvertising. She has been able to increase rev-enues by an average of 27% per year andaverage of 39% in attendance yearly. Last year’s attendance topped 270,000.

Front Row (l-r) Jill Ching and Vivian Tang “Wonders of the World” show hostesses, BackRow Suny Chen, Director; Wennie Chen, Florida Representative to Taiwan; James Chen,cameraman; Yueng Chung, Director; Jinchieng Ho, cameraman; Lucy Evanicki, MarketingDirector, Billie Swamp Safari.

Chinese TV Selects Billie SwampSafari For “Wonders Of The World”

Yueng Chung, Director with cameramanJinchieng Ho.

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The Seminole Tribune 6 May 4, 2001

Tommy BennOkeechobee — Firerfighters from the

North Florida task force battled to contain a16,500 acer blaze in the Kissimmee PraireState Presserve. The task force is a 21 manfirefighting crew including its crew leader fromNorth Florida where wildfires are not so preve-lent or active as down here in South Floridathis time of year

The Kissimmee Praire State Park fireis believed to be the biggest wildfire the crewhas fought this year.The blaze consumed some16,500 acres.

With the local area going into its thirdyear of drought and the fire weather in extremeover the past week low humidity and highwinds and dry foliage that can be set in flamesin a heartbeat.and their is no break in sight.

The Kissimmee Praire fire may havebeen set by a man burning trash (without a per-mit) As the fire smoldered with the extremedry conditions the fire grew and spread causingthe acerage to burn out of control.

Lightning was the cause of anotherwildfire in Highlands county ealier this Springthat burned a total of 1400 acers The BoardsCattle Project #2 in Highlands County TheParker Island Ranch caught fire due to themuch land which is organic catching on fire bysponranious combustion.

Travel to Brighton Reservation onState Road 78 was closed due to several firesstarted on the Lake Okeechobee Bottomswhere smoke was so great you could notbreath.

Wildfires severity continues duringmuch of the Spring season and as much ofFlorida is as dry as a tinder-box. With no rain-fall perdicted in the immidiate future wildfireactivities are on the rise.

Nearly 2000 wildfires have beenreported and responded to by the DOF thisyear. Their have been loses or damages tosome 250 homes and business all charged tothe account of the numerous brush and wild-fires. Statewide an estimateed 160,000 acreshave gone up in smoke and their is no relief insight.

Proof of the lack of water is therecord low level of Lake Okeechobee under 10feet, compared to last years low of 15 feet.

The Florida State Parks have issued ano burn oor open fire order to campers.Although some parks allow a charcoal fire asthe charcoal usually does not produce any wildflames and can be contained and controlledwithout much effort.

Residence on both Big Cypress andBrighton Reservations have been ask not tohave any open flam fires while this never end-ing drought persist to plege South Florida.

Some elders say that rains will comewihen its time for the Green Corn Dance totake place. The end of May or first of June.Trusting in their wisdom we pray to the breathgiver for it to be so.

Justin Lyttle, Austina Motlow, AshleyHarjo, Gustavus Baker, Sara Payne,Greg Jumper, Ike Jumper, Nick Jumper,Dayne Billie, KiKi Shaller and Rev.Payne. Special thanks were extended toRay Migatz, Judy Baker, Jim Shaller,Yoli Lyttle, Gladys Wigden, PepperHarris, Rachael Payne, Janet Bailey andVivian Delgado for their assistance inthe success of the presentation.

Following the play and intro-duction of students, Rev Payne present-ed special awards and certificates ofappreciation to those who have given somuch of themselves for the benefit ofthe new school. Judy Baker, AshleyHarjo and KiKi Shaller were amongthose who received certificates for theirvaluable contributions. Judy Baker, whomeets with the students each Fridaymorning to teach Indian songs, reiteratedthe need to “give account to theLord…then home.”

Rev. Payne, who also serves as

Head Master of the Academy, gave abrief history of the school. He recalled,that in January of 2000, with the needfor Christian concepts among the youth,he felt the church moving in the direc-tion of a Christian school on the reserva-tion. He prayed with the congregationfor guidance, as they continued to seekHis word. Prayers were soon answeredin the form of the acquisition of twomobile classrooms that would house theacademy.

With the problem of the facilityand location (which is between theChickee Church and the HollywoodClinic) remedied, other needs began tobe mysteriously and miraculously met.New bookcases appeared after voicingthe need for them – and were exactlywhat was required – down to the styleand even color. Still, another bump inthe road hindering operation was the

paucity of furniture anddesks. It was just at thattime when a St. LouisChristian facility - uponhearing of the plight ofthe fledging new school- selected the ChickeeChurch Academy toreceive all of its furnish-ings since it would beclosing its doors perma-nently.

Payne recanted“it was exactly what weneeded – to the desk!”He personally traveled toMissouri to pick up thedonations. Other churchmembers were also rec-ognized for their contri-butions; and Payneacknowledged donationsof their time and skills,which had aided theacademy.

Ray Migatzused his carpentry skills to provide thecarrels in the learning center as well as

other projects in theschool. Pete Baker, Jr.erected a basketballgoal on the quadrangleoutside of the acade-my, so that the stu-dents could enjoysome physical exer-cise during theirbreaks. Patsy Migatzdonated many itemssuch as crayons, artsand crafts items.

With their basicneeds met, theChickee ChristianAcademy opened itsdoors to local studentsin September of 2000,with nearly full enroll-ment. School staffincluded Rev. Payne,Head Master; SaraPayne, Administrator;KiKi Shaller, Special

Projects Director/IndependentConsultant/Arts Instructor;Rachel Payne and SusieBaker, School Monitors;and Special ProjectsStudent Assistants AshleyHarjo, Austina Motlowand Zachary Battiest.The school utilizes the“School of Tomorrow”curriculum, which isgeared for students from4th through the 12thgrades. Individualizedinstruction is provided,and students are promotedaccording to their ownacademic progress. Theschool currently serves 16students, and is takingenrollment applications forthe upcoming year, which

will commence on August 16. (Paynejokingly noted that even though theschool starts earlier than off-reservationschools, there will be more days off – toinclude snow days.)

Finally, the moment many hadwaited for was at hand. A tearful Rev.Payne opened a folder, which containedthe official proclamation declaring thetwo facilities would be dedicated toGladys A. Wigden and H. Pepper Harris.The two ladies sat stunned while it wasread. Rev. Payne, his voice crackingwith emotion, read the proclamation –which acknowledged the years the twomissionaries have spent on the Seminolereservation – literally haven given thepast 34 years of their lives to theSeminole people they so dearly love. Itwas a fitting tribute for the two, whohave remained constant in their faith andtheir dedication to the children andyouth – (many who are now grown andhave families of their own.) MostChristian people on all reservationsattribute their road to salvation and theirpersonal spiritual growth to Gladys andPepper.

There was not adry eye in the build-ing as Gladys andPepper were broughtto the front of thechurch, where twosigns acknowledgedthe honor bestowedupon them. Both -clutching a dampKleenex - were sooverwhelmed, theycould barely speak.Friends and guests –also in tears – brokeinto applause for thetwo. Mr. Ray Migatzsang a touching songcalled “Shepard Boy.”When the song ended,Rev. Payne urged thecongregation toremember, “When wesee a Shepard boy,God sees a king.”

Although the“Open House” was next on theevening’s program, the thought foremoston everyone’s mind was the table ladenwith deserts, beckoning them outsideunder the chickee. After all, that schoolwasn’t going anywhere; so, in traditionalSeminole fashion, everyone made theirway to the goodies. Lots of congratula-tions, food and fellowship were sharedbetween honorees, friends, guests andchurch family.

As the evening waned on, (andpeople wore down), many began to filter- (this reporter waddled) – over to tourthe academy – now dubbed the GladysA. Wigden and H. Pepper HarrisLearning Center.

The academy recently receiveda donation of computers from the SocialSecurity Administration. Upon therefurbishing of the units, they will behoused in one of the learning centerbuildings. The art classroom is filledwith ongoing and completed artworkmade by the students. Several winningcreations were on display, which showedoff the ribbons won by the students atthe recent Tribal Fair. A kitchen, office

and several classroomscomprise the rest of thefacility, which is brightand cheerful – conduciveto a comfortable learningenvironment.

This had indeed been ared-letter day for allthose who had worked sohard to make the newschool a reality. Plans arein the works for futureprojects – such as alunch program. For now,prayers continue for suc-cess and growth. Faithand trust is ongoing, andis constantly rewarded byone miracle after another.

ChickeeContinued from page 1

Fighting Fires In

Kissimmee Park

Pastor Payne with Judy Baker.

Food and fellowship shared.

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$500.00 Valid with J.R.

New Year Savings At Eddie Accardi

Ashley Harjo proudly proclaims “He has risen.”

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The Seminole Tribune 7 May 4, 2001

By Tommy BennBRIGHTON — The Fred Smith

Arena will be the site of the 2001 area “F”4-H Annual Horse Show.The three day showwill be held on May 4th, 5th & 6th. Area “F”consist of a ten county area of 4-H horseclubs. 4-H horse clubs will be participatingfor individual and team points during thethree day event. 4-H club members fromBroward, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry,Lee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach and theSeminole Tribe of Florida.will br going headto head to placement in the 52 horsemanshipclasses offered.

A 4-H er must have placed in thetop 55% percentile to compete in at the stateshow, Riders that do not place in the top55% percentile will not be eligible to partici-pate at the state show. There are no alter-nates allowed from the Area to State Show.

Halter and conformation classes inthree catagories Western, Saddle and Hunter,Showmanship classes, Jr. and Sr. Western, Jrand Sr. Hunter and Jr and Sr. SaddleSeat.Open Trail both Jr. and Sr. divisions.,Western Division classes Western PleasurePony 13.2 hand and under. Western PleasureHorse under 6 years old and over 13.2 handstall.Jr. and Sr. Western pleasure. Jr. and Sr.Western Horsemanship, Western Riding and

Reining Class.Speed Events will follow PoleBending both Jr. and Sr. Barrel Racing bothJr. and Sr classes, The keyhole race andStake Race open classes.Saddle SeatDivision will have three classes Saddle SeatPleasure,saddle Seat Equitation and RoadHack. Hunter Division Pony Hunter HackUnder Saddle.pony under 14.2 hands. HunterUnder Saddle horse over14.2 hand. HuntSeat Equitation 12 and under, and Hunt SeatEquitation 13 and over.Working Hunter over14.2 hands and Pony Working Hunter under14.2 hands. Handy Hunter class two classesof Hunt Seat Equitation both Jr. and Sr. willround out the Hunter Division.Open Classes,Hunter Hack Dressage, Calf Roping andBreakaway Roping will conclude the show.

Stalls are mandatory for all partici-pants spending the night at the rate of $15.00per stallper day.Stall reservations are necessary,shavings (bedding) will be avaliable.

.Congradulations to Sarah Smithfrom Martin County for submitting the win-ning T-shirt design used for this years 4-H T-shirt sale.

Come out and enjoy the Area “F” 4-H Horse Show at the best facilities in SouthFlorida has to offer the Fred Smith Arena.

By Tommy BennBRIGHTON — Board

Representative Alex Johnannounced the Gary Leffew BullRiding Clinic will be held at theFred Smith Rodeo Arena, June 8 –10.

World Champion bullrider Leffew, a resident of SaintMarie, CA, will be making hissecond trip to Florida SeminoleCountry to offer expertise andinstruction to the up-and-comingyoung bull riders in the SouthFlorida Area. Leffew stresses apositive attitude and mental focus,a true desire and a real “want to,”is needed in order to be successfulin bull riding — the most danger-ous of all the rodeo sports events.

