Back to school in (2026)

Back to school in

Immokalee

EDUCATION 1B

Edward Aguilar Jr.

in the Navy

COMMUNITY 3A

Brody Riley helps

lead OHS to victory

SPORTS 2C

www.seminoletribune.org

Free

September 2026

Volume L • Number 9

‘A’ reason to celebrate as

PECS earns top rating

Tribe

welcomes

Rep. Soto

to Brighton

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY

Staff Reporter

BRIGHTON —

The Pemayetv

Emahakv Charter School gym was

transformed into the Land of Oz on Aug.

14 to celebrate the school earning its tenth

“A” grade from the Florida Department of

Education.

In addition to the “A” rating, the

department named PECS a school of

excellence for the third year in a row. The

school also has the distinction of being a high

performing charter school and ranks in the

top 4% of schools in the state.

Students walked the “yellow brick

road” before they entered the gym for

the festivities. Along the way, they were

greeted by characters from the film version

of the “Wizard of Oz” played by familiar

faces. Brighton Councilman Larry Howard

and principal Tracy Downing dressed as

the Wizard of Oz. Administrative assistant

Michele Thomas was Dorothy and held a

small stuffed dog named Toto in a basket.

Teachers and administrators dressed as the

tin man, cowardly lion, scarecrow, Glinda the

good witch of the North, the wicked witch of

the west and Oz residents.

“We have something big to celebrate

today,” Thomas said to the students in the

gym. “Not only have we earned an “A”

school grade for the 2025-2026 school year,

but we are also beginning a very special

journey- our 20th year. We have 20 years of

learning, 20 years of growing, 20 years of

building dreams, creating opportunities and

educating our children.”

BY KEVIN JOHNSON

Senior Editor

Beverly Bidney

Dressed as characters from the "Wizard of Oz," Brighton Councilman Larry Howard, left, and PECS administrators and teachers, including administrative

assistant Michele Thomas, far right, and principal Tracy Downing, greet students Aug. 14 as they walk the yellow brick road in celebration of the the school

See PECS on page 3B earning an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education.

BRIGHTON — For three hours on

the afternoon of Aug. 7, U.S. Congressman

Darren Soto visited the Brighton Reservation

and received a synopsis about the Seminole

Tribe of Florida with plenty of attention

given to the Brighton Reservation. He heard

from Brighton Councilman Larry Howard

and tribal department leaders who explained

the tribe’s agriculture, education, culture,

environmental protection, public safety and

other aspects of life and government on the

reservations.

Florida’s District 9, which Soto

represents and includes Osceola County and

parts of Orange and Polk counties, has been

expanded south. It now includes Glades,

where Brighton is located, Highlands,

Okeechobee and Indian River counties. The

district expansion is one reason why Soto

made his first visit to the reservation.

“Thank you for coming to breathe our air

and walk our roads and our halls and break

bread with us because that’s the way you truly

get to know the heartbeat of this community,”

Michele Thomas, the Pemayetv Emahakv

Charter School administrative assistant and a

lifelong Brighton resident, said to Soto as she

started a presentation about the school on the

reservation during a gathering in the Florida

Veterans Building.

See SOTO on page 5A

Zae Thomas begins second season on FSU football team

BY KEVIN JOHNSON

Senior Editor

TALLAHASSEE — Heavily favored

Florida State opened its 2026 football season

with a 34-17 win against New Mexico State

in front of 65,919 fans Aug. 29 at Doak

Campbell Stadium.

FSU has dozens of new players on

its roster – including starting quarterback

Ashton Daniels – but among the returnees

from last year’s club is Zae Thomas from

the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The 6-foot3 defensive back, who did not see game

action against New Mexico State, enters his

sophomore season after what he said was a

positive summer of working out.

“It was good. I put in a lot of work to

prepare and hopefully get on the field. It was

a goal for me to get stronger, a little more

muscle,” Thomas said after the game, just

before he stepped outside the Moore Center

to meet his parents, sisters and grandparents

who came up from South Florida to watch

the game.

A year ago, Thomas was listed at 196

pounds; this year the roster has him at 207,

although he said his weight is closer to 200

Kevin Johnson

Led by coach Mike Norvell, the Florida State Seminoles, including the Seminole Tribe's Zae Thomas (22), get ready for their season opener against New Mexico State on Aug. 29 at Doak Campbell Stadium in

Tallahassee. Thomas is in his second season at FSU. The Seminoles won, 34-17.

Kevin Johnson

The Seminole Tribe of Florida seal is on the

helmets of all FSU football players.

now.

Thomas played in two games last year

as a freshman (vs East Texas A&M and

Kent State). He has four years of eligibility

remaining. With new NCAA rules,

redshirting has disappeared, giving way to

Community......................3A

Education........................1B

Health.............................8A

Sports..........................1C

a new rule that allows athletes five years of

competition.

Thomas said his freshman season had

its “ups and downs.” This season he said he

needs to take advantage of opportunities.

Thomas is the second student-athlete

from the unconquered Seminole Tribe to

play football for FSU; Justin Motlow (201417) was the first. Thomas is also one of two

Seminoles on FSU varsity sports teams in

2026-27. OB Osceola III is in his freshman

year on the FSU baseball team. The tribe’s

Xavier Osceola was a member of the FSU

men’s basketball team as a freshman in the

2025-26 season, but he is no longer on the

team.

Visit the Tribune's Instagram (@seminoletribune)

for news throughout the month

See FSU on page 4A

2A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Editorial

When the bulldozers move before

tribal consent

• Levi Rickert

I

magine living with your family

on land that has been yours for

generations — only to have the

government draw a line through it and divide

your property.

Then, to make matters worse, the

government decides it wants to build a

wall across your lot – without asking your

permission.

This is the dilemma facing the Tohono

O’odham Nation of Arizona. The Nation

took its fight to federal court in June.

Leading the fight against the wall is

Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon

Jose, whom I met at a National Congress

of American Indians convention several

years ago. When I asked him to tell me

about his Nation, he immediately included

a large swath of land extending beyond the

southern border of the United States into

Mexico. He told me the reservation stretches

62 miles along U.S.-Mexico border and the

Nation’s ancestral homeland extends about

75 miles into Mexico. He told me that some

2,000 Tohono O’odham citizens still live in

Mexico.

As he told me about the geography of his

tribal nation, I was reminded of something

Native Americans often say: “Their borders

are not necessarily ours.”

Since then, I have seen him at other

national Native American conventions

and I ran into him at the Democratic Party

convention in Chicago two years ago. He

told me that if Donald Trump got elected for

a second term, the Nation would still oppose

the construction of a border wall on the

Tohono O’odham reservation.

That conversation has stayed with me.

The Tohono O’odham homeland

predates the U.S.-Mexico border. Today, the

Nation’s federally recognized reservation

encompasses approximately 2.8 million

acres and shares 62 miles of international

border with Mexico. But O’odham people

have lived across what is now southern

Arizona and northern Sonora for thousands

of years. The international boundary divided

their people, communities, families and

sacred places.

[In August], U.S. District Judge Richard

Leon in Washington denied the Nation’s

request to stop construction while its lawsuit

proceeds. Leon ruled that the Tohono

O’odham Nation had not demonstrated

that construction would unlawfully alter

its reservation boundaries or constitute an

illegal trespass. He also found that the federal

government’s interests in border security and

public safety outweighed the potential harm

to the Nation for purposes of the preliminary

injunction.

But this case should be about more

than whether a line on a government map

technically moves. It is about whether the

United States can enter Indian Country, begin

construction on tribal lands and damage

sacred cultural resources without the consent

of the tribal nation that has governed those

lands for centuries prior to the existence of

the United States.

The Tohono O’odham Nation says it

was not asked for consent before the federal

government moved forward with the project.

The Nation also argues that construction

threatens sacred places, religious practices,

wildlife and the cultural connections that

have survived despite an international border

being imposed across its homeland.

And there is already evidence of why the

Nation’s concerns should not be dismissed as

hypothetical.

In April, construction connected to the

border wall damaged the Las Playas Intaglio,

a sacred archaeological site featuring an

ancient image carved into the desert floor.

The Nation has warned that other sacred

places also face potential harm.

Judge Leon acknowledged that the

international border is an area of great

significance to both the United States

and the Nation. He also said he expects

the government to honor its promises of

consultation and cooperation with the Nation.

But consultation after construction

begins is not how sovereign nations should

operate. A federal promise of consultation

should not substitute for the legal rights of

a tribal nation.

For generations, Native nations have

heard the federal government say that

treaties, laws and executive orders protect

their sovereignty—only to see those

protections narrowed when they conflict

with federal priorities.

Border security is a legitimate federal

responsibility. But protecting the border

does not give the federal government a blank

check to disregard tribal sovereignty.

The Tohono O’odham Nation has worked

with federal authorities on border security

for decades. The Nation has supported

technology and other measures when it

believed they could protect its people while

respecting its lands and culture. In 2019, for

example, the Nation approved rights-of-way

across its lands for a Customs and Border

Protection Integrated Fixed Tower system

used for electronic surveillance.

That

cooperation

should

mean

something.

The federal government should not be

allowed to say, in effect, “trust us,” while

bulldozers are already moving.

The Tohono O’odham Nation is not

asking the United States to abandon border

security. It is asking the federal government

to respect Tribal sovereignty and protect

a homeland that existed long before an

international boundary divided it.

The judge’s decision may be a setback,

but it should not be the final word.

This is about more than a wall. It is

about whether the United States will honor

its relationship with Tribal Nations when

doing so becomes inconvenient.

Native people have heard those promises

before. It is time for the United States to keep

them.

Thayék gde nwéndëmen – We are all

related.

The Everglades Coalition will hold its

annual conference from Jan. 28 to 30, 2027,

in Naples. The theme of the conference

is “Uniting for America’s Everglades:

Protecting Our Investment.”

The conference will be the largest forum

for discussing the Everglades restoration

progress, challenges and opportunities by

bringing together conservation groups,

elected officials, business leaders, local,

state, tribal and federal partners to engage

in meaningful dialogue about restoring the

Everglades.

The Coalition, a 501(c) (3) non-profit

corporation, is an alliance of 55 local, state

and national conservation and environmental

groups dedicated to the full restoration of

the Greater Everglades Ecosystem from

the Kissimmee chain of lakes into Lake

Okeechobee and the estuaries, through the

river of grass and out to the Florida Bay and

the Keys.

The Coalition works in the public arena

to inform decision makers on the collective

view of the conservation community

regarding the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.

It uses policy papers, comparisons of

proposed policy decisions focused on sound

science and public comments on critical

aspects of restoration.

For more information about the

conference, visit www.evergladescoalition.

org/conference.

Hard Rock Cafe sponsors music

competition for emerging bands

FROM PRESS RELEASE

Hard Rock Cafe and Coca-Cola Brand

have partnered in a global music competition

for emerging artists. The Hard Rock Rising

music competition spans 34 countries and

64 Hard Rock Cafes around the world. Hard

BY JOE ANDREOLI

Invasive Wildlife Biologist, Department of

Conservation

and

CRAIG VAN DER HEIDEN

Director, Department of Conservation

The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s

Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP)

continues to grow, offering Tribal youth

ages 14 to 24 an opportunity to explore

careers across Tribal departments. Since its

founding in January 2025, the Department

of Conservation (DOC) has made youth

engagement and Tribal Member career

development a central part of its mission to

protect and sustainably manage the Tribe’s

natural resources.

In just two years, DOC has welcomed

seven SWEP interns, each completing

an eight week internship culminating in

a final presentation to their community.

This summer, three interns—Koty Gopher,

Marley Jimmie, and Karter Puente—joined

DOC teams on the Big Cypress, Brighton,

and Immokalee Reservations, contributing to

wildlife, fisheries, and forestry conservation

projects. On July 31, they shared their

experiences in a PowerPoint presentation to

their community in Brighton.

Highlights of the summer included

setting and checking 80 live capture traps

in different habitats off Buster Twin Road

in Brighton. Koty, Marley, and Karter

learned how to bait and set the Sherman

traps, identify the mammal captured, take

the mass, and mark the belly of the mammal

with a Sharpie to document recaptures. They

captured Cotton Mice, Cotton Rats, and

Virigina Opossums, with some individual

Cotton Mice and Virginia Opossums

recaptured multiple times throughout the

week.

In Kissimmee Billie Slough, Big

Cypress, Koty, Marley, and Karter waded in

waist-deep water to set and check long nets

called fyke nets. Part of what makes this

long-term project so fun is that you never

quite know what you’re going to catch.

Koty, Marley, and Karter learned to identify,

safely handle, and release native fish like

Florida Gar, invasive fish like Brown Hoplo,

amphibians like Greater Siren, Pig Frogs,

and Two-toed Amphiuma, reptiles like

Chicken Turtles and Striped Mud Turtles,

Rock Rising will conduct multiple live

performances being held at various Hard

Rock Cafes. Local fans will be able to vote

for artists that will advance round by round

until a global winner is announced.

Live competition rounds will be held

Sept. 2, 9, 16 and 23. A global winner will

be announced on Oct 5.

The Seminole Tribune is a member of the

Indigenous Journalists Association.

The following deadline applies to all

submissions to The Seminole Tribune:

Letters/emails to the editor must be signed

and may be edited for publication.

Issue: October 2026

Deadline: September 16, 2026

Subscription rate is $35 per year by mail.

Make checks payable to:

The Seminole Tribune

6365 Taft Street

Suite 3003

Hollywood, FL 33024

Advertising rates along with sizes and other

information may be downloaded online at:

http://SeminoleTribune.org/Advertise

Postmaster:

Marley Jimmie, Koty Gopher and Karter Puente with a recaptured Virigina Opossum.

and Everglades and Slough Crayfish. Instead

of using a Sharpie to document recaptured

Florida Gar, Koty, Marley, and Karter used a

hole puncher to “mark” captured Florida Gar

by making a hole in the dorsal fin.

