Hard Rock celebrates decade of success with 10 years of charity at Okalee event Community by Eileen Soler - May 29, 2014April 8, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Elders, veterans, school children and an alligator slung around Billy Walker’s shoulders opened festivities May 9 with a grand entry that marked more than a century of Seminole perseverance and a decade of serious prosperity. "It was beyond my expectations that we would be as successful as we are
Tribalwide presentations reveal 7th Generation Project mission Community by Eileen Soler - May 29, 2014April 8, 2015 Actor and former NFL player Jim Warne made careers of playing in front of cameras, but when the Oglala Lakota member stood in the Seminole spotlight recently, he revealed another passion. "It’s about enlightenment. Most people have no clue about Native American history or what is happening today," said Warne, founder
Foster parents merit standing ovations Community by Eileen Soler - May 29, 2014April 8, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Gratitude was served in hefty portions of homemade meatloaf, armfuls of thoughtful gifts and plenty of applause May 13 at the Foster Parent Appreciation Luncheon on Big Cypress Reservation. Hosted by the Family Services Department’s Family Preservation program, the two-hour event was a welcomed midday break for 60
National Police Week full of experiences for Explorers Community by Eileen Soler - May 29, 2014April 8, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Seminole Police Department officers and Tribal youth from the agency’s Police Explorers program joined law enforcement from throughout the country May 12-16 for National Police Week in Washington, D.C. "It was an opportunity for the kids to see us not just as they do every day in the
Kids cook up food, fun at Culture Camp Education by Eileen Soler - May 29, 2014April 8, 2015 BRIGHTON — There’s an art to learning culture at Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School and for the youngest students, the art of culture is delivered in baby steps. "Tapeksicet. Tapeksicet," said Seminole history teacher Jade Braswell Osceola as a half-dozen first-grade girls flipped, flopped and punched flour and water into dough –
Protests mount against potential FPL power plant Community by Eileen Soler - April 30, 2014April 8, 2015 LABELLE — Environmentalists continued to take aim at a giant by using Earth Day to stand shoulder to shoulder, wave signs and call out to motorists on Hickpochee Avenue in LaBelle April 22. "Florida Power & Light (FPL) wants to build a power plant less than 2 miles from the Big
Task force takes aim at violence against Native children Community by Eileen Soler - April 30, 2014April 8, 2015 FORT LAUDERDALE — Native American children are two and a half times more likely to commit suicide – the No. 1 cause of death among Indian youth – than children of other races, and they are three times more probable to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder than soldiers returning from war. "You
Otters train for stardom at Billie Swamp Safari Community by Eileen Soler - April 30, 2014April 8, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Super frisky and ferociously adorable, three female baby river otters are training in Hollywood for the spotlight in Big Cypress. "They are cute, cuddly and obviously very mouth-oriented now," said "Otter" John Jones, Okalee Village wildlife manager and certified animal handler, while being smothered in otter kisses by all
Seminole, Fort Lauderdale history meet on New River cruise Community by Eileen Soler - April 30, 2014April 8, 2015 FORT LAUDERDALE — Those who believe that regional history began with Ponce de León’s discovery of Florida during the spring of 1513 are simply wrong, said local historian and author Bill Sydnor. "Tequesta Indians made their home here during the time of Christ and before that," Sydnor said during a yacht
Builder remembered for shaping lives Community by Eileen Soler - April 30, 2014April 8, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — On one hand, Mike Allen Smith’s life ended too soon for loved ones to bear. On the other, his death left a legacy of hope and love for all to share. "We did not lose Mike. He may not be here for us to touch, hug, hold and