The students will learn bywatching themselves on velcro,seeing their mistakes, weaknessand strengths.

The Leffew Clinic is lim-ited to the first twenty students.Tuition is $150.. Please call in byMay 4,2001 to reserve a slot foryourself and to verify you will beparticipating in the clinic. AlexJohns will handle all SeminoleTribe of Florida Tribal citizens’tuition. Call Lisa Osceola for moreinformation at (941)763-4128ext.145.

“A good brood cow will give of herself forher calf.”

By Tommy BennSEMINOLE COUNTRY —The

Tribal cow crews on both the Brighton andBig Cypress Reservations have nearly com-pleted their annual Springtime cattle gather-ing.

Crews under Brighton cow foremanScott “Cotton” Baxley and his Big Cypresscounterpart Joey Henryhave worked most individual Tribal cattle.The workday is hot, long and tiring, exacer-bated by the extreme drought .

The Baxley and Henry crews gatherand drive the cattle to the pens, separate thecows off calves and separate the heifercalves from the bull calves. Any ServiceBulls (breeders) still with the cows arepulled from the herd and shipped to the des-ignated bull pasture, where they will restfrom their 90 to 120 day breeding program.Most days the cow crew will start workingbull calves first, ear-marking them to showownership, giving calfhood vaccinations,worming for internal parasites and drenchingfor pesticides — procedures allowing a bet-ter weight gain for the Tribal sale date in thespring.

When Dr. XXXXX Keen arrives,the adult cows are then worked. Blood fromeach cow is pulled to check for brucellosis,annual health shots are administered, theyare wormed for parasites, drenched to bat-

tlle and repel insects especially the bloodmeal servicers.

With the cows and bull calvesworked and out of the way, the cow crewsthen start on the female calves and theheifers. The heifer calves are run through thecow chute where they are given vaccinationsincluding a calfhood brucelllosis live serum.Their ears are whittled on and they arebranded another way to show ownership.

Dr. Keen will work a herd atBrighton in the morning then travel to BigCypress to work a herd in the afternoon.

Cattle prices have been generallystrong (high) for some time now, but withthe recent drought, ranchers have had to takespecial precautions to protect their invest-ment.

No grass, no water, no rain to a cat-tleman means more work and higher expenseto get your calves to sale weight. A goodbrood cow will give of herself for her calf.Supplemental feeds such as Ampel , goodclean hay, mineral supplements and feedingmolasses protein blocks will ensure a healthycow and a healthy marketable calf.

Buyers expect and demand qualitycalves for their back ground and fed lotoperations. The higher quality calves earn apremium. Our superior base-bred cows,crossed with the Texas-bred black Brangusbulls produce quality energetic hybrid vigorin the off-spring calves. Higher Standardsyield a better calf crop. Better calf cropdemands more money. That’s why we do it.

The Seminole 4-H To Host TheArea “F” 4-H Horse Show

Seminole Spring Round-up

ceeding smoothly. Howard, whose ten-yearanniversary with the hotel came on the day itofficially closed, said the furnishings andequipment have been sold. He also saidmuch of the Indian themed artwork that oncelined the lobby and hallways was stolen inNovember.

Joe Weinberg, Executive VicePresident of Power Plant Entertainment, thedevelopers of the property, gave someinsight into the planning that has led to theclosing of the hotel.

“Currently, theold hotel just takes uptoo much land,”Weinberg said, estimatingthe sprawling hotel com-plex is using approxi-mately 5 acres out of thereservation’s 11 acretotal.

“In order to getthe maximum use out ofthe land, you have to govertical,” he added.“What we’re going to dois make better use of theland and after it’s alldeveloped, it will be a

property that will better serve the needs ofthe Tribe well into the future.”

Weinberg estimates the cost of theTampa project to be approximately $125million, and says the project is scheduled tobe completed 18-20 months after the start ofconstruction.

“The current casino won’t beimpacted by the construction,” Weinbergadds. “There will be no disruption at all.We’ll build a new wing on the existing casi-no and switch the gaming into the new wingwhen we’re ready to close the old building.But, the casino won’t be closed at all duringthis new construction.”

HotelContinued from page 1

older than I: Hannah Howard, DaisyUte and Etta Garza. I have one livingyounger brother: John MacDonald. Allmy siblings have children and grandchil-dren. They are all traditional. I am theonly one with a college education.

Secody: Has your family always sup-ported you in your endeavors – eventhrough the bad times?

MacDonald: All members of my family(brother, sisters and relatives) have sup-ported me in everything I’ve undertakenas a goal, i.e. Schooling, jobs, politicsand of course through all the dark daysof the harassment, the trials and incar-ceration. Their hearts are traditional—the Navajo way to love and help oneanother.

Secody: It seems like you and Wandahave been together forever. When didyou meet and marry?

MacDonald: I met Wanda in 1963when I first returned to the reservationto help then Chairman Raymond Nakaiin organizing his new administration.Wanda and I were married in 1973. \

Secody: I understand that you have fivechildren. Could you tell us about them– for example – their ages, and perhapswhat type of career choices they haveselected for themselves?

MacDonald: The eldest is a daughter,Linda Dailleboust, who is anEnvironmental/Architectural Engineer.She and her husband, Bernie, have threechildren (Bernie, Jr, Jessica & LaRue).Peter (Rocky) MacDonald, Jr. my sec-ond child has a law degree and ispresently teaching and coaching inCalifornia. Emily, Rocky’s adopteddaughter, graduated from and is on thefaculty at Pepperdine University in Ca.Wanda and I have three lovely daugh-ters: Hope, Faith and Charity. Hope ismajoring in International Affairs andultimately plans to get her Masters inInternational Business Management.She and her husband, Clayton LoneTree(a Psychology major) and have two chil-dren, HozhoDesbah (3 yrs old) andNalzhehii (4 mos). Faith (a Marketingand Retailing major) is pursuing a careerin business. Charity (a Fine Arts major)is an artist and is pursuing her career inNew York City.

Secody: I know you are very proud ofyour family. Could you tell us whatinfluenced your decision to enter poli-tics; and when that began?

MacDonald: Poverty and paternalismwas so bad on the reservation plus therewas an inordinate amount of in-fightingand political factionalism within the trib-al leadership. The people drafted me inthe spring of 1970 to run for theChairman of the Navajo Nation. Thatwas the year I officially entered tribalpolitics.

Secody: As you may be aware, JamesBillie is serving in his sixth four-yearterm as Chairman of the Seminole Tribeof Florida. I understand that you alsoserved several four-year terms. Whenwas that?

MacDonald: I served three consecutivefour-year terms (1971-1982) and was re-elected in 1986 to an unprecedentedfourth term.

Secody: In reading many of the editori-als in The Navajo Times, as well ascomments made on a website [regardingyour release], mention is constantlymade about an apology. I was under theimpression that had already happened.Would you please comment on that?

MacDonald: It’s hard to apologizefor being convicted for something youdidn’t do. By letter to Navajo NationCouncil and the People, I did expressmy regrets and sorrow for the turmoilduring that July 20, 1989 incident atWindow Rock.

Secody: While incarcerated, did youhave any correspondence with otherNative Americans?

MacDonald: Yes, I corresponded withmany Native Americans during myincarceration, including many highschool and college students.

Secody: Do you feel that NativeAmericans are being treated fairly in theUnited States (Federal) prisons?

MacDonald: There are two things verywrong with respect to how NativeAmericans are treated in Federal pris-ons: A) We (Native Americans) are theonly “citizens” of America being singledout to be prosecuted and sentencedaccording to federal laws for offensescommitted on the reservation. All othercitizens are prosecuted and sentencedaccording to home (State) laws. Federal sentencing guidelines are stifferand without parole provisions. Thereby,Native Americans are serving longerterms for similar offenses prosecuted inState courts. Tribal Courts should beallowed to prosecute all felony offenseson the reservation. B) Native religiouspractices are very restricted in federalprisons. The only practice allowed issweat lodge once each week.

Secody: Were you personally treatedwith respect?

MacDonald: I personally was treated nodifferently than other federal inmates,except that I was classified as a HighProfile prisoner that are watched more

closely by prison officials.

Secody: Did you ever have any corre-spondence with Leonard Peltier? Doyou feel he should be released after allthe years he has served in prison?

Macdonald: I never met LeonardPeltier, nor did I correspond with him.In Federal prison, an inmate cannot cor-respond with another inmate. Yes, I dobelieve Leonard Peltier should bereleased for two reason: 1) He hasserved enough time for what he wasaccused of doing, 2) there’s a big ques-tion mark as to his guilt.

Secody: Regarding President Clintoncommuting your sentence: Did you per-sonally ever have contact with him?

MacDonald: No, I did not have anycontact with President Clinton. My wifeand others supporters made personalcontact with President Clinton askinghim to release me.

Secody: Did your family ever personal-ly meet the President?

MacDonald: Yes, my wife and otherfamily members met and/or made con-tact with President Clinton.

Secody: How did your situation reachthe former President?

MacDonald: Through many channelsand many individuals. My family,friends and supporters reached PresidentClinton’s heart. Reaching thePresident’s heart was not without somedifficulty – there were those (like USAttorney and some politicians) whowere actively opposing my release.

Secody: What date were you given thenews that you would be going home?One can only imagine how that musthave felt.

MacDonald: On January 20, 2001 – theday President Clinton was turning thepresidency over to George W. Bush, atprecisely 10:10am Fort Worth time. Iheard on NPR news that my name wasamong those given clemency byPresident Clinton – about three hoursbefore he left office. What a thrill itwas!!

Secody: What date did you returnhome?

MacDonald: I returned home the nextday (January 21), although I wasreleased on the 20th - two hours afterhearing the news. I spent the night inWaco, TX at a friend’s house then flewback home with my wife, daughter andher husband.

Secody: I’m sure your homecoming wasa very emotional time. How did youfeel when you first set foot on Navajosoil for the first time in so many years?

MacDonald: Yes, my homecoming wasvery emotional – I was overcome by thedisplays of love, outpouring of respectand joy. I felt numb and was in disbe-lief that I was actually out and with myfamily, my people and the land I dearlylove within the Four Sacred Mountains.Eight and a half years are a very longtime away from home.

Secody: While in office, did you everconsider ‘gaming’ as a means for finan-cial advancement for the Navajo people?

MacDonald: Yes, in 1971, shortly afterI took office we undertook a feasibilitystudy to put a “casino/resort” along thesouth shores of Lake Powell (on Navajoland). We were to partner with two ofthe leading casinos in Las Vegas. Thiswas long before any Native Americantribes even considered Bingo as anadjunct to their economic development.This venture didn’t get off the groundbecause the State of Arizona was raisingso much fuss about it and since it wasn’tone of our priority items, we discontin-ued the efforts.

Gaming was never an optionfor us Navajo during my tenure asChairman. Reasons are numerous – justto mention a couple: a) our locationdoesn’t lend itself to a super or megarevenue generating operation. In fact,we would be subjecting majority of ourown people to support the gaming on thereservation. Resort type casino up thelake along Lake Powell would haveto be exclusive for High Rollers.Revenue projection weren’t all thatgreat, but pleasure and fun at the resortwould provide some employment. Theentertainment factor would’ve been theprimary reason for having casinos.

Secody: I can understand how that mayhave been so back then, but with somany other tribes today enjoying such afinancial gain and huge success throughgaming – for example, theMashantucket-Pequot, Seminole andMiccosukee) – do you feel that the‘Nation’ should re-consider the issue?The people have always voted down theidea, is that because the demographicsof the reservation?