Koty, Marley, and Karter also learned

some of the technological tools used by

biologists, ecologists, and foresters. Such

tools included drones and Geographic

Information Systems (GIS). Koty, Marley,

and Karter learned how to use some of

the GIS applications scientists use to

gather important information like ArcGIS

Field Maps, ArcGIS QuickCapture, and

ArcGIS Survey123. Drones, GIS, and GIS

applications are used in many Seminole

Tribe of Florida departments, and DOC

is proud to introduce and develop these

skillsets in SWEP interns working with us.

DOC

Reflecting on their summer, each intern

spoke about the impact of the experience.

“Working in DOC this summer was fun

because I met new people and I got to do

hands on activities,” said Koty Gopher.

“By doing this it has influenced me to

study botany in college, and I hope to work

here in the future after I finish high school,”

added Marley Jimmie.

“All these fun projects we get to do

working in DOC in the summer, I would for

sure do again,” said Karter Puente.

Are you a tribal member between the

ages of 14-24 that wants to conserve the fish,

wildlife, and forests of the Seminole Tribe of

Florida? Do you want to learn the latest in

drone and GIS technology? Are you looking

for a fun SWEP experience in 2027? Email

DOCStaff@semtribe.com to learn more.

PBS to air film about Indigenous scientific knowledge

Band Cherokee) in a press release. “We are

honored to co-produce this film and we are

proud of the important work that has been

accomplished here by producer and director

Daniel Golding (Fort Yuma Quechan) of

Hokan Media, LLC, who previously coproduced the VMM series Native America

2.0, and co-producer Chris Neighbors

(Choctaw) of NOVA.”

“Knowledge Keepers” reveals how

deeply-held cultural traditions inform

remarkable innovations, from ancient sea

farming techniques that optimize ecosystems

to celestial navigation methods perfectly

adapted to extreme environments like

the frozen Arctic. Viewers will learn how

centuries of observation, experimentation,

and adaptation have forged solutions to

complex challenges like living in the harsh

climate of the desert Southwest. Today,

knowledge keepers fight to preserve this

ancient expertise and consider how it could

transform our future.

The film features unique insights from

many experts including Roberto Nutlouis,

farmer and executive director of Nihikeya, a

grassroots organization focused on restoring

regenerative Diné ecological, cultural,

social, and economic systems and lifeways,

guided by traditional knowledge, teachings

and practices, based in Pinon, Arizona;

Ryan Spring, the cultural research assistant

for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

in Calera, Oklahoma; Nicole Norris, a

shellfish aquaculture specialist from Halalt

First Nation in Nanaimo, Canada; Octavio

Cruz, a marine manager from Pauquachin

First Nation in Victoria, Canada; and Fred

Sangris, Chief of the Yellowtail Dene First

Nation in Yellowknife, Canada.

Please send address changes to:

The Seminole Tribune

6365 Taft St.

Suite 3003

Hollywood, FL 33024

Staff Reporter: Beverly Bidney, ext. 16466

BeverlyBidney@semtribe.com

Contributors: Teresa Snow, Gordon

Wareham

Staff Reporter: Calvin Tiger, ext. 10739

CalvinTiger@semtribe.com

© 2026 Seminole Tribe of Florida

Publisher: The Seminole Tribe of Florida

Staff Reporter: Daniella Hakim, ext. 10704

DaniellaHakim@semtribe.com

FROM PRESS RELEASE

Vision Media Maker (VMM) has

announced a new film for PBS science series

Nova titled “Knowledge Keepers.” The film

focuses on Indigenous scientific knowledge,

built on relationships with the environment

and passed down through generations. The

film will premiere on Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. (ET)

on PBS and will stream at pbs.org/nova and

the PBS app.

“Native people have developed and

utilized essential scientific knowledge over

millennia. These practices, based on respect

and careful observation of the natural world,

hold timely lessons for all of humanity. I

am thrilled that NOVA is shining a spotlight

Levi “Calm Before the Storm” Rickert on Indigenous science,” said VMM CEO

(Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the and President Francene Blythe-Lewis

founder, publisher and editor of Native (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota, Diné, Eastern

News Online. This opinion was published on

nativenewsonline.net.

Everglades Coalition to hold

annual conference in Naples

STAFF REPORT

Three tribal youth complete summer

internships with Department of Conservation

Official

Notice

The Fleet Management Department

of the Seminole Tribe of Florida is in the

planning phase to install electric vehicle

chargers at the following Tribal office

locations within the existing parking lots. Per

the EPA review the entire property and the

specific location areas may have a potential

to flood. The EV charger impact is being

mitigated by installing all electrical wires in

conduit and the EV chargers will be installed

on a pedestal to avoid being submerged in

water. The EV chargers are being funded by

an EPA grant EPA-PRJ-021585.

Hollywood – Recreation Center, 3100 N

63rd Ave.; 6365 Taft St.; Fleet Facility, 4161

State Rd. 7; TCD Building, 5700 Griffin Rd.

Big Cypress – Frank Billie Field Office,

31000 Josie Billie Hwy.; Medical clinic,

30851 Buffalo Jim Loop N; Ahfachkee

School, 31200 Josie Billie Hwy.

Brighton – Administration Bldg., 650

Harny Pond Rd.; Health Center, 17201 Civic

St.

Immokalee – Administration Bldg.,

295 Stockade Rd.; Medical Center, 850

Seminole Crossing Trail.

Fort Pierce – Community Center, 3300

Sally Chupco Tommie Way.

If you are interested in reviewing the

proposed plans, contact Sandy Leonard,

Director of the Fleet Management

Department, sandyleonard@semtribe.com.

The question and answer session will be

open for general inquiries from September 3,

2026, to September 17, 2026.

Phone: 954-985-5700

Senior Editor: Kevin Johnson, ext. 10715

KevinJohnson@semtribe.com

Advertising: Donna Mason, ext. 10733

DonnaMason@semtribe.com

3A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Community

A

‘Answering his call of duty to serve our country,’

Edward Aguilar Jr. graduates Navy boot camp

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY

Staff Reporter

Edward Aguilar Jr., who graduated

from the U.S. Navy boot camp July 9, has

committed to serve his country in the Navy

for eight years.

Aguilar Jr., 26, graduated as an E-3

rank and is a section leader. He is training

to be a gunner’s mate, which will make him

responsible for the operation, maintenance

and repair of all weapons systems onboard

a ship.

His wife, Rayanna; daughter, Elaine;

and parents, Cindy and Edward Aguilar Sr.

attended the boot camp graduation ceremony

in Great Lakes, Illinois.

“My son has always

been military minded

and is an enthusiast for

weaponry,” wrote Aguilar

Sr. in an email. “There

was no better feeling

than to see our son sworn

into oath to defend our

freedom and our country

like many of our veterans

in the Seminole Tribe

have done for decades

and decades.”

Before joining the

Navy, Aguilar Jr. was

in ROTC at Palmetto

Ridge High School in

Naples, worked in the

security department at the

Seminole Casino Hotel

in Immokalee and as a

security supervisor at the

Coconut Creek Casino.

He later left to work as

a corrections officer in

North Florida, returned

to the Tribal Career

Development

program

and returned to South

Florida, where the call

to duty inspired him to

enlist.

“Cindy and I are both

very proud of our son for

a few reasons,” Aguilar

Sr. said. “First, his

bravery for stepping up to

the plate and answering

his call of duty to

serve our country. And

secondly, for following

and pursuing one of

his lifelong dreams of

service at the highest level. His enlistment

did not come too easy for us, however we

know that this is his calling.”

His family doesn’t know where he will

be assigned to serve, but they believe “God

has plans for him and will keep him safe.”

Edward Aguilar Jr.

Courtesy photo

“At a time where patriotism seems hard

to find, his actions have revitalized my hope

for a better America and he is doing his part

for us to achieve that,” Aguilar Sr. said.

Courtesy photo

Edward Aguilar Jr. with his parents, Cindy and Edward Aguilar Sr., at the graduation ceremony for the

U.S. Navy boot camp July 9 in Illinois.

Courtesy photo

Edward Aguilar Jr. with his wife, Rayanna, and

daughter, Elaine, at graduation.

Animal Wildlife Services offers

free spay and neuter clinics

BY HANNAH MCQUEEN AND ALEX KLING

Animal Wildlife Services

The Department of Conservation’s

Animal Wildlife Services (AWS) has

partnered with Cape Coral Animal

Shelter (CCAS) to host free spay,

neuter, microchip, and vaccine clinics

this year in Hollywood, Brighton, Big

Cypress and Lakeland. The last event

in Brighton brought in 19 animals for

full service, along with two additional

pet owners who came solely for

vaccinations.

These clinics are essential for longterm pet health and community safety.

Spaying and neutering remain one of

the most effective tools for managing

pet overpopulation. Florida ranks fourth

in the nation for shelter euthanasia,

largely due to overcrowding. Brighton

alone took in 321 dogs and 48 cats last

year from multiple reservations. Just

one unspayed female cat can produce

more than 100 kittens in her lifetime,

and in theory, she and her offspring

could contribute to more than 400,000

cats in only seven years.

AWS encourages residents to

fix not only household pets but also

stray or feral cats in the community.

AWS assists with trapping. Beyond

preventing litters, fixing pets can

reduce health risks such as uterine

infections, mammary tumors, and

testicular cancer, as well as behavioral

issues including roaming, fighting, and

territorial marking.

Vaccines were another major

focus of the clinic. Vaccinating dogs

helps prevent dangerous illnesses such

as Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis,

Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and

Rabies. Cats benefit from protection

against Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1),

Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Feline

Leukemia, and Rabies. Feline

Leukemia can even be transmitted to

Florida Panthers when they consume

infected domestic or stray cats. Many

of these diseases are inexpensive

to prevent but costly and highly

contagious once contracted.

Microchipping was also offered

as a free service. In a area frequently

affected by hurricanes and severe

weather, microchips help ensure

lost pets make their way back home.

Although microchips are not GPS

trackers, they allow animal control

officers, veterinarians, rescues, and

good Samaritans to identify and

contact owners—provided the chip is

registered. Microchips offer permanent

identification in cases of theft,

impoundment, or ownership disputes.

AWS provides free microchipping and

registration year-round and can assist

at their office or travel to residents who

need help. AWS encourages pet owners

to reach out to their local officer for

microchipping.

The next clinic will be held at the

Lakeland Reservation’s gymnasium on

Sept 9. Drop off at 8 a.m. We will call

you for pickup. Pets must not eat the

day of the visit. EVERYONE MUST

PREREGISTER WITH Cape Coral

Clinic at (239) 573-2002, ext. 106



     

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4A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Seminole Hearts: Denim & Diamonds Gala celebrates a night of giving

FROM PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole

Tribe of Florida hosted its annual Denim &

Diamonds Gala on Aug. 13 at the Seminole

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, bringing

together guests for an evening of celebration

with a purpose: giving back to organizations

that make a meaningful difference in the

lives of children and families.

At the heart of the annual Gala is

Seminole Hearts, a message that reflects

the spirit of generosity, compassion and

community behind the Tribe’s charitable

giving. Through Denim & Diamonds, that

spirit is put into action by raising funds and

supporting nonprofit organizations whose

work provides critical resources, services

and opportunities to those who need them

most.

While the Gala has a particular focus

on organizations serving Native American

communities and families, the reach of

Seminole Hearts extends beyond Indian

Country. This year’s charitable giving also

included support for organizations such as

Ronald McDonald House Charities and Els

for Autism, reflecting a shared commitment

to improving the lives of children, adults

and families facing significant challenges.

Els for Autism is devoted to helping

people with autism of all abilities reach

their fullest potential and live meaningful,

fulfilling lives, while supporting the families

and caregivers who walk alongside them.

Ronald McDonald House Charities provides

vital resources and support to families with

children receiving medical care, helping

keep families together during some of their

most difficult times.

The evening also offered an opportunity

to celebrate the generosity that makes

this work possible. Guests enjoyed a

Western-themed reception, dinner and live

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

entertainment by country artist Graham

From left to right, Esther Gopher, President Holly Tiger, and Tribal Secretary Naomi Wilson.

Barham at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Attendees sport a Western style look at the annual Denim & Diamonds Gala on Aug. 13.

Casino.

Tribal members and leaders joined

nonprofit and community organizations, that can be achieved when people come & Diamonds, the Seminole Tribe of Florida both within and beyond Indian Country.

Gala a success. Their support ensures that

business and community partners, and together around a common purpose.

continues that tradition by supporting

The Seminole Tribe of Florida extends its the spirit of Seminole Hearts continues long

elected state and local representatives for the

Seminole Hearts is more than a theme organizations working every day to sincere appreciation to the sponsors, donors, after the evening ends, through the people,

evening. Together, their participation and for an evening—it reflects a tradition of strengthen families, create opportunities for organizations and guests whose generosity families and communities touched by the

support demonstrated the collective impact giving and caring for others. Through Denim children and improve lives in communities helped make this year’s Denim & Diamonds organizations the Gala supports.

Courtesy photo

Helene Buster, from Seminoles in Recovery, receives a donation for the program from President Holly

Tiger.

FSU

From page 1A

FSU was listed as a 31-point favorite

against New Mexico State. The Seminoles,

who led 17-7 at halftime, had a grip on the

game all night, but perhaps not as firm a

grip as many expected. With new players at

several positions, the Seminoles had some

bumpy moments. New Mexico State’s 10

3rd down conversions sent uncomfortable

ripples throughout the crowd.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Country artist Graham Barham, with President Holly Tiger, receives money

raised from the silent auction on behalf of St Jude Children’s Research

Hospital.

