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| Volume XXVI, Number 12 | September 2 , 2005 |
E-Mail to the EditorDear Editor, My name is Tyler Sirois. I am working on a paper for school. I’ve spent the day trying to find Seminole translations for the following words: warrior, pride, honor, vision, voice, teamwork/together and faith/spirit. I’ve read your website over, but can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. Thanks you so much for any help you can offer or resources you can turn me to. I appreciate it very much. Tyler Sirois Dear Mr. Sirois, Here are the translations: warrior–Tvs-tv-nv-ke, pride–E-kv-svm-kv, honor–A-rak-ke-cet, vision–En-hec-ken, voice–O-po-na-kv, teamwork/together–Te-ma-ni-cet and faith/spirit–A-kv-svm-kv. If you have any questions regarding the pronunciation of the words, please do not hesitate to call me at (863) 763-7501. Lorene B. Gopher Director of Cultural Education Dear Editor, I ask you for help! I am doing my research for the Ph.D. thesis titled “Native Americans in the U.S. Socio-Cultural Policies of the Late XXth–Early XXIst Centuries.” Within my survey I’d like to get the results of the questionnaire that I have posted on the Internet–this would greatly help me in this research. The main idea is to ask American Indians their own opinion on several questions (the details are stated in the introductory words on the site). For this purpose, I should distribute that questionnaire as widely as possible, so that a maximum number of the U.S. Native Americans could participate. The procedure is very simple, it takes just a few minutes, plus it’s anonymous. Thus, I do ask you for assistance: if you have anyone of American Indian descent among your friends, acquaintances, colleagues, fellow-students, neighbors, etc., please send them this link! And take part yourself! I would greatly appreciate your help! Please see http://amerindians.siteburg.com/ to take this survey. If you want any reply or information, just leave your e-mail at the end in the “Comments,” section and I’ll gladly get in touch with you. Oksana Danchevskaya MSPU, Moscow, Russia Dear Editor, Thank you to the group at Billie Swamp Safari for one of the most exciting times we ever had. Many thanks to Gus as well. John MacArthur Dear Editor, I just wanted to drop you a short note of thanks as an alumni of Florida State University for your formal support for our school’s use of your namesake. My appreciation for your history and culture truly has been raised by my experience at FSU. I am proud to be a “Seminole” at heart, and your support of our school is a true blessing. Kevin J. Leahy Dear Editor, The NCAA, with the collusion of the ACLU, has declared that we cannot field our proud, great, Seminole mascot at post season events, such as playoffs. I feel a rush of Native pride every time I see that Great Warrior ride around the field, and have never felt that the school has slighted the Seminole Indian Nation. I feel that this is war, and my pen, (keyboard), is loaded, aimed and cocked. Please help us in this fight to return America to the majority of Americans. What would placate the NCAA anyway; for the School to rename itself as the Conquering Whites? Frankie Caryl Dear Editor, I sincerely hope that you can convey to Mr. Jim Shore just exactly how proud I am, as an alumnus of Florida State University, to have read his op-ed article that appeared in the New York Times on Aug. 27, that should set the record straight vis-a-vis the original contentions of the NCAA. Since entering that university in 1959, I have considered myself part of the heritage that we borrowed by using and honoring the name of the first Floridians. Although I was raised in Florida and graduated high school in Dade County, Mr. Shore’s article informed me of many points of which I was not aware. He stresses the bond that exists between the school and the nation that we chose, and got permission, to represent, and with the eloquence in which he has expressed himself, I believe his thoughts should evoke a letter of apology from the NCAA directed to the school and to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, if not the entire Seminole Nation of the United States. I shall continue to wear my Seminole jacket with the pride that I held in the past, not only for the school I support, but also the people that I, and that school, represent and with the dignity which they deserve. The NCAA was wrong with their first actions, and it’s comforting to know that letters like Mr. Shore’s are actually read and understood by those who make policy for seemingly insensitive organizations. Dr. Steven Baron B.A., Florida State University, 1963 Dear Editor, I hope what I’ve read is true that the Seminole Tribe in Florida supports Florida State University using the Seminole as its mascot. I am a white Caucasian and can’t really speak about ever having been in a minority, but I think if I ever were, that using my heritage as a symbol for determination, tenacity and a symbol to rally behind would be the utmost sign of flattery there could be. If your support for FSU is true, please continue. I’m an Auburn graduate–War Eagle, by the way–and huge college sports fan and I would really hate to see the end of one of the higher profile mascot images there is. I know the NCAA may have more to say about it, but please do what you can to preserve FSU’s heritage, which is the Seminole. Bob Wood Florence, AL Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of me and so many of my other friends and family for your support of both Florida State University and the tradition that I hope that the community represents. Your continued support of the university is extremely appreciated by my fellow students, as well as the alumni. The tradition at Florida State depends directly upon your involvement in the operations