MacDonald: Yes, I know a number ofsmaller tribes really hit it off well finan-cially, especially those whose marketareas have millions of people within 50-60 miles radius. The fact that their casi-nos are generating mega bucks andthere’s only a few of them making it sogood and successful. No, I don’t thinkNavajos should reconsider gaming, atleast not in the near future. Navajoshave 18 million acres of land (largerthan many eastern states). The land isrich in beauty and resources; genuineeconomic development in the trillions ofdollars is there. These are non-contro-versial economic development venturesfor future generations.

If the Navajo were to authorizegaming of one sort or another, the tribemay gain some employment, butfinancial returns would be a wash:because, to make it attractive, like small-er tribes, per capita distribution, gaminghas to generate enough revenue per yearto make per capita payments meaning-ful. There are more than 250,000Navajo. For each Navajo to receive$10,000 per year (small amount compar-ing to smaller tribes), gaming must gen-erate a net income of $2.5 billion peryear. This is unrealistic for the area.

Taking care of the addicts (and,it is addictive!) will cost the tribe addi-tional money to treat and care for themand their families. Even if just one per-cent of the population (2500) is addict-ed, they and their dependents will needhelp to the tune of 75 to 100 million dol-lars per year. I applaud the small tribesfor their success, especially those inlarge non-Indian population areas. Theyshould use their financial success to buyback lands taken from them and pursueother economic development ventures.

Secody: I understand, at one time, youwere writing a book. Did you ever doso? Do you sanction the publication byCelia Bland and W. David Baird. Areeither of them Native American?

MacDonald: Yes, I wrote a book in1992 titled, “The Last Warrior”.Published by Crown Publishing. Thebook is out of print now. I am workingon a revised edition along with threeother books. I do not know Celia Blandand W. David Baird. I have never readtheir publications on Native Americans,but I hear they are less than credible. Ithas been my experience that historicalrecords embodied in books, journals ornewspapers written by non-Native writ-ers give an inadequate view of whyNative Americans make decisions asthey do—with exception of a few. It isdifficult for non-Native writers orresearchers to report an important Indianevent or court action and fully capturethe flavor of the story. No, I don’t knowif either of them are Native Americans.

Secody: Do you intend to write a bookabout your experiences – the eventswhich have taken place in your life overthe past decade?

MacDonald: Yes, some day I intend towrite a book about my experience withso-called “justice” in America.

Secody: Being aware of how cruel theworld of politics can be, would you rec-ommend any of your children to pursuea career in politics?

MacDonald: I would never push any ofmy children to pursue a career in poli-tics. I think they know and understand,more than others, the thankless characterof political life. There are many otherways to render public service, which canbe satisfying to the soul. However, ifone or two of my children decided topursue politics I’ll support them with allthe knowledge I’ve gained in that arena.

Secody: Have you attended public func-tions, and how have the people receivedyou? I’m sure you have received mixedreactions, but do you feel that the major-ity of the Dine’ want to move on andrestore harmony within the ‘Nation’?

MacDonald: Yes, I’ve been attendingsome public functions at the invitationof communities. Of course, I can’taccept all invitations due to my health. Iam just overwhelmed by the outpouringof love by the people – elders, youngpeople, even the toddlers. Yes, I believethere’s a big sigh of relief knowing that Iam home with my family, my relativesand my people – back within the FourSacred Mountains. Harmony is beingrestored and the future looks good.

Secody: I would think that Wanda’stenacious plight for your release andconstant support has earned the respectof even those non-supporters. Don’tyou feel that she and the rest of yourfamily were instrumental to your home-coming?

MacDonald: Yes, absolutely. Wandanever wavered nor gave up. She contin-ued to give strength to all by carryingherself as a First Lady who gave credi-bility, honor and respect to the effort.There is also no doubt in my mind thatthe strength and determination of myfamily had much to do with my release.Our girls toiled, never lost faith, andreached out to others for help–keepingmy spirits up by their constant visits!They deserve Nobel Peace prize forhumanity and justice.

Secody: Well, now the question oneveryone’s mind is - what are your plansfor the future? Is politics out of thequestion – at least for now?

MacDonald: Spend time with my fami-ly, relatives, friends and The People.Enjoy the beauty of Navajoland and visitother Native Americans. I would alsolike to lend advice and counsel to theyoung and wherever requested—helpmy people and other tribes with theirefforts to become self-sufficient and pre-serve their culture and tradition. I don’tsee politics in my future. I have dili-gently and lovingly given half of myproductive life to politics and the serviceof my people.

Secody: Mr. MacDonald, we thank youfor sharing with us, and can only stressour best wishes for a happy future toyou and your family. Again, welcomehome.

MacDonald: Thank you. Again, mybest wishes to all the people of theSeminole Tribe, and congratulations onyour successful ventures.

MacDonaldContinued from page 1

Gary Leffew attempts to score in Mutton Busting.

Tom

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Gary Leffew Bull Riding Clinic

Don t forget Mom...

Mothers DaySunday, May 13

The Seminole Tribune 8 May 4, 2001

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ing their tribes for the coveted title ofMiss Indian World. Competition, asalways, was fierce but friendly andinvolved days of public speaking, person-al interviews, dancing and talent presenta-tions culminating Saturday night with thecrowning. This year’s winner was KeAloha Alo – White MountainApache/Hawaiian/Samoan.

Irene Bedard, who arrived at thecrowning ceremony on the back of aHarley-Davidson driven by husbandDenny Wilson, was special emcee for thetalent competition and crowningceremony. Bedard, Inupiaq/FrenchCanadian Cree whose native nameis Goodiarook, has multiple movieand television credits to her name.Her latest film role was as Abbey inthe 2001 release Greasewood Flat.

Bedard is probably bestknown as the voice of Pocahontasin the 1995 Disney animated movieof the same name. She reprised therole again in Pocahontas II:Journey to a New World (1998).She also played the role of SuzySong in the 1998 Smoke Signals.

Other famous Native per-formers at GON included FlautistWilliam Gutierrez, Star Nayea andher band, Robert Mirabal and hisband, Clandestine, SherryMarquelle, Native Roots (perform-ing Native Reggae), and the Nativefemale trio Ulali.

Those honored this year ashead staff included Ardell Scalplock(Alberta, Canada) Head ManDancer, Tracey Ann Moore (Otoe-Missouria/Osage/Pawnee/Sauk/Fox)Head Lady Dancer, Thomas Caine

(Ojibwa) Head Northern Dance Judge,Greg Vickers (Wichita, KS) HeadSouthern Dance Judge, Gordell Wright(Southampton, NY) Head Northern DrumJudge, Walter Ahhaitty (HaciendaHeights, CA) Head Southern Drum Judge,Isaiah Bob (Navajo) Head Young ManDancer, and Ferran Poafpybitty-Tootoosis(Comanche/Cree) Head Young LadyDancer.

Head staff announcers wereSammy ‘Tonekei’ White (Kiowa), whoreceived a special lifetime achievementaward “Powwow Announcer of the PastCentury,” Dennis Bowen (Tuba City, AZ),Roy Track (Phoenix, AZ), and Vince Beyl(Bemidji, MN). Arena Directors wereRandy Medicine Bear (Rosebud Sioux)

and George ‘Crickett’ Shields(Pawnee/Otoe/Missouri/Sioux). HeadGourd Dance Singer was Louie SheridanSr. (Omaha).

This year’s Northern Drum win-ner was Walking Buffalo (Big River-FirstNation, Canada) – 2000 World Class

Northern Champs. Southern Drumwinner was Bad Medicine (Tribeunknown).

More than 700 tribesfrom the U.S. and Canada wererepresented in the over 3,000dancers, singers and drums. Thecontests continued until the weehours Sunday morning – too latefor this reporter, who had an 8a.m. flight, to stick around for thefinal results. Look in the nextissue of the Tribune for a completewinners list.

Bowlers also had anopportunity to show their stuff atthe All Indian BowlingTournament held April 27 – 29 atHoliday Bowl. Although held forseveral years now by directorLucille Nadborne (Isleta) thisyear’s event was renamed the 1stAnnual Isleta Casino and ResortBowling Tournament afterNadborne was able to secure sponsorship(and $2,000 in added prize money) fromthem.

Seminole bowlers made up about60 percent of the competitors this yearmaking them the largest tribe represented.Some of the higher scores and bowlersincluded Rosie Billie – 209, PatriciaWilcox – 232, Moses ‘Moke’ Osceola –222 and 211, Remus Griffin – 234 and229, Miguel Cantu – 220, Elbert Snow –

202 and 200, Danny Jones – 256 and 201,Phil Bowers – 205, Joyce Jumper – 206,Alfreda Musket – 206 and MonicaCypress – 199.

All scores and averages must beverified before prizes are awarded.Nadbourne said it would be three to fourweeks before bowlers will receive theircash. A complete list will be published inthe Tribune when available.

Seminole contestant Desiree Jumper (center) waiting for results.

GatheringContinued from page 1

Emmceed Irene Bedard introduced contestants.

Just before they announced the winners, the contestants lined up to enter the arena.

Miss Indian World contestants participate in the dance portion of the contest.

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The Seminole Tribune 9 May 4, 2001

SPORTSSPORTS

HOLLYWOOD — ShelbyOsceola and Roy Stewart have qualifiedfor the Florida Junior Rodeo AssociationState Finals scheduled for May 18 – 19, atthe Volusia County Fair Grounds inDeland, FL.

In order to qualify for the Finals,students must amass enough pointsthrough competition results, as well asmaintaining a 1.8 GPA in school.

Shelby, a 12-year-old, sixth grad-er at Hollywood Christian School, quali-fied for three events, while maintaining a3.5 GPA. Shelby will compete in barrelracing, goat tying and pole bending.

Roy Stewart, 10, a fifth grader atDriftwood Elementary, will compete in

steer riding. Roy, an honor roll student,won his first FJRA rodeo in Zolfo Springson April 21 – 22.

“Roy was the only rider to coverhis bulls on both days,” said DavidDeHass, manager of the Hollywood HorseClub. “He was big time excited. This ishis first time he has qualified for theFinals, and he has a shot at winning.

“Shelby has really improved.Last year, she only qualified for oneevent. This year, she qualified in three-our-of-five events. It’s a big improvement.I’m proud of both of them.”

Three other Seminole ridersqualified for the Finals in competition, butfailed to be the grade requirement.

By E. TigerBIG CYPRESS — Friday

March 30, the First Annual Noah JimmieBass Tournament was held out on the BigCypress Reservation for Tribal citizensand employees. Anglers who fished in thetwo-day tournament faced strong winds,which had blown in from the west on thefirst day, giving those who chose watersnorth of the alley nothing more than a netfull of problems. Murky waters, strongwinds, and recent lowered water levelsadded to the already tough fishing condi-tions for the first day.

“It was a tough day of fishing onthe canal. We fished the canal as slowlyas possible with the wind and rain condi-tions. It felt like we were on the oceanand not the canal – it was so windy. Wedid manage to catch a couple of keepersfor weigh in, and we did have one goodfish on but I guess it wasn’t supposed tobe our day. I did also manage to find outwhere both the two Tiger teams’ secretspot was, which helped me fare a littlebetter on the second day,” commented BigCypress angler Chris Osceola.

Anglers who did produce fishwith the added weight needed to positionthemselves in first and second places dur-ing the opening day of the tournamentfished areas west of the canal systemwhere the weather conditions were a littlemore favorable. Deeper waters and lesswind gave anglers who chose these areasadded opportunities, which other anglerseast of the canal did not have.

