The Florida summer is heating up, and what better way to cool off than under a chickee? This week, we highlight the top 5 off-reservation chickees you and your family can visit this summer. Not only can you beat the heat under the breezy open sides, but you can also learn a little bit about Seminole history and culture! Chickees are traditional Seminole houses, typically constructed with a cypress log frame and densely thatched palm frond roofs. Skilled artisans can erect a new chickee in a matter of days, and they can last decades! Quick to construct and take down, chickees were ideal during ..read more

Headed to Disney World parks this summer? Be sure to stop by Epcot and its World Showcase American Heritage Gallery for a stunning exhibition of contemporary and historic Indigenous American art. The exhibit, Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art, features pieces from seven distinct geographic regions within the United States. This week, we will explore the exhibit, with a particular focus on the items curated by the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. The large gallery space features a wide array of Indigenous art from across the country. In our featured image, you can see the en ..read more

April 29th – May 5th is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Week, culminating in a National Day of Action on May 5th. Indigenous people, particularly women, children, and two-spirit individuals, are disproportionally affected by violence in the United States and Canada. This week, Florida Seminole Tourism will also work to bring awareness to this devastating issue, which for too long has been pushed aside or glossed over. Last year on May 5, 2023, President Biden released a proclamation on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. He writes that “Indian Country has b ..read more

Welcome back to our Seminole Spaces series! In this series, we explore places and spaces important to Seminole culture, history, and tourism. This week, we travel to Silver Springs, a tourist hot spot which featured many Seminole families over the years. It was once a prime destination on Florida’s tourist map. Now, Silver Springs has now transformed into the beautiful Silver Springs State Park. During the early 20th century, Silver Springs, which included a Seminole Indian Village, exploded in popularity. But, did you know that the Seminole presence at Silver Springs went back much, much furt ..read more

Welcome back to the latest installment in our Seminole Snapshots series! In this series, we look at the impact of photography in preserving and sharing the Seminole story. This week, we look at an utterly unique collection, gathered over the lifetime of W. Stanley Hanson Sr. and his family. Due to Hanson’s close relationship with the Seminoles and Miccosukee of the area, they are a predominant feature in the Collection. This close relationship is incredibly apparent in the photographs, which are unique in their candid, familiar tone. Often, those in the images are smiling, laughing, and engagi ..read more

Although Earth Day is April 22nd each year, the Seminole Tribe of Florida is kicking off the festivities next week with two “Earth Day the Native Way” events. Start the festivities on Tuesday, April 16th from 9:00am – 6:30 pm at Okalee Indian Village in Hollywood, FL. Then, drive out to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on Thursday, April 18th from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm for another, fun, free, earth-friendly event. Both will showcase live Indigenous cultural performances, earth-friendly activities, educational workshops, Seminole food and craft vendors, and nature tours. Read below for more details on ea ..read more

Throughout the month of March, we have had the privilege to highlight just a few of the strong, resilient, and powerful Seminole women throughout history. 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. But, this is not an exhaustive list. Throughout Indian Country and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, there are many, many women who are caring for their families, their culture, and changing the course of history. So, we encourage you to lift up and support women and girl ..read more

Happy Friday! For the latest installment in our Women’s History Month Series, we look at the life and legacy of Susie Jim Billie (Panther Clan). Born around the turn of the twentieth century, Billie was a revered Seminole elder and medicine woman. This week, we share her life and dedication to preserving traditional medicine and Seminole healing. At one point one of the oldest Seminole elders, she experienced a significant amount of change during her lifetime. Thus, we also seek to understand her unique perspective and knowledge gained through over a century of life experiences. In our feature ..read more

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 S ..read more

Happy Friday! Throughout March, Florida Seminole Tourism is spotlighting significant Seminole women every week on our blog. In the latest installment of our Women’s History Month series, make sure to grab your backpack and sharpen your pencils! This week, join us to learn more about the incredible Seminole teacher Lorene Bowers Gopher. During her long career, Gopher dedicated her time to education, the preservation of Seminole Culture, and the preservation of the Florida Creek language. In addition, Gopher would become Brighton’s Cultural Program Director. She would develop community programs ..read more