Tribal Traditions in the Modern World: The Seminole Tribe, Their Voices, and Their Stories

Description:

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is one of two federally recognized Native American Tribes living in Florida.  To many, they are known only for their alligator wrestling, gaming, and craft sales along a highway, thus making them rather one-dimensional in the minds of most Floridians and tourists. Seminar participants will have the opportunity to interact with Tribal members on their land and revise these one-dimensional, static views of the Seminole people.

Seminole presenters will play a major role during a week in which teachers will become acquainted with the history and culture of the Seminole people through their own voices and perspectives. The Tribe will expose educators to their constantly evolving history and culture which has endured into the 21st century.  This exploration will provide a more complete context for understanding not only Florida’s present-day Indians
but understanding Florida’s past, its influence on the present and possibilities for the future of our complex, ever-changing state. 

Presenters include:

Tina Osceola, Historic Resources Officer
Willie Johns, Community Outreach Specialist, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
Louise Gopher, Retired Director of Education
Lorene Gopher, Culture Department
OB Osceola, Entrepreneur
Barbara Osceola Butera, Executive Assistant to Hollywood Council Representative
Jeannette Cypress, Director, Cultural Preservation Program
Ann McCudden, Director, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
Diana Stone, Education Coordinator, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
Bill Steele, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Craig Tepper, Director of Environmental Resource Management
and others, including anthropologists, historians, historic preservation specialists, members of tribal government. 

Site Visits include:

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Big Cypress
Ahfachkee School, Big Cypress
Seminole Tribal Headquarters in Hollywood, Florida
Brighton Reservation
Hard Rock Café (behind-the-scenes), Hollywood, Florida
Broward County Parks 

Lodging:

Teachers will be housed in single occupancy rooms in the historic Clewiston Inn, located in Clewiston, Florida, a small town on the southern shore of Florida’s largest lake, Lake Okeechobee.