The Sonny and Bronson Tigerteam, who fished these areas during thefirst day said, “We caught fish all daylong, we didn’t have any problems withthe wind. We just worked on producingthe best stringer for weigh-in.” Theyweighed in at 27’8’’ pounds for the firstday.

Weather conditions for the sec-ond day of fishing improved dramatically,with the help of a more ideal starting timefor anglers who left dock at first light.Lesser winds and clearer water improvedanglers fishing opportunities by at leastfifty percent giving anglers who did notfare well on day one a chance to catch upand position themselves to take over firstand second places.

The father and son team ofGeorge and Jason Grasshopper, who werein second place after the first day, stayedwith what they knew and fished similarlocations which had produced fish theprevious day. This move gave them theneeded weight (27’8”) to secure a thirdplace spot.

Anglers Ernie Tiger and JasonDiCarlo made changes in their game planfor the second day. They fished areas westof the L-28 canal where deeper watershelped to bring them up from sixth placeto second with a final day weigh in at28’4’’ – just slipping by the Grasshopperteam.

“We really had a bad first day offishing, we got knocked around by windmost the day. We decided to fish a moreisolated spot with lesser winds and deeperwaters, which help us produce the fish,”commented the Tiger/DiCarlo team.The L-28 canal interceptor did not leaveall teams emptied handed. Team Noah andKeno made the ranks from this canal cap-turing fourth position at 27’4” trailing theGrasshopper team by a mere 1’4.” Theteams’ persistence, patience and skill helpthem fight Mother Nature’s worst odds,which had plagued them in the canalthroughout the tournament.

Fifth place winners – Philmonand Remus (25’9’’), sixth place – Frankand Mario (23’9’’), and seventh place –Chris and Hank (22’4’’) were also wonfrom L-28 canal. Tournament founder Noah Jimmie award-ed biggest fish money and fishing tackleto all who placed. After the last weigh-in,Jimmie invited all the fishermen to acookout prepared especially for them fortheir participation in making the firstevent a huge success.

For The Record: Biggest Fish:1st place – Bronson and Sonny 5’9”, 2ndplace – Remus and Philmon 5’8”, 3rdplace – Rick and Fred 5’4”. Final DayWeigh in: 1st place – Sonny and Bronson38’8”, 2nd place – Ernie and Jason 28’4”,3rd place – Jason and George 27’8”, 4thplace – Noah and Keno 26’4”, 5th place –Philmon and Remus 25’9”, 6th place –Frank and Mario 23’9”, 7th place – Chrisand Hank 22’4”

By Janice BillieBIG CYPRESS — As part of the N.A.Y.O. weekend

celebration in Big Cypress an arena flag football game was heldat the Herman Osceola Memorial Gym on the evening of April12.

The Miami Dolphins versus The World game, organizedby Alan Wilhem of All Pro and Jack Gorton of Big CypressRecreation, is the first arena flag football game for this organiza-tion. All Pro, is a group of former professional athletes broughttogether by Wilhem to play basketball or softball to help raisemoney for charity groups, high schools and others in need. Onlyrecently has arena flag football been added to their roster ofsports and Big Cypress was their first venue.

Played on the basketball court with five players perteam, the game is quick and mainly sticks to a passing strategy.Each team gets four plays to score, starting with a hike at thecourt foul line. After a touchdown, extra points are played fromeither three yards for one point or six yards for two. These twoteams didn’t take the competition lightly. They ran, threw anddived for passes like it was super bowl training week.

The cheering audience consisted of Tribal citizens andmembers of the players’ families. The players for the Dolphinsincluded Jim Kiick, Lorenzo Hampton, Jim Jensen, E.J. Junior,Darrel Malone, Billy Milner and Jim Mertens. Whereas theDolphins were all former Dolphins, The World was made up ofplayers from various NFL teams, such as, Neal Colzie/Raiders,Eddie Hill/Rams, Rene Thompson/Giants, HarveyClayton/Steelers and Evan Cooper/Eagles. All the players werein fine form physically and socially. During halftime they tooktime to talk to people, sign autographs and pose for pictures withmany of the attendees.

The game was a great exhibition of sportsmanship andfun. It was evident the players enjoyed the action and were deter-mined to win. The score was close throughout the game and thecrowd got caught up in the excitement. After four quarters ofplay the Dolphins and The World were tied at 42-42 with lessthan a minute to play. Sticking with their dodge and scrambleapproach, The World scored on a winning pass to beat theDolphins 48-42. It was a bit of a disappointment to the Dolphinsand their fans but ultimately it was all in good spirit and theevent was fun to watch.

By Janice BillieBIG CYPRESS — The annual

Native American Youth OrganizationBasketball Tournament was hosted by theSeminole Tribe this year at Big Cypressand Immokalee on April 13-14. Thisorganization of Eastern Tribes has been inexistence for over ten years and is a high-light of the Native tournament circuit. Thehost state is on a rotating schedule and theage limit is 17 years and under for malesand females..

With a roster of thirty teamsvying for the coveted championship ofthis renowned tournament, there was plen-ty of edge of the seat, white knuckle,explosive basketball to be enjoyed. Teamsrepresenting Poarch Creek from Alabama,Iroquois from New York, Cherokee fromNorth Carolina, Choctaw fromMississippi, and of course Seminole andMiccosukee from Florida all displayed anamazing amount of talent, skill, and adrive to win.

Big Cypress, Hollywood,Immokalee and Trail had teams represent-

ing Florida but unfortunatelywere eliminated in the third andfourth rounds. Big CypressRecreation, coached by CiceroOsceola made an excellent show-ing but eventually lost to Duke, aChoctaw team out of Mississippiin the fourth round.

With the amount ofteams registered to play, theImmokalee Gym was utilized forhalf of the games with the cham-pionships played at Big Cypress.Starting at 9 a.m. Friday morningand concluding on Saturday nightaround 10:30 p.m. the tourna-ment ran on a tight but efficientschedule that spoke volumes forthe Big Cypress Recreation staff.

By 6 p.m. Saturdaynight the intense run of competi-tion came down to four teams. Inthe girls division, it wasCherokee (NC) against C-Town(MS). In the boys division, unde-feated Flight (MS) was pitted

againstlast year’swinnersC-Town (MS).

Coming out ofthe losers bracketcaused Cherokeegirls’ team to wintwice in theirattempt to wrestlethe championshipfrom C-Town.They won the sec-ond game with a46-35 final score.The sportsmanshiptrophy went toMiranda Long rep-resenting theEastern Band ofCherokees.

In the boys’championshipgame, Flight, fromRed WaterChoctawReservation, camethrough undefeat-

ed. With excellent rebounding and numer-ous stolen ball plays, there was no stop-ping them on the road to their champi-onship with a final game score of 68-45.The sportsmanship trophy was won byJulius Willis.

After the final game SeminoleTribal President Mitchell Cypress, alongwith Assistant Big Cypress RecreationDirector Jack Gorton, presented the cham-pionship and second place trophies andjackets to the players and coaches.Accepting the team trophy for Cherokeewas Coach Peaches Squirrell from NorthCarolina. For the boys, the winning coachwas Tony Anderson from Mississippi.

The 2001 N.A.Y.O. BasketballTournament was an unveiling of superbathletic skill, extreme drive and focus. Itwas also a tribute to Native youth andtheir accomplishment in something thattakes positive dedication. All the teamsplayed with heart and can count their par-ticipation as a goal well achieved.

By Janice BillieCLEWISTON — The day was

beautiful, but hot and sunny with thickcotton ball clouds dancing across the skyintermittently providing some appreciatedshade. There was also an eastern breezeblowing in but not as appreciated since itwas also blowing in the somewhatunpleasant smell of the nearby sugarrefinery.

Heat and smells not withstand-ing, there was no daunting the enthusiasmof the Tribal citizens and employees whoarrived at the Clewiston Country Club onthe morning of April 12, to kick off thefirst event of the N.A.Y.O. weekend.

Registration for the Four PersonScramble competition began at 8:30 a.m.with the tee-off time scheduled for 9 a.m.

Preceding the rolling convoy of golf cartsand their earnest passengers disembarkingon the green was a blind draw to deter-mine the teams and a shotgun start. Yes, ashotgun start really is someone firing off ashotgun.

With a total of 37 participantscomprising 10 teams the turnout was con-sidered good by the event coordinator –Assistant Director of Big CypressRecreation, Jack Gorton. There was a $30dollar entry fee and $2,500 in addedmoney so competition was healthy butfriendly.

After 18 holes and some 3 hourslater the players wheeled their golf cartsto the clubhouse to wind down, eat somelunch and await the tabulation of theirscores. Aside from the scores to determine

the winning teamsthere was also the“longest drive” and“closest to pin”scores included inthe day’s winners.

Team scoreswere as follows: 1stPlace (for 1 dozengolf balls each and$800) CharleyCypress, MitchOsceola, GeorgeGrasshopper, andTheresa Boromei;2nd Place ($600)John Huff, MarlOsceola, and MikeMicco; 3rd Place($500) JamesTommie, MarioPosada, Richard

Henry, and Linda Tommie; 4th Place($400) Abe Rockwell, Charlotte Young,John Madrigal, and Harry Kennedy; 5thPlace ($200) Marcy Osceola, BobbyFrank, and Tom Colz.

Winners in the “Closest to Pin”shot were Maxie Tommie, Bobby FrankCharlotte Young, Charlie Cypress, andTheresa Boromei. Taking the “LongestDrive” win was none other than Linda“The Crusher” Tommie. The OrangemenDevelopment Corp. out of Davie donatedgift bags to the winners in these twoevents.

The tournament came to an endon a hearty note with everyone congratu-lating each other on a game well playedand a gleam in their eyes looking forwardto the next meet.

Shelby Osceola, Roy Stewart

Qualify For FJRA Finals

Dolphins Vs. WorldArena Flag Football At Big Cypress

Noah Jim FishingTournament

N.A.Y.O. Basketball

N.A.Y.O. Golf Tournament

World Team

Marcy Osceola

1st place team members.

Jason Grasshopper, Jason Dicarlo, Sonny Tiger, Bronson Hill and Ernest Tiger.

Julius Willis sportsmanship trophy

Cherokee girls’ team

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The Seminole Tribune 10 May 4, 2001

0The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be

based solely upon advertisements before you decide, ask us to send

you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

954-760-7600

The Law Offices of

Guy J. Seligman, P.A.

320 S. E. 9th Street

Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33316

Suspended License • Revoked License • Traffic Tickets • DUI

Maybe We

Can Help?

By Libby BlakeTAMARAC — From April 17

through June 27 over 48,000 womenbowlers will descend upon the area tobowl, soak up the sun, visit the localtourist attractions, and infuse over $60million dollars into the local economy.The 82nd Women’s InternationalBowling Congress(WIBC)ChampionshipTournament came toFort Lauderdale thisyear with major spon-sorship by theSeminole Tribe ofFlorida.

Tribal tourismventures – CoconutCreek Casino,Hollywood Casino, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum,and Billie SwampSafari – combinedforces in a joint mar-keting scheme.Involvement cameabout through theTribe’s association withthe Greater FortLauderdale Conventionand Visitors Bureau(CVB).

“The BrowardCounty ConventionCenter general manag-er, Mark Gatley, had hosted WIBC previ-ously in Niagara Falls when he worked atthe CVB there. In 1996, he suggested wetake a look at the needs of WIBC andwhat Greater Fort Lauderdale has tooffer,” said Nicki E. Grossman, presidentGFLCVB when asked about the eventsleading up the tournament being held inFort Lauderdale and the Seminole Tribe’sinvolvement.