Michele Thomas, Connie Whidden, Helene Buster, Linda Spurlock and Jodi

Clay

Offensively, the Seminoles generated a

few big yardage plays set up scoring. Two

short TD runs by running back Samuel

Singleton Jr. and another by Daniels paved

the way for the opening night victory.

FSU will host a rare Monday night

game when SMU visits Doak Campbell on

Labor Day at 7 p.m. The game, which will

be broadcast on ESPN, marks the start of

a tough stretch for FSU, which has four of

its next six games against teams currently

ranked in the top 25, including road trips to

No. 13 Alabama (Sept. 19) and No. 7 Miami

(Oct. 7).

Kevin Johnson

Zae Thomas, Chavez Thompson (52) and the rest of the Seminoles enjoy the postgame celebration

after the win against New Mexico State on Aug. 29.

Kevin Johnson

Zae Thomas does pregame drills.

Kevin Johnson

Zae Thomas

5A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

SOTO

From page 1A

Thomas stressed the important role that

the school plays in keeping the Muscogee

(Creek) language alive on the reservation

and the vital connection between those who

speak it and those who are being taught to

learn it.

“We’re language revitalization,” she

said.

She also pointed out the school’s

impressive track record, earning several ‘A’

ratings and ‘school of excellence’ accolades

from the state.

Soto also heard from Dr. Paul

Backhouse, senior director of Environmental

Protection Office, who spoke about issues

the tribe deals with regarding water quality,

water supply and evasive species, among

others.

“When I first started, 20 years ago,

Brighton was not connected really to any of

the other surrounding urban areas, but as you

come today, you can see those communities

getting closer and closer. That’s pushing

species onto this reservation,” he said.

Backhouse added that black bears

are among the species making more of a

presence in Brighton. In Big Cypress, which

has bears, too, it’s pythons whose numbers

have increased.

“As we see climate shifting and habitat

shifting, species are moving further north

as the environment changes,” he said, later

adding that “The tribe’s core philosophy

is that harmony between environment and

culture.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Alex

Johns, Agriculture executive director, who

spoke about the history and vital role cattle

has played in the tribe and its families. He

even took Soto back hundreds of years.

“1521 Ponce De Leon showed up and

introduced the first cow to the United States,

and our ancestors were the folks that actually

received it,” Johns said.

Johns discussed the importance of water

quality as it relates to cattle and land. He

mentioned a pilot project aimed at making

sure water received from a lake is not going

to be detrimental to Seminole lands; and if it

is, to work at finding solutions.

“We’ve always been good stewards,

we do follow the best management practices

that we were part of creating,” Johns said.

Representatives from Seminole Police

and Emergency Management also briefed

Soto on the work they do, including the

differences between the issues they face

in rural reservations like Brighton and BC

compared to urban settings like Hollywood.

The brief ride in an SUV that Soto made

from the Veterans Building to the historic

Red Barn provided him with a glimpse of

the expansion and progress being made on

the reservation, which serves as one example

of what is taking place at other reservations,

too. He drove past the new preschool that is

being built, and other new facilities, such as

the skate park and Cultural Center Complex.

Also on the way, he passed the “A” rated

Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School,

whose banner on its front fence declares

“Successful learners today, unconquered

leaders tomorrow.”

Soto didn’t leave disappointed. He

said he’s a history buff and was thrilled

Kevin Johnson

Jack Chalfant leads a tour and discussion with U.S. Congressman Darren Soto, Brighton Councilman Larry Howard and others in the Red Barn on Aug. 7.

with the visit to the Red Barn, which was

built in 1941 and served as a tribal hub for

cattle industry and cowboys and an informal

setting in the 1950s for discussions about

the tribe becoming federally recognized and

forming its own government. Jack Chalfant,

who has a wealth of historic knowledge

about the tribe and is THPO cultural

resources supervisor, hosted the tour with

Soto, Councilman Howard and others. It

wasn’t just a quick peak inside and get out.

The group stayed inside the barn for about

25 minutes, chatting about its history and

importance.

As for key takeaways from the overall

visit?

“Tribal sovereignty is essential,” Soto

said in an interview at the end of his visit.

“Water continues to be a huge issue,” he

added. “I’ve worked on it for years when I

was in the state legislature. In fact, it was one

of the ways I started working with the tribe.

Kevin Johnson

Everybody wanted to work on the casino

stuff; I worked on water and agriculture and Dr. Paul Backhouse, senior director EPO, has a discussion with U.S. Congressman Darren Soto.

making sure with eminent domain that they

were consulted on these things.”

upcoming election results, having tribal land my heart since it would actually be in the

Soto, a Democrat, has served in in his district would be a first for him.

district,” he said.

Congress since 2017. Depending on

“Brighton will have a special place in

Kevin Johnson

Michele Thomas, PECS administrative assistant, speaks at the gathering with U.S. Congressman

Darren Soto.

Kevin Johnson

Brighton Councilman Larry Howard, left, and Alex Johns, Agriculture excutive director, right, chat

with U.S. Congressman Darren Soto in the lobby of the Florida Seminole Veterans Building.

Kevin Johnson

U.S. Congressman Darren Soto, Brighton Councilman Larry Howard and others who attended Soto's visit to Brighton gather outside the Red Barn.

Online prediction markets rile up state lawmakers

BY KEVIN HARDY

Stateline

CHICAGO — The escalating feud

between states and online prediction markets

was on full display at a summit of state

lawmakers [in July] as legislators publicly

scolded Kalshi and Polymarket, the two

most prominent platforms.

Prediction market platforms say they are

like commodity markets that offer contracts

to speculate on the future price of corn or

oil — not sportsbooks that allow gamblers

to place bets. But many states reject those

justifications, arguing the platforms are a

backdoor to skirt state gambling regulations,

particularly on sports.

The issue has sparked action from state

regulators, new legislation, and a flurry of

lawsuits from states, prediction markets, and

the Trump administration, which has sought

to sideline state oversight.

During a sometimes-heated panel

discussion at the annual gathering of the

National Conference of State Legislatures

in Chicago, Iowa Republican state Sen. Dan

Dawson told the audience that a group of

students at his son’s high school recently

enrolled in Kalshi to bet on World Cup

matches. In Iowa, people must be at least 21

to participate in legal online sports betting.

“States are the ones that pick up the

pieces,” Dawson said as a Kalshi executive

looked on.

Dawson has previously raised concerns

about the public health consequences of

prediction markets. While an industry

representative pledged to work with states,

Dawson said a legislative subcommittee

that recently studied the issue could not get

even basic information from the prediction

markets about their reach in Iowa.

“We couldn’t get one answer,” he said.

In March, Kalshi preemptively sued to

block Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird,

a Republican, from taking civil or criminal

enforcement action against it. In its suit,

Kalshi claimed there was “a substantial risk

that the attorney general of Iowa will bring

an enforcement action.”

Regulation of prediction markets

Sara Slane, Head of Corporate

Development at Kalshi, told lawmakers in

Chicago that the company was committed to

building relationships with the states. But she

said the prediction markets are not subject to

state oversight, as they are regulated by the

Commodity Futures Trading Commission,

which regulates derivatives such as futures

contracts on stocks.

She said prediction markets require a

national standard rather than a “state-bystate regulatory patchwork.”

“This was exactly what the commodity

exchange was set up for,” she said.

The

five-member,

presidentially

appointed CFTC currently has four

vacancies. But it has aggressively sought to

exclude states from overseeing prediction

markets, suing red and blue states alike to

maintain its jurisdiction over the markets.

[In July], a coalition of 44 state attorneys

general wrote to the agency, arguing it does

not have the power to regulate sports-related

event contracts, which they say are subject

to state gambling regulations.

In addition to encroaching on stateregulated and state-taxed sports gambling,

states argue that prediction markets are

subject to potential insider trading, lack

consumer oversight and can fuel problem

gambling.

Slane said her firm works to prevent

money laundering and allows people

who have problems with gaming to block

themselves from the site. She said Kalshi

also works with major sports leagues to

prevent athletes and referees from trading on

sports events.

“We take this very seriously,” she said.

“We want to promote integrity around our

exchange.”

But prediction markets continue to

gain national attention for allowing people

to unfairly bet on the outcome of events by

leveraging nonpublic information.

[In July], the White House announced

the president’s teleprompter operator was

no longer on staff after he was accused of

using inside knowledge to make bets about

presidential speeches on Kalshi.

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz

[on July 28] signed an executive order

prohibiting state employees from using inside

information to bet on prediction markets.

At least eight states, including Arizona,

California, Maryland and Wisconsin, have

implemented similar restrictions.

Mick Mulvaney, executive director of

the Gambling is Not Investing Coalition,

said he was sympathetic to the argument

that prediction markets want to avoid a

regulatory patchwork across the states.

“That being said, there’ve been two

areas where the states have almost always

been entirely sovereign: That’s on booze and

gambling,” he said.

Mulvaney, a Republican, represented

South Carolina in the U.S. House and served

as acting White House chief of staff during

President Donald Trump’s first term. His

organization argues that prediction markets

should be subject to the same state and tribal

regulations as other forms of gambling.

With litigation flying, he said there’s

no question the debate is heading toward

the U.S. Supreme Court. Mulvaney said

it’s unclear how the conservative court will

rule, given its recent decisions. Some of

those rulings have allowed the expansion of

federal executive power, while others have

tilted toward the states.

“So that will be fascinating to see how

it shakes out at the Supreme Court,” he told

Stateline. “But I have every expectation that

this is going all the way up.”

Threat to tribal casinos

Casino gambling has been the sole

economic engine for many Native American

tribes for years, said Michael Hoenig, vice

president and associate general counsel for

gaming at the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel

Nation in Southern California.

He said tribes have built up the gambling

industry over the last 40 years — sometimes

in cooperation with states, other times “in

friction with the states.”

“This is just a profound affront to tribal

sovereignty, tribal self-government,” he said.

“Tribes are supposed to have the sovereign

right to decide who gets to operate gaming

on their lands and who doesn’t.”

Aside from regulatory concerns,

state leaders worry about how the rise of

prediction markets may impact the financial

and mental health of their residents. Since a

2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling opened the

door for states to legalize sports gambling,

39 states and the District of Columbia have

done so.

Advocates, researchers and lawmakers

are already raising alarms about how the

burgeoning market could fuel gambling

addiction and hurt household finances.

Aside from regulation, there is little

difference between the potential impacts

of prediction markets and online sports

betting, said Rachel Volberg, a professor

emerita of epidemiology at the University of

Massachusetts Amherst.

Volberg, who has studied gambling

addiction for 40 years, told lawmakers in

a separate presentation that the research

is clear about how over involvement in

gambling can hurt individuals and families.

However, she told Stateline that legal

sports gambling is too new for researchers

to fully measure how much the high-speed

and accessible world of online gaming has

changed the dynamics.

In North Carolina, a new poll found

that most people generally approve of sports

betting, but a majority wants the state to ban

prediction markets.

In the Meredith College poll released

[July 28], 51% of registered voters said

they were satisfied with state regulation of

sports gambling. Only 11% said they were

dissatisfied, while 38% said they didn’t

know.

In that poll, two-thirds of registered

voters said they would support state

legislation banning prediction markets,

while 24% said they should be legal.

Though sports fans, policymakers and

the researchers continue to grapple with the

quickly evolving landscape, experts gathered

in Chicago were clear that this industry is

here to stay.

“It’s not going anywhere,” said Anthony

D’Angelo, who leads responsible gaming

efforts at Fanatics Betting & Gaming.

D’Angelo

said

his

company’s

sportsbook invests heavily in providing

assistance for problem gamblers, flags

potentially problematic transactions and

incentivizes customers to set and stick to

betting limits.

He said lawmakers can help keep

people away from illegal and offshore

betting platforms that have no oversight or

consumer protections.

“We all want the same things to happen,”

he said. “I think we want a sustainable,

long-term industry where customers are

protected.”

Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be

reached at khardy@stateline.org. This story

was originally produced by Stateline, which

is part of States Newsroom.

6A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

100 years ago, the Great Miami Hurricane

wreaked havoc far beyond the city

BY DANIELLA HAKIM

Staff Reporter

Buffalo Tiger was six years old leaving

the Willie Willie Seminole Indian Village

on Palm Avenue in Hialeah towards the

Everglades when the Great Miami Hurricane

swept through South Florida in September

1926.

“We were so cold. I remember that,”

Tiger said to Harry Kersey in an interview on

July 2, 1998. “I was so hungry. The wind blew

everything around. Thankfully, our people

picked out a hammock on higher ground. If

not, we would’ve been underwater.”

Miami swelled with new residents;

according to the National Weather Service,

Miami-Dade County had amassed a

population of over 100,000 in 1926. Still, no

warnings had been issued until Sept. 17—

hours before the category four hurricane’s

effects would surface.

“It must’ve been three in the morning

when the storm hit,” Tiger added. “We

thought it would just rain, but this was a real

bad hurricane.”

The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926

was of Cape Verde origin, made known to

the Weather Bureau from ship reports. It

swept north, passing through the Leeward

Islands and Puerto Rico on Sept. 14, 15, and

16. The eye of the hurricane swept through

Miami-Dade, Coconut Grove, and South

Miami around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 18.

On Oct. 9, the Red Cross reported that

372 individuals died in the storm - including

150 in Moore Haven - and over 6,000 were

injured. According to the Miami Springs

Historical Society and Museum, villages at

Musa Isle and the Everglades were wrecked

in the storm.

“We didn’t stay at the village in Hialeah

all the time,” Tiger said. “When we got

home, back to the Everglades, everything

was underwater. Everything was blown

down. It was not easy to find food; there was

just too much water.”

