Big Cypress Hosts, Wins 8th Annual Rez Rally

Reservation’s 451 Participants Claim Victory

By Judy Weeks

BIG CYPRESS — The 8th Annual Reservation Rally was hosted this year by the Big Cypress Reservation on Jan. 19. Participants from all reservations climbed out of bed in the early morning darkness to find that a heavy layer of dense fog had descended upon South Florida. The danger of the situation was immediately apparent, but the participants didn’t allow this to prevent them from reaching their destination.

A steady stream of headlights slowly materialized out of the fog, as bumper to bumper traffic made its way up Snake Road to the Casino parking area between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. The arrival of daylight only changed the visibility from dark grey to light grey while shuttle buses moved the participants to the registration tent at the Museum parking lot.

Registration lines were long right up until 7:30 a.m. because of weather delays, but eventually the task was completed. Wholesome breakfast snacks were served throughout the morning in order to supply the necessary nourishment and fluids to maintain blood sugar levels during the long walk.

Big Cypress Council Rep. David Cypress addressed the multitude assembled for the Rez Rally and wished them success.

“On behalf of Big Cypress, I want to welcome all of you who have traveled from Hollywood, Brighton, Immokalee, Tampa, Ft. Pierce and even the Trail to join us,” he said. “Your sacrifice to come such a great distance so early in the morning speaks for itself.

“Surveying your team T-shirts, I feel an overwhelming pride at your dedication and willingness to come so far for this common cause that touches each of us. The theme for this race is ‘Together We Can Manage Diabetes.’ Our goal is for everyone to achieve their fitness potential and for all communities to come together as a whole. Let’s enjoy becoming healthier and have fun as well.”

The tent was filled with cheers as each of the captains energized their teams for the competition that lay ahead.

Big Cypress Board Rep. Cicero Osceola served as event emcee. He began by making reference to the pep rallies that had taken place on the previous day, as each captain prepared their team for the competition that lay ahead. After familiarizing everyone with the rules of the rally for one last time, he introduced the speakers and provided a clock count down in preparation for the race.

Health Dept. Director Connie Whidden made opening remarks.

“What you take part in today is only a small portion of the whole organization that has gone into preparing for this 8th Annual Reservation Rally,” she said. “Each year the participation has increased and looking around this morning, I have to say that we have a record crowd.”

“Our objective is to work together to eliminate diabetes as one of the major causes of death and severe health issues among Native Americans. On that point, we are all on the same team. There is no better place to start than in your home. If we are to win the war, families must pull together and support each other against this common enemy. United as one, we can do it,” encouraged Whidden.

Whidden then acknowledged the behind-the-scenes worker, saying, “As the size of the group increases so does the administrative duties.” She then recognized team captions Suraiya Smith, Brighton/Tampa, Candy Cypress, Big Cypress, Jo Motlow North, Hollywood, Mary Jane Billie, Trail, Leona Tommie-Williams, Ft. Pierce, and Michelle Ford, Immokalee.

Chairman Mitchell Cypress acted as event marshal for the Rez Rally.

“What is taking place here today is all about health,” said Chairman Cypress. “No cash awards or trophy can compare with the benefits derived from taking control of your lifestyle, rather than allowing diabetes to control you. I’m told that we have run out of T-shirts for some of our teams. This is fantastic news, because that means that you have beat last year’s numbers and the estimated increases.”

President Richard Bowers Jr. said: “You were all winners when you came to participate in the Rez Rally. When I look across this assembly, I don’t see individuals, I see families and communities working together to build a better life for each other.”

Brighton Council Rep. Roger Smith remarked: “When I saw the fog roll in this morning, I worried that participation might not be very good. I should never have doubted your strength, determination and competitive nature. Looking at this group, I don’t see people; I see the power to win the battle against diabetes.”

Hollywood Council Rep. Max B. Osceola Jr. brought a chuckle from the crowd when he said, “I only run every two years; the rest of the time I strut. A journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step and today you are taking that first step … Our children are our future and they learn from our example. It is your responsibility to be fit.”