“I was nervous at first, but overtime and after meeting WIBC boardmembers and site committee members,agreed that we would be the perfectplace. The CVB scheduled several meet-ings with hoteliers, attractions, and otherbusinesses. Everyone was tremendouslyenthusiastic and the local bowling groupsgave us great encouragement. So, wewent to Reno (host city for the WIBC forseveral years), worked extremely hard,and came back with WIBC and Fun InThe Sun 2001.

“From the very start, theSeminole Tribe was a great partner incampaigning for the group and in gener-ating their excitement in coming to thisarea for great bowling, great shopping,and great opportunity to meet the uncon-quered Seminole people – to enjoy theircustoms, history, food and fun. WIBCwas so enchanted with the Tribal repre-

sentatives, particularly Lee Tiger, theyasked the Tribe to consider being themajor sponsor of the Congress. I believethe participation of Lee and the SeminoleTribe made this entire $60 million pieceof business happen for us.”

When announcing the sponsor-ship agreement on Feb. 26, 2001, WIBC

Executive Director Roseann Kuhn said,“WIBC is excited about agreement withthe Seminole Tribe’s Ah-Tah-Thi-KiMuseum and appreciate their support ofthe WIBC Championship Tournament.We will encourage our bowlers, alongwith their families and friends to visit themuseum to learn more about the FloridaSeminole heritage.”

Under the sponsorship agree-ment WIBC worked with SeminoleTourism before the event, and will con-tinue to work with them throughout theevent, to inform bowlers of Seminole tra-dition and culture and all the attractionsthe Tribe has to offer.

Opening ceremonies to kick offthe tournament were held Tuesdayevening, April 17, at Don Carter TamaracLanes where all the team events will beheld. Singles and doubles events will bebowled at Sawgrass Lanes in Sunrise.

Master of Ceremony SteveYoung, from Y-100 radio, opened theevening with a presentation of colors bythe Broward Sheriff’s Department ColorGuard followed by the National Anthem.Mayors Joe Schreiber of Tamarac andSteven Feren of Sunrise, addressed theladies and their guests with words of wel-come.

Lee Tiger, Seminole Tourism

consultant, then took to the microphoneto make a special presentation of a hand-carved peace pipe (made by formerMiccosukee Chief Buffalo Tiger) toWIBC president Joyce Deitch. Tiger thensurprised Nicki Grossman with a beadednecklace “to represent our friendship andmany years of association with the

CVB.”Tiger went on to tell

the group that although theSeminoles, nor theMiccosukees, ever reallyhad such a thing as apeace pipe, these individu-ally made pipes are creat-ed and given only to spe-cial people or groups tohonor their association andpromote Native Americanculture and heritage.(Buffalo Tiger makes thepipes for son Lee and eachpipe is unique to theintended recipient.)

Other WIBC officials,including Florida presidentPilar Cohalla, BrowardCounty president JoanCracchiola, SouthBroward president LibbyBillings, and WIBC exec-utive director RoseannKuhn, were introduced andspoke to the assembledbowlers and guests.

The WIBC tournament is divid-ed into four divisions based on player’saverages. On the first day, bowlers rollthree games as a five-player team at DonCarter Tamarac Lanes. They then moveto Sawgrass Lanes on day two wherethey bowl three-game each singles anddoubles events. The overall nine-gametotal for each bowler is the fourth event,called all events, the players compete for.

“There is a place for all of ourmembers at the WIBC ChampionshipTournament,” says executive directorKuhn. “No matter what your ability level,you can have fun and have a chance todo well in the tournament because theformat gives everyone a chance.”

Approximately 700 – 800bowlers will participate daily throughoutthe tournament for the $1.7 million prizefund.

Most of the Tribe’s womenbowlers are sanctioned with the WIBC.The All Indian Memorial WeekendBowling Tournament, sponsored by BigCypress Recreation, CouncilRepresentative David Cypress and TribalPresident Mitchell Cypress, will be heldMay 25 – 27 and is expected to draw arecord number of bowlers this yearbecause of the WIBC event.

Tribe Welcome WIBC

By John HarjoLAWRENCE, KS — The erratic

Kansas weather held up just long enough,April 21, for the annual Haskell Alumnifootball game to end in favor of the Varsity26-0. The older, wiser Alumni team —composed of past Haskell football playerssuch as Wayne Thompson (Oneida, age 36),Darryl Blueback (Creek/Ponca, age 34), PatThompson (Choctaw, age 40), and StanHolder (Wichita, age 25) and John Jumper(Seminole age 24) — was no match for theyoung guys.

Quarterback JasonJesus (Navajo) went 18 for 35with 242 yards, one touch-down, and no picks. “Heshowed composure andlooked like a college quarter-back. He really stepped it upduring the second half,”Coach Snelding said. Jesustook some hits during thegame, mostly after the ball was thrown, buthe always seemed to get the ball off andwas never intercepted. The Haskell Varsityhad 20 rushes for 45 yards and one score.

There was no score the entire firsthalf. The Varsity looked rough and uneasyin their new passing offense., “Our guysdropped a lot of passes in the first half, 11to be exact. I got on to them at half timeand they came out during the second halfand stepped it up,” said Coach Snelding. “Itcomes from moving from being a runningteam to a passing team.”

The Haskell receiving core con-sists of Dallas Horn (Choctaw), CyEngland (Blackfeet), Josh Baldridge(Cherokee), Joe Spears (Cherokee), andPosey Whiteman (Crow). “Josh Baldridgecame up with the most yardage, Posey went4 for 4 on receptions, and Cy had the longball with a 50 yarder only to have itknocked out of his arms by Alumnus JohnJumper,” said Snelding. On the second playof Haskell’s second half possession, Horndisplayed his patented speed, catching a 30-yard pass for game’s first TD – it set the

Varsity domination tempo for the remainderof the game.

In the third quarter Ben Baker(Creek) caused a safety formthe Varsity,really igniting the defense. Moments later,“Player of the Game” Daniel Brown(Creek/Euchee) — a 6-3 235-pound line-backer from Kellyville, OK — recovered afumble and returned it five yards for atouchdown. Near the end of the same quar-ter Daniel had a 36-yard interception TDreturn. “Daniel is one of our players whoimproved the most during the spring work-

outs. He runs a 4.6 forty andhe still has a couple of yearsto improve on his strengthand speed,” said Snelding.Daniel also finished with 12tackles.

Near the end of the 4thquarter Zach Hale (Cherokee)took a handoff and turned itinto a one-yard TD — the

final score of the game. Coach Snelding is excited about

what he saw: “Jason (Jesus) really steppedit up the past week and a half. It was hardfor Jason to get into a rhythm early in thegame due to a lot of passes being dropped.Our tight ends dropped a lot of balls and sodid the rest of our receivers in the first half.The receivers picked it up though the sec-ond half.”

The offense was without startingtight end Wes Breedlove due to a heart con-dition and All-Conference receiver SonnyDuncan, recovering from knee surgery.“Our defensive line had trouble containingthe quarterback. That is something we aregoing to work on,” Snelding stated. Someother defensive standouts included BrettBlythe (Cherokee), Matt Treadwell(Cherokee), and Nick Lewis (Tohono O’Odham). “I am happy with the outcomeand it showed me about our teams compo-sure. We have some film to review now anddespite the rough first half I am verypleased,” said Snelding.

Haskell Alumni Football Game

NDN

“Player of the Game” Daniel Brown’s bone crushing tackle.

L/R: Nicki Grossman, Tom Gallaher, Joyce Deitch, Lee Tiger. (Y-100’sSteve Young in background).

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The Seminole Tribune 11 May 4, 2001

The Seminole Tribune 12 May 4, 2001

Alex Johns is running for Tampa BoardRepresentative.

I would like to take this opportunity toexpress my extreme gratitude for the support mycommunity has shown me over the past twoyears. I feel we have accomplished a lot together,and that the Tribal Board is headed in a positivedirection. These past two years have served as alearning experience for me as well as a confi-dence booster. I can honestly say today that I amprepared to hold the office of Board of Directorsfor another term. With your support I will con-tinue to strive towards the goal of financial inde-pendence for the Board. I feel we have madeleaps and bounds in the last two years and wewill only improve as the days go by.

I would also like to take this opportuni-ty to thank theTampa com-munity foraccepting meand support-

Gloria Wilson is running forHollywood Tribal Council.

It’s Christmas in April/Mayand I hope everyone is taking advantageof the opportunity. Not that it won’thappen again but, the generosity has itslimit-May 14.

“Promises, promises, visions ofgrandeur, and visions of sugar plumdancing in their heads” – yes, but thenwe awaken.

I am Gloria Wilson and I amrunning for the Hollywood ReservationCouncil seat. I will be hosting a coupleof events and speaking with you indi-vidually to discuss my ideas and intentin seeking this office. My conserns andissues are likely the same as yours so Iam very receptive to what you have toshare also.

Everybody sees and knowswhat the problems are but who is will-ing to accept the challenge to causechange and effect a positive outlook for all people? I am and I believe there are otherswho feel as I do about Tribal government, administrative, and their responsibilities toyou and I who are the Tribe.

Are you ready to make a choice, to make a change, to take the steps neces-sary to make it happen? Join me and consider what I have to offer. LEADERSHIP,INCLUSIVENESS, RESPONSIVENESS, AND INTERGRITY- all vital to a fair andequal representative of the people, the community, and the Tribe.

Are you ready?!

From the desk of John W, Huff, Sr.,Candidate for Brighton Council Rep.

I am seeking the office ofBrighton Council Representative,because I think and lots of our commu-nity members thinks the same way as Italked with the community members,they are not inform of what goes on atthe Tribal Council meetings.

To me this office should alwaysbe for the people of our community andour tribe and not show favoritism ofselect few. Keeping the lines of commu-nication and the community membersopen. We need a change for the better.All Brighton Tribal members will be asequal as one. I will have a open doorpolicy to all community members and asto all tribal members. I will be a full-time Council Representative, 24 hours x7 days x 365 days a year. I will be work-ing for you, to better our community andour tribe.

Between now and electiontime, I will be available and will be visit-ing the community, going door to doorand having a campaign dinner to talk totribal and community members. Pleaseremember to vote on May 14.

E-nuff is E-nuff, Vote for JohnHuff for Brighton CouncilRepresentative. It’s really time for achange.

Mondo Tiger statement

I’m running for council thisyear. My main objectives are to comeup with a senior benefit package,provide simulcast airing via satelliteof council meetings to the BigCypress and Immokalee areas withtranslations for the our seniors, gen-erate new jobs for out younger adultTribal citizens, and address safetyissues along 833 such as speedbumps, traffic and road signs toensure the well-being of the BigCypress community. I want to bringin new enterprises, besides gambling.And most importantly, I would liketo thank all the supporters who havestood behind me my last two termsas your board representative.

Samuel Tommie

Hope everyone is well.My concerns and goals are basi-

cally same as before. I am very concernedabout our elders and disabled they needand deserve indepth care. Our youthsinvolvement in drug abuse is also analarming and a warning of what willcome, for which I strongly believe we asa communtiy will work together andresolve the problem with fairness andpeace as a Council Representative. I sup-port your right to dividend increase. As acommunity let us show a heartfelt respon-sibility.