According to the Clewiston Museum,

the hurricanes of 1926 and 1928 - the latter

which devastated the southeastern towns

around Lake Okeechobee and claimed more

than 2,000 lives - led the federal government

to begin its dike construction project around

the lake in 1931, as its water control efforts

including a muck dike and drainage canals

proved no match for such weather disasters.

Often dubbed “The Big ‘O’,” the lake

is the second largest natural freshwater lake

after Lake Michigan, measuring 30 miles

from north to south and 33 miles from east to

west. For centuries prior to the Great Miami

Hurricane in 1926 and a similar hurricane in

1928, the lake would overflow from heavy

rainfall, flooding the land with water flowing

south into the Everglades.

“The experience we had in the hurricane,

I will never forget, even though I was little,”

Tiger added. “We didn’t mind because as

long as we had each other, we felt good.”

The Willie Willie Seminole Indian

Village in Hialeah was never rebuilt.

Tiger’s uncle, Willie Willie, relocated to

the Hollywood reservation soon after the

hurricane.

Kevin Johnson

A display at the Clewiston Museum features information and photos about the impact of the hurricanes

of 1926 and 1928 in and around Lake Okeechobee.

Courtesy of Miami Springs Historical Society and Museum

Seminole children at the Willie Willie Seminole Indian Village on Palm Avenue in Hialeah in 1926. The boy on the left is holding a racoon pelt.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service

The killer hurricane swept through the city of Hollywood.

Remembering - 30 years ago

Atlanta powwow

BY CALVIN TIGER

Staff Reporter

Back in the summer

of 1996 in downtown

Atlanta, the Seminole Tribe

organized the Discover

Native America American

Indian Powwow from July

19 to Aug. 4. During the

same time of the powwow,

the 1996 Summer Olympics

took place in Atlanta whereas

the powwow received a big

boost in attendance. The

powwow featured more

than 100 Native American

dancers,

drummers,

comedians, musicians, and

crafts people.

The powwow was also

aired via television where

millions of viewers got to

witness every day of the

event.

Observers

at

the

powwow called it the

“greatest powwow show on

Courtesy of the National Weather Service

The damage on Bayshore Drive, Miami Beach, was significant, resulting in a boat being swept inland.

Mark Cruz, from Klamath

Tribes, named IHS director

FROM PRESS RELEASE

earth”.

At the time, attendees

and powwow organizers

were under a great amount

of stress and uncertainty as

the result of a homemade

pipe bomb attack at the

Olympics. The bomb went

off beneath a bench at a

public concert area. One

person died and more than

100 were injured.

File photo

Billy Mills, an Olympic gold

medal winner, was honored in

1996 with a special dance at

the Seminoles’ Discover Native

America event in Atlanta.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services

announced in August that Mark Cruz, a

citizen of the Klamath Tribes, has been

confirmed to serve as director of the Indian

Health Service (IHS). Cruz becomes the

agency’s 12th Senate confirmed director,

filling the leadership position that had been

unoccupied since January 2025.

Cruz will oversee IHS, which provides

health care services to 2.8 million Native

Americans through nearly 600 federally

operated hospitals and clinics, tribal health

care programs and urban Native American

organizations.

“Mark has already been an invaluable

partner in advancing our priorities across

Indian Country as my senior advisor,” HHS

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a

release. As director of the Indian Health

Service, he will build on that work by

supporting tribal self-determination and food

sovereignty, and ensuring Native families

receive the high-quality healthcare they

deserve.”

“I want to thank President Trump and

Secretary Kennedy for their trust in me and

appreciate the U.S. Senate’s confirmation.

HHS

Mark Cruz

I am humbled by the opportunity to serve

American Indian and Alaska Native

communities as the new director of the Indian

Health Service,” Cruz said in the release.

“I look forward to working closely with

tribal leaders, urban Indian organizations,

our dedicated workforce, and partners

across Indian Country to strengthen tribal

consultation, improve access to high-quality,

culturally appropriate healthcare, hire health

professionals our communities need, and

modernize the Indian health system.”

7A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Seminole Classic Casino honored with Green Visionary Hard Rock to host

9/11 memorial

Award for sustainable development leadership

Native comedians

to perform at

Classic Casino

Sept. 25

FROM PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole

Classic Casino recently received the 2026

Green Visionary Award for Sustainable

Development Leadership by the South

Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

during its annual sustainability luncheon

on Aug. 21 at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral

Gables.

The award recognizes individuals,

businesses

and

organizations

that

demonstrate leadership in sustainability

through

innovative

practices

and

environmental strategies that reduce waste,

lower carbon emissions and address plastic

pollution.

FROM NIGC

HOLLYWOOD — Seminole Classic

Casino in Hollywood will host Native

American comedians Ernest Tsosie and

Tonia Jo Hall for two live performances

Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Tickets starting at $45 are available at

Ticketweb.com. Guests must be age 21 or

over to purchase tickets.

Tsosie is a comedian, actor and

member of the Screen Actors Guild whose

credits include the Netflix film “Rez Ball”

and appearances on AMC’s “Longmire,”

“Better Call Saul” and “Dark Winds,” as

well as NBC’s “Rutherford Falls.” He has

entertained audiences nationwide at venues

including the Laugh Factory in Hollywood,

the House of Comedy in Phoenix and the

Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Hall is known for her popular character

Auntie Beachress, a bold and unapologetic

auntie who delivers relatable storytelling and

“rez humor.” Her viral content has attracted

a loyal following across Facebook, YouTube,

Instagram and TikTok throughout the United

States and Canada.

For more information, visit doclassic.

com.

“Receiving the Green Visionary Award

is a tremendous honor and a reflection of

our Team Members’ commitment to making

sustainability part of how we operate

every day,” said Edward Aguilar, general

manager of Seminole Classic Casino, in a

press release. “Their ideas, dedication and

willingness to take action have produced

measurable results while supporting

Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock’s broader

commitment to protecting the planet. We

are proud of what we have accomplished

and remain focused on finding new ways to

reduce our environmental impact.”

The Seminole Classic Casino’s Save

The Planet Committee has implemented

team member-driven food waste diversion

and glass recycling programs designed to

incorporate sustainability into the property’s

daily operations.

Over the past year, the casino diverted

47,553 pounds of organic waste and 9,701

glass bottles from landfills. The initiative

generated an environmental impact

equivalent to planting 313 tree seedlings,

eliminating 47,172 miles of driving and

conserving 2,139 gallons of gasoline.

The resulting energy savings were also

sufficient to charge more than 1.25 million

smartphones. The casino said the results

reflect its ongoing commitment to reducing

waste and improving environmental

sustainability.

stair climb

FROM PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood will

host the second annual Rock The Climb

9/11 Memorial stair climb to honor heroes

on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at The

Guitar Hotel on Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. The

Firefighters of Davie are also in partnership

with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Hollywood to honor the heroes that lost their

lives, support survivors and uplift families.

Rock The Climb will begin with an

opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m., followed by

a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., marking the

time the first plane struck the World Trade

Center. The memorial stair climb will begin

at 9:30 a.m.

Registration is $75 in advance and

$100 on the day of the event. Registration

includes participation in the stair climb,

access to DAER Dayclub, a finisher medal,

commemorative t-shirt, food and beverage,

and a challenge coin.

For more information or to register for

Rock The Climb, visit rocktheclimb.net. For

more information about Seminole Hard Rock

Hotel & Casino Hollywood, visit https://

casino.hardrock.com/hollywood/events/

rock-the-climb.

Global gaming

women’s

conference

to be held at

Hard Rock

FROM PRESS RELEASE

Courtesy Classic Casino

Humberto Marchante

Ernest Tsosie and Tonia Jo Hall

Seminole Classic Casino team members and Lourdes Mola, vice president of Latin Business Development for Seminole Gaming, accept the 2026 Green

Visionary Award for Sustainable Development Leadership during an awards luncheon at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables on Aug. 21.

4th show added

for Maniscalco

Slot machine crackdown takes place in Cape Coral

FROM PRESS RELEASE

FROM PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD — Hard Rock Live

at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

in Hollywood has added a fourth show for

renowned comedian, actor and podcast host

Sebastian Maniscalco on Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.

with the first three shows at very limited

inventory. For ticket information, go to

myHRL.com.

The

Florida

Gaming

Control

Commission in collaboration with the

Cape Coral Police Department recently

seized 60 illegal ballot slot machines

from a business disguised as a legal bingo

establishment, according to officials. The

enforcement operation, known as Operation

Going Downtown, took place at 2708 Santa

Barbara Boulvard, Suite 108, in Cape Coral,

at an establishment called Uptown Bingo.

Slot machines are lawful at eight

licensed locations in Miami-Dade and

Broward Counties, as well as at facilities

operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

“Bingo is fun, and the FGCC supports

lawful play,” said FGCC Commissioner

Peter Cuderman in a press release.

“Unfortunately, criminals prey on Floridians

Hard Rock properties receive accolades

St. Johns County man hits $1.1M jackpot

FROM PRESS RELEASE

TAMPA — A St. Johns County man

hit a jackpot totaling $1,104,476.06 on Aug.

29 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Tampa.

The guest won the jackpot while playing

a Dragon Link Panda Magic slot machine by

Aristocrat Gaming with a $150 bet on a $2

denomination.

This is the second million-dollar jackpot

awarded in August and the seventh Dragon

Link jackpot of more than $1 million

awarded at Hard Rock Tampa this year.

Classic doles out nearly $10M in jackpots

FROM PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole

Classic Casino in Hollywood reporter that

it paid out more than $9.4 million in 2,246

jackpots that were awarded in July.

The biggest three jackpot winnings

included Dragon Link Grand Jackpots

totaling $504,275.50, which consisted of

$258,769.58 jackpot won with a $25 bet on a

$1 denomination, $140,060.40 jackpot won

with a $5 bet on a 10-cent denomination, and

$105,445.72 jackpot won with a $2.50 bet on

a 5-cent denomination.

Seinfeld to perform two shows in Hollywood

FROM PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD

—

Legendary

comedian Jerry Seinfeld is coming to Hard

Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &

Casino Hollywood on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23,

2027, at 8 p.m.

For ticket information, go to myHRL.

com.

by using a bingo theme on slot machines and

falsely claiming these games are legal..”

If you suspect someone is operating an

illegal bingo hall or casino, or conducting

any other illegal gambling, you can submit

a crime tip online at FLGaming.gov/Filea-Report, by email at Tipline@FLGaming.

gov, or by phone at 850-880-3433.

FROM PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD —

Hard Rock

International announced Aug. 28 that seven

of its venues have been recognized in

Pollstar’s 2026 Top 25 U.S. Casino Venues

ranking.

Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock

Hotel & Casino Hollywood earned the No.

1 position for the second consecutive year.

Honored venues include:

Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard

Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood: Ranked

No. 1 for the second consecutive year,

this 6,600-seat venue at the iconic Guitar

Hotel has established itself as a leader in

world-class entertainment with 77 live

performances in the past seven months,

grossing $53.2 million from more than

380,000 tickets sold – including Shakira’s

three ‘Up Close & Personal’ headline shows,

The Eagles, Guns N’ Roses, Chris Stapleton

and the Jonas Brothers.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena,

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic

City: Ranked No. 4 nationally with nearly

$13.4 million in gross revenue from more

than 97,000 tickets sold, this Atlantic City

landmark is the Jersey Shore’s premier

destination for major headliners paired

with premium gaming experiences. Recent

performances have featured Rod Stewart,

Nikki Glaser and The Chicks.

Hard Rock Live Sacramento at Fire

Mountain: Ranked No. 10 nationally, this

intimate Northern California venue generates

over $5 million in annual gross revenue by

combining distinctive concert experiences

with Hard Rock’s renowned casino and

dining offerings. This year, the venue hosted

Jefferson Starship and Myles Smith among

others. Upcoming performances include

Earth, Wind & Fire; Chance the Rapper; and

Alice Cooper.

Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa: This

top Florida regional hub ranked No. 11

with $4.5 million in gross revenue. In the

past year, the venue hosted comedian Adam

Ray, country star Maren Morris, and DJ and

producer Fisher amongst a host of other

talent for fans across generations.

Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana:

Ranked No. 15 nationally with over $3.1

million in gross revenue, this premier

Midwest venue serves as a regional leader

in concert entertainment and gaming

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hospitality, drawing audiences from across

the Great Lakes. In 2026, the venue hosted

a mix of talented performers spanning

multiple genres, including Boy George &

Culture Club and Wiz Khalifa.

Hard Rock Live Rockford: Opened

in 2024, this Illinois destination has rapidly

established itself as a preferred Midwest

venue, ranked No. 18 nationally. The venue

has hosted a diverse mix of major concert

headliners, comedians and special events. In

2026, the venue has brought diverse musical

talent to the stage, from singer-songwriter

Don McLean to blues guitarist Kenny Wayne

Shepherd.

Hard Rock Live Bristol: Ranked No. 22

nationally, this Virginia venue demonstrates

Hard Rock’s strength in the Eastern regional

market with strong audience appeal and

consistent performance since opening in

2024. The venue has featured a wide variety

of country, rock, pop, and comedy acts, from

Blake Shelton and Foreigner to Boyz II Men

and Gabriel Iglesias, appealing to diverse

music interests and audiences.

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WHO’S YOUR ATTORNEY?

Choctaw Tribal Member

Veteran - U.S. Navy and Air Force

HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole Hard

Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood will host

the Global Gaming Women’s Foundations

Conference Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 from 7:30

a.m. to 5 p.m. The program’s focus is for

women gathering essential skills for career

development. During the conference,

scholarships will be available for women

that work in the gaming industry who would

like to expand their career aspirations and

further leadership skills.

