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| Volume XXVI, Number 5 | April 8, 2005 |
E-Mail to the EditorAn open letter to all my elders and all my people, I am writing this letter to express my gratitude and appreciation for the blessings that the Seminoles have given me. I am not known to many and until recently I was unaware myself that I am Seminole. The acceptance shown to me is something I have never experienced before. Having spent my entire life being taught Western values, knowledge and morals I was a man stuck between what I did not want and what I would never be. Please do not think I am attempting to shift blame or responsibility for my actions. Simply put I did not care so I lived for the moment because I knew no better and wanted nothing more. I am not looking for sympathy or anything at all for that matter. I just want everyone who cares to know that I am not anything more or less than I am. In closing I would like to use the only Seminole word I know, but what I think says it all: Sho-Na-Bish. Thank you for your love and for my life, both of which I give to all Seminoles. With much regard, respect and love, I remain, Arthur Rory Thompson Dear Editor, I have recently relocated here to your beautiful state of Florida from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. I am in desperate need of health services and am currently trying to contact the I.H.S. there on your reservation. It would be of great help if you could send me a phone number or e-mail address as to where I may contact someone to check on these services. And an address as to where your health clinic is located would be wonderful. I tried to find other medical services today and could not find a provider because of the lack of finances. Any assistance you could provide in this manner would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Conrad Eagle Feather Mr. Eagle Feather, Thank you for your recent inquiry. The Seminole Tribe of Florida operates Health Clinics at the Hollywood, Big Cypress, and Brighton Reservations. If you will contact me at (954) 962-2009, Ext. 142, I will be happy to discuss with you the health services that we offer and the eligibility requirements. Sincerely, Kathy Wilson Eligibility and Utilization Services Program Manager Computer Site Manager Dear Editor, Hello, my name is Lynne Dodge and I am a Girl Scout leader in Palm Harbor, Fla. Our neighborhood district in Girl Scouts is having an encampment for 120 young girl scouts and the theme is Native American. We would be interested in having a dance demonstration on Friday March 4 at the Girl Scout camp in Palm Harbor around 7:30–8 p.m. If this is something you can help us with, I would appreciate if you can call me and we can discuss this event further. Thank you for reading this e-mail, Lynne Dodge Dear Ms. Dodge, Sorry, but we do not have the resources to help your troop, especially with the short notice. The fee for stomp dancers is quite expensive and it takes some planning on our part to budget for it. Sorry, Tina Osceola Executive Director Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Dear Editor, You don’t have information about your religion on your website. Can you tell me why? I am a student from South America studying religion. Please, can you inform me about yours? Thanks a lot, Vilma Puente Dear Ms. Puente, We do not discuss or represent our religion to the non-tribal public. A small representation of our culture and heritage can be viewed at our museum on the Big Cypress Indian reservation. Sincerely, Tina Osceola Executive Director Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Dear Editor, I am a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. I am planning a wedding for May and wanting to know what is the traditional dress of a Seminole Wedding and ceremony. Any information you have or where I could find the information would be appreciated. Thank you for your time, Patricia Buckley Seminole/Creek Deer Clan Dear Ms. Buckley, The Seminole culture does not provide for special dress for marriage ceremonies. Thank you for your interest, Tina M. Osceola Executive Director Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Dear Editor, Hi, my name is David Tucker. I am a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design. I am researching for a story that I am writing. I have been working on this project for years now and I am dedicated to see it through. My problem is I need to speak with someone who is serious about helping me research. I have tried to gather information in history books and I have also been researching Native American myths and legends. History books don’t give very much detail in the way the Indians lived or interacted. I need help. I have tried to gather information from sources in Native American Chat rooms. I am very serious about this story. I have even contacted a Native American actor Wes Studi’s production company. They are interested in seeing my story when I am finished, but I have a lot of work to do. I would love to meet with anyone who can help me. I want to get to know some Native American people here locally. I have met wanderers here and there but I need reliable sources. I am gathering details for my story. I will share more of my personal thoughts as soon as someone contacts me. Here are two of my e-mail addresses: dtucker@lsijax.com and mtjds@ hotmail.com. I want to sit with wisdom; I don’t just want to chat. This is very serous to me. I thank you for your time. Respectfully, David Tucker Dear Mr. Tucker, Unfortunately, we do not have the staff to dedicate to your project. We have a library and an extensive archive, so if you would like to make an appointment to do your own research you may call (239) 902-1113. We do not make it a practice to do research for film companies or screenwriters. Good luck in your search. Sincerely, Tina Osceola Executive Director Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum |
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