Biden signs bill removing real estate restrictions for tribe News by Beverly Bidney - December 3, 2021December 3, 2021 Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. testifies virtually before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Sept. 23, 2020. (U.S. Senate) Since 1790, Native Americans have been required to obtain federal approval for the purchase or lease of land not held in trust, due to the Indian Non-Intercourse Act (NIA). With
Haaland, Harjo share stories about longtime friendship Arts & Entertainment News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - December 3, 2021December 3, 2021 U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, right, and U.S. Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, center, participate in a Library of Congress program Nov. 1 hosted by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, left. (Courtesy image) The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., kicked off Native American Heritage Month on Nov. 1 with a
Marcella Billie brings passion for history as museum’s new assistant director Arts & Entertainment Community News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - December 3, 2021December 3, 2021 BIG CYPRESS — After working at the Miccosukee Village museum for six years, tribal member Marcella Billie joinedthe Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in November as assistant director. “I’m very passionate about our history,” said Billie, who lives near Trail in Miami. “People who are no longer here want their stories told. Seeing the
Gordon ‘Ollie’ Wareham named Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum director Arts & Entertainment Community News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - December 3, 2021December 3, 2021 BIG CYPRESS — The legacy of Billy L. Cypress, the first director of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, lives on in his nephewGordon “Ollie” Wareham, who is its new director. “My uncle always wanted tribal members to come and be inspired,” Wareham said. “Now, 25 years later at age 50, I getto follow
‘Dream’ performance for Battiest brothers at NBA game in Los Angeles Arts & Entertainment Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - November 24, 2021November 24, 2021 Seminole brothers Spencer Battiest and Doc Native perform their award-winning hit “Dream” during halftime at the Dallas Mavericks versus Los Angeles Clippers game Nov. 23, 2021, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Indigenous Enterprise dancers Kenneth Shirley and Nanabah Lopez Kadenehii performed traditional pow wow dances during the song. (Photo
Effort underway to form group for Seminole writers Arts & Entertainment Community Top News by Beverly Bidney - November 18, 2021November 18, 2021 Elgin Jumper knows he isn’t the only tribal member who enjoys writing, so he created a Seminole writers group so he and others can share their passion and support one another in their creative endeavors. “I always wondered why there wasn’t a group of Seminole writers who can share, learn and
Battiest brothers music video wins at AIFF Arts & Entertainment Community Top News by Beverly Bidney - November 18, 2021November 18, 2021 Seminole brothers Doc Native, left, and Spencer Battiest perform Oct. 16, 2019, at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. (Photo Kevin Johnson) Spencer Battiest and Doc Native’s music video of their song “Dream” won first place at the 46th annual American Indian Film Festival (AIFF) on
‘Elgin Jumper’s Colorful Journey’ debuts at Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Arts & Entertainment Community News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - November 3, 2021November 3, 2021 A documentary about artist Elgin Jumper debuted Oct. 6 at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. Seminole Media Productions filmed and produced the documentary. (SMP) BIG CYPRESS — When Elgin Jumper was 6 or 7 years old, he picked up a pencil, started drawing and kept at it until it became a part of
Rez Jamz spotlights tribal talent Arts & Entertainment Community News Top News Top Story by Beverly Bidney - November 2, 2021November 2, 2021 Cypress Billie performs for Rez Jamz, a new musical series at To-Pee-Kee-Ke Yak-Ne Community Center in Big Cypress. (Photo Beverly Bidney) BIG CYPRESS — Tribal singers, songwriters and musicians now have a place to share their talents with the tribe and theworld at large. Rez Jamz is a new musical series designed
Ahfachkee students embrace character education program Community Education News by Beverly Bidney - November 2, 2021November 2, 2021 Ahfachkee high school students are, from left, Maggie Jimmie (junior), Timothy Tigertail (senior), Jordan Osceola (senior), Jaylee Jimmie (sophomore) and kneeling in front is Daleen Osceola (senior). (Courtesy photo) BIG CYPRESS — Ahfachkee School students are learning that character counts in school, at home and throughout life. The school’s character education program