Seminole Gaming is a gold sponsor for

the Global Gaming Women’s Organization.

For more information on how to register

and to view scholarship requirements,

visit globalgamingwomen.org/event/ggwfoundations-conference-miami.

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that should not be based solely upon advertisement. Castillo worked as a Public Defender in

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private practice since 1996. In 1995, he was voted

the Trial Attorney of the year. He graduated from

Capital University in 1989 and was admitted to the

Florida Bar in 1990, Federal Bar in 1992, and the Federal Trial Bar in 1994.

8A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

Exhibit rendering of "Our Grandmother’s Grandmothers" gallery from the 90% phase of exhibit designs, completed June 2026.

Our story: The past and present

of the museum redesign project

BY TERRY RUNNER

Exhibit Specialist

BIG CYPRESS — After three decades

of preserving and sharing the vibrant culture

and deep history of the Seminole Tribe of

Florida, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum will

close its doors in November to begin a

transformative new chapter through a full

museum redesign. The plans for this redesign

have been many years in the making, with

careful consideration to the full and complete

story of the Seminole Tribe and their longstanding heritage in Florida.

The vision for the museum’s redesign

began in late 2015, when former Chairman

James E. Billie, recognized that the museum

had the opportunity to tell much more of the

Seminole Story. To help bring this vision to

reality, the museum, under the leadership

of then-Director Paul Backhouse, partnered

with Studio Tectonic, an exhibit design firm

specializing in building immersive culture

experiences.

From the beginning, community

input played a central role in the planning

process. Museum staff worked closely

with community members, listening to

their feedback on exhibit concepts and the

museum's overall narrative. Their insights

helped shape the visitor journey, ensuring

the redesigned museum reflected the stories,

values, and histories that mattered most. In

2018, after reaching multiple benchmarks

of the concept design phase, the museum

transitioned its focus to architectural

planning. Rather than expanding the

building's footprint, the goal was to

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

reimagine the existing space while retaining

the mile-long boardwalk, as well as the

recreated village and ceremonial grounds.

As development of the redesign was nearing

completion, the project was temporarily put

on hold during the COVID pandemic.

Shortly after joining the museum as

Director in 2021, Gordon Oliver Wareham

jump started the project and began reviewing

the plans for the museum. He emphasized

that the Seminole story is not simply a story

of the past, but a living story—one rooted

in the people, traditions, and enduring spirit

of generations of Seminoles. Guided by the

belief that the Seminole story is Our Story,

Director Wareham and Museum Curator Tara

Backhouse began reshaping the museum

experience to place Seminole voices and

perspectives at the heart of every gallery.

The pathway to the Observation Hallway on the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki boardwalk. The boardwalk and the

Observation Hallway will be open while the museum is closed for the redesign of its galleries.

The culmination of these efforts has

produced a visually stunning and culturally

immersive experience telling the Seminole

story from the Seminole perspective. While

the museum’s original exhibits focused on

a very short period of Seminole life (18901910), the redesigned experience presents

a past to the present continuum reinforcing

that Seminole people have always lived

and thrived in Yak-ne Fash-ke (what is now

known as Florida).

The new museum will feature four major

gallery spaces: The Seminole Experience,

Our Grandmother’s Grandmothers, Strength

and Survival and Being Seminole Today.

The design of each experience illustrates

Miccosukees leave their mark in

Miami-Dade County time capsule

BY DANIELLA HAKIM

Staff Reporter

In 2076, a Miccosukee palmetto

fiber doll accompanied with a

letter signed by the Chairman of

the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians

of Florida Talbert Cypress, will be

unburied at Tropical Park in Miami.

The time capsule, containing a

100-item collection that resembles

life in Miami-Dade County, was

sealed on June 29, 2026, honoring

America’s 250th anniversary.

“How amazing to be a part of

something monumental like this,”

said Kendal Osceola, a Miccosukee

tribal member, in a post on Instagram.

The palmetto fiber doll was

dressed in traditional patchwork

clothing.

“Our palmetto dolls are,

themselves, a time capsule of our

Miccosukee culture,” said Cypress in

a statement. “They tell the story of a

people who have kept our traditions,

our clothes, and our language, but

have adapted to a modern world.

We are a proud people, but like all

peoples, we derive our strength

through the relationships we build

with others.”

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava

joined officials and stakeholders

at one of the county’s best-known

parks, placing sand over the capsule.

According to Miami-Dade County,

the capsule was designed to celebrate

the county’s shared history and its

diverse range of cultures, while

encouraging civic engagement and

community connection.

The

celebration

included

activities beyond the capsule’s

burial at Tropical Park, including

a community art competition and

a naturalization ceremony at the

historic Freedom Tower in downtown

Miami.

The capsule will be unsealed

Courtesy photo

on June 29, 2076, on the 300th

anniversary of the founding of the This time capsule was sealed June 29, 2026, and will be opened in 50 years

United States of America. Osceola’s when the United States turns 300.

son, Eele, will be 56 years old.

ARTIFACT OF THE MONTH

For almost as long as people have needed light, there have been lamps. The

oldest lamps can date back as far as 40,000 years ago. Archaeologists

in France have discovered Neolithic age lamps made from sandstone

(Gralókkr & Matthews, 2025)(Fig1), while in the Americas lamps made from

bone were used by Native populations such as the Inuit (Clark, 2002)(Fig2).

This month’s artifact is much more recent than its Native and Paleolithic

counterparts, however.

September 2026

Figure 1: hanging soapstone oil lamp

atlantia.sca.org

Figure 2: Inuit lamp

ĂĨŽŐŶĂŬ͘ŽƌŐ

afognak.org

FROM PRESS RELEASE

BRIGHTON — The Marshall Tucker

Band, with classic hits such as " “Heard It

in a Love Song,” “Can’t You See,” “Fire

on the Mountain,” “Long Hard Ride,” and

“Ramblin," will perform Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. at

the Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino's

Seminole Event Center. Go to ticketmaster.

com for tickets.

SURVIVING THE

STORMY SEASON

September is peak hurricane season in south Florida, and

hurricanes have had a major influence historically in the region.

In fact, hurricanes are partly to blame for keeping colonizers

away from the gulf coast during the 17th and 18th centuries

(fierce resistance by Seminole ancestors like the Calusa was the

other reason). Colonizers simply did not know how to identify

signs of coming storms and prepare for them, and their large

ships and immobile settlements left them especially vulnerable.

The most obvious clue for archaeologists attempting to track down the age

of the lamp is the fuel. Kerosene fuel is relatively new, having come about in

1846 (Sheridan, 2020). Before kerosene, lamps were fueled with a variety of

oils and animal fats to produce flames that allowed everything from late

night reading to long journeys. Some of these fuel sources were olive oil,

beeswax, and whale fat (Arnold, 2004).

Finally, the very nature of the lamp’s discovery allows archaeologists to

estimate its age as well. The lamp, as stated above, was a “surface find”

meaning it was recovered without digging. While surface finds can still be

quite old, when viewed along with the other clues uncovered with the lamp,

archaeologists are able to piece together a relatively accurate date range.

This lamp is a great example that in archaeology sometimes deductive

reasoning is the only course of action when everything else is exhausted.

Marshall Tucker

Band to perform

in Brighton

SEMINOLE HISTORY STORIES - SEPTEMBER 2026

The artifact of the month is a well-preserved glass base of a mass-produced

kerosene lamp (Fig3). It was recovered by TAS (Tribal Archaeology Section)

after being found above ground in what is called a “surface find.” While exact

dates may be fuzzy, there are clues to help narrow down when this lamp was

manufactured and used.

The next clue comes from a close examination of the lamp’s creation. The

lamp has two long seams running down either side which means it was

created through mass-production from a factory mold rather than by the

hands of a single craftsman (Fig4). This narrows down the lamp’s age to

between 19th century (when the kerosene lamp was invented) to sometime in

the 20th century (when lamp usage declined following electricity) (Wells,

2026). Surprisingly, the glass lacks a maker’s mark, so it’s currently unknown

where exactly it was produced and by whom, limiting our dating capabilities.

the gallery themes though Seminole art

and architecture, while stories are told by

the voices of those who live here using

thoughtfully integrated text panels, audio

and captivating visuals.

While the museum is expected to be

closed for the duration of almost two years,

the construction phase of this project,

the boardwalk and museum store will

remain open to the public, with a smaller

“mini-museum” experience located in the

Observation Hallway behind the Curatorial

building for visitors to enjoy.

THPO

Figure 3

Figure 4

THPO

Of course, the opposite is true for the Seminole and Miccosukee,

and their ancestors. Traditional knowledge of their surroundings

and adaptive strategies developed over generations allowed

them to deal with all kinds of weather, hurricanes included. As

Miccosukee Tribal member Betty Osceola once explained to a

reporter, “Our ancestors were taught not to fear the hurricane”

because they could recognize the signs and prepare. One such

sign was blooming sawgrass, which Tribal members noticed just

before the 1928 hurricane that devastated south Florida. Shifts

in atmospheric pressure just before a hurricane cause the release

of sawgrass pollen and trigger it to bloom early. Recognizing

this, Seminole ancestors packed up their canoes and retreated

to higher ground where trees like palmettos, that were adapted

to high winds, provided shelter.

Flexible and adaptable structures, like chickees, also had an

important role in helping the Indigenous communities of

south Florida, past and present, weather severe storms. Tribal

members share memories of roofs of chickees being removed

and placed on the ground so their families could shelter beneath

them during storms. According to Seminole Tribal member,

Mr. Lonnie Billie, a long-time chickee builder, the light, flexible

construction of chickees keeps them from being destroyed by

high winds, unlike modern buildings.

These aren’t the only ways that the ancestors and their modern

descendants who form the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes

today have survived hurricanes, but they are two important

strategies, and both are great examples of how generational

knowledge continues to serve the Indigenous communities.

Gralókkr, E. (2025, October 20). European oil lamps from prehistory through the Viking Age. The Oak.

https://oak.atlantia.sca.org/european-oil-lamps-from-prehistory-through-the-viking-age/

Clark, D. W. (2002, September). The native village of Afognak. Native Village of Afognak :: Litnik Site 2002.

https://www.afognak.org/archaeology/litnik-site-2002/

Sheridan, A. (2020, April 24). The History of the Kerosene Lamp. Iowa State University.

https://museums.iastate.edu/news/history-kerosene-lamp

Arnold, B. (2004). Description and history of oil lamps. Milwaukee Public Museum. https://www.mpm.edu/index.php/researchcollections/anthropology/anthropology-collections-research/mediterranean-oil-lamps/description-and-history-oil-lamps

Wells, B. (2026, July 13). Kerosene rocket fuel. American Oil & Gas Historical Society. https://aoghs.org/products/kerosenerocket-fuel/

To see more Seminole History Stories, please visit the THPO website at www.stofthpo.com

Painting: Harold Newton, Untitled [Hurricane] n.d. Oil on Upson board 27 x 47 in. Courtesy of

the Schlesinger Collection © Harold Newton

Visit the Tribal Historic Preservation Office website at stofthpo.com

or use the QR code on the right for more Seminole history resources

9A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Health

Chronic fatigue and

exhaustion

BY TERESA SNOW

Health Contributor

Why Am I Always Tired?

Every morning, Lena promised herself

she would feel better after one more good

night’s sleep. But even after eight hours

in bed, she dragged herself through work,

skipped family visits, and stared at simple

chores she could not begin. At first, she

blamed her busy schedule. She wondered

whether she needed vitamin B12, vitamin

D, or iron. What she did not expect was that

her tiredness might also be connected to the

sadness, worry, and loss of interest she had

quietly carried for weeks.

What It Is

Everyone feels worn out sometimes.

A late night, a demanding week, illness,

caregiving, grief, or too little food and water

can drain anyone’s energy. Usually, rest and

a return to normal habits help.

Ongoing exhaustion is different. You

may wake up tired, move more slowly,

struggle to focus, or feel that small tasks

take enormous effort. Sleep may not leave

you refreshed. You may also lose interest

in cooking, visiting people, exercising, or

doing things you normally enjoy. There

is no single cause. Low iron can lead to

anemia, which means the blood cannot carry

oxygen as well as it should. Low vitamin

B12 or vitamin D, an underactive thyroid,

diabetes, sleep problems, infection, pain,

and some medicines can also reduce energy.

Loud snoring and gasping during sleep may

point to sleep apnea, a condition in which

breathing repeatedly stops and starts.

Depression can cause deep physical

tiredness too. It is more than a bad mood or

a difficult day. It can affect sleep, appetite,

concentration, movement, motivation, and

the ability to enjoy life. Some people notice

exhaustion before they recognize sadness.

Others feel empty, irritable, disconnected, or

unusually guilty rather than tearful.

medicines, eating habits, recent illness,

stress, and mood. Blood tests may help

check for anemia, thyroid trouble, blood

sugar problems, or certain vitamin shortages.

Do not assume that a supplement will solve

the problem. Taking large doses without

knowing what is low can waste money, cause

side effects, or delay the care you actually

need.

Depression can also exist alongside

another condition, so the care plan may need

to address both.

Did You Know? Depression does not

always look like crying. For some people,

the strongest clues are constant tiredness,

body aches, poor sleep, and losing interest

in everyday life.

If this sounds familiar, you are not

lazy or failing. Your body and mind may be

asking for care, and you deserve support for

both.

What To Do

• Track seven days. Write down sleep

hours, naps, energy, mood, meals, caffeine,

medicines, pain, and snoring. Bring the

notes to your visit.

• Schedule one health appointment. Say,

“I have felt unusually tired for ___ weeks,

and it is affecting ___.” Ask whether a

physical exam, blood tests, sleep review, and

depression check make sense.

