New business starting to thrive Editorial by Tony Sanchez Jr. - February 20, 2013April 7, 2015 When this administration came into office 20 months ago, there were enterprises that were in existence that were failing – investments had been made in finances and manpower, equipment purchased, etc. These were projects that hadn’t really gained any traction (i.e. Seminole Pride Water, Seminole Pride Juice, the convenience stores,
Almost the oldest man in the village Editorial by James E. Billie - January 28, 2013April 7, 2015 Happy New Year. The year 2013 has finally arrived. Maybe the Mayan theory of the end of the world is still on Indian time. Anyway, we are all still here. I was having a conversation with some of the people who were organizing the 75th anniversary of the Brighton Reservation
2013: Time to get mandatory Editorial by Tony Sanchez Jr. - January 28, 2013April 7, 2015 Many projects and ideas that we have talked about in this column are still in the works, and we are still working them through the process. When I think in terms of goals for this calendar year, a few thoughts immediately come to mind: The Board definitely needs to continue
A season of sadness and joy Editorial by James E. Billie - December 18, 2012April 7, 2015 Kind of neat sitting underneath this round chickee, by the old fire, my feet back in the old grass roots. Feels good. Smoke getting in my eyes and burning. Makes me know that I’m still alive. It’s kind of neat inside my house, too, where we can smell the aroma
No time for cruise control Editorial by Tony Sanchez Jr. - December 18, 2012April 7, 2015 As the Seminole Tribe continues to grow, not only financially, but in all ways, including membership, there will always be issues that we have to address. We must make sure that we maintain our financial power, keep reinforcing the need for our youth to be educated and continue to address
Muscovy duck for Thanksgiving 1954 Editorial by James E. Billie - November 29, 2012April 7, 2015 One of my first real memories of Thanksgiving occurred back in 1954. I was going to school in Clewiston, Fla. back then and living with my Clan grandfather, Morgan Smith (Bird Clan) and his wife, Katy Smith, who was Laura Mae Osceola’s mother. They were getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Selling beef on the chickee business plan Editorial by Tony Sanchez Jr. - November 29, 2012April 7, 2015 Cattle has always been a solid part of our Seminole history from way back when the Spanish took off and left their cows. Today, we are still making history with our cattle program. We had a tasting event for Seminole Pride Beef at the Hard Rock recently as a way
Clans and no-clans: The thinning of Seminole blood Editorial by James E. Billie - September 24, 2012April 7, 2015 No-clanners and descendents are a growing issue in the Seminole Tribe of Florida. To my knowledge, I believe the oldest no-clan member of the Seminole Tribe is about 68 years old. But there are now quite a few of them. Back in the days when I was born, in 1944, some
Seminole future: Board dividends Editorial by Tony Sanchez Jr. - September 24, 2012April 7, 2015 Let us go back in time to the days when our Seminole Tribe Founding Fathers were gathered together at the Council Oak discussing our Constitution. I try to imagine what that must have been like – the debates, the arguments, the ideas, the hard decisions. Somehow, through many discussions, our
Tough decisions save our future Editorial by Tony Sanchez Jr. - August 28, 2012April 7, 2015 Since this administration took office a year ago, we have been faced with a host of tough and ongoing decisions. As you know, just like every other government in this country, budget and other financial matters loom at the very top of an unprecedented list of issues that demand our