Seminole Tribe of Florida
Encyclopedia
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is a federally recognized Seminole
tribe based in the U.S. state
of Florida
. Together with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, it is one of three federally recognized Seminole entities. It received that status in 1957.
emerged in a process of ethnogenesis
from various Native American groups who settled in Florida in the early 18th century, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia
and Alabama
. These settlers distanced themselves increasingly from other Creek groups, and expanded and prospered owing to their thriving trade network during Florida's British and second Spanish periods
(c. 1767–1821). During the Seminole Wars
against the United States in the 19th century, however, most Seminole were forced to relocate west of the Mississippi River
. A smaller group – possibly fewer than 200 – refused to leave Florida and moved deep into the Everglades
, where they fostered a culture of staunch independence. The modern Florida Seminoles and Miccosukee descend from this group.
The Florida Seminoles re-established limited relations with the United States and Florida governments in the late 19th century, and eventually received 5000 acres (20.2 km²) of reservation land. At first, few Seminoles had any interest in relocating to reservations, preferring their traditional lifestyle to a more sedentary reservation life. Following the efforts of Creek Christian missionaries, more Seminoles moved to reservations in the 1940s to form their own churches. Other factors in the move include Florida's drainage of the swamps and shift toward agriculture, and the depletion of game and other resources by the state's expanding population. A reservation-based tribal government was formed, and received federal recognition in 1957.
The formation and subsequent actions of the reservation-oriented tribal authority caused friction with a more traditional group living along the Tamiami Trail
, known as the Trail Indians. The Trail Indians formed their own government and sought federal recognition as the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, which they received in 1962.
, who was re-elected in 2011 after previously serving from 1979 to 2003. The tribe has four reservations: Big Cypress Reservation, Brighton Reservation, Hollywood Reservation (formerly Dania Reservation), and Tampa Reservation. As of 2000 there were around 2000 enrolled members, with over 1,300 living on the reservations.
The Tribe oversees the community's business ventures. They found their first major success with the opening of a tax-free cigarette
shop in 1975. Following this they decided to pursue a high-stakes bingo operation on their land, which in 1979 became the first major Indian gaming establishment in the United States and paved the way for dozens of other tribes to increase their revenues with gambling. These two enterprises remain the Tribe's primary sources of income. Other significant economic factors include citrus
and cattle farming on Brighton and Big Cyress Reservations, tourism, and forestry
.
Most members of the Tribe speak the Miccosukee language, which is also spoken by the Miccosukee Tribe, although it is extinct among the Seminoles of Oklahoma. The Creek language
is spoken by some members, especially on Brighton Reservation.
Seminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
tribe based in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Together with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is a federally recognized Seminole tribe based in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is the largest of the three federally recognized Seminole organizations, which include the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida...
and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, it is one of three federally recognized Seminole entities. It received that status in 1957.
History
The SeminoleSeminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
emerged in a process of ethnogenesis
Ethnogenesis
Ethnogenesis is the process by which a group of human beings comes to be understood or to understand themselves as ethnically distinct from the wider social landscape from which their grouping emerges...
from various Native American groups who settled in Florida in the early 18th century, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. These settlers distanced themselves increasingly from other Creek groups, and expanded and prospered owing to their thriving trade network during Florida's British and second Spanish periods
Spanish Florida
Spanish Florida refers to the Spanish territory of Florida, which formed part of the Captaincy General of Cuba, the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and the Spanish Empire. Originally extending over what is now the southeastern United States, but with no defined boundaries, la Florida was a component of...
(c. 1767–1821). During the Seminole Wars
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
against the United States in the 19th century, however, most Seminole were forced to relocate west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. A smaller group – possibly fewer than 200 – refused to leave Florida and moved deep into the Everglades
Everglades
The Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee...
, where they fostered a culture of staunch independence. The modern Florida Seminoles and Miccosukee descend from this group.
The Florida Seminoles re-established limited relations with the United States and Florida governments in the late 19th century, and eventually received 5000 acres (20.2 km²) of reservation land. At first, few Seminoles had any interest in relocating to reservations, preferring their traditional lifestyle to a more sedentary reservation life. Following the efforts of Creek Christian missionaries, more Seminoles moved to reservations in the 1940s to form their own churches. Other factors in the move include Florida's drainage of the swamps and shift toward agriculture, and the depletion of game and other resources by the state's expanding population. A reservation-based tribal government was formed, and received federal recognition in 1957.
The formation and subsequent actions of the reservation-oriented tribal authority caused friction with a more traditional group living along the Tamiami Trail
Tamiami Trail
The Tamiami Trail is the southernmost of U.S. Highway 41 from State Road 60 in Tampa to U.S. Route 1 in Miami. The road also has the hidden designation of State Road 90....
, known as the Trail Indians. The Trail Indians formed their own government and sought federal recognition as the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, which they received in 1962.
Government
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is led by an elected tribal council comprising representatives from its reservations. The current Chairman is Chief Jim BillieJim Billie
James Edward Billie known as is a Native American Indian leader of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.[1] Elected Chairman/President of the Independent Seminole Tribe of Florida in 1979-2001...
, who was re-elected in 2011 after previously serving from 1979 to 2003. The tribe has four reservations: Big Cypress Reservation, Brighton Reservation, Hollywood Reservation (formerly Dania Reservation), and Tampa Reservation. As of 2000 there were around 2000 enrolled members, with over 1,300 living on the reservations.
The Tribe oversees the community's business ventures. They found their first major success with the opening of a tax-free cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
shop in 1975. Following this they decided to pursue a high-stakes bingo operation on their land, which in 1979 became the first major Indian gaming establishment in the United States and paved the way for dozens of other tribes to increase their revenues with gambling. These two enterprises remain the Tribe's primary sources of income. Other significant economic factors include citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
and cattle farming on Brighton and Big Cyress Reservations, tourism, and forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
.
Most members of the Tribe speak the Miccosukee language, which is also spoken by the Miccosukee Tribe, although it is extinct among the Seminoles of Oklahoma. The Creek language
Creek language
The Creek language, also known as Muskogee or Muscogee , is a Muskogean language spoken by Muscogee and Seminole people primarily in the U.S. states of Oklahoma and Florida....
is spoken by some members, especially on Brighton Reservation.