• Skip guesswork with supplements. Ask

before taking high-dose iron, vitamin B12,

or vitamin D. The right treatment depends on

the actual cause.

• Protect the basics. Keep a steady sleep

time, drink water, eat regular meals with

protein and fiber, and take a short walk if you

can do so safely.

• Tell one trusted person. Ask a family

member, friend, elder, counselor, or

community health worker to check in and

help you follow through.

• Get urgent help for thoughts of

hurting yourself. Call or text 988 for free,

confidential support at any hour. Call 911 if

you are in immediate danger.

Gila River

Indian

Community

entity launches

historic medical

partnership

FROM UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

CHANDLER, Ariz. — On Aug. 18,

the University of Arizona and Gila River

Health Care (GRHC), the Gila River Indian

Community's tribally operated healthcare

system, announced a long-term partnership

to establish the nation's first MD-granting

medical school branch located on the lands

of a sovereign Tribal Nation.

The University of Arizona College

of Medicine – Phoenix Regional Medical

Branch in Sacaton, Arizona, is designed to

educate future physicians within a tribal

healthcare system while strengthening

access to care in tribal, rural and medically

underserved communities. Beginning in

July 2027, ten students will be admitted

annually to the University of Arizona

College of Medicine – Phoenix's three-year

MD-granting Primary Care Accelerated

Program at the Gila River Branch. Students

will receive full tuition scholarships funded

by GRHC. They will complete the first

18 months of their foundational medical

education in Phoenix before relocating to

Sacaton for the final 18 months of clinical

education.

"Tribal and rural communities have

some of the nation's greatest unmet primary

care needs," University of Arizona President

Suresh Garimella said. "This partnership to

establish the country's first medical school

branch within a Tribal Nation will train

physicians through an accelerated threeyear MD program, support them with full

scholarships to free them of debt burden and

provide residency opportunities that anchor

them to the places and patients they know.

That is how you build a physician workforce

that remains in the communities that need

them most."

The U.S. continues to face persistent

physician shortages, particularly in rural and

Tribal communities. Arizona ranks No. 42

in the nation for primary care access, and its

rapidly growing population has intensified

the demand for primary care physicians.

Research shows that physicians are more

likely to practice where they train, making

community-based medical education a

proven strategy for strengthening Arizona's

long-term healthcare workforce.

Rather than expanding medical

education solely through large academic

medical centers, the Regional Medical

Branch places students within a community-

Why It Matters

According to the National Institute of

Closing Takeaway

Mental Health, fatigue or lack of energy is

Constant exhaustion is not something

a common sign of depression. One symptom you must simply push through. It may

alone does not prove that depression is the come from sleep, stress, a health condition,

cause. The pattern matters, including how depression, or more than one cause at the

long the changes have lasted and how much same time. Finding the reason can open the

they interfere with daily life.

door to treatment and steadier days. Today,

Pay attention when tiredness continues put a seven-day energy log beside your bed

BIA awards

for two weeks or longer, keeps returning, or or save one in your phone. Record your first

makes work, driving, caregiving, or basic entry tonight, then use it to make a clear,

grants for

chores harder. Notice whether it comes with informed request for help this week. You do

family services

low mood, loss of interest, sleep changes, not have to guess alone.

appetite changes, hopelessness, trouble

Source: Centers for Disease Control and

FROM PRESS RELEASE

thinking, or pulling away from others. These Prevention and National Institute of Mental

clues help a doctor or nurse practitioner see Health guidance on fatigue and depression

SERVING FLORIDA symptoms.

AND

FULLY STOCKED Two million dollars in

the whole picture.

funding from the Bureau

A physical check

still

matters.

A

doctor

THE VICINITY

We

keep

our

response

hubs

of Indian

Affairs will go to

or nurse practitioner may review sleep,

seven

Native

organizations,

supplied with critical post-storm

We specialize in serving the

with a goal to strengthen

emergency materials

including

Florida, southern Georgia, and

child and

family services.

According

to a press

plywood, generators, roof

southern Alabama markets, and

release, the Indian Child

patching materials,

and more.

we’re always ready to assist you

Welfare

Act off-reservation

grants

will

support culturally

anywhere in these areas.

appropriate services that

INSURANCE MANAGEMENT

promote family stability,

prevent unnecessary family

A TRUSTED SOURCE

After handling thousands

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occursskillfully

only as a last resort.

Grant recipients and

and efficiently.

and insured.

award amounts:

• ICWA Law Center,

Minneapolis,

Minn.

–

$300,000

• Bristol Bay Native

Association,

Anchorage,

Alaska – $300,000

• Rocky

Mountain

24/7 emergency response

Tribal Leadership Council,

anywhere in Florida

Billings,

Mont. – $280,000

AL

GA

• Nebraska

Indian

6 response hubs across Florida

Child Welfare Coalition, Inc.,

Bloomfield, Neb. – $280,000

100+ trucks ready to roll

• The

American

Indian Community Center,

100+ dedicated employees

Spokane, Wash. – $280,000

• Cook Inlet Tribal

Workmanship guarantee

Council, Inc., Anchorage,

Alaska – $280,000

FL

Track record of nearly two decades

• Native

American

Fatherhood

&

Families

Association, Mesa, Arizona –

$280,000

Chris Richards/University of Arizona

University of Arizona leaders, tribal leaders, healthcare professionals and federal legislators gather

Aug. 18 to celebrate the announcement of the nation's first MD-granting medical school branch

located on the lands of a sovereign tribal nation.

based healthcare system, where they will

learn by caring for patients and working

alongside physicians serving Native

communities every day. Under exploration is

the development of primary care residency

programs at GRHC, which will further

strengthen the long-term goal of retaining

physicians to serve the Community and

other underserved areas.

"This is a tremendous opportunity

for our community and for the next

generation of physicians," said Stephen Roe

Lewis, Governor of the Gila River Indian

Community. "For too long, many of our

young people who dreamed of becoming

doctors had to leave home to pursue that

goal. This partnership with the University

of Arizona changes that. It gives them the

opportunity to learn, train and build their

careers right here in the Community, where

they can make a real difference for the people

they serve."

GRHC has committed more than $25

million through 2034 to establish and support

the Regional Medical Branch, including

faculty positions, student scholarships and

educational infrastructure. Unlike traditional

clinical rotations, students will become

part of a healthcare system. Working under

faculty supervision, they will care for patients

across a broad range of clinical settings

while gaining firsthand understanding of

the historical, cultural, and social factors

that influence health. University and GRHC

leaders also believe the partnership will

inspire more Native American students to

pursue medicine while strengthening longterm pathways into Arizona's physician

workforce.

"This partnership challenges us to think

differently about where and how physicians

are educated," said Dr. Fredric Wondisford,

dean of the University of Arizona College of

Medicine – Phoenix. "Clinical excellence is

shaped not only by scientific knowledge, but

by understanding the communities physicians

serve. By educating future physicians within

a tribally operated healthcare system serving

Native communities, we are creating a

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learning experience that cannot be replicated

in a traditional academic medical center."

Developed through close collaboration

between the U of A and GRHC, the partnership

reflects shared leadership, mutual respect

and a long-term commitment to improving

health outcomes when training the next

generation of physicians. It demonstrates

how public research universities, sovereign

tribal nations and community healthcare

systems can work together to strengthen the

physician workforce while improving access

to care. The partnership also reinforces the

U of A's long-term investment in preparing

physicians to serve communities across the

state.

"There's a real challenge for rural health

hospitals to recruit trained professionals to

come and work in their communities," said

Robert Pablo, chairman of the Gila River

Health Care Board of Directors. "We are

very fortunate to launch this first-of-its-kind

partnership between Gila River Health Care

and the University of Arizona, which will

establish a starting ground for these young

doctors to jumpstart their careers."

Inspired by a similar partnership

announced last year with Onvida Health

in Yuma, the Regional Medical Branch

further advances the University of Arizona's

commitment to expanding community-based

medical education across Arizona. The

Association of American Medical Colleges

projects the United States could face a

shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036,

with Tribal and rural communities expected

to be among those most affected.

Leaders from the U of A, Gila River Indian

Community and GRHC are confident that this

first-of-its-kind collaboration demonstrates

how public research universities, sovereign

tribal nations and community healthcare

systems can work together to strengthen

the physician workforce, improve access to

care and expand educational opportunity for

generations to come.

Proud Vendor Partner

of the Seminole Tribe

Residential and Commercial Property

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10A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

SEMINOLE SCENES

Kevin Johnson

VOLLEYBALL SISTERS: Seminole descendant

Kiani Runkles, right, and her older sister, Kali,

pose after their schools met in junior varsity and

varsity volleyball matches Aug. 25 at Clewiston

High School. They didn’t play against each other,

but both had outstanding games. Kiani, a seventh

grader, plays for Moore Haven High School JV;

Kali, a ninth grader, plays for Clewiston High

School varsity.

Gordon Wareham

Beverly Bidney (2)

NEW PRINCESS VISITS NEW MEXICO: Newly-crowned Miss Florida Seminole Serena Zepeda and her

father, Brian, check out artwork at the Santa Fe Indian Market that was held Aug. 15-16 in New Mexico.

The event is described as the world’s largest Native American art market. Serena won the Miss Florida

Seminole Princess Pageant on July 25.

TRADING PLACES: Above and below, construction has commenced on Brighton’s new 4,700-squarefoot trading post, which will be on the same site as the existing one. The trading post will have 10

double-sided fuel pumps under a new 5,994-square-foot canopy. Construction of the trading post is

estimated to be completed in May 2027. The existing trading post will remain open until the new one

opens.

Beverly Bidney

WELCOME BACK: Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Dahlia Sanders and her sister, Presleigh Osceola, attend

Immokalee’s Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 4. They posed for photos and interacted with students. The

2026-27 school year began Aug. 10.

Calvin Tiger

DOLLY PARTON: The entertainment industry

and many others mourned the passing of

country music star, actress, business owner

and philanthropist Dolly Parton, who died

Aug. 25 in Nashville at age 80. A robe she wore

when photographed for TV Guide is displayed

at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. The plaque

highlights her songwriting career and mentions

notable hits such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always

Love You.”

Elgin Jumper

HOT PAINTING: In August, Seminole artist Elgin

Jumper completed an oil painting for the tribe’s

Environmental Protection Office’s Climate

Resiliency department. Jumper titled the painting

“Feeling the Heat.” He said he wanted the painting

to reflect “sadness, despair and anguish” as it

relates to global climate concerns.

Kevin Johnson

SHERIDAN SITE: A Broward

County project that will

increase the height of the

bridge on Sheridan Street

over the Florida Turnpike

-- an area just south of

the Hollywood Reservation

-- requires traffic flow to

be temporarily altered. In

August, motorists began

using one lane in each

direction as the westbound

lanes were closed. The

project is expected to be

completed in spring 2027.

Hard Rock

Kevin Johnson

REMEMBRANCE: A poster at the Florida Seminole Veterans Building outlines 9/11 and the Afghanistan

and Iraq wars during the early 2000s.

K-9 CONTRIBUTION: In August, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol donated $15,500 to help fund the

Bristol, Virginia, Police Department’s newest K-9 officer named Ace. The donation will go toward the

purchase of the K-9 and the specialized training required for its deployment. Ace, whose name was

selected by Hard Rock team members, will be the only drug and patrol K-9 at BVPD. “We are incredibly

grateful to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol for this generous investment in public safety,” Chief D.

Byron Ashbrook, Bristol, Virginia Police Department, said in a statement. “This donation will allow

us to place another highly trained K-9 team into service, providing a resource that enhances officer

safety, strengthens our ability to apprehend dangerous offenders, and better protects the citizens of

Bristol.”

Beverly Bidney (3)

KIDS ENJOY NEW REC CENTER: The new Immokalee Recreation Center and Boys & Girls Club is getting a workout judging by the number of kids who are there after school on a daily basis. On Aug. 25, kids (in left photo), including Elijah Garza and Amis Guerrero

keep busy coloring with markers. (In right photo) Teens Zielah Cantu and Cali Osceola work on an arts and crafts project. In the gym (center photo) Kyren James and Amis Guerrero shoot hoops with some help from work experience employee Darius Billie.

11A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

NATIONAL NATIVE NEWS

California lawmakers kill grizzly

bear reintroduction bill

Lawmakers on Aug. 13

killed a

controversial plan that could have allowed

grizzly bears to one day return to California.

The

Assembly

Appropriations

Committee spiked Inglewood Democratic

Sen. Laura Richardson’s Senate Bill

1305. The measure would have tasked the

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

with creating a “roadmap that evaluates

whether, and under what conditions,

reintroduction of the grizzly bear is feasible

and advisable.”

As is typical with the Legislature’s

appropriations committees, lawmakers

didn’t discuss the bill; nor did they take

public testimony before the committee’s

chairperson, Democratic Assemblymember

Buffy Wicks of Oakland, announced the

decision.

Wicks later told reporters that before

intentionally reintroducing grizzly bears,

the state must figure out how humans can

best coexist with predatory wildlife. She

pointed to the controversial return of gray

wolves to California and the subsequent loss

of cattle.

“The state needs to really invest in how

we are actually addressing and dealing with

those conflicts,” she said.

Grizzlies once lived across most of

California. As many as 10,000 may have

roamed before the Gold Rush. They were

so prevalent that when California settlers

tried to form their own nation, they called

it the Bear Flag Republic. A grizzly bear is

memorialized on California’s flag.

Settlers systematically exterminated

the animals. They were gone by the 1920s,

leaving the smaller black bear as California’s

only surviving native bear species.

