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

IMMOKALEE — Patrons of the Tribe’s casino in Immokalee now have a good reason to play late into the night: an adjoining 99-room hotel that opened for business March 12. "This was a dream we all discussed," said President Tony Sanchez Jr., who worked at the casino – now known as

TALLAHASSEE — With uncommon strength of character and painstaking dedication, Lorene Bowers Gopher helped rejuvenate and safeguard the Florida Creek language, taught hundreds of children about the old ways and completed her life’s work by handing down a rich, preserved treasure trove of tradition and culture to the next generation

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

CLEWISTON — The Hendry County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the renaming of County Road 833 to Sam Jones Trail during its regular meeting March 10. The vote ratified a request made by Chairman James E. Billie. The 34.4-mile stretch from State Road 80, west of Clewiston then south to the northern

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

BIG CYPRESS — Trans-Atlantic rower Victor Mooney recently visited the Big Cypress Reservation while his 24-foot rowboat was being repaired in Miami. Mooney, a Canarsee Tribe descendant from New York, has spent the last decade attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness for AIDS testing. During his fourth attempt,

BIG CYPRESS — Battles from the Second Seminole War, the longest and most expensive U.S. war waged against Native Americans, were realistically reenacted March 13-15 for descendants of both sides. Deadly skirmishes during the 1835-1842 war took place in the same general vicinity as the reenactments at Billie Swamp Safari in

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.

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