Billie Swamp Safari strives to keep animals’ lives normal in pandemic Community by Beverly Bidney - May 11, 2021May 11, 2021 Before park attendant Yusdday Martinez can clean the enclosure for the Critter Show animals April 22, Francesca the capybara enjoys a belly rub while Bambi the deer tries to get some attention. (Photo Beverly Bidney) BIG CYPRESS — For the animals of Billie Swamp Safari, life in the Covid-19 pandemic goes
Child advocate Martha Suta Ramirez focuses on tribal children Community by Beverly Bidney - May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 Child advocate Martha Suta Ramirez. (Photo Beverly Bidney) It has been said so often it could be a mantra: children are the future of the tribe. With that in mind, the Health and Human Services’ Advocacy and Guardianship Department operates with the health and well-being of children as its core principle. Child
CBH re-entry program graduate Joey Henry has plenty of reasons to be thankful Community Top News by Beverly Bidney - May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 From left, CBH aftercare/prevention administrator Bernard Colman, graduate Joey Henry and CBH clinical associate Calvin Graham celebrate Henry’s accomplishment in Big Cypress. (Beverly Bidney photo) After 15 years of watching his back and trusting no one in prison, Joey Henry had to relearn how to live and succeed in modern society
Hike, rally draw attention to oil exploration concerns in Big Cypress National Preserve Community Top News by Beverly Bidney - May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 A group of protestors show off their signs near mile marker 63 off of Interstate 75 on April 10, 2021. (Courtesy Shaa-Nutch Billie) About 50 conservation-minded individuals rallied and hiked through the Big Cypress National Preserve on April 10 to protest the proposed construction of an oil pad for exploration
PECS students receive inside look at Stanley Cup champions Education by Beverly Bidney - May 5, 2021May 5, 2021 The Tampa Bay Lightning, shown here celebrating after winning the Stanley Cup in 2020, were the focus of a virtual presentation for Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School students. PECS teacher Tom Finney’s son works for the team. (Lightning/Facebook) During the pandemic, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School teacher Amy Carr has found innovative ways
Ground broken for long-awaited trading post on Immokalee Reservation Community Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - May 4, 2021May 4, 2021 From left, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee general manager Tony Alves, Big Cypress Councilman David Cypress, Immokalee Council Liaison Ray Garza, President Mitchell Cypress, Immokalee resident Jeanie Nelson, Big Cypress Board Rep Joe Frank, Immokalee resident Linda Beletso, Immokalee Board Liaison Rafael Sanchez and Hollywood Board Rep. Gordon ‘Ollie’ Wareham officially
Gathering of Nations bids farewell Miss Indian World Cheyenne Kippenberger Community Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - May 3, 2021May 3, 2021 Cheyenne Kippenberger with her family during the Miss Indian World virtual farewell. From left, her father Joe Kippenberger, grandmother Lawanna Osceola-Niles, her grandfather Juan Paz and her mother Susan Kippenberger. (Photo Robert Kippenberger) After a historic two-year reign as Miss Indian World, Cheyenne Kippenberger stepped down during the virtual Gathering of
Congressman Alcee Hastings’ legacy includes support of Seminole Tribe, environment News Top News by Beverly Bidney - May 3, 2021May 3, 2021 ep. Alcee Hastings participates with Seminole leaders in a ribbon cutting ceremony in 2011 for the opening of Eight Clans Bridge in Big Cypress. (File photo) U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings, a longtime supporter of and advocate for the Seminole Tribe, passed away at age 84 on April 6. Elected in 1992, Hastings
Chairman Osceola, Gov. DeSantis sign gambling deal Hard Rock/Seminole Gaming Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - April 24, 2021April 24, 2021 Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, and Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. hold up the new gambling compact that they signed April 23, 2021. (Photo Gov. DeSantis Facebook) The Seminole Tribe and Gov. Ron DeSantis reached a long-awaited agreement April 23 for a new gaming compact which would bring sports betting to the
ERMD, FWC share bear essentials during virtual training for tribal community Community Top News by Beverly Bidney - April 16, 2021April 16, 2021 A juvenile black bear near the Big Cypress New Testament Baptist Church behind the Sweet Tooth Cafe on the Big Cypress Reservation investigates a garbage can on March 21, 2021. (ERMD) The Florida black bear may not be the officially designated state animal, but sightings are becoming more common throughout the
