Pipeline concerns spread to Florida Community by Stephanie Rodriguez - January 6, 2017 While the battle over the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota has generated national attention for most of 2016, protestors in Florida have staged several demonstrations this fall and winter to halt the construction of the Sabal Trail and Florida Southeast Connection underground natural gas transmission pipelines. Hundreds of Tallahassee residents
Big Cypress captures Trike Fest Community by Beverly Bidney - January 6, 2017 BIG CYPRESS — Although it wasn’t quite Christmas, the holiday spirit was alive and well at the 12th annual Trike Fest on Dec. 9 in Big Cypress. Seniors from Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood and Immokalee donned Santa hats and bicycle helmets as they vied for trophies in the friendly competition
DAPL decision draws optimism, pessimism from Seminoles Community by Beverly Bidney - January 6, 2017 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Dec. 4 it will not approve an easement to allow the proposed 1,172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe on the Missouri River, near the Standing River Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. The pronouncement halted the project. Assistant Secretary for Civil Works
Jessica Osceola earns Master of Fine Arts Community Uncategorized by Beverly Bidney - January 5, 2017January 6, 2017 FORT MYERS — Embracing her bi-racial identity as a Seminole and American woman, Jessica Osceola created art from the issues she has faced throughout her life. After five years of study and work, she recently earned her Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Academy of Art University in San
‘A Christmas wish come true’ as Tribe officials spread holiday cheer at children’s hospital Community by Eileen Soler - January 5, 2017 HOLLYWOOD — Santa Claus doesn’t always rely on his sleigh and reindeer to bring Christmas joy — and he doesn’t always wait until Christmas Eve. On Dec. 6, the jolly old soul laughed hearty “Ho, ho, ho” while delivering gifts to patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital thanks to Seminole
Big Cypress New Testament Baptist Church commemorates five decades of faith Community by Eileen Soler - January 4, 2017 BIG CYPRESS — No one knows for sure when members of Big Cypress New Testament Baptist Church first gathered, but families that date back at least five decades to when the plain block structure was built on a bubble of land off Josie Billie Highway marked the church’s golden anniversary
ERMD balances needs of wildlife and community on reservations Community by Beverly Bidney - December 8, 2016 BIG CYPRESS — For the last decade, the Environmental Resource Management Department’s wildlife and wetlands divisions have been monitoring the health of Tribal land and the non-human species that call it home. ERMD has what appears to be conflicting roles; it aims to protect the environment as it works with Tribal
Amid pipeline tensions, water’s importance is stressed Community by Kevin Johnson - December 8, 2016 FORT LAUDERDALE — For the first five years of his life, Sam Tommie was surrounded by water. Growing up as a young boy in the Everglades made a lasting impression on Tommie, who spoke about the importance of water during the second night of a three-day Native American Heritage Month program
Veterans contributions to country highlight BC ceremony Community by Stephanie Rodriguez - December 8, 2016 BIG CYPRESS — The Veterans Day celebration in Big Cypress honored Natives and non-Native veterans Nov. 11. The program featured guest speakers, singer Spencer Battiest and a sermon by Pastor L.W. Howard. The ceremony started with a march and flag presentation from the Seminole Public Safety Color Guard to honor all
Brighton Veterans Day honors Native American military service Community by Beverly Bidney - December 8, 2016 BRIGHTON — Honoring military service was the focal point of the 29th annual Veterans Day celebration Nov. 3 as the sacrifices made by Native Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces were recognized during a ceremony at the Florida Seminole Veterans Building in Brighton. “This is an important day and we honor
