Tamiami Trail Field Office Grand Opening Celebration

By Elizabeth Leiba

OCHOPEE, Fla. — Tamiami Trail community members, Tribal employees and friends gathered for the grand opening of the Petties Osceola Sr. Trail Field Office in Ochopee, Fla. on Aug. 3. The event was hosted and emceed by Trail Tribal Liaison William Osceola who gave the crowd a warm welcome.

“I’m glad you’re here today. I’d like to welcome you,” said William Osceola. “It’s really great that you made it out here because we’re so far out. You can take a look around and see how we’re living out here.”

Osceola introduced his staff members as well as Assistant Director of the Housing Department James Oleksak. Osceola’s staff is working in conjunction with the Housing Department to bring many new improvements to the Trail Community.

Osceola explained that among the planned improvements are the building of two story homes in the preserve for community members as well as a movie room, new computers and tutoring services provided after school for students.

“Today is a very special day because we’ve come a long way,” remarked Osceola.

Oleksak assured the community that the Housing Department is there to serve all their needs to the best of their ability.

“I want you to know we are here to serve you,” he said. “One of the things we want to do is expand the number of camps that are available.”

Oleksak explained that the housing department has 300 homes in the process of being constructed and 200 that are in the initial planning stages. There will also be a need to build 100 new homes across the reservations to serve the needs of the Seminole children who are becoming adults.

Tribal Secretary Priscilla Sayen mused about how much the community has changed since her days working for the U.S. Health Department in the late 60s. She remembered that at that time, all that was provided for the community was an outhouse, a bathhouse and septic tanks. There was also no readily accessible healthcare for community members.

“We have come a long, long way,” Sayen said. “We, as a Tribe, as Seminole people and Miccosukee people should be proud of what we have accomplished.

This event was also an opportunity for attendees to witness that first official event attended by the newly crowned Miss Seminole and Junior Miss Seminole. Osceola observed that more princesses are needed from the Trial community, as the former Miss Seminole from the 2006 – 2007 year was Brittany Yescas, an Ochopee resident. He encouraged young women from the community to participate in upcoming pageants and represent the Trial community.

In closing, Osceola remarked that the Seminole Tribe has come so far in 50 years and accomplished so much in such a short time.

“Today is a great day to be Seminole,” he said. “It’s fantastic.”