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| Volume XXV, Number 11 | August 13, 2004 |
By T.W. Trueblood
TALLAHASSEE — With much fanfare, the Florida Indian Youth Program (FIYP) celebrated the conclusion of its 24th annual summer program at a banquet held in the participants honor on July 23 at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Numerous tribal members were honored at the event for their accomplishments during the program.
The FIYP is hosted each year by the Florida Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs. The Governor’s Council was created in 1974 by Governor Reuben Askew to serve the needs of native people in the State of Florida. The FIYP is funded by grants from the United States Department of Labor.
Native American youth from age 14 to 17 residing in Florida and Georgia are eligible to participate in this two-week intensive summer program. Students are housed in private dormitories near the Florida State University and paired with roommates from different tribes.
During the two-week program, they are taught math, writing, job and computer skills by local and nationally-recognized teachers in those fields. The students also participate in a tribal government workshop where they adopt a governing structure and elect leaders of their tribe.
Attendees of the program follow two tracks depending on grade level. Leadership Academy students have either recently graduated from high school or will be starting their senior year in the coming fall.
Leadership Academy students participated in additional field trips to the FSU Career Center, Film School, Department of Hospitality Administration and the Medical School. Students also visited the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Colleges of Journalism and Communications, College of Pharmacy and office of recruitments and scholarships.
As a team building exercise, Leadership Academy students completed the rope course at the FSU Reservation. Leadership Academy students also visited the law enforcement training academy at the Tallahassee Police Department, spoke with an archeologist and biologist from the United States Forest Service, and met with a dietician. Tribal member Carla Gopher was a special speaker to the group.
Rick Whitfield, Leadership Academy coordinator thought the 2004 youth program was one of the best ever. “We have had a really talented and bright group this year. Each year gets better and better.”
According to Bob Kellum, who directed the program this year, next year will be a special event for the program. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary next year, we plan on inviting back all former program participants.”
FGCIA staff members Cindy Doheny, Ruthie Flanders, Millicent Pittman, Caitlin Proud, Petra Soliman and Patti Cafarella all worked hard to make the program a success. “We appreciate all of the hard work from the staff, counselors, teachers and speakers,” said Kellum. Joe Quetone, executive director of FGCIA, was unable to lead the program this year due to illness.
More than 40 students representing 13 tribes participated in the FIYP. Most participants were either Seminole or Lumbee. Seminole students traveled from Big Cypress, Ft. Pierce, Hollywood, and Immokalee to participate. Tribal members O'Hara Tommie and Chris Marrero served as counselors for the program. Lasharra Stockton served as a youth facilitator.
Tribal members Lazarra Marrero, Gabriel Stockton and Karissa Tommie all participated in the Leadership Academy. David Anderson, Garrett Anderson, Allison Garza, Efran Marrero, Casey McCall, Johnathan Rodriguez, Celeste Stockton, Dean Stokes, Kelly Tigertail, Monique Tommie and Marty Tommie all participated in the youth program.
Tribal member David Anderson received a $500 scholarship award as an outstanding participant in the youth program. Lazara Marrero received a $150 scholarship award for special achievement in the Leadership academy. Efrain Marrero and Casey McCall received $250 scholarship awards for special achievement in the youth program.
Casey McCall served as president of the Tribal Council. Both Marty Tommie and David Anderson served as sergeants-at-arms of the Tribal Council..
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