A Rare Honor for a Lifetime of Work in Education

FSU Honors Louise Gopher with Westcott Award

By James Faeh

TALLAHASSEE — Louise Gopher, director of education for the Seminole Tribe, was presented with the prestigious Westcott Award by Florida State University (FSU) President T.K. Wetherell during half time of the Florida State Homecoming game versus the Duke University Blue Devils.

While the annual festivities in Tallahassee during FSU’s Homecoming Week consistently highlight both the unique heritage and tradition of the FSU Seminoles, Wetherell chose this occasion to underscore the strong relationship between FSU and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. During this special presentation, he honored Gopher with the presentation of this rarely granted honor.

According to FSU Vice President for University Relations Donna McHugh, “it is solely given at the decision of the president.” McHugh added that FSU has not given the award to many people.

The ceremonial presentation of the award occurred on the middle of Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium and took Gopher by surprise, as she was not informed ahead of time that she would be the honored guest of the night. Gopher, Seminole Brighton Tribal Council Rep. Roger Smith and President of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. Richard Bowers led the Seminole delegation onto the field flanked on either side by hundreds of members of the FSU Marching Chiefs. A colorful collage of images of Gopher’s work in education was plastered across the massive screen over the end zone as Gopher smiled at the 70,000 fans.

The day before the game, Gopher and Tribal representatives were prominently featured in the Homecoming Parade that makes its way through downtown Tallahassee and up to the FSU campus. Leading the way as always was the iconic Chief Osceola riding atop his mount Renegade and adorned in his traditional regalia. Shortly following Chief Osceola were the Seminole Color Guard, the Seminole Princesses, Gopher, Smith, Bowers and others.

The President’s Box at the stadium during the game was a virtual “Who’s Who” of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Many, such as Gopher, were dressed head to toe in traditional colors and garments. The scene was more what one would expect at an upscale private dinner party rather than a sporting event. For once, the entire focus of the evening was not entirely about football, but rather also on recognizing and celebrating the rich history of the Seminoles and Florida State, and those individuals who continue to perpetuate their ideals.

A lifelong proponent of traditional Seminole Indian culture and heritage, Gopher has been working to ensure more Tribal citizens have access to education at all levels, both within and outside of the Seminole Education Department. She herself was the first Seminole woman to earn a bachelor’s degree, and spoke no English when first starting school.

Kyle Doney is one such graduate who benefited from the programming at the reservation. After getting his degree at FSU, he returned to the Brighton Reservation to work full time.

According to Doney: “FSU was my second home, and I loved it while I was in school. The relationship FSU has with the Seminole Tribe is really good … [There are] no cartoon images or anything, it’s all about respect.”

Doney also spoke of the importance of preserving the traditional language and spirit of the Seminole people.

It is because of the efforts of dedicated educators such as Gopher that so many of the younger members of the Seminole Tribe are able to have the preparation they need to be able to pursue higher education. Indeed, Wetherell remarked that “she is a champion of education of all members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a true friend and staunch supporter of this university.”

All of the pageantry of the halftime presentation was but the latest in an active schedule of events for Gopher, who has recently been busy with the opening of a new Charter School on the Brighton Seminole Reservation. Named Pemayetv Emahakv, which means “Our Way,” the new institution is intended to preserve the Seminole heritage and tradition in spite of the pressures of the modern homogenized world.

Opening its doors officially this fall to a sizable new class of students considering its young age, the new school has charged itself with reinstalling a sense of cultural awareness in the younger generation of Seminoles by focusing not just on regular academics, but also on language skills that some say have been on the decline in recent years. Both Jennifer Chalfant and Alicia Nunez, this year’s Seminole Princess and Junior Princess respectively, were enthusiastic about the potential of the charter school.

“We were in danger of losing a lot of our language and heritage, but I think it’s going to be better now with the charter school teaching people from a young age,” said Chalfant.

Both Chalfant and Nunez, who started in traditional pageants at a young age, are from the Brighton Reservation. The two said they are both very pleased with the image and portrayal of the Seminoles by FSU.

“It’s represented very well, and it’s exciting to see all the people and all the spirit,” said Chalfant.

President Richard Bowers also spoke of the importance the new Charter School will play in the future of the Seminole Tribe. While remarking that the erosion of the traditional Seminole culture “has been occurring for the past 500 years,” Bowers went on to express optimism about the school’s opening.

“The future looks bright because we have the ways and means to succeed, and the resources and focus of language that this school will bring plays a big part,” Bowers added.

It is large events such as the FSU Homecoming Game and Homecoming Parade that serve to remind the students, faculty, and members of the community of the rich heritage FSU possesses thanks to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and to highlight those individuals who are doing all they can to keep it going. Gopher herself was quite modest about the award, and commented that “I am just enjoying all the festivities and am glad to be here.”