Objectives:Eradicate an illegal and detrimentalsource in our communtiy.Security enforcement and Community.Implement New elder support, programs.Elder and children relationship enchance-

ment.New Youth Programs and Youth Safetyprograms.B.C. funds-Investment/Profit, VenturesSupport and Promote individual buiss-ness enterprises.Support and Promote Job Skills andCareersVoters right to see B.C. Councils Funddisburse.Re-evaluate department and programs.Each individual Concerns will be respect-ed Equality Bases.Extended support for recoveringResidence.Six community meetings minimum peryear.Support establishment of christianschool.Lets keep what’s been accomplished overthe yearsCreate new jobsAdd new programs

We have verified candidates forthe May 1, General Elections forRepresentatives of the Hollywood, BigCypress and Brighton Reservation for theSeminole Tribe of Florida and theSeminole Tribe of Florida, Inc.

Seminole Tribal Elections May 14, 2001

In according with theConstitutions and Bylaws of the SeminoleTribe of Floida, and the Corporate Charterand Bylaws of the Seminole Tribe ofFloida, Inc., a General Elections is calledfor the following offices on Monday, May14, 2001. Qualified Candidates for eachoffice are listed.

Seminole Tribe of FloridaTribal Council

Big Cypress Reservation:David R. Cypress (Incumbent)Manuel M. TigerSamuel Tommie

Brighton Reservation:John Wayne Huff, Sr.Reno A OsceolaJack Smith, Jr. (Incumbent)

Hollywood Reservation:Charles B Hiers, Sr.Max B. Osceola, Jr. (Incumbent)Gloria Wilson

Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc.,Board of Directors

Big Cypress Reservation:Clifton L. BilliePaul Bowers, Sr.Mary J. CoppedgeCharlie CyprssAlfonso Tigertail

Brighton Reservation:Lorene B. GopherAlexander P. JohnsJohnnie Jones

Hollywood Reservation:Paul BusterDavid D. Dehass, Sr.Ronnie DoctorSampson FrankDavid JumperVincent MiccoCharles A. OsceolaVernon W. Tiger

Those members voting “ABSEN-TEE” will be furnished with absentee bal-lots upon request. If voting be mail pleaserequest absentee ballots at one to allowenough time for ballots to be mailed toyou an be returned to theSecretary/Treasure’s office on or beforeMay 14, 2001. Mark your ballots at onceand return them so they can be includedin the count for this election.

All eligible voters are requestedto cast their ballots at established pollingplaces on the three (3) reservations or beabsentee ballots.

Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 7:30p.m. All eligible tribal members are urgedto exercise their right to vote in this elec-tion.

Priscilla D. SayenSecretary/Treasure

You may send the bill to theabove address for payment, along with thecourtsey copy of publications, attention toPriscilla Sayen, Secretary/Treasure’sOffice. If you have any questions pleasedo not hesitate to call.

Alex Johns

Gloria Wilson

John W. Huff

Reno OsceolaJack Smith Jr.

David Cypress

Samuel Tommie

Mondo Tiger

Seminole Tribe of FloridaElections Announcement

Voting Locations:

I am Johnny Jones and amember of the panther clan, son ofShule Jones and the late Ollie Jones. Ihave been a lifetime member of theBrighton reservation.

I will listen and be fair andhonest in addressing your concernsand dealing with issues pertaining toour reservations. I will strive to dothe best that can if elected for theboard of directors.

Johnnie Jones

Charles B. Hiers

Lorene Gopher

Max Osceola

Election Inductees Board and Council

Tribal CouncilBig Cypress Reservation

Board of DirectorsBig Cypress Reservation

Tribal CouncilBrighton Reservation

Tribal CouncilHollywood Reservation

Big Cypress Reservation

Frank Billie Center

Brighton Reservation

Education Office

Hollywood Reservation

Gymnasium

By Mark MadridNew Port Richey, Pasco County

Florida — Anyone that grew up in or stilllives in small town America remembers orlooks forward to the annual week of festi-val and fun that their hometown sponsorswhen everyone gets together and has agood ol’ time. These celebrations usuallyherald some aspect of the local com-munity character or commerce,like Mule Days, the WalnutFestival, the StrawberryFestival or Calle Ocho. Forthe last 79 years the commu-nity of New Port Richey hascentered it’s annual fun timearound a mythical storycalled “Chasco Queen Of TheCalusas.”

The event is sponsored bythe chamber of commerce of New PortRichey as a fund raising event for a num-ber of local charitable organizations. Thestory was written in 1922 by GerbinDeVries then the local post master andcommunity booster.

To kick off the week of festivaland parades the adults of New PortRichey have had their children get up onstage and perform the pageant of QueenChasco in what has become theirstated attempt “to honor theIndians.”

The premise of the playerroneously attributes the practiceof human sacrifice to theCalusas. The story’s setup is thatafter capturing a 300 plus invad-ing conquistador force that hadcome to wipe out the “savages tomake way for colonization...theCalusas cut out all of their heartsas an offering to the sun godToya,” yet spared the lives of thepriest and two children of theSpanish force.

The story goes on topropose that the priest shows theIndians how to grow corn, beans,and vegetables. Thereafter theCalusa are then swayed by theChristian virtues of the priest andtwo Spanish children to give uptheir “heathen savage-human sac-rificing” ways and are shownhow to become civilized. Thechildren are so beautiful, athletic,and so full of Christian virtue thatthey are appointed King Pithala andQueen Chasco of the Calusas and in thiscapacity keep the heathens from killingand sacrificing the new settlers that arecolonizing the area. The story suggeststhat the reason the Calusas disappearedwas because they reverted back to sav-agery and human sacrifice.

“No evidence exists that theCalusas ever lived in the New Port Richeyarea,” said William Marquardt, curator ofarcheology for the Florida Museum ofNatural History. In fact, according toMarquardt who has done several studieson the tribe, burial mounds indicate othertribes lived here instead.

DeVries supposedly based theChasco story on Spanish parchments hefound in a clay cylinder while fishing inthe PithlachascoteeRiver. When toldabout DeVries’reported discovery ofSpanish parchments,Marquardt said hehears such stories ofpeople finding“ancient scrolls”from time to time,but questions theirauthenticity.

The Calusa,by historicalaccounts fromDeSoto¹s own jour-nals, were slaugh-tered and decimatedby the disease andbarbarous acts ofviolence brought byDeSoto and otherSpanish conquista-dors. There are writ-ten accounts of thebetting matches held by DeSoto and hismen as to how many Indians their Mastiffdogs could kill in the pit before dinner.

In a statement from the FloridaAmerican Indian Movement (AIM) infor-

mation office in St. Petersburg, Florida, inwhat appears an obvious attempt to justifythe genocidal colonization and subjuga-tion of Indian peoples, the pageant blursthe division between fantasy and reality.Even worse, some people seem to confusethe fictional play with fact.

Approximately six years ago theChasco Fiesta and play that set the

tone for the whole event cameto the attention of Florida

AIM, while they were inves-tigating a group that hadself proclaimed themselvesthe Central Florida CreekTribe. At that time theCentral Florida Creek Tribe

was actively promoting whatthey called the “Native

Children’s fund Pow Wow” withthe co-sponsorship of the chambers of

commerce of the small towns of PlantCity and Lakeland. As it turned out themoneys never went to any children, nativeor non-, but to the adult self proclaimedIndian promoters. The group was eventu-ally investigated by the IRS and individu-als prosecuted for tax fraud.

Also at that time the so-calledCentral Florida Creeks were the “Indian

Advisors” for the New Port RicheyChasco event. Pasco county and the selfproclaimed tribe had been working togeth-er to establish a so-called reservation andIndian village at the county tax fundedSafety Park.

Florida AIM’s information officestated in phone conversations with thenmayor, Peter Altman, that if the countycontinued to recognize this area as anIndian reservation it would be necessaryto turn over jurisdiction of said territory toeither the Seminole Tribe of Florida or theMiccosukee Tribe. It was further suggest-ed to Mr. Altman that he hire a legitimatenative person to coordinate the pow wowportion of the Chasco event – such asBobby Henry, a Florida Seminole wholives on the nearby Tampa reservation.

There were immediate changesmade the following year and BobbyHenry has been the coordinator of theChasco POW wow ever since. What has-n’t been addressed, according to Florida

AIM, is the contin-ued portrayal ofAmerican Indians assavage human-sacri-ficing heathens as aplatform to raisemoney.

ChascoFiesta organizerscontinue to insist thecommunity celebra-tion is not meant todemean NativeAmericans andshould not be inter-preted as disrespect-ful to their heritage.

Accordingto David Narcomeyof Jacksonville, anenrolled OklahomaSeminole and NorthFlorida AIM director,“The Indian pageantparticularly upsets AIM members. Thestereotypes of Native Americans in theIndian pageant are as offensive as a whiteperson in black face imitating an African-American.” Narcomey uses the ChascoFiesta as an example of racism in work-

shops he teaches. “Five years of talks with

the Chasco Fiesta organizersand the West Pasco Chamberof Commerce have failed tobring changes,” saysNarcomey. “We feel we haveno choice but to protest.”

Five years ago the groupcomplained about the pageant,but no changes were made. InJune, the group filed a com-plaint with the state Office ofthe Attorney General in FortLauderdale charging that thepageant is defamatory, preju-dicial and dehumanizing toNative Americans.

Organizers of ChascoFiesta pondered whether tochange the way AmericanIndians are portrayed at theannual festival. LastSeptember members ofFlorida AIM met with theChasco Steering Committeeand other local representa-tives.

“It was a good meeting,” said JoeAlpine president of the West PascoChamber of Commerce, which hosts theevent. “Everyone left with the idea thatwe’re going to look at the (AmericanIndian Movement) request.”

Movement members who were atthe meeting said it went about as well asexpected. They said what they came tosay, but they got no answers on whatwould be done.

Dave Narcomey said membersdiscussed the pageant and described howit was offensive. He said the group does-n’t want to shut down Chasco, it justwants to have a few things changed.

“We’d like to see a resolution tothis event,” Narcomey said. “It’s a goodevent but it’s time to promote an era of

inclusiveness.Hopefully, by eliminat-ing the negativeimages, we can go inthat direction.”

SheridanMurphy, executivedirector of FloridaAIM, said the lack ofan immediate reactionfrom the Chamber ofCommerce and theChasco representativeswas “disappointing, butunderstandable. I justhope they come to theproper conclusion afterthat caucusing andmeeting.”

The fiesta wasMarch 22 through April1 and included numer-ous events, such as athree-day NativeAmerican Festival, a

carnival, a parade and the pageant. AsMarch approached the organizers madethe statement they weren’t going tochange any wording to the pageant.

Alpine said, because of AIM’s

complaints, some changes were made afew years ago and references to AmericanIndians as “heathens and savages” weredeleted from the pageant. “But no morechanges are anticipated to deal withAIM’s complaints,” he said. “They (AIM)basically want the Chasco Fiesta event tobe canceled. This is our 79th year. We arenot going to change what we are doing,”added Alpine.

In press releases sent out a fewweeks before the opening of the Chascoevent AIM leaders targeted the QueenChasco Pageant, along with the annualstreet parade, as days of protest. In addi-tion to the protests, AIM also called for atourism boycott of Pasco County andasked sponsors of the Chasco Fiesta towithdraw their sponsorship. AIM leadersvowed their protests would be loud, butnon-violent.

“The American Indian Movementhas never initiated an act of violence,” thegroup’s State Information Director saidduring the press conference at Sims Parkamphitheater. The group includes mem-bers from tribes such as Lakota Sioux,Seminole, Creek, Chippawa, Kiowa,Mohawk, Menominee, Micmac, Navajo,Assinibone, Seneca, Cheyenne,

Wyandotte, Apache, Cherokee, Comancheand Shawnee.

