Stressing less stress as reservations focus on heart health Health by Beverly Bidney - April 19, 2017May 19, 2017 American Heart Month in February gave Tribal citizens opportunities to learn how to maintain a healthy heart. A variety of activities in Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood and Immokalee featured a combination of education, hands-on fun and rewards that can last a lifetime. Sponsored by the Health Department, events throughout the month
Wildfire forces evacuation of Naples field office News by Beverly Bidney - April 19, 2017May 22, 2017 NAPLES — A 7,500-acre wildfire in Picayune Strand State Forest prompted the evacauation of the Seminole Tribe’s Naples field office March 7. Emergency personnel removed Tribal assets and valuables from the office the next day. “Yesterday we couldn’t smell the smoke, but now we can and the ash is all over
4-H’ers shine in Big Cypress show, sale Community by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2017 BIG CYPRESS — After years in Brighton, the annual Seminole 4-H show and sale shifted to the Junior Cypress Rodeo Arena in Big Cypress on March 23 and 24. An enthusiastic group of 62 4-H’ers vied for awards and accolades as friends and family cheered them on from outside the ring
Deven Osceola earns MAP award Education by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2017 Deven Osceola’s efforts at Mount Dora Christian Academy have paid off. His score in the winter MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests for mathematics, reading, language usage and science were in the top 10 percent of all students nationwide and showed a 10 percent or higher gain in one of
Italian exchange students learn Seminole culture at Billie Swamp Safari Education by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2017 BIG CYPRESS — A group of Italian high school exchange students received a taste of authentic Florida during a visit to Billie Swamp Safari on Feb. 21. Archbishop McCarthy High School senior John Osceola joined the group, which spent two weeks at the school and other South Florida attractions. “I enjoyed
Edward Aguilar earns gaming management certification News by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2017May 22, 2017 IMMOKALEE — Edward Aguilar Sr. is passionate about every aspect of the gaming industry. As the assistant director of slot operations at the Seminole Casino in Immokalee and a graduate of Seminole Gaming’s Tribal Career Development program, he continues to sharpen his professional development. Aguilar earned a gaming management certificate from
Seminoles play big role in Chalo Nitka celebration News by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2017May 22, 2017 MOORE HAVEN — Although Moore Haven’s Chalo Nitka Festival began in 1948 to commemorate paving of Main Street, it has evolved into an annual celebration of small town life near the banks of Lake Okeechobee. What makes the festival unique is how the culture of the Seminole Tribe is intertwined
Seminoles fondly recall sculptor, longtime friend Bradley Cooley Community by Beverly Bidney - March 16, 2017 Bradley Cooley, an acclaimed sculptor and longtime friend of the Seminole Tribe, passed away Jan. 24 in Tallahassee while undergoing open heart surgery. He was 78. Cooley created 40 life-sized bronze sculptures for the Tribe, many of which can be seen at headquarters in Hollywood, the Brighton Veterans Building, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum,
Michael Shaffer learns recipe for success as ACD participant Community by Beverly Bidney - March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 IMMOKALEE — The routine of the kitchen at the Immokalee Senior Center suits Advanced Career Development participant Michael Shaffer well. After earning an Associate of Arts degree in hospitality from Keiser University last year, Shaffer worked in the kitchen of Sweet Tomatoes in Naples and Fort Myers. The restaurants each served
Two-day Smith Family Cattle Drive traverses Brighton Reservation Community by Beverly Bidney - March 16, 2017May 22, 2017 BRIGHTON — About 100 people on horseback, in all-terrain vehicles, swamp buggies, SUVs and one vintage military jeep drove 30 cattle over a 20-mile trek from the St. Thomas pasture north of Brighton to the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena from Jan. 27- 28 in the fifth annual Smith Family Cattle