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| Volume XXVI, Number 6 | April 29, 2005 |
E-Mail to the EditorDear Editor, I am taking my 8-year-old to the Big Cypress reservation tomorrow for an overnight stay. I am sure we will have a great time, from what is described online. However, I am more than a little disappointed that there will be no Seminoles as guides or story tellers, or so I’m told. I don’t mean to offend anyone, but I really don’t appreciate being taught Seminole history, in the midst of the Seminole nation, by white people. For the $200 we will spend tomorrow we could get that experience at Disney®. As a non-white person myself, I can only speculate as to why Seminoles don’t like the job as guides and storytellers. However, if they were compensated in a more creative way I am sure they could be persuaded to do the job. I would pay more money just to be assured Seminole guides and Seminole storytellers. I almost cancelled the trip when I learned there would be no Seminole storytellers. However, I already promised my daughter and she is excited to go. I’m sure this complaint is common, if not always, expressed. I hope the Tribe will address this issue. Authenticity is critical if visitors are to feel they are getting their money’s worth. If not, they won’t recommend the attraction to their friends and they won’t come back. Please tell me, which of the attractions on the reservation are staffed by real Seminoles? www.floridadriftwood.com Dear www.floridadriftwood.com, Thank you for your expressed interest in Seminole history and culture. I would like to take the opportunity to address the questions and issues you raise in your e-mail. Also, I wish to applaud the level of interest you have taken in our Tribe and the amount of care you put into learning about other cultures. Your 8-year old is very lucky to have a parent like yourself. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, located on the Big Cypress Indian reservation is an incredible resource to learn about Seminole history and culture. Billie Swamp Safari is an incredible place to stay and learn about the environment and ecology of the Florida Everglades, the place in which most of the Seminoles of today call home. First, to address the issue you raise in regards to the human resources employed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and its enterprises, you would be pleased to know that the Tribe adopted a Tribal citizen first, native person second policy in regards to its hiring processes. This initiative was first introduced and by Chairman Mitchell Cypress and other supporting members of the Tribal Council. There are Seminole Tribal citizens employed at the Billie Swamp Safari and they are assigned to various positions throughout the department. The tour guides employed by the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum are either Seminole Tribal citizens or members of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. The museum also has a significant number of Seminole Tribal citizens throughout the department and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Secondly, on the issue of learning about the Seminoles from “white people:” Although, I can understand your point, I believe I may be able to offer a different perspective. Billie Swamp Safari is an enterprise designed to appeal to the public’s eco-tourism interest. Most visitors enjoy the splendor of the sawgrass, the immense amount of alligators peering out of the water, and some of the most beautiful Everglades sunsets ever seen. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, however, supplements the visit to the Safari because it is a place to learn. The museum is the resource for Seminole historic information, preservation and academia. The museum is designed to educate the visitor at whatever level or pace the visitor wishes. Therefore the Tribe employs the best and brightest in regards to its professional staff. The Museum Director David Blackard is not a Tribal citizen; however he is the foremost authority in the field of Seminole history, specifically Seminole patchwork, baskets and dolls. He brings to the Seminole’s Museum the level of professionalism that lets the museum world know that we are not a room full of showcases and souvenirs, but a permanent fixture responsible for preservation and education. Those archivists and curators employed by the Tribe for the Museum are the best in their field which demonstrates the Tribe’s commitment towards preservation and education. To that end, the museum is also going to begin a Community Outreach Program, supervised by a Tribal citizen, will focus on recruiting Tribal citizens interested in the liberal arts to fill those types of positions as educators, anthropologists, historians, historic preservation specialists, etc. I can only hope that your experience in Big Cypress is a pleasant one and your quest for information on the Seminoles is successful. Tina Marie Osceola, Executive Director Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Dear Cindy Malin and Lucy Evanicki from Florida Seminole Tourism, What an amazing adventure! The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is simply wonderful and Florida is lucky to have such a first class hotel. I’m amazed at how well the property looks and functions–it could compete on the Vegas strip. I’m extremely excited to help you promote this gem. In Big Cypress we were just overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the area. Everyone was so kindly and gracious. Chris from the museum gave me a very informative tour of the museum and explained how the Seminole women ruled the roost in their Tribe. He also pointed out how colorfully and carefully Seminole women dressed, declaring they were the top fashion models of the Indian nations because of their care in appearance. We did the day-night Eco Tours in the swamp buggy. Gus One Bear was our guide at night. Jonathan was wonderful to us. We did the Critter and Alligator shows, airboat ride and Indian storytelling and enjoyed the unique experience of the chickee dorm. Wow! This place is truly amazing. There were German, UK and Swedish visitors too. Vanessa Walter Director of Public Relations Visit Florida Dear Mr. Steven Bowers: The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) would be honored if members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (namely the Seminole Color Guard) were able to attend the National Powwow to be held at the MCI Center on August 12–14 as NMAI’s official color guard. Through the advisement of an objective and legitimate perspective, NMAI wishes to make inclusive those integrities that best exemplify the fiber and character of Powwow peoples. The National Powwow will offer the Seminole Color Guard an opportunity to parade the colors of those respective nations, domestically and Tribally, as well as convey the concerns of devotion and sacrifice to which it has served. It has been mentioned before in our proposal letter to the Chairman that the substance of our format primarily emphasizes the origins of the Powwow as distinctly Plains, we cannot overlook those significant contributions and adherences that are expressed endemically in the broader contexts of Tribal people on the whole. As our plans for the powwow develop further, we will be apprising our staff and participants of the programs and activities that may be of interest or consideration in terms of the length and breadth of one’s stay. In regards to the details of the acceptance we can discuss those issues or concerns when your resolve has been affirmed. Terry Snowball National Powwow Assistant Project Manager Community Services Dear Editor, I would like to place an advertisement for an upcoming event in your paper. St. Lucie County will turn 100 years old on July 2. We have planned a full day of events to be held on the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds Equestrian & Event Center. I want to invite Seminole crafters to set up a tent outside to promote and sell their hand made products. The Seminoles are part of St. Lucie County’s history and should attend the event. Thank you in advance for your help. Sherry McCorkle St. Lucie County Fairgrounds Manager Parks & Recreation Dear Ms. McCorkle, Thank you for your kind invitation and recognition of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s significance to your county. We would be more than pleased to participate in your event. Your contact person will be Joe Guerue. Joe will arrange to have a tent and a museum membership booth and arts and crafts vendors. One question he will have of you is how big of a tent would you be able to accommodate. We would like to have the space to put up a 20-by-40 or 30-by-30 if at all possible. Tina Osceola, Executive Director Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum |
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