FORT LAUDERDALE — Jara Ann Courson entered the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant so she could communicate her message of self-empowerment to youth. Like many young girls, Jara was bullied at school. "I was a target for mean girls because I was an insecure introvert for a while," she said. "I

MILWAUKEE — Treasurer Pete Hahn was honored by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development for his outstanding leadership to the Seminole Tribe. The organization named him one of the 2014 "Native American 40 Under 40" award recipients. Hahn received the award at the 39th annual Indian Progress in Business

BIG CYPRESS — Educational lessons tend to accompany George Billie’s actions. From his days as an alligator wrestler to his years as an Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum cultural ambassador, Billie has shared and spread his vast wealth of wisdom generated during his 87 years. "He lived a lifetime of teaching his language and culture,"

Every year, Red Ribbon Week raises awareness about the negative effect drugs have on communities. The campaign and the tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance of drug use began in 1985 after the murder of a DEA agent in Mexico City. Since then, the week has

TRAIL — Jessie Jimmie had her first drink at age 12. Now suffering from cirrhosis of the liver at 30, she joined Seminoles in Recovery for help. "I drank for six years straight," said Jimmie, who has been sober since March. "I have only one choice; drink and die or don’t

Since June, most Seminole Police Department officers have used miniature video cameras that attach to uniforms. The latest tool in law enforcement – combined with dashboard and back-seat cameras already in cruisers – is another example of the department embracing new technology. "This is an opportunity to be transparent and show

TALLAHASSEE — The night before the Florida State University football team dominated on the field in its home opener, Seminole brothers commanded the stage at the Friday Night Block Party. The Osceola Brothers Band rocked the streets for thousands of spectators Sept. 5 at Kleman Plaza in downtown Tallahassee, where they

MICCOSUKEE — Tina Osceola grew up loving museums. As an adult she has made her life in that world, first as director of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, then as a board member of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), followed by president of the American Indian and

DAVIE — The key to Gem and Linda Osceola’s success in business has been her passion for a good cup of coffee. About 10 years ago, they wanted to start a business but didn’t have a direction in mind. He was a salesman in his father’s chickee business, and she managed