DAPL decision draws optimism, pessimism from Seminoles Community by Beverly Bidney - January 6, 2017 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Dec. 4 it will not approve an easement to allow the proposed 1,172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe on the Missouri River, near the Standing River Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. The pronouncement halted the project. Assistant Secretary for Civil Works
Jessica Osceola earns Master of Fine Arts Community Uncategorized by Beverly Bidney - January 5, 2017January 6, 2017 FORT MYERS — Embracing her bi-racial identity as a Seminole and American woman, Jessica Osceola created art from the issues she has faced throughout her life. After five years of study and work, she recently earned her Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Academy of Art University in San
ERMD balances needs of wildlife and community on reservations Community by Beverly Bidney - December 8, 2016 BIG CYPRESS — For the last decade, the Environmental Resource Management Department’s wildlife and wetlands divisions have been monitoring the health of Tribal land and the non-human species that call it home. ERMD has what appears to be conflicting roles; it aims to protect the environment as it works with Tribal
Cool weather grass grows in Brighton field trial News by Beverly Bidney - December 8, 2016May 19, 2017 BRIGHTON — With an eye toward increasing productivity in Tribal cow pastures, Aaron Stam, University of Florida extension agent, began a field trial of cool weather grasses on a 20-acre pasture in the Brighton feedlot Nov. 1. Bahiagrass, currently used in pastures, is a fine choice most of the year but
Brighton Veterans Day honors Native American military service Community by Beverly Bidney - December 8, 2016 BRIGHTON — Honoring military service was the focal point of the 29th annual Veterans Day celebration Nov. 3 as the sacrifices made by Native Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces were recognized during a ceremony at the Florida Seminole Veterans Building in Brighton. “This is an important day and we honor
Digging for solutions at fracking summit Community by Beverly Bidney - December 8, 2016 FORT MYERS — Hundreds of environmentally concerned citizens attended the Florida Fracking Summit Nov. 2 to learn about the threats to the environment and what they can do to help prevent them. The room remained silent throughout the day as the crowd listened intently to expert speakers at Florida Gulf Coast
Documentary sheds light on Black Seminole war hero Community Uncategorized by Beverly Bidney - December 8, 2016December 8, 2016 BIG CYPRESS — A rarely told story of a Black Seminole hero is being made into an educational documentary called “Suwannee Warrior.” Filming began Nov. 6 on the Big Cypress Reservation. “It’s one of those stories that is rarely spoken about nowadays, in the Tribe and outside as well,” said Naples
Seminole Petroleum fuels growth for Tribe Community by Beverly Bidney - December 1, 2016December 5, 2016 NAPLES — Seminole Petroleum rolled out its new name and freshly painted tanker trucks Oct. 28 at the company’s bulk fuel processing plant in Naples. Tribal officials introduced the Seminole Petroleum management team as they celebrated the transition to the new brand with a luncheon at the Naples plant. The petroleum
Judge’s ruling deemed a win for Tribe Community by Beverly Bidney - December 1, 2016December 5, 2016 A federal judge ruled Nov. 9 the Seminole Tribe may continue to deal blackjack and baccarat, known as banked card games, at all seven of its Florida casinos for another 14 years. The news means the Tribe is legally authorized to continue the games through 2030, the end date of the
PECS elects new student council Education by Beverly Bidney - November 16, 2016November 16, 2016 BRIGHTON — The short election season is officially over at Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School. After a two-week campaign, ballots were cast and counted Sept. 16. A new chairman and student council were sworn in during a ceremony in the school gymnasium Sept. 22. Chairman Heath Lawrence leads a council comprised of