Audiences Appreciate Shootout History

By Susan Etxebarria

BIG CYPRESS — The Big Cypress Shootout on the grounds of the Billie Swamp Safari Feb. 23–25 was an extremely intriguing and enjoyable experience of living history. This spectacular event dramatized the second of three bloody and costly wars fought by the U.S. military against the Seminoles in an effort to remove them from Florida and take their lands.

Although many Seminole ancestors were killed or forcibly relocated to present-day Oklahoma, approximately 200 remaining men and women were never defeated. To this day their 3,300 descendants carry the pride of “The Unconquered” Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The legendary and renowned battles of the Second Seminole War were introduced by Moses “Big Shot” Jumper, a descendant of Chief Jumper and the famed Seminole warrior, Wildcat. Fully dressed in 1830s battle dress, he was an imposing figure as he galloped his horse across the field, stopped and then spoke in a powerful voice to the huge crowd of people eagerly waiting for the reenactment to start. He spoke of the courageous will of his people to live in Florida as free men and women.

“You will see here things you don’t get to read in the history books,” Jumper said, as he rode off to the applause of an appreciative audience. “The victory will be ours today, I can guarantee that!”

The choice this year to stage the battle in a field surrounded by pristine hammocks and woodlands was a realistic setting for the reenactment of the Second Seminole War covering the time period of 1835-1842. The mood and spirit of the time was recreated by period vendors who displayed their wares and crafts of this historic age at their own unique encampments. There were authentic exhibits of American soldier camps and much to see at the Seminole camps nestled in the deeper woods, which fascinated the tourists.

The Billie Swamp Safari staff managed a spectacular show that holds great promise for growth and popularity in the years to come. There were approximately 60 vendors. The marketing performed by Florida Seminole Tourism drew more than 3,000 people to the event.

At all times during the day, music, storytelling and alligator and snake shows took place under the entertainment tent where the tourists could sit, eat and relax. The shootout also featured fascinating booths, and demonstration of what frontier life in Florida was like more than 150 years ago. Walking from one exhibit to another, asking questions, learning about the life of the early settlers and the struggle of the Seminole people to remain in their homeland were hours well spent.

The devotion and labor of volunteers who partake in the three-day reenactment deserves mention. Many volunteers and reenactors eat, sleep and “live” in these encampments as they share tidbits of history with the hordes of people who attend the festival, day in and day out. In most instances the true history of the American genocide against Native American civilizations becomes a hot topic of discussion, and enlightenment to those who have never studied the subject.

Approximately 25 Seminole reenactors, at their camp deep in the woods, set up their authentic tents, cooking fires, their supplies, furs and skins of that time period. They worked to ready their weapons for the grand finale of the day, the shootout. These reenactors, organized by the Seminole Tribe’s Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum, answered hundreds of questions from curious visitors.

In the Soldier’s Camp, organized by members of the Collier County Museum, approximately 30 re-enactors portrayed the federal army. They also answered many questions as they readied themselves for the shootout.

One 1830s encampment that stood out was the Zietlers’ of Collier County. Marianne Zietler was dressed in the period style along with her five children and husband; her sister and nephew.

“One of the reasons we came here to do this is because we are descendants of Ted Smallwood of the Chockoloskee Store,” said Zietler proudly. “He was my great-grandfather and he was the only store owner that the Seminoles trusted in the late 1800s.”

At that time, after decades of wars waged against their fathers and grandfathers, the few remaining Seminoles were still hiding in the Everglades. The impoverished but determined Seminoles traded skins and furs with Smallwood. This trust was no small thing in those days. It was vital to their survival.

Marianne’s husband, Kurt, also wanted it to be known that Tribal Chairman Mitchell Cypress bought their son’s calf at the Collier County 4-H Sale this year.

“We are real proud of that and thankful,” he said.

Many of the vendors had great stories to tell of their ancestry. One such vendor was, Ron Kennedy, who excels in flint knapping, an art he learned from his Cree grandfather. He demonstrated how quickly he could make an arrow head but he emphasized it took him many years to be so deft with the carving tools. Bone and rock carving can often lead to bruises and cuts. He has had his share. The tools he uses now are modern ones but he said that Indians used copper tools 12,000 years ago, long before the white man.

In addition to numerous Seminole arts and crafts booths, members of many other Tribes had booths as well. Clewiston-based artist, Mario Hernandez, of Aztec ancestry, displayed his dreamy watercolors of panther scenes. He is also known for his beautiful airbrush designs on trucks, and several can be seen on Big Cypress vehicles.

A booth from natives of Ecuador sold ponchos; another booth sold the popular “Homeland Security” T-shirt with a copy of a famous photograph of four warriors: Yanozha, Chappo, Fun and Geronimo. Under it are words of truth: “Fighting terrorism since 1492.”

David Motlow of Big Cypress had a booth set up with his popular “Native Rage” T-shirts. There were many Seminole patchwork clothes and beaded jewelry and Seminole foods being sold as well.

Featured singer and guitarist, Paul “Cowbone” Buster sang a new composition, which he called “Baby Alligator.” He used the moment as a time to talk about Indian beliefs of respecting all creatures and the land.

“We live in harmony with nature as God meant it to be,” he said.

Further back in the woods was the hatchet and the Atlaltl throw. The Atlaltl is named for a wooden tool used to hurl a spear with greater strength and accuracy.

The event offered lots of entertainment for history buffs, and even those not so interested in history. However, one could hardly leave without a better knowledge and admiration of Seminoles and how far they have come in finally winning the war on their own terms, even though white man’s dusty history books may differ.