Two

Native

American

tribes

consponsored the bill, and several animal

welfare

and

environmental

groups

supported it. They argued that bringing

the second largest land predator back to

America’s most populated state would

right an ecological wrong and help restore

California’s degraded ecosystem.

Opponents included ranchers, hunting

associations and rural communities. They

argued California is far too populated with

people to sustain another apex predator.

Rural communities are already overwhelmed

with conflicts with mountain lions, black

bears and wolves that attack livestock and

wander into their towns, opponents said.

The measure set aside no funding for the

study, but it allowed for a future Legislature

or an outside group to do so.

- Cal Matters (California)

Much of New Mexico’s tribal,

pueblo land ripe for geothermal

power, energy leader tells lawmakers

The majority of New Mexico’s tribe,

nation and pueblo land could be ripe for

exploring geothermal energy, an energy

expert told a panel of state lawmakers Aug.

10.

Rebecca “Puck” Stair, the New Mexico

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources

Department’s Energy Conservation and

Management Division director, spoke

before the interim Indian Affairs Committee

in Shiprock about the potential for the state’s

Indigenous populations to harness the heat

beneath the ground as a form of energy.

The state’s largest electric provider,

PNM, has already tapped into a southern

New Mexico geothermal plant that uses

the heat beneath the earth’s crust to create

steam, turn turbines and generate electricity.

Stair’s presentation to the committee

focused on the advantages of geothermal

energy — such as its renewable nature and

its relatively low water demand — and said

tribal leaders could consider investing in the

technology not just to generate electricity,

but potentially to sell excess energy or to

strengthen New Mexico’s outdated power

grid.

“If you’re using geothermal, the heat

beneath our feet to generate electricity,

that’s wonderful,” Stair told lawmakers. “It

could offer electricity revenues to tribes…

it’s clean energy, and that’s in alignment

with a lot of tribal values.”

State leaders have increasingly eyed

geothermal energy alongside renewables

such as wind and solar as deadlines

approach to comply with the landmark

Energy Transition Act’s renewable energy

goals. The ETA, which Gov. Michelle

Lujan Grisham signed in 2019, requires that

utilities use 50% renewable energy by 2030,

80% by 2040 and 100% by 2045.

A 2025 report from Project InnerSpace,

New Mexico Tech and the New Mexico

Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

found that “a significant amount of Tribal

land sits on top of some of the best subsurface

heat.” In addition to generating jobs and

revenue on Native lands, the technology

could also help Indigenous communities

achieve “enhanced energy sovereignty,” the

report said.

One state lawmaker at [the Aug. 10]

hearing spoke along similar lines.

Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero

(D-Albuquerque) said she would like to see

leaders in New Mexico’s 23 tribes, nations

and pueblos work together and collectively

benefit from the technology.

“I am proposing — and have proposed

— that they come together and pool their

resources and create their own geothermal

development group,” Roybal Caballero,

a member of the Piro Manso Tiwa Indian

Tribe, Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe,

said. “It’s natural heat coming from our

natural earth, and it belongs to us.”

- Source NM (New Mexico)

Sen. Murkowski pushes for

release of $41.3M in delayed federal

grants for Alaska Native education

The U.S. Department of Education is

expected to award $41.3 million in grant

funding through the Alaska Native Education

Program to 26 Alaska grantees after some

delay, according to an announcement

from Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa

Murkowski.

The grant funding was expected on

July 1, but has been delayed more than

a month. Grantees alerted Murkowski’s

office they had not yet received the funding,

prompting Murkowski to press the U.S. Sec.

of Education Linda McMahon to release the

awarded funding, according to the statement

on Aug. 5.

“Last week, I raised this issue with

Secretary McMahon, and I’m pleased she

agreed to expedite the obligation of the

funds for the Alaska Native Education

Program grants that Congress appropriated

earlier this year,” Sen. Murkowski wrote.

The Alaska Native Education Program

provides federal funding to “meet the

unique education needs of Alaska Natives”

and to support education programs to

benefit Alaska Native people, according to

the program website.

Officials with the U.S. Department of

Education’s grant office for the program did

not give a reason for the delay or specify

when the funds will be dispensed after a

query on Friday.

The grants are awarded to Tribes,

tribal organizations and school districts

with a majority of Alaska Native students

to support a variety of initiatives across a

three-year grant period.

“Grants provide, for example, culturally

relevant curriculum, tutoring and other

academic supports, indigenous language

revitalization, workforce development

opportunities,

teacher

professional

development, postsecondary planning

and support, and success, early childhood

education, and afterschool programming,”

Murkowski said in the statement.

“I will continue to champion this

program and work with the Department to

ensure this funding is administered more

expeditiously going forward,” she said.

Grantees include several early learning

and literacy programs. Millions are slated

for Indigenous language, art, science, and

medicine including $2.1 million for the

Baby Raven Reads project by Sealaska

Heritage Institute and $1.4 million for

tutoring and college readiness programs

through the Rural Indigenous Students

College Readiness Alliance launched by

the Bering Strait and Lower Kuskokwim

School Districts, two of Alaska’s largest,

rural districts.

Rosita Kaaháni Worl, president of

the Sealaska Heritage Institute, a Native

non-profit corporation focused on Tlingit,

Haida and Tsimshian cultures, said her

organization was one of the grantees that

alerted Murkwoski’s office to the delay.

Sealaska has not received its grant funds yet.

Worl said in an interview [Aug. 7] that

federal funds and support for Alaska Native

communities is critical, given Alaska’s

history of suppressing Native education and

language.

“So these programs have helped

us overcome the effects of that kind of

suppression,” she said. “Our data shows

definitely that it promotes and enhances

Native education, and we show that through

all of our evaluations…it’s led to higher

academic performance.”

She said SHI has seen success in early

childhood programs like Baby Raven Reads

project and initiatives to support students

continuing education, which reduces drop

out rates. “We’re still behind non-natives,

but we’re gaining ground,” she said.

Worl said the federal support helps

Sealaska Heritage Institute provide annual

funding for education across Southeast

Alaska where state funding has fallen

short. SHI provides $1 million each year to

the Juneau School District and $2 million

annually to the University of Alaska

Southeast, as well as funding to support

school districts across the region for teacher

training, arts and language programs.

“It’s a program that has proven

benefits,” she said. “There, there’s no doubt

about it.”

- Alaska Beacon

Solar Developer Cancels

Washington State Project on Sacred

Indigenous Land

A renewable energy developer has

pulled its controversial permit application

to build an industrial-scale solar facility on

an Eastern Washington mountain sacred to

Indigenous nations.

Avangrid, a powerful player in

the Northwest’s push for green energy

development, sought for at least five years

to build a solar plant on Badger Mountain.

The project site straddled private as well as

public lands. The Confederated Tribes of the

Colville Reservation and the Confederated

Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation

have protected rights to practice cultural

traditions, such as food gathering and

ceremonies, on Badger Mountain and other

ancestral public lands.

A 2024 investigation by High Country

News and ProPublica found that Avangrid

and a consultant it retained, Tetra Tech, had

omitted key archaeological and cultural

information from a state-mandated review

of the site, which would have been used for

a solar farm. Avangrid continued pushing

the project despite a state archaeologist’s

warning that the planned development

would threaten significant historic sites

and current ceremonial activity. An elected

member of the Colville Tribal Business

Council told the newsrooms at the time that

the project would destroy roughly half the

root vegetable harvest in the area.

An Avangrid spokesperson said then

that the company had followed “all relevant

law and regulation” with regard to the

Badger Mountain solar project and had

“taken additional steps to accommodate

stakeholder feedback where possible.”

It’s unclear whether the company’s

decision to cancel the project had anything

to do with Indigenous rights. Avangrid

declined to clarify its reasoning to HCN.

The Colville Tribes chair, Cindy

Marchand, praised the decision in a

statement last week. “While the Colville

Tribes certainly appreciates the value of

renewable energy such as solar power,

sacred sites must remain pristine to pass

down to future generations.”

After the publication of HCN and

ProPublica’s investigation, some members

of the Wenatchi-P’squosa, one of the

12 Confederated Colville Tribes, held a

demonstration on Badger Mountain, saying

that while they support renewable energy,

they’re against facilities being built on

important cultural sites. Following the

demonstration, Avangrid announced that

it would pause development to reconsider

tribal input and public response. The public

comment process is one of the only avenues

available for tribal nations to advocate for

their rights regarding land development.

At a meeting of the state’s permitting

authority council in July, an Avangrid senior

director sought a continued pause of the

permitting work, pointing to anticipated

construction delays affecting the power

grid. At the same meeting, the council chair,

Kurt Beckett, characterized concerns over

the project’s environmental and cultural

impacts as “noise,” but he also said tribal

objections should be considered in the

state’s permitting decision.

Five days later, Avangrid filed a request

to completely withdraw its proposal.

And last week, the permitting council

formally announced the withdrawal and

said it was “closing out existing financial

arrangements and notifying interested

and agency partners.” It did not provide

further comment, referring questions to

the developer. The state Department of

Natural Resources, which owns the public

parcel on Badger Mountain, said it had not

received any other requests to develop it

for clean energy projects at this time, and

a spokesperson did not have additional

information about future plans for the site.

No matter the reason for the project’s

cancellation at Badger Mountain, the

outcome is a good one, said Steven

Wynecoop, vice chair of the Wenatchi

Advisory Group, an independent body

that advises the Colville Tribal Business

Council and that organized the 2024 Badger

Mountain demonstration.

The mountain is a “very sacred site

to us,” said Wynecoop, grandson of the

Wenatchi Advisory Group founder Matthew

Dick. “Generations, we’ve been going

to that mountain for plenty of reasons:

medicines, foods like roots and berries.”

- ProPublica and High Country News

Osage Congress considers

language charter school following

immersion school closure

The Osage Nation Congress is

considering a public charter school with the

state of Oklahoma after the executive branch

recently closed the immersion school.

Congressman Eli Potts introduced

the idea to the 12-member body during

an emergency education committee

meeting Tuesday. He said the school

would be regulated by the Oklahoma state

government, would act outside of Osage

executive authority and would be subject to

state education standards.

“It’s not ideal, but it’s a path that I’m

willing to discuss,” Potts said. “In this room,

all options are on the table.”

The state standards mean the tribe

couldn’t limit enrollment to Osage students,

nor could it enroll students outside of

Oklahoma. According to Skyler Lusnia,

auditor for the Oklahoma Statewide Charter

School Board, it would have to define

its school district boundaries and accept

students within that area.

But Lusnia said it could still include

Osage language immersion.

“It would also have its own independent

governing board that would establish

policies and procedures that align with

state standards and certainly would be

allowed to have the full immersion language

component,” Lusnia said.

Daposka Ahnkodapi, meaning “Our

School,” was a private Osage language

and cultural immersion school designed for

students from six weeks old to eighth grade.

It was closed by the tribe’s executive

branch on Aug. 5, about one week before

the incoming school year. Principal Chief

Joe Tillman declared a state of emergency

before announcing the school would close

alongside the tribe’s visitors center and

Harvest Land Farm due to a financial

shortfall.

Tillman encouraged parents to enroll in

Pawhuska Public Schools, which extended

its enrollment period to Aug. 6.

The Osage Nation Congress told citizens

Tillman’s statements were inaccurate

and that the tribe was not experiencing

a financial crisis. It released a letter last

week asking the executive branch to reopen

Daposka Ahnkodapi. That letter also

included signatures from 1,000 community

members in support of the school.

Tillman lifted the state of emergency

[Aug. 14.]

Osage Congressional leaders Alice

Goodfox and Whitney Red Corn met with

Tillman Monday. Goodfox said Tillman

rejected congress’ request to reopen the

closed locations and return them to the

2027 fiscal year budget. Red Corn said the

executive branch did not have a plan, and

that congress must devise one.

Potts suggested the tribe could enter

into a five-year contract with the school

board that would outlast Principal Chief

Joe Tillman’s administrative term. He said

developing a public charter school would

take around 12-18 months.

The idea was met with debate from

other members.

Congresswoman Maria Whitehorn

argued putting schooling authority in

the hands of the state could undermine

sovereignty.

“Privatization is much superior

to charter,” Whitehorn said. “I believe

(chartering) really stomps on our

sovereignty.”

Red Corn said she is pursuing her

doctorate in educational leadership and

recognized that charter schools are not a

monolith.

“I need us to get out of a colonial

schooling mindset for just a minute and

recognize our sovereignty and the ability to

create a chartered school,” Red Corn said.

“And it does not have to look anything like

what the state charter schools look like. …

We can still have a very Osage school —

Osage-controlled, Osage-funded, Osageran.”

Potts said regardless, the tribe has to

find a path forward.

“It’s really cool to walk into a room

and have a state leader acknowledge

that you have the right to be there,” Potts

said. “They’ve carved out in state law the

ability for tribal nations to charter schools.

We should exercise that because that is an

exercise in sovereignty in itself.”

Potts said the tribe is looking for

solutions but he doesn’t want to codify a

charter school into Osage law yet, adding

the congress isn’t ready to write such

legislation.

According to Goodfox, the tribe never

codified Daposka Ahnkodapi at the request

of former Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing

Bear. If the congress were to litigate the

school’s closure, she said she’s unlikely they

would win.

Red Corn said parents could enroll their

children in Epic Charter Schools while the

congress considers its option.

Oklahoma has seen some Indigenous

charter schools over the years.

Cherokee Nation opened an immersion

charter school, Tsalagi Tsunadeloquasdi, in

2001. The charter expired this June and the

school transitioned into tribal governmental

oversight.

Comanche Nation operates a charter

school, Comanche Academy, in Lawton.

Sovereign Community School was an

OKC-based charter school designed around

Indigenous education more broadly. The

Oklahoma State Board of Education ended

sponsorship for it in 2023, citing multiple

issues including financial instability, low

academic performance and enrollment.

