Four-year-old Tribal member among world’s top 2 percent smartest people Education by Eileen Soler - November 30, 2015November 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — A video of Jenna Billie at only 16 months old identifying letters of the alphabet could have been perceived as an awesome learning fluke – until three months later when she recited the alphabet in Spanish and sounded out each letter. Fast forward to last month when Jenna, at
AIAC brings museum learning outdoors Education by Eileen Soler - November 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — For nearly 700 students from cities and towns that surround the Big Cypress Reservation, hours at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum’s 18th annual American Indian Arts Celebration equaled one awesome out-of-classroom adventure. "The culture, the alligators, the dancing, the crafts, the clothing – it was a really great and fun
Cattle keepers buy, sell at Salacoa Seminole market Community by Eileen Soler - October 30, 2015 BRIGHTON — Salacoa Valley Farms, a division of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., hosted its first cattle auction on Seminole soil before an ample crowd eager to buy and sell. "Today is unique. We’ve always had the sales in Salacoa (Georgia), but now we have the first one in our
Agencies respond to Hendry County proposed land plan amendments Community by Eileen Soler - October 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Hendry County’s push to amend its comprehensive land plan, so Florida Power & Light can build one of the largest electrical power plants in the nation next door to the Big Cypress Reservation, is taking due course but not in the direction environmentalists and Tribal members hoped. According
Alligator namesake trumps Trump Community by Eileen Soler - October 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — What’s in a name? At Billie Swamp Safari, separated from otherwise friendly alligators, is a bully of all gators named in 1996 by Chairman James E. Billie after a memorable guest to the Big Cypress Reservation who came, saw and obviously left a lasting impression. His name is Trump. "We
Indigenous day of action, common ground found in Miami Community by Eileen Soler - October 30, 2015 MIAMI — On the same day Native American environmental groups across Indian Country took to the streets to raise awareness about global warming, organizations in South Florida marched in Miami to demand action against climate change. "The seas are rising and so are we," chanted hundreds gathered at the Stephen P.
Tribe helping Tribes endure bitter winter Community by Eileen Soler - October 30, 2015October 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Two quilts will help hundreds throughout Indian Country brave the upcoming winter. Native Relief Foundation (NRF), led by a core of Seminole Tribal members, is raffling off the elaborate handmade quilts to help send a truckload of donated warm clothing, shoes, blankets plus food and toys to poor, remote
New book builds on sharing tribal culture Community by Eileen Soler - October 30, 2015October 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — For the first time in architectural academia, a book uniquely devoted to Seminole chickees past and present is available for scholars, history buffs and everyday readers. "Thatched Roofs and Open Sides," written by Carrie Dilley with significant input from Seminole Tribe members including Chairman James E. Billie, explores
Native art to spotlight Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki’s AIAC Community by Eileen Soler - October 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum staff has been so intensely immersed recently in preparation for the Seminole Tribe’s upcoming 18th annual American Indian Arts Celebration (AIAC) that the event is being heralded as the "most anticipated AIAC ever." "We have fantastic performances slated for both days. People will be coming from
Midway to medical center at Big Cypress Community by Eileen Soler - October 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — A long lunch dished out plenty of thanks Oct. 20 to about 100 construction workers and staff at the construction site for the new Big Cypress Medical Center. "You guys are building something for my people and you are doing a good job at it. So for lunch