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| Volume XXIII Number 5 | April 5, 2002 |
Pequot Citizens Visit Big Cypress
By Alexandra FrankBIG CYPRESS - The Big Cypress community hosted a group of visiting Pequot Tribal Citizens this past March 14. The visiting group of ten seniors and their chaperones had a chance to be tourists for a day.
The group made the rounds of the tourist attractions, such as the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and the Billie Swamp Safari, where they were able to enjoy an airboat ride and a swamp buggy tour.
Their final stop (B.C. Senior Center) would not be a tourist attraction, in fact, few non-Seminoles visiting this out of the way reservation know there is a facility for senior citizens to get together.
Seminole Seniors from 5 Reservations had set-up tables with Arts and Crafts items for sale. Basically, it was for the visiting Pequots, but a few Seminoles found a few bargains hard to resist.
Jonah Cypress and his band played gospel hymns and few country songs to keep the group entertained while they awaited the arrival of the Pequot group. On this day, everyone would enjoy a buffet style lunch prepared by the Hot Meals Staff of Big Cypress.
President/Acting Chairman Mitchell Cypress arrived before the Pequot group and had a chance to purchase items from the arts and crafts vendors. He bought a vest with tiny American flags printed all over the material. He also had a chance to talk and visit with seniors and other guests at the event.
The Pequot Seniors finally arrived and where ushered into the dining room area where they received a welcome address given by Sally Tommie, Administrative Assistant to the President.
Tommie’s opening remarks gave a brief history of the Seminole Tribe and its humble beginnings, then spoke about its current position for being one of the few influential tribes in the United States.
Cypress gave his welcoming remarks to the visiting Pequots and hoped they enjoyed their experience of the Seminole Tribe’s tourist facilities and the Senior Center. He also introduced seniors from the 5 reservations and many of the program directors that were present.
The group of Pequot Seniors extended a gesture of friendship to Cypress by giving him a blanket. There also came a moment when two individuals from the Pequot group were so moved by the music they heard they got up on stage and gave an impromptu performance of songs with a Native Peoples theme.
The event brought the best out of each other and, for a few hours, everyone was able to share in an enjoyable afternoon. The Pequots did not leave empty handed, as they were leaving they visited the arts and crafts vendors and purchased items handmade by Seminole Seniors.
With a final farewell, and few photo opportunities taken with the visiting Pequot Seniors, it seems the Seminole Tribe has found a few more friends in Indian Country.
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