of our school, and I cannot stress enough the importance of such association. I can only hope that our gratification with your relationship does mean as much to you as it does to everyone’s tie to the University. Thank you again, and I hope that my contributions as a student, and upon my December graduation, will be of some value to you in the future. Patrick King Dear Editor, One morning as I drove to work, well before dawn, I heard the statement by Tina Osceola and I thought it was so well written. This is a shining example of how, even in these very troublesome times, a people can come to agreement and still maintain their cultural dignity. The decision to endorse and permit the use of the Seminole mascot by Florida State is a wonderful opportunity to share accurate information concerning your people with many. It is a good thing for your people to choose not to be victims in this mascot issue, but to embrace the opportunity to teach about your people and your culture. Thank you Tina, for your thoughtful statement. Jack Carney Stone Mountain, GA Dear Editor, We have been working here in North Carolina for nearly 10 years to eliminate Indian sport mascots in the NC public schools. The State Board of Education passed a directive in 2002 for all educators in the state to educate themselves on the cultural, psychological, and educational impacts of using Indian sport mascots. As a result, 29 schools have retired their ‘Indian’ mascots. The current controversy over the NCAA’s directive brings this issue to the national stage. Our work and the work of so many across the nation will be affected by how this issue pans out. And this issue’s results may be greatly impacted by the efforts of Florida State. There is a tremendous opportunity for the Seminole Tribe of Florida to move this important issue forward toward elimination of these mascots. What you all do will be watched and used as a basis for action by many. Please let us know your position on this issue and what action you suggest others take. Monroe Gilmour, Coordinator NC Mascot Education & Action Group Dear Editor, My name is Tim Bond. I am the President of College Football Media, http://cfbmedia.com. College Football Media is a fan based college football site. The fans that visit our website on a regular basis has repeated commented their displeasure with the NCAA about the banning the traditions of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s right to allow FSU to represent your proud nation. I, myself am 1/32 Apache and 1/32 Cherokee and disagree with the ruling. I live in Oklahoma and view that though some names are offensive, the NCAA should not speak for every tribe about every school. College Football Media has setup a petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/cfbmedia/petition.html about the disagreement with the NCAA. The petition spans all schools, not just Florida State University, and was coming to the Nation of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, to let you know about the petition, and would ask if you would spread the word about it. Tim Bond President, College Football Media timb@cfbmedia.com Dear Editor, Just a brief note of thanks for your continued support of our university and the proper and consensual use of the imagery and pageantry of your great nation and ancestors…thank you. Trent Thomason Dear Editor, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support concerning the Florida State University Seminoles. I have been an FSU Seminole since being a teenager. I attended FSU from 1967–1970 and watched this great university grow and become even greater since that time. I am extremely proud to tell people I am a Seminole fan. I have learned a lot about your culture and what you went through many years ago. I don’t think there is a more moving athletic event than pre-game at an FSU home game, with Chief Osceola riding out on that beautiful horse, Renegade, and implanting that flaming spear into the home field turf. I get chill bumps just thinking about it. It is a very majestic ritual, thanks to your education and assistance with all procedures. Obviously, I think the NCAA committee has gone way too far concerning the issue of the use of the name Seminoles, and all that is involved with it. They have over stepped their boundaries. There are some names and mascots that should be banned, such as Redskins, Savages, and that stupid Cleveland Indian mascot, among others. Hopefully, because of your ringing endorsement of FSU, we’ll be able to continue forever as the Seminoles of Florida State University. It is truly an honor. Doug Mann Tampa, FL Dear Editor, My name is Michael Ellis. I am a current student at Florida State University and I wanted to deeply thank your Tribal Council and Board of Directors for their public support and approval of our university. It means the world to all of the student body and alumni at FSU. Michael Ellis Dear Editor, I just wanted to commend your people for the endorsement of the continued use of your symbols, name, insignias, etc, by Florida State University. I have always admired all American Indians and their culture, and this is a welcome sign of sanity that your Tribe does not consider the proper use and admiration, as unequivocal condemnation, irregardless of others trying to malign and twist what I consider a compliment. I hope your Tribe continues to work with the Florida State University, and I hope this helps to nullify the NCAA’s attempt to invalidate the use of Indian names in other arenas by other university teams. A. Steve Giordano Kane, PA Dear Editor, I just want to thank you for your support to our school; your support is greatly appreciated throughout our fans, students, alumni, boosters, and sponsors. Thank you very much. Kristin Noreña Tallahassee, FL |
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