- KOSU (Stillwater, Oklahoma)

Poll shows Deb Haaland with

17% advantage in NM governor’s

race

Former Secretary of the Interior

Deb Haaland has made her return to New

Mexico and is running to be the state’s next

governor.

Recent data from BSP Research finds

Haaland, a Democrat, with a 17% advantage

over Republican Greg Hull. The survey,

which focused on the upcoming governor’s

race in New Mexico, asked registered voters

statewide about who they would pick if the

election were held today. More specifically,

41% of the survey respondents plan to vote

for Haaland, compared to 24% who intend

to vote for Hull, with another 3% planning

to vote for another candidate/write in

candidate. A substantial 27% of the sample

remains undecided, with 4% not planning to

vote in the November election.

- From press release

Tribe makes $150M loan to

company for magnet manufacuting

Niron

Magnetics,

a

company

commercializing the world’s first rareearth-free Iron Nitride permanent magnets,

announced Aug. 18 a $150 million loan

from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux

Community (SMSC) to advance the

construction of its Sartell, Minnesota,

magnet manufacturing plant.

According to a press release, funding

will support construction, equipment and

operational readiness activities at Niron’s

Sartell plant, advancing domestic production

of rare-earth-free permanent magnets.

SMSC’s relationship with Niron

began more than a decade ago following

an introduction through the University

of Minnesota’s Research and Innovation

Office and Technology Commercialization

team. SMSC became one of Niron’s earliest

investors in 2016, helping the company

advance Iron Nitride from promising

university research towards a scalable

manufacturing pathway. The Community

later participated in Niron’s 2023 financing

syndicate, supporting the development of

end-to-end manufacturing capabilities in

Minneapolis and customer qualification

programs across industries.

“The relationship with the SMSC is a

core part of Niron’s success to date. This

financing helps accelerate construction

of our Sartell manufacturing plant and

brings us closer to establishing a domestic

source of permanent magnets for critical

industries,” said Jonathan Rowntree, CEO

of Niron Magnetics. “As demand for rareearth-free permanent magnets continues

to grow, investments like this support our

efforts to build a resilient domestic supply

chain and scale manufacturing to serve

customers across critical industries.”

“Niron

Magnetics

is

building

technology with the potential to strengthen

domestic manufacturing while creating

economic growth and opportunity here in

Minnesota,” said SMSC Chairman Cole

Miller. “We prioritize investments that align

with our Dakota values — including being

a good steward of the earth. We recognized

Niron’s potential early on to benefit the

broader Minnesota community and have

remained committed to investing in its

success.”

The investment adds to a series of

public and private commitments supporting

Niron’s efforts to establish large-scale

domestic manufacturing of rare-earth-free

permanent magnets. The financing is in

addition to Niron’s recently announced $150

million conditional commitment from the

U.S. Department of War Office of Strategic

Capital, further strengthening the capital

foundation supporting construction and

operational readiness at the Sartell plant.

The Sartell plant will serve as

Niron Magnetics’ first full-scale magnet

manufacturing plant and is expected to

begin production in 2027. It is set to create

approximately 175 full-time, high-quality

jobs and strengthen domestic supply chains

supporting AI infrastructure, automotive,

industrial and consumer applications. It

also represents the first step in Niron’s

modular manufacturing platform. Final site

selection is underway for a subsequent U.S.

manufacturing plant capable of producing

10,000 tons of annual capacity that is

expected to break ground in 2028.

- From press release

Cat Lake First Nation, Lac Seul

First Nation and First Mining sign

Project Agreement for gold project

VANCOUVER, BC, Canada - First

Mining Gold Corp. announced Aug. 27

that it has entered into a Springpole Project

Consultation and Benefits Agreement with

Cat Lake First Nation and Lac Seul First

Nation covering the Springpole Gold Project

in northwestern Ontario.

According to a press release, the

definitive Project Agreement solidifies a

mutually beneficial and collaborative longterm relationship for the development of

one of Canada’s largest gold resources.

The definitive Project Agreement covers all

phases of the Project including construction,

operations, and closure, in a manner that

respects the land, air, water and culture,

and provides key benefits to Cat Lake and

Lac Seul, and certainty for the Project’s

successful future, the release stated.

Russell Wesley, Chief of Cat Lake

First Nation, said: “Developed over more

than four years, this agreement is rooted in

Anishinaabe teachings and law. It reflects

our Anishinaabe-led Impact Assessment that

was completed in partnership with Lac Seul

First Nation. We know from our Members

that this project will impact our lives and

connection to our home. The process to

get here involved many difficult decisions,

and we are thankful for all the dedication of

our people to the land, culture and way of

life. This Agreement will create meaningful

opportunities for our members and youth,

strengthen our ability to shape our future,

and protect our enduring relationships with

the land, water, and all who call this place

home.”

Clifford Bull, Chief of Lac Seul First

Nation, stated: “We stand in solidarity

with Cat Lake First Nation in signing this

Agreement. This milestone reflects years

of hard work, cooperation, respect and

willingness to share the rich resources within

our Traditional Territories, in accordance

with our Anishinaabe laws and traditions.

This land will always be home to our people

long after the Springpole Project has ended.

The conditions we built into the Agreement

from our ALIA process will ensure that

this Project - from beginning to end - will

be guided by our laws so that our lands and

waters, and all our relations are protected for

generations to come. This Agreement will

provide meaningful opportunities for our

people to both benefit from and participate

in this Project.”

The Project Agreement includes

provisions for CLFN and LSFN to take part

in the Project’s environmental management

and monitoring, the implementation of

adaptive management and preferential

training and employability measures, equity

and participation in the economic upside

of the Project, the promotion of business

opportunities during the mine’s construction

and operations, as well as the recognition of

Anishinaabe culture. The Project Agreement

also sets out the sharing of financial benefits

from the Springpole Project.

- From press release

12A • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

SOUTH FLORIDA’S ULTIMATE

ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION

SEP 3

SEP 4

SEP 6

SEP 10

SEP 11

SEP 13

SEP 18

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26-SHRH-07661 - September Seminole Tribune.indd 1

8/6/2026 11:48:27 AM

1B • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Education

B

Beverly Bidney

Students Amari and Arianna Osceola choose from an array of colorful folders as their mother Marsha

Osceola, far left, helps.

Immokalee Back to School

Bash celebrates education

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY

Staff Reporter

IMMOKALEE — Students and their

families prepared for the start of the 20262027 school year at Immokalee’s annual

Back to School Bash on Aug. 4 in the

reservation’s old gym.

Numerous tribal departments set up

tables with school supplies and a few tasty

treats to assure students would have the

necessary supplies to succeed in school.

The gym was crowded with students

along with their families, who went from

table to table gathering supplies such as

backpacks, folders, notebooks, paper,

pencils, pens and lunchboxes. There was

also face painting and a D.J. who provided

entertainment and line dancing.

2J Cattle Company and Immokalee

Seminole Charities joined Tribal Council

and Board by handing out backpacks to

Seminole kids and descendants.

This was the second year that 2J Cattle

Company, which is owned and operated by

Josh Jumper and his family, has given back

to the community by donating backpacks to

students.

Beverly Bidney

At right, Van Samuels from the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, hands out lunchboxes and information about the museum to students.

“Education was a big part in my family,”

Jumper said. “My grandmother, Betty Mae

Jumper, said if we didn’t do well in school

she would take sports and rodeo away from

us.”

That was enough to ensure the Jumper

children’s success in school, sports and

rodeo.

Immokalee

Seminole

Charities,

founded by Jimmy Wayne Holdiness, gave

100 backpacks to middle and high school

students who are Seminole descendants. The

backpacks include dental hygiene supplies

and other personal items such as body spray.

“I’m very proud and humbled to be able

to help,” Holdiness said. “The whole family

came out to help; I try to teach them about

the importance of giving back.”

Beverly Bidney

Backpacks are given to students by Josh Jumper’s 2J Cattle Company and at far right, Jimmy Wayne Holdiness of Immokalee Charities Inc. at the

Immokalee Back to School Bash on Aug. 4.

Education Department on the move in

Big Cypress, Immokalee

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY

Staff Reporter

Beverly Bidney

Immokalee students with in-house tutors Kathleen Meany and Alondra Salazar get homework help

August 25 in the new tutoring space located in the Immokalee Boys & Girls Club in the new gym.

The Education Department has been

busy packing and unpacking a lot of boxes

in Big Cypress and Immokalee lately.

The Big Cypress Education Department,

including its advisors, tutors and the entire

library, moved from the administration

building into the former preschool building

next door. The new location is spacious and

bright with plenty of space for students,

families and staff to interact privately and in

groups.

“We have high expectations for all

of our students,” said Sherene Goodison,

tribalwide ESE program specialist. “We

welcome families who want us to join them

for parent teacher meetings as a support

system. We will go over and beyond if we

are needed for our families.”

The center of the building is a large

flexible space which can be used by students

after school, for parent trainings and other

activities. The library is larger than the one

left behind, all the bookshelves fit easily and

there is ample space for computers.

Additionally, there is a room dedicated

to a language program. Most classes will

be held remotely on WebEx twice a day on

Tuesdays every week but there are tables and

chairs for in-person classes.

Tutoring is held daily by in-house tutors

and a few outside vendors, individually and

in groups. There is plenty of room in the

flexible space for overflow students and

tutors if necessary.

“I believe the new space will bring in

a lot of families and students,” said K-12

advisor assistant Courtney Lee. “We’ve

grown over the last couple of years. It’s a big

area; we had 26 students here yesterday.”

In Immokalee, the in-house tutors

recently moved into the new Boys & Girls

Club space in the reservation’s new recreation

building. The second-floor tutoring room is

spacious and bright with an expansive view

of the playground and surrounding landscape

through large picture windows.

When students are finished with their

homework or tutoring session, they are free

to walk the few steps to the Boys & Girls

Club or go downstairs to the Recreation

Department and the gym.

Eventually, the Immokalee Education

Department will move into the old Boys &

Girls Club building by the old gym. Once

the building is renovated, the library and

education staff will relocate there from the

administration building.

Beverly Bidney

Big Cypress library assistants Claudia Doctor and Austin Villa unpack items moved from the old

library to the new one Aug. 25 in the Big Cypress Education Department located in the former home

of the Big Cypress Preschool.

Beverly Bidney

Immokalee in-house tutors in their new home with students. From left are Alondra Salazar, Penelope Emmanuel Grey, tutor program supervisor Jan Bishop

and Kathleen Meany.

2B • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Hillary Josh Guardianship program

success

Introducing the 2026 NAFOA

Leadership Summit Class

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY

Staff Reporter

Drugs and a bad relationship led

Hillary Josh into a dark place financially

and emotionally in 2019. However, her

enrollment in the tribe’s Guardianship

program has brought light into her life.

“It’s gotten me out of debt, holds me

accountable and helped me when I had

relapses,” said Josh, 33. “They were always

the first one to talk to me and get me into

[recovery] places when I needed to go. I’ve

grown a lot since going into the program.”

The program, which is part of the Health

and Human Services Department, helps

tribal members who cannot make sound

decisions about their own welfare by helping

them transition into living independently

by teaching them valuable life and financial

skills. The program also include families in

the process.

Josh moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, in

2023 to be with her family, who she described

as straightforward people who stay on the

“straight and narrow.”

“I don’t hang out with a bad crowd here,”

Josh said. “It’s changed my perspective on

life a lot. We go out and do things together

as a family. They know how I’ve struggled,

show me that they care and are supportive.”

Josh said she appreciates the benefits

of being in the program, which include

weekly conversations with her advocate

Nikole Stallworth, who also helped her find

a therapist in Arizona.

“The program can be hard and frustrating

at times, but as long as you’re doing what

you’re supposed to do, it’s not that hard,”

Josh said. “I grew up not knowing how to ask

for help. They make you feel comfortable

and they don’t judge you. They do control

your funds, but it’s ok to ask for funds if you

have a good reason. At first I felt belittled,

but then I learned they are here to help me.

Now I’m moving forward and feel like I’m

closer to getting out of the program.”

Josh is becoming more independent

and has her own apartment as well as a

new vehicle. She has no problem having a

breathalyzer in her vehicle because she said

it holds her accountable.

Courtesy photo

From left, bottom row is Broderick Roberts, Ailana Toya, McKaylin Peters, Aziza Smith, and Lawrence Village Center III. From left, top row is Stevie Quijas,

Aiden Perkins, Delanie Seals, Gavin Crouch, and Ava LaPlante.

STAFF REPORT

Courtesy photo

Hillary Josh

“I told them to extend the amount

of time I have it in my truck,” she said.

“I’m doing really well now. I’m about

to celebrate one year sober from alcohol

and have been off drugs for six years. I’m

extremely proud of myself. It’s all due to

having that accountability.”

Josh has three children ages 11 to 14

who are living with a relative in Brighton.

“She does a really good job taking care

of my children,” Josh said.

Josh knows it is harder to get sober

on her own and has some advice for tribal

members who may need to but not want to

go into the guardianship program.

“It’s easier to take the help than do it on

your own,” she said. “They are there to help

and there is no shame in it. It’s a choice you

really need to think on and one you need to

choose. When you do the things they ask

you to and do them correctly, it isn’t hard

at all.”

Montana agrees to

accountability for

Indigenous education

BY NORA MABIE

Montana Free Press

A group of Montana students, families

and tribes has reached a settlement with

the state Office of Public Instruction that’s

set to bring closure to a yearslong legal

dispute about how the state implements

its constitutional requirement to provide

Indigenous education.

The settlement, if approved, would

resolve a class action lawsuit filed