Big Cypress celebrates Christmas in style (there was ice skating, too) Arts & Entertainment Community by Damon Scott - January 7, 2019 BIG CYPRESS — The Big Cypress community came out in large numbers Dec. 15 to celebrate Christmas at its annual gathering. Tribal Members and families socialized underneath a huge tent filled with large round decorated tables at the Junior Cypress Rodeo Complex from about 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lining the perimeter
Seminole Tribe pushes Smithsonian on repatriation policies Community News by Damon Scott - January 7, 2019 Led by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, a resolution has been passed concerning repatriation policies at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The resolution was passed by the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF) board of directors at its annual meeting in October at the Seneca
Tribal leaders thank Tampa community for sacrifices; Massive Hard Rock expansion to be completed summer 2019 Arts & Entertainment News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - January 7, 2019 TAMPA — Last summer the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood celebrated a construction milestone, raising a ceremonial final beam at the site of its massive 450-foot guitar-shaped hotel to be completed in late 2019. A few months later it was Tampa’s turn. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Indian Country pleased with tribal provisions in Farm Bill Community News by Damon Scott - January 4, 2019 After months of delays and negotiations, the U.S. Congress approved the $867 billion Farm Bill after a 386-47 vote in the House of Representatives Dec. 19. The Senate had approved the legislation the day before in an 87-to-13 vote. President Donald J. Trump signed the bill into law Dec. 20. The
Tribal officials seek growth in TCD program; Clayton Simmons is latest graduate Community News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - January 4, 2019 HOLLYWOOD — An ambitious program designed to send Tribal members into management and executive positions within Seminole Gaming is looking for more participants. The Tribal Career Development program (TCD) started about 15 years ago and has had about 100 enrollees since its inception. There are currently 16 participants in the program
Want to pitch a business idea to the Tribe? Start here. Community News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - January 4, 2019 HOLLYWOOD — When an organization blazes a trail of success and innovation like the Seminole Tribe of Florida has with its ventures, officials are often bombarded with business pitches – some good, some not so good. Put another way: people both within the Tribe and outside of it want a piece
Natives keep watchful eye on ICWA developments Community News by Damon Scott - January 4, 2019 A federal judge in Texas ruled the Indian Child Welfare Act was unconstitutional in early October – something that’s never happened since the law was enacted in 1978. Court appeals were immediately filed in response. The ICWA was designed to prevent the separation of Native children from their parents and extended
Brighton tree ceremony ushers in Christmas Community News by Damon Scott - January 4, 2019 BRIGHTON — The Brighton community gave a 28-foot nod to Christmas with a tree lighting ceremony and celebration Nov. 30. The event, a first for Brighton, took place from dusk until about 9 p.m. on the vacant lot at the northwest corner of Harney Pond and Reservation roads. Brighton Reservation Council Representative
Documentary: Human hands shaped Everglades, and thus Florida Arts & Entertainment Top News by Damon Scott - January 3, 2019January 15, 2019 Florida is a big and complex state with a big and complex history. And any conversation about that history and its complexity can’t happen without a hefty nod to one of its most profound features – the Florida Everglades. "The Swamp" documentary considers in detail the Everglades, which are comprised of
FIU group seeks donations to build campus chickee Education Top News by Damon Scott - January 3, 2019 A group at Miami’s Florida International University is raising funds to build a chickee on one of its campuses. The FIU chickee is an initiative of its Global Indigenous Forum (GIF) and corresponding student club – the Global Indigenous Group (GIG). The GIF has several projects and initiatives in work, primarily through