Family talent for sweetgrass baskets displayed at Museum Community by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Everyone can tell a Beletso basket, even without a blue, red or yellow prize ribbon hanging from its rim. For Linda Beletso and her daughters Lorraine Posada and Lenora Roberts, the distinction is a matter of family pride and personal artistry. With colors that mesh like music with
‘Seminole Girl’ at home on New River Community by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015July 8, 2015 FORT LAUDERDALE — The long-awaited arrival of a bronze sculpture that commemorates the timeless Native presence along New River in Fort Lauderdale occurred March 20 amid fanfare and speeches. "Fort Lauderdale is a city about building community. Having the sculpture here among so much history is symbolic and meaningful. Let the
BC Cattle Drive a somber reminder of those passed Community by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015July 8, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Escorting 44 cows and steers through the shell-packed roads of Big Cypress Reservation was fitting March 21 for the honorary trail boss of the 19th annual Junior Cypress Cattle Drive. It was there on the land, more than 80 years ago, that this year’s honoree Johnny Cypress, an
Visitor surge at Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki credited to hard work at home Community by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — If numbers tell all, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the first tribal-owned and governed museum to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a popular destination for visitors. According to data compiled by Museum staff, the visit count for January 2015 over January 2014 alone is up 38 percent.
BC bird man lands tourist audience Community by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Reinaldo Becerra is a man of many hats but being a falconer puts another feather in his cap. The Air Force veteran, videographer, tour guide, environmentalist and animal advocate is also the only non-Tribal community outreach specialist at Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and the creator and presenter of the Museum’s
Pedometer fitness challenge bets on improved health Health by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 No one can say for sure how 101 Tribal members and employees who spend six weeks walking thousands of steps in a pedometer challenge could increase their odds in a poker game. What is known: losing a few pounds, gaining muscle strength and improving heart rate is definitely in the cards
Battlefield education teaches hard-fought lesson Education by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015July 8, 2015 OKEECHOBEE — For Winnie Gopher and other Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School students, the chance to spotlight Seminole culture during Education Day at the annual Battle of Okeechobee reenactment is a matter of pride. "It’s important to show other kids what we do every day and what our ancestors did in the
Ahfachkee artists paint like pros for Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum show Education by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Warm pastels and brilliant paintings make up a three-tiered, 27-piece art wall at Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. Each evokes works by world-renowned art masters but all are original pieces produced by the hands of Ahfachkee School students. "They are inspired by famous artists – each work represents a different art
Remodeled ball field a hit in Big Cypress Sports by Eileen Soler - April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — There was likely no better way to debut the newly remodeled and expanded Billie Johns Sr. Ball Field on Big Cypress than with an inaugural game that guaranteed just about everyone hit, ran and scored. The Feb. 26 contest started 45 minutes late and lasted two innings. It
First Seminole Tribal Court takes civil cases into own hands Community by Eileen Soler - February 27, 2015July 8, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Furthering sovereign rights of self-government and self-determination, the Seminole Tribe of Florida celebrated the creation of its Tribal Court system Feb. 19 at the inauguration of its first panel of six Tribal justices and judges. Just yards from the landmark Council Oak where the Seminole Constitution was signed in