Litefoot Makes Presentation at Council Meeting

By Iretta Tiger

HOLLYWOOD — The June Tribal Council was held on the Hollywood Reservation in the Tribal gymnasium. The council’s agenda consisted of three resolutions.

The first resolution was an agreement between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Rolldown Aluminum Shutter Co. The Housing department is hiring the Rolldown Company to install hurricane shutters on several homes on the Brighton reservation. Homes owned by Tribal citizens that are in the surrounding areas off the reservation are also included.

Tribal Secretary Priscilla Sayen brought to attention of the council a discrepancy in the wording of the resolution. After some discussion between the council, the Housing department and the Legal department, the resolution passed on the proviso that the wording is changed.

The second resolution of the agenda was withdrawn without further comment.

The third and last resolution on the agenda was a donation from the Tribe to the Association for American Indian Development (A4AID). Trail Liaison William Osceola is a member of A4AID’s Honorary Advisory Board.

The Tribe donated a vehicle to A4AID’s Reach the Rez program. As part of the agreement the Tribe would also cover maintenance, fuel, repairs and insurance for five years. Several other Tribes and companies have donated but this resolution would make the Seminole Tribe the biggest donor.

A4AID’s Treasurer Litefoot attended the meeting to explain the program and the association’s goals to the council and those present at the meeting. The Reach the Rez program will travel to reservations throughout the U.S. and they intend to reach out to the native youth and those Tribes in need.

Before the council could vote, a Tribal citizen voiced his objection to the resolution, claiming there are housing needs that has yet to be met. Hollywood’s Councilman Max B. Osceola Jr. addressed the citizen’s concern, reassuring him that as said housing plans are coming to fruition. Osceola also reminded the citizen that the Seminole Tribe is well off and that there are other Tribes who need help.

“Our heart is not just here, it’s everywhere,” said Osceola. “We are not just going to sit here and do nothing.”

Big Cypress Councilman David Cypress asked the Housing department to come forward and explain exactly what housing is doing and what its future plans are.

One councilman openly opposed the resolution and expressed his opinion on the matter. He also suggested the Tribe help out in other ways and offered several alternatives.

With everyone having their say, the council voted 4-1 to pass the resolution.

Litefoot then addressed the Tribal citizens.

“I understand the concerns of the Tribe and I want you to know that with this bus wherever we go I understand that I carry the Seminole Tribe with me,” he said. “I realize the responsibility of carrying the Tribe’s name.”

To read more about Reach the Rez visit www.reachtherez.org. There will be a tour schedule posted along with photos and updates.

The next council meeting is scheduled for July 15 at 10 a.m. on the Hollywood reservation.