Before offering the invocation, Rev. Salaw Hummingbird said, “I am diabetic and am striving for a better physical, as well as spiritual lifestyle. Since joining you at last year’s rally, I have lost 50 pounds. Take advantage of your clinic. It does a wonderful job of monitoring diabetes. When I first went, my chart was filled with grey areas depicting sugar and glucose levels, cholesterol ratios, heart rates, liver and kidney functions. Because of exercise and healthy food choices, these grey areas are diminishing and I am becoming proof that you can make a difference.”

Rep. Cicero Osceola led a group cheer and then turned the program over to the Brighton Fitness Department for a warm-up stretch.

From the vantage point of the starting line, the long line of winners at the 8th Annual Rez Rally stretched as far as the eye could see, before disappearing into the fog. Registration indicated that 1,237 people took part in the event with an estimated 100 more that either arrived too late or were not qualified to enter, but joined the effort.

Divisions had been established for both Tribal citizens and employees indicating walkers, runners, strollers and wheelchairs. Then, the categories were further broken down by age and sex, offering everyone an equal opportunity. In order to qualify as a team participant, each individual had to make it to the quarter-mile marker before dropping out.

Small reservations such as Tampa and Ft. Pierce had a remarkable participation when considering the population of these communities. They showed a higher entry ratio per capita than some of the larger reservations. Tribal citizens like Peggy Cubis and Nancy Frank from Tampa summoned their family members, neighbors and co-workers for the event.

Ft. Pierce co-captain Shamy Tommie recruited help in the form of Hope Sneed and Leona Tommie-Williams, who encouraged total family participation. Their efforts paid off when people like Jane Stockton and her daughters Marissa and Lashara made the long drive to Big Cypress to take part in the rally, along with staff members such as Mary Stomboli.

Using an air horn, Chairman Cypress started the race with the runners in the foreground. Releasing the walkers five minutes later, then the strollers, and last but not least, the wheelchairs, each group quickly disappeared into the foggy embankment of the West Boundary Road that made up the four mile course.

Taking part in the stroller division were the youngest members of the teams. Phillip Turtle of Big Cypress pushed his son of two weeks the entire distance. Crystal Weimann from Brighton, not only pushed 3-week-old Choviohoya, but kept a watchful eye on her other four children.

Pregnant ladies like Tammy Tommie, who is expecting twins, and Mia Sapp Tosca, in her sixth month, also joined the race. These women, along with several other Rez Rally participants, had to overcome physical limitations just to participate; and their motivation did not go unnoticed.

“I am so very proud of the handicapped members of our communities that have joined us today,” Immokalee Council Liaison Elaine Aguilar said. “Whether traveling under their own steam or depending upon the assistance of others, they have the strength that it takes to move ahead. When I got tired, I looked at them and found the encouragement I needed to finish the course. They could have taken the easy way out, stayed in bed, eaten a leisurely breakfast and set in front of the television. Instead they have shown their strength by joining us in trying to build a healthier lifestyle.”

Allied Health Manager Suzanne Davis also addressed the participants.

“While the Health Department is the main sponsor of the rally, nearly every department in the Seminole Tribe participated in some manner in making it a success,” she said. “Our Director Connie Whidden is the driving force behind the whole operation, but she will be the first one to tell you that it couldn’t have been done without team work. Everyone picked up the ball at some time or another and carried it toward the finish line.”

For some people, the rally was a competition. For others, it was an endurance race. But for many, it was a tremendous achievement. There were knee braces, walkers, crutches and canes in evidence. Former Brighton Tribal Rep. Jack Smith Jr. may no longer be in office, but he is still a leader, completing the entire course with his cane.

In the multitude of T-shirts representing each of the reservations, there were children, parents, grandparents and even a few great-grandparents supporting one common cause — a healthy, productive future. Seniors like Coleman Josh, Onni Osceola, Teresa Jumper and Louise Osceola are representative of so many who set an example for the next generation, not just today, but everyday.

Brighton Board Rep. Johnnie Jones was a one man pep rally as he crossed the finish line.

“I’m a little sore, but it was worth it,” Jones said. “This is a great event from which we can all benefit. Please encourage first timers to continue. Life is too short to spend it unwisely.”

Stan Frischman and the Big Cypress Recreation staff did a tremendous job at the starting line and water depots. But it didn’t stop there. When the youngsters crossed the finish line, they rushed to have some fun at the Recreation Dept. carnival, while their parents waited in line for Nike® shoes and Rez Rally T-shirts.

Hungry from their morning of exercise, a crowd quickly gathered at the terrific buffet that awaited them. It was a breakfast of champions with an enormous variety of healthy, delicious and nutritious foods prepared to perfection. With diabetics in mind, the menu offered alternatives to a standard diet.

Rep. Cicero Osceola resumed his position at the mic for the awards portion of the event.

Laughing he said, “I knew I was due for a change in lifestyle when two wheelchairs and three strollers passed me up.”

Joining him, Chairman Cypress, who was unable to compete due to doctor’s orders, added a few words.

“From my golf cart on the side lines, I was sizing up next year’s competition. I can tell you, I have my work cut out for me. I watched Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki employee Cindy Newton complete the whole course on crutches and cross the finish line with a lot of the contestants still behind her. Cindy recently had a knee replacement, but was determined to participate in the rally.”

The chairman also acknowledged Tribal citizen Stevie Jim, who recently underwent chemotherapy, however still participated in, and completed, the Rez Rally.

“Chemotherapy hasn’t slowed down Stevie Jim one bit,” he said. “They are both an inspiration to others.”

“We invited the Miccosukee to join us because they are our relatives and neighbors. I was very happy to see that Rosie Billie and her son, Cory, had made it up from Ochopee, as well as Mary Billie and her daughter Mary Jane,” concluded Cypress.

Immokalee Board Liaison Delores Jumper confided: “As many of you know, I haven’t been in the best of health lately. I came out today to ease on down to the quarter-mile mark to help my team. When I arrived the shuttle had just left, so I decided to continue on a little further. At the half-mile [mark], I figured I would keep going and flag down a ride if necessary.

“Before you know it, I had completed a good bit of the course and am none the worse for wear. As you sit in your easy chair by the television saying ‘I can’t,’ have a little talk with yourself about ‘I can.’ ”

Prior to issuing the awards, Nike’s® Native American Business Manager Sam McCracken (Assiniboine/Sioux) made a brief presentation concerning the shoes received by the rally participants. Holding up a mold, McCracken explained the process used by Nike® to develop the new Air Native N7 Shoe.

“It had been noticed that Native Americans require a much wider toe box,” he said. “Taking molds like this of the feet of 25 Native American golfers, Nike® has developed a new shoe to meet the necessary requirements of our people. I hope that the shoes you receive here today will make you want to walk for a healthier future.”

Former Miss South Dakota Vanessa Shortbull is one of the first Native Americans to ever win a beauty contest to represent her state. Originally from the Pine Ridge Reservation, she is a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is slated to be stationed in Afghanistan next year. Displaying a fantastic sense of humor, Shortbull entertained the audience with stories about the beauty contests she had entered. Declaring that she is single and scouting for a new husband, she had everyone laughing as she described her qualifications in true Native American form.

A Navajo/Pueblo, Notah Begay is a four-time PGA winner and the only Native American golfer on the Pro Tour. As a spokesperson for the N7 Nike® shoe, he opened with a story about a former Stanford classmate, Tiger Wood.

Then, moving to a more serious note, he discussed the epidemic proportions to which diabetes had escalated among Native Americans. Placing emphasis on the need for exercise and a healthy diet as a means of prevention, he concluded by thanking the Nike® employee volunteers who were distributing the shoes at the rally.

Michelle Ford from Immokalee said she immediately noticed a difference in her new shoes.

“My toes have always felt crowded even, when I purchased the next size larger,” she said. “These are more comfortable in the toe room, but still tight enough for support in other areas.

Edna McDuffie is known for the miles she walks everyday, not just at rallies. For her a proper fitting shoe is a requirement, not an option.

“When I put on the new N7’s, they felt like they were already broken in and not just straight out of the box,” she said. “I am looking forward to giving these a test run.”

When the scores were tabulated, Cicero Osceola announced the results. With 451 participants, of which 121 had placed, Big Cypress had won the 8th Annual Reservation Rally Trophy. The Brighton/Tampa team took second place with 340 entries and 94 winners. Hollywood/Ft. Pierce was a very close third with 332 contestants and 44 places.

Immokalee had an excellent showing for the size of its reservation with 114 participants and 22 places. Special recognition awards and trophies were distributed to individual winners to a round of applause.