New class of ‘Champions’ embarks on slew of Native youth initiatives Community News by Damon Scott - April 3, 2019 Each year in Washington, D.C., the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute honors a group of young and inspirational Native leaders. The five “Champions for Change” choose their own personal platforms and issues to advocate for on behalf of Native youth across the country and abroad. Organizers choose
CSU incident spurs report to address Native issues on college campuses Education News by Damon Scott - April 3, 2019April 3, 2019 More than a few eyebrows were raised last year when two Native American brothers were removed from a college campus tour in Colorado. The Colorado State University incident drew comparisons to racial profiling incidents happening across the country. But it also was the impetus for a new initiative put together by
Professor’s passion for history flows in Seminole lectures Community News by Damon Scott - April 2, 2019April 3, 2019 JENSEN BEACH — Florida is a state steeped in unique history. It’s much more than Disney World and spring break. Ronald Grenville Frazer knows a thing or two about it and does his best to share the history not only with his students, but with anyone who is interested. It’s been
Lake Okeechobee projects near Brighton Reservation still under study Community Top News by Damon Scott - April 2, 2019 Florida’s massive Lake Okeechobee is a huge responsibility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps is in charge of about everything having to do with it, and the decisions it makes has potential effects on a slew of stakeholders. The Corps’ Jacksonville District oversees the operation of the lake
Jr. Cypress Cattle Drive & Rodeo remembers the past, honors the present Community Top News by Damon Scott - April 2, 2019 BIG CYPRESS — The Seminole Tribe has a long line of cattlemen and cattlewomen in its history. And there are still families in the Tribe who are involved in the industry (which originated on the Brighton Reservation). Cattle operations are still one of the enterprises of the Seminole Tribe of
Manatees were once important Seminole food source Community Top News by Damon Scott - April 1, 2019 Recalling his younger years, Big Cypress Councilman Mondo Tiger puts it bluntly: "We were some poor people just trying to stay alive." The time he speaks of wasn’t really that long ago either. Councilman Tiger said even though the Seminole Tribe’s economic situation has clearly transformed in recent years, poverty was significant
Tribal businesses have a shot with thriving Broward, Super Bowl Community Top News by Damon Scott - April 1, 2019 HOLLYWOOD — Seminole Tribe of Florida small business owners were recently reminded of some big economic opportunities that are currently in South Florida and on the horizon. At the Chairman’s Economic & Small Business Development Seminar, officials representing the upcoming Super Bowl in Miami, and Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen, laid
Report cites ‘continued failure’ of Congress to fund Native obligations Community News by Damon Scott - March 1, 2019 In 2003 it was described as “A Quiet Crisis.” Now more than 15 years later, officials say not much has changed. The noted crisis is the failure of the U.S. Congress to live up to its special trust relationship with Native Americans. That basic obligation was set in motion many decades
NCAI’s Keel sees strong, resurgent Indian Country; PECS’ Joy Prescott mentioned in address Community News by Damon Scott - March 1, 2019 U.S. President Donald J. Trump gave his State of the Union address to Congress on Feb. 5, an annual message meant to lay out a legislative agenda and course for the country. Similarly, every year the president of the National Congress of American Indians gives a State of Indian Nations address,
State lawmakers push forward on Native issues, policy Community News by Damon Scott - March 1, 2019March 1, 2019 While attention is often given to the noisy political environment in Washington, D.C., state legislatures are busy introducing bills and hashing out policy issues. Indeed, sometimes state-level actions can have a more direct effect on Florida residents – including Tribal members – than what is being hashed out in Congress. In Florida