The New Port Richey PoliceDepartment assigned four more officersfor the annual play during opening nightof the Chasco Fiesta, according to Capt.Daryl Garman. Usually two to three offi-cers provide crowd control at the event.“This has gotten so much publicity wedon’t know what kind of crowd toexpect,” Garman commented. “It’s allguesswork. We’ll know more comeThursday night.”“I’m not going to interfere with their rightto protest,” Garman said about the AIMdemonstrators. At the same time, henoted, officers must police a ‘fine line’between protesters and spectators.

Representatives of the JuniorService League, which put on the pageant,did not return phone calls seeking com-ment. Previously, a league spokeswomansaid none of the child actors had been

pulled from the cast by parents.A week before the pageant,

Garman offered to set up designated areasfor the protesters. AIM rejected the plan,calling the proposed locations unsuitablebecause the sites were too far away fromcrowds. For instance, Garman had sug-gested setting up a protest area in theparking lot of the West Pasco Chamber ofCommerce, across the river from theIndian Pageant in Sims Park and out ofview of the play or spectators.

On the night of the pageant 35protesters gathered at the edge of SimsPark. More than a dozen AIM membersand supporters slipped into the park andtook seats in the front row to see if therehad indeed been any change to the scriptof the play as had been stated by JoeAlpine. At the first uttering of “savageheathens” Florida AIM State FieldDirector Jennifer Tweedie began chanting,“The Legend Stops Here” and “Stop TheRacism.”

The group was immediately sur-rounded by more than a dozen New PortRichey Police officers and Pasco CountySheriffs deputies-including the K-9 Unit.The group then reunited with AIM mem-bers and supporters who had set up a

protest zone behind the spectators of theChasco Indian pageant. Florida AIM StateExecutive Director Sheridan Murphy wasbriefly detained for using a bullhorn. AIMmembers and supporters were ordered bythe pervasive police and sheriff officerspresent to not shout. Florida AIM memberKashka Larue was also ordered to besilent by officers. Two members of thePasco Green Party were briefly detainedfor handing out leaflets in the park, whichAIM was told violated New Port Richeyordinances prohibiting such distribution ofmaterials in the park.

“In blaring contrast to the Chascocommittee’s statement, all of the phrasesof savage, heathen, and human sacrificeare still part of the pageant and were duti-fully chanted by the children during theplay,” said Murphy. “We’ll be back for theparade.”

Next Issue: The Protest Continues.

The Chasco Fiasco

Stopping the Chasco Kewre float at the St. Pete Festival of States parade.

We're honoring you so shut up!!!!!

Mark

Mad

rid

Mark

Mad

rid

AmericanIndianOutreach

The Florida Department of

Transportation – the largest contracting agency

in state government – runs a Native American

Outreach Program seeking people interested in

pursing contracts with the FDOT.

Don’t be left behind. If you or a family

member are interested in pursing contracts

with the FDOT, or have any questions con-

cerning the Native American Outreach pro-

gram, please call me, at (954) 370-3900.

It’s more than western wear

. . . It’s a way of life.

how the west is worn.

Davie

6211 S.W. 45th Street

(954) 587-9000

plus locations inCoconut Creek,

Hialeah and Ocala

Beads and feathers.

Beads and beer.

The Seminole Tribune 13 May 4, 2001

Mark

Mad

rid

Mark

Mad

rid

BRIGHTON SEMINOLEBINGO AND GAMING — Highway721, Brighton Indian Reservation, Route6, Box 611, Okeechobee, FL. 34974.(800) 360-9875.

Super Saturdays are coming tothe Casino on May 19. The evening ses-sion will begin at 6:45 p.m. and the packfor this session includes a 9-on for twentyregular games paying $1199 each, one50/50 Players Jackpot, one Progressive Jackpot andtwo Lucky 8’s. Packs are $80 for Player’s Clubmembers and $90 for non-members.

Player’s Club members will enjoy special50 percent off savings all monthlong when they play bingo onFridays in May. Payouts will stillbe $150 and $250 per game(depending on pack purchased).

Tribal citizen Agnes Bertwas one of the lucky bingo jack-pot winners in April. Playing Lucky 8, Bert won$11,400. Fellow citizen Arica Buck won $14,720.55on the Super 6 Lotto video game.

Bring you mother or grandma to the casinofor a Mother’s Day luncheon buffet between noonand 1:30 p.m. on May 13 and they will receive a spe-cial gift. Menu includes chopped sirloinsteak with mushroom gravy, mashed pota-toes, corn, salad, dessert and drink.

“Rack Attack” was heldWednesday, April 18. Thirty-eight playersqualified to participate. The three luckywinners were Chris Bozzuto – $50 incasino chips, Cliff Taylor – $175.75 incasino chips and a Josiah restaurant giftcertificate, and Shelton Williams – $85.75in casino chips, free drinks for a month, and a Josiahgift certificate.

COCONUT CREEK CASINO — 5550N.W. 40th St., Coconut Creek, FL. 33073. (954) 977-6700.

The casino is involved in an extensive mar-keting campaign that also supports the sur-rounding areas. Employees were on handApril 21 at the Sunrise Musical Theatre tohand out casino t-shirts to an audience of3,000 attending country recording artist,Jo Dee Messina and Rascal Flatts. Duringthe 6th Annual Air & Sea Show over FortLauderdale beach onlookers saw an aerial bannerplane advertising the casino. And, as mentioned in astory on page — of the Tribune, the casino is alsopart of the Tribal tourism venture that is the majorsponsor of the WIBC tournament running from April17 – June 27.

Events at the casino during May include aspecial Mother’s Day on the 13th withthe reggae sounds of The TogethernessBand from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. with spe-cial day spa passes to be given to tenlucky winners.

On May 20 hear the soundsof country recording artists Stampede.One lucky winner will receive a grand prize of athree day/two night trip to Nashville, Tenn.

SEMINOLE INDIAN CASINO OF HOL-LYWOOD — 4150 N. SR 7, Hollywood, FL. 33021.(954) 961-3220 or (800) 323-5452.

Hollywood is preparing to kick off it's sec-

ond Seminole Summer Festival of Fun.We have exciting Tournaments and spe-cial games planned for Memorial Day,Father's Day, 4th of July, Labor Day andGrandparents Day. The bingo is celebrat-ing it's Matinee anniversary on August18th with special games, prizes and mustgo jackpots. Last summer we gave away;cash, motorcycles, wave runners, tripsand much more. This summer we plan

on making it even more exciting.You don't have to wait until summer to

come in. We still pay out over $1,000,000 a day,that's more than anywhere else in Florida. We have

1000 gaming machines, LightningBingo, where you can changeyour fortune in seconds, 48 roundthe clock poker tables with dailymini tournaments and weeklytournaments, and 4 sessions ofhigh stakes bingo daily. Seminole

Indian Casino – Hollywood, the highest jackpotsand the most excitement!

IMMOKALEE SEMINOLE INDIANCASINO — 506 S. First St., Immokalee, FL.34142. (941) 658-1313 or (800) 218-0007.

Beginning in May, the casino will start newsummer shuttle hours for pick-up anddeparture in the Fort Myers and Naplesareas. Pick up a copy of the new sched-ule at the casino or call the Groups andMarketing Department to have one sentto you.

Lots of events are planned forMay. On May 12, bring your JPC card,bingo admission receipt and May’sgamepiece from the newsletter to receive

your choice of a set of four Seminole Indian Casinologo glasses. Some glasses will have hidden stickersworth up to $500 in matinee and $1,00 in eveningsessions.

Mother’s Day, May 13, all ladies in atten-dance at matinee or evening session of bingo will

receive a beautiful rose and bud vase.Special tribute will be paid to the oldestmom, the youngest mom and other spe-cial people.

One lucky bingo player will be offon a seven day Caribbean cruise for twoplus over $60,000 in cash and prizes will

be awarded during a special drawing on May 26.Win any bingo game and receive a drawing ticket tobe eligible. Tickets can be collected all month long.

Special bingo on the 26th starts at 5 p.m.with four sets of party games with discount pricesfor packs and 2-for-1 extras (except D.I.Y.’s). Laterat the 7 p.m. session, packs include twenty regular

games paying $1,199 each. Bonanzaand Super Jackpot will be a Must Go$5,000 each and the Bonanza willcome off the board.

Also on May 26, the casino is giv-ing away cash. Starting at 3 p.m.seven $1,000 drawings will lead up to

a $10,000 drawing at midnight. Casino and pokerplayers have all month to collect their tickets to beeligible for the drawings.

— Compiled by Libby Blake

The Seminole Tribune 14 May 4, 2001

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Seminole Casino News

5th Annual CandyOsceola Memorial All IndianPool Tournament — May 18-19.Friday, May 18, Seniors 50 &Over, Singles and Mixed Doubles.17 and Under, Singles, Male andFemale – Registration 4-6 p.m.Tournament to start at 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 19, Adults18-49, Singles and Mixed Doubles– Registration 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Tournament to start at 1 p.m. fol-lowed by 9-ball open tournament.Sponsored by David Cypress, BigCypress Representative.

Open Pool Tournament— May 5, at Immokalee PoolBarn. Register 10 – 11:30 a.m.Shoot at 12 p.m. Five person teamentry is $100.00 per team (all men,all women, or mixed teams).$5,000 added money for top 5place and $1,500 1st place. ScotchDoubles entry is $20.00 per team.$2,000 added money for top 5places and $600 for 1st place. 9-ball men’s and women’s division –$3,000 added money for top 5places for men and women and$500 to 1st place men and women.Valley rules will apply, call B.C.Recreation at (863) 983-9659 orImmokalee at (941) 658-0204. Adrug and alcohol free activity.

Team Florida SwimTeam — Are you interested in try-ing out for the Team Florida SwimTeam and seeing if you can qualifyfor the North American IndigenousGames? If you are interested, signup with Kristin at (954) 989-9457as soon as possible.

Any qualifier for theNAIG needs to be born in 1989 orbefore. We will have an age groupswim team for all future athleteswho will not be able to participateat the 2002 Games, but will be eli-gible for the Sunshine StateGames. We will be starting practicesoon and we will be participatingin swim meets. Now is the time to

start conditioning and training. Wehave to pick our Team FloridaSwim Team by the end of the year.

All Swimmers attemptingto qualify for the NAIG must meetcertain requirements. You musthave the times needed for the eventand attend a certain amount ofpractices and swimming meets tobe eligible to qualify. If you wantto sign up or you need more infor-mation, please call Kristin at theHollywood Gym at (954) 989-9457.

Hollywood SwimmingPool Opening — HollywoodSwimming Pool will be openbeginning on Wednesday, April18th. The hours for the pool willbe: Monday-Friday 2:30 p.m. –5:45 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 12 p.m.– 4 p.m. Pool is open to TribalMembers and their spouses.Children under 7 years of age musthave constant adult supervision.Proper swimming attire is required.Bathing suit or swimming shortspreferred. No jean shorts, cutoffsor long shorts (below the knee)allowed. Tank top shirts only. Formore information, call HollywoodRecreation at (954) 989-9457.

Over the Air: NavajoCode Talkers — Over 450 NavajoCode Talkers served the UnitedStates during the war. Read moreabout the WWII Secret Weapons atfestivals.com/0104april/nativeam-erican/overtheair.cfm.

Spotlight Shines onNative Sounds — To find outmore about Native Americanmusic, to hear audio samplings ofmusic and to read about the artistsmentioned go tohttp://festivals.com/01-04-april/nativeamerican/spotlight.cfm.

Old Songs, New Voices— Find out about the talentedNavajo dancers and musicians,hear their performances and learnmore about Yei-Bi-Chei here festi-

vals.com/01-04-april/nativeameri-can/oldsongs.cfm.

Dancing Across theLand — Click on this website tocheck out any of the dots on themap to sample the magic of somefavorite Native American festivalshere festivals.com/ 01-04-april/nativeamerican/dancing.cfm.

Teacher’s Corner — Thelatest “Teachers’ Corner” for thefirst time offers its extensive selec-tion of resources conveniently sep-arated into sections that correspondwith those showcased in theFestivals.com feature, “ContinuingTraditions.” Tap into the“Teachers’ Corner” for learningexcitement atwww.festivals.com/~kids/

Festive Fun With Art —The latest “Festive Fun With Art”activity pays tribute to NativeAmericans of the PacificNorthwest and their ceremonialbutton blankets. Button blanketsare worn on important occasionsand exchanged as gifts at potlatchceremonies. Children can designand sew their own blankets in aproject that will take about an hourto complete. Join in celebratingNative American festivals and tryyour hand at the art of the blanketmaking herewww.festivals.com/~kids/

About Festivals.com —Backstage at Festivals.com pro-vides a platform where festivalproducers, suppliers and perform-ers can receive and exchange infor-mation. Industry conferences, jobpostings and news are among thenumerous services foundBackstage backstage.festivals.com/

About RSL Interactive,Inc. — RSL Interactive has indus-try partnerships with three associa-tions: IFEA, First Night andWestern Fairs Association. Thesepartnerships are helping the indus-try enter the ‘Internet Age’ withWeb site development, memberregistration and e-commerce serv-ices. Contact: Jim Shanlin at RSLInteractive, Inc. (206) 623-9495 or(206) 623-8002. Visit the websiteat shanklin@rslinteractive.com

Annual Craven CountyIntertribal Powwow — CravenCounty Fairgrounds, Hwy. 70 East– 3 miles of New Bern, NC. May4-6. Food concessions by ClarkOxendine Vending. Day moneyeach day for dancers – Drum con-test. Gates Open: Friday 5 p.m.,Saturday 10 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.Grand Entries: Friday 6 p.m.,Saturday 12 noon & 6 p.m.,Sunday 12 noon. Admission:Friday (Family Night) $ 3.00 perperson, Saturday/Sunday Adults$6.00, Students $3.00 (5-17), sen-iors (65+) $3.00, children 4 &under free. Where to Stay: RVCamping Free, Tent Camping Free,

Host Hotel: Days Inn Phone: (252)636-0150. Ask for rooms inPowwow Block. ContactInformation: Powwow DirectorDeborah Wayne (Lenape) 252-244-4222 or double_d@coastalnet.com.www.ncnativenews.tripod.com/powwow/. Event Held Rain or Shine!Bring your lawn chairs! PublicInvited and welcome! No Drugs orAlcohol – No Coolers Allowed.

4th Annual Hon-DahResort Pow Wow — in the Pines:August 4-5, 2001. 1-800-WAY UPHI or (520) 369-0299. Located atthe junction of Hwys 260 & 73Hon-Dah, Arizona hondah.com.More information for vendors con-tact Melissa Hubbard at ext.7573or Vadonna Lupe ext.7586.

11th Annual CherokeeCounty Indian Festival andMother’s Day Pow Wow — May12, 13. Saturday – 10 a.m. to 10p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Boiling Park, Canton, Georgia. 30minutes North of Atlanta. Adults$8.00, children under 12 — $5.00,4 years and under – Free.

Julyamsh 2001 — CoeurD’Alene Tribe Pow Wow &Encampment. July 27-29Greyhound Park, Post Falls, Idaho.Largest outdoor Pow Wow in theNorthwest! Stickgame tournamentCoeur D’Alene Casino ResortHotel Worley, Idaho. 1-800-523-2464, then press 3 for the EventsHotline www.cdacasino.com.

Virginia’s Explore Parkpresents a Native AmericanPowwow — May 11-13, 2001!Honoring our Mothers Organizedby Garland Humble Bear Leeson.Friday, May 11 2:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m., Saturday, May 12 10 a.m. to8 p.m., and Sunday, May 13 Noonto 5 p.m. Adults: $8; seniors: $6;Children: $4.50; Ages Two andUnder are Free Tickets Include theExplore Park’s Historic Area andthe Powwow! Virginia’s ExplorePark is an outdoor living historymuseum located at Milepost 115 onthe Blue Ridge Parkway. HostHotel: Colony House MotorLodge: 540-345-0411 For MorePowwow Info: 540-427-1800 or540-674-1989www.explorepark.org.

The Seminole Tribune 15 May 4, 2001

Classified • Announcements

Personals

Poems

NoticesJob Announcements

In Memory

Chickee Baptist Church64th Ave. and Josie Billie

Hollywood Seminole Reservation

Sunday Morning Worship 10 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship 6 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7 p.m.

Rev. Arlen Payne: Pastor

(954) 894-5651

Get the Seminole Tribunedelivered to your chickee

for only $25 each year

www.seminoletribe.com/marketplace

Seeking Phil BowersI was wondering, I know that it’s a long shot, but I went to

school with a guy named Phil Bowers at Haskell Indian Jr. College inthe 1990’s. (He must be about 27 or so years old). I’m not even sure ifthis is his tribe or not, but I would like to get a hold of him. Do you hap-pen to know who I am talking about? Please respond even if the answeris no, thanks. Sharey Cleveland, GIS Technician, Resource Inventory &Analysis, Colville Confederated Tribes, (509) 634-2360, email:sharey.cleveland@colvilletribes.com

Job Title: Receptionist Open Date: April 18, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, Secretary

Treasurer’sSalary: $18,720 annually

with benefits

Job Title: Site ManagerOpen Date: Mar. 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, HotmealsSalary: Negotiable

with benefits

Job Title: Tribal Clerk/Admin. Asst.

Open Date: Mar. 14, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, Secretary

Treasurer’s Salary: $24,960 annually

with benefits

Job Title: Youth Center Attendant

Open Date: April 25, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, Juvenile

JusticeSalary: $16,640 annually

with benefits

Job Title: Bookkeeper/Office Asst.

Open Date: April 18, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Brtn, Natural

ResourcesSalary: Negotiable

with benefits

Job Title: Counselor Open Date: April 11, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Brtn, Family

ServicesSalary: Negotiable

Job Title: Accounts Payable Open Date: March 28, 2001 Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, HealthSalary: $18,720

with benefits

Job Title: A-Built/CAD Drafter

Open Date: April 11, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, UtilitiesSalary: $28,000

with benefits

Job Title: Admin. Asst. Open Date: April 11, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, Planning

& DevelopmentSalary: Negotiable

Job Title: Gaming Inspectors (5)

Open Date: Mar. 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, GamingSalary: $28,000 annually

with benefits

Job Title: Community Health Educator

Open Date: March 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, HealthSalary: $30,000 annually

with benefits

Job Title: Dental Asst. Open Date: March 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, HealthSalary: $24,960 annually

with benefits

Job Title: Nutritionist Open Date: Mar. 7, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, HealthSalary: $35,000

with benefits

Job Title: Operator/MaintenanceTrainee

Open Date: March 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, UtilitiesSalary: $17,680

with benefits

Job Title: Patient Services Clerk

Open Date: Mar. 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Hlwd, HealthSalary: $17, 600

with benefits

Job Title: Surveillance Operator

Open Date: Mar. 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Brtn, GamingSalary: $17,680

with benefits

Job Title: Operator/MaintenanceTrainee

Open Date: Mar. 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Brtn, UtilitiesSalary: $17,680

with benefits

Job Title: Tribal Outreach/Worker

Open Date: Mar. 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Brtn, Family

ServicesSalary: $20,300

with benefits

Job Title: CommunityHealth/Rep.

Open Date: Mar. 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., HealthSalary: $18,700

with benefits

Job Title: Custodian Open Date: Mar. 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., AhfachkeeSalary: $15,600

with benefits

Job Title: Elementary/Middle SchoolTeacher

Open Date: April 18, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., AhfachkeeSalary: Negotiable

Job Title: Medical Social Worker

Open Date: March 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., Family

ServicesSalary: Negotiable

with benefits

Job Title: Permanent Sub. Teacher

Open Date: March 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., AhfachkeeSalary: $12.50 per hr

with benefits

Job Title: Pre-K Teacher Open Date: April 18, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., AhfachkeeSalary: Negotiable

with benefits

Job Title: Secretary Open Date: March 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., Family

ServicesSalary: $13,644

with benefits

Job Title: Speech Therapist Open Date: March 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., AhfachkeeSalary: Negotiable

with benefits

Job Title: Teachers AideOpen Date: March 28, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: B.C., AhfachkeeSalary: $13,644

with benefits

Job Title: Surveillance Operator (2)

Open Date: March 7, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Coconut Creek,

GamingSalary: $17,680

with benefits

Job Title: Cultural Language Instructor

Open Date: March 14, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Imm., Cultural

EducationSalary: $28,120

with benefits

Job Title: Surveillance Operator

Open Date: March 7, 2001Close Date: Until FilledLocation: Imm., GamingSalary: $17,680

with benefits

Job Title: Teacher Aide (3/4 yr. Class)

Open Date: March 7, 2001Close Date: Until FilledSalary: $18,150

with benefitsLocation: Imm., Preschool

Programs

Job Title: Surveillance Operator (3)

Open Date: March 7, 2001Close Date: Until FilledSalary: $17,680

with benefitsLocation: Tampa, Gaming

Job Title: Gaming ClerkOpen Date: March 7, 2001Close Date: Until FilledSalary: $17,200

with benefitsLocation: Tampa, Gaming

If interested, contactHuman Resources at 967-3403or fax resume to 967-3477.

DeadlinesSeminole Tribune

May 25 Issue • Deadline May 11

June 15 Issue • Deadline June 1

July 6 Issue • Deadline July 22

Happy Birthday

Little AngelBorn December 21, 2000 and passed away on April 19, 2001. Baby IdaBetty Osceola Padilla infant daughter of Anthony and Heather Padilla.

Baby Ida passed away all of sudden and shocked many people inthe Hollywood community. Hillbilly Shakespeare Hank Williams oncesaid in one of his songs “Life is a flower that withers and dies” life is pre-cious and life is fragile, life of a baby needs tender loving care.

Baby Ida’s funeral service took place at First Seminole IndianBaptist Church officiated by myself and Reverend Wonder Johns. Theburial took place at the New Seminole Cemetery in Hollywood.

We do not understand why an infant passes away. Baby Ida onlylived in this world 119 days, she brought brightness and brilliancy to ourchurch at First Seminole. Many Sundays Baby Ida came to church, we allmiss her, but, we will see her again “in the sweet by and by.”

Hem-mung-ala-kaCowbone

“The Flight of the Hawk”He soars o’er the sawgrass, the alligators,

The otters and the SeminolesHis graceful flight is not his first or the last

As long as the sun shines on this land of goldHis flight will continue to grace the sky

His powerful grip, grasp the past untold.No eyes beheld the vision of the horizon

And no one can communicate to him like the Seminole

From the tallest cypress trees, he sees the land For hundreds of years a home to the Seminole

The hawk made his sounds of warning andOnly a chosen few could relate, so we have been told

The flight of yesterday, the flight of tomorrow The flight of today, rest in our souls.

The elders are disappearing one by oneTears are on his face for the disappearing Seminoles.

Still his wings are spread for the flightHis grip is still grasping for our survival

The flight of the hawk will continueUnconquered and sovereign must be our title.

Cowbone

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