Reception highlights poetry through art, writing

by Beverly Bidney - April 6, 2022April 6, 2022

Elgin Jumper talks about his art that is displayed in the Mosiac Gallery at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on March 16, 2022. (Photo Beverly Bidney) BIG CYPRESS — Since Elgin Jumper sees poetry in everything, the opening reception for his “Fluent Poetry” show at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on March 16 celebrated all

‘Victory for our people, for our ancestors’ as Alachua County purchases disputed Micanopy land

News

by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2022September 19, 2024

From left, Robert Rosa (Taino), Micanopy activist Aaron Weber, Shawn Updagrave (Cherokee) and Martha Tommie (Seminole) celebrate the victory at the Micanopy Native American Preserve on March 28, 2022. (Courtesy photo) A land dispute has been unfolding during the past two years in Micanopy where a developer planned to build a

As tribe resumes big events, return to 4-H show ring is welcomed by all

Community

by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2022September 19, 2024

Arlo Jackson, left, and Ailynn Tommie-Smith chat while holding their animals during the Seminole Tribe 4-H Livestock Show & Sale on March 9, 2022, at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton. (Photo Beverly Bidney) BRIGHTON — After two years without an in-person livestock show, 4-H’ers tribalwide were proud

FSU softball team learns about Seminole culture in Big Cypress

Community

by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2022September 19, 2024

The FSU softball team, Chobee AMP 12U and 14U teams, Big Cypress Councilwoman Mariann Billie and other tribal members gather for a photo to commemorate FSU’s visit to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Big Cypress on March 25, 2022. (Photo Beverly Bidney) BIG CYPRESS — Florida State University teams all sport

To-Pee-Kee-Ke Yak-Ne open house provides welcomed gathering for community

Community

by Beverly Bidney - March 25, 2022September 19, 2024

Musician Eden Jumper performs on the Rez Jamz stage at the To-Pee-Kee-Ke Yak-Ne Community Center open house March 9, 2022, in Big Cypress. (Photo Beverly Bidney) BIG CYPRESS – In Eloponke, “To-Pee-Kee-Ke Yak-Ne” means a place to gather – and that’s just what the Big Cypress community did during a

Seminole culture shines at Chalo Nitka

by Beverly Bidney - March 14, 2022September 19, 2024

Siblings Kingston Jumper, 5, and Kanae Jumper, 8, ride their horses in the Chalo Nitka parade March 5, 2022, in Moore Haven. (Photo Beverly Bidney) MOORE HAVEN – After two years of the pandemic, it was clear people were ready to get out and celebrate the 74th annual Chalo Nitka Festival

Hall of fame induction set for April 9 for painter of Seminole life

by Beverly Bidney - March 9, 2022March 14, 2022

Guy LaBree working on a painting in his studio in 2014. (File photo) After a long delay due to the pandemic, artists from the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. The class of 2020 includes painter Guy LaBree and singer/songwriter Rita Coolidge.

Q&A with Michele Thomas, recently honored by PECS, Glades County School District

by Beverly Bidney - March 9, 2022March 9, 2022

Michele Thomas, left, receives a plaque from the Glades County School District. (Courtesy photo) Michele Thomas was recently named non-instructional employee of the year for Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School and the Glades County School District. Thomas, from the Brighton Reservation, has been an employee at the school since its inception 15

New reading program at Ahfachkee focuses on Native books

by Beverly Bidney - March 9, 2022March 9, 2022

Kathy Dixon, media clerk, helps Ahfachkee sixth grader Thanoke Roberts with the Read Native program Feb. 11. (Photo Beverly Bidney) BIG CYPRESS — Ahfachkee students are reading books by and about Native Americans in a new program called “Read Native.” The program was inspired by the American Indian Library Association’s inaugural

Despite hurdles, student Kadin Tommie succeeds through pandemic

by Beverly Bidney - March 9, 2022March 9, 2022

Kadin Tommie at home with his grandmother Virginia Tommie. (Courtesy photo) Education during the pandemic has been a challenge for some students. During virtual school, paying attention to a computer screen all day is very different from being in a classroom with a teacher. Kadin Tommie’s grades were good as a seventh