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| Volume XXIII Number 12 | September 5, 2003 |
By Ernie Tiger
BIG CYPRESS — On Aug. 1, The Canadian
Travel Channel visited the Billie Swamp Safari to produce and film footage,
in association with the Visit Florida Group, for an episode airing on Canada’s
only 24-hour travel channel. The CTV Channel is a Canadian based and privately owned network and has over 500,000 subscribers, in addition to the CTV main network. It is also Canada’s number one national English-language television network; available in 19.1 million homes across the country.
This special episode, which will air sometime next year, will take Canadian viewers through one of the most unique cultures to be found in Florida.
“We chose The Seminole Tribe’s Billie Swamp Safari Eco-Tour because it enables visitors to spend time on an authentic Seminole Indian Reservation. Viewers can learn about the Seminole’s way of life and culture first hand. It’s an experience second to none,” said Marni Shulman, Director of Programming for CTV Travel.
Canadian viewers watching the popular Canadian channel will journey into the heart of the Big Cypress reservation. Viewers will take a guided swamp buggy and airboat tour with expert Swamp Safari guides Jonathan Vasquez, Gus Batista and Canada’s own Valerie Pringle. Through the hardwood hammocks and sloughs, viewers will venture to an authentic Seminole camp that is said to be hundreds of years old.
Measuring 15 feet, viewers will get a close-up encounter with Florida’s largest captive Alligator, Superman. They’ll walk through the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum to observe Seminole artifacts, folklore and spiritual displays.
In addition, viewers will join popular host Valerie Pringle and stroll along a 60-acre lush vegetation boardwalk.
The nature trail will take you through a re-created ceremonial ground village where ceremonies such as the Green Corn Dance, traditional stick ball games and other activities take place. They might see elder Seminole artists working on day-to-day activates such as: Wood carving, patchwork, or canoe making.
Renowned outdoor photographer Michael Ellis commented about his experience while filming for the CTV Travel Channel on the Seminole reservation. He said, “This area is comparable to some of the most beautiful areas I’ve ever filmed.”
Visit the Canadian Travel Channel’s website for the program time and listing at: http://www.ctvtravel.ca/.
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