A Better Tomorrow: Today’s Trailblazing Seminole Women Build the Future
To end our Seminole Women’s History Month feature, Florida Seminole Tourism would like to take the opportunity to highlight a few contemporary Seminole women affecting change.
Healing Hands: The Remarkable Life of Susie Billie
This week, we share Seminole medicine woman Susie Jim Billie's life and dedication to preserving traditional medicine and Seminole healing.
Laura Mae Osceola: Powerful Voice of the Seminole People
Welcome back to Women’s History Month! Today, we are continuing our journey spotlighting strong, resilient, and impactful Seminole women through history. In this installment of our series, we journey back to the 1950s when the Seminole Tribe of Florida achieved federal recognition.At just 21, Laura Mae Osceola emerged as the interpreter and spokesperson for the Seminoles, addressing Congress during a time when many Seminoles did not widely speak English. Osceola was fluent and well-spoken in English, Mikasuki, and Creek. Her linguistic prowess paved the way for her historic role as the first Secretary of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, solidifying her as an influential advocate. We will delve into her life and impact, as she navigated the complexities of federal recognition, government dynamics, and adapted to a new world. In our featured image, the first Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida sits together. Seated from left to right: Howard Tiger,
Faith and Family: The Quiet Legacy of Ada Tiger
Today is the first day of Women’s History Month! Throughout March, Florida Seminole Tourism is spotlighting significant Seminole women every week on our blog. This week, you will learn about a formidable and resilient cattlewoman. She left a lasting imprint on Seminole history, her family, and Seminole cattle. Our celebration kicks off with none other than Ada Tiger (Snake Clan)! In our featured image for this week, you can see a postcard featuring two women and children around a Seminole camp fire. Ada Tiger sits to the left, and Agnes Tiger and her two sons sit to the right. The original image was taken at Okalee Seminole Indian Village in the 1950s or 60s. Each day, the camp was artificially set up to share traditional Seminole camp life with tourists. Below, you can see an image of Ada Tiger (left) doing beadwork circa 1961. She sits outside of a chickee with
The 85th Annual Brighton Field Day Festival and Rodeo
The final event of the 2024 Seminole Tribe of Florida Festival Season is almost here! This weekend, visit the Brighton Reservation for the Brighton Field Day Festival and Rodeo. Last year, the first in-person event since the pandemic attracted thousands. From alligator wrestling competitions to professional rodeo, concerts, wildlife shows, and more, there is something sure to grab you each day of the three-day festival. So, don’t miss out on this exciting, unique event! Interested in attending? There are NO authorized online retailers for Brighton Field Day tickets. Please purchase your tickets at the gate or at the two authorized in person retailers. In person, you can buy tickets either at Eli’s Western Wear in Okeechobee, FL or Glisson’s Animal Supply in Sebring, FL. Seniors (60+) and veterans, be sure to bring your ID for daily discounted tickets! Who is Fred Smith? The Seminole Tribe of Florida holds the Brighton Field Day Festival
The 51st Annual Seminole Tribal Fair & Pow Wow is here!
The second exciting event of the 2024 Festival Season is almost here! The Seminole Tribe will host the annual Seminole Tribal Fair & Pow Wow this Friday, February 9, 2024 through Sunday, February 11th, 2024 at the Hard Rock Hollywood in Hollywood, FL. This annual celebration of Native culture and arts will feature vendors, exhibition dancing, wildlife shows, arts and crafts contests, drumming exhibitions, movie screenings, and more! On Sunday, stick around for a FREE concert from Aaron Lewis on his The American Patriot Tour. Looking for more information about Pow Wows and the history of the Seminole Tribal Fair & Pow Wow? Check out last year’s blog about the 50th anniversary event. In our featured image this week, you can see a shot taken by Ralph Notaro at the 50th Annual Seminole Tribal Fair and Pow Wow. Below, you can see a map of the event space, on the Hard Rock
2nd Annual Big Cypress Indigenous Arts and Music Festival
Festival Season is here! This week on the blog, we are giving you the inside details on the first of three back-to-back events from the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The 2nd annual Big Cypress Indigenous Arts and Music Festival will be held on the Big Cypress Reservation February 2 & 3, 2024. Both days gates will open at the Junior Cypress Rodeo Complex at 9:30 am and close at 6:00 pm. Admission is FREE for this exciting event. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Youth.” Stop by for Indigenous performers, speakers, vendors, and more from throughout the United States and Canada. Below, you can see comprehensive profiles on many of the musical artists, speakers, and more! Master of Ceremonies: Chance Rush Chance Rush will emcee the event both days. Chance travels throughout the United States and Canada to work with Native communities in effort to inspire, heal, motivate, and energize. He has
Exploring Cowkeeper’s Powerful Legacy with the STOF-THPO
Join us to explore "Cowkeeper's Legacy: A Seminole Story", a new book from the Seminole Tribe of Florida's Tribal Historic Preservation Office!
Florida’s Flora in Focus: the Photography of JK Small
This week, we will look at the images captured by renowned botanist John Kunkel Small, who explored Florida for decades documenting its plants and people.
Christmas 1837: Seminole Survival and the Battle of Okeechobee
This week, we are looking at a particular historic moment and space that changed the course of Seminole history, and highlighted their resilience, drive, and sacrifice to stay in their ancestral homeland; the Battle of Okeechobee.