HOLLYWOOD — Becoming the first Tribe in Indian Country to achieve self-regulation certification from the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is less about luck and more about how the Seminole Tribe of Florida plays a professional hand. "Today is truly an important, historic day for the commission and all of Indian

FORT LAUDERDALE — Jara Ann Courson entered the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant so she could communicate her message of self-empowerment to youth. Like many young girls, Jara was bullied at school. "I was a target for mean girls because I was an insecure introvert for a while," she said. "I

FORT PIERCE — Plenty of time is ahead for memories to be made inside the new Chupco’s Landing Community Center where future gatherings and meetings, basketball and volleyball games and pool parties will yield an abundance of stories for the tightly knit Seminole reservation in southwestern St. Lucie County. But on

BRIGHTON — Thirty-four Brighton Miss Seminole princesses since 1979 and 27 Brighton Jr. Miss princesses since 1986 have won coveted beaded crowns bestowed to girls who best represent Brighton Reservation. "I have been in those shoes. It means so much and it is nerve-racking, but it is an honor," said Brianna

MILWAUKEE — Treasurer Pete Hahn was honored by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development for his outstanding leadership to the Seminole Tribe. The organization named him one of the 2014 "Native American 40 Under 40" award recipients. Hahn received the award at the 39th annual Indian Progress in Business

BIG CYPRESS — Educational lessons tend to accompany George Billie’s actions. From his days as an alligator wrestler to his years as an Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum cultural ambassador, Billie has shared and spread his vast wealth of wisdom generated during his 87 years. "He lived a lifetime of teaching his language and culture,"

Every year, Red Ribbon Week raises awareness about the negative effect drugs have on communities. The campaign and the tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance of drug use began in 1985 after the murder of a DEA agent in Mexico City. Since then, the week has

BIG CYPRESS — Practically just out of her teens, a 20-something newcomer to Big Cypress is like gold as the first full-time youth program director at Big Cypress First Baptist Church. Tracy Hernandez, 22, a recent graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, kicked off her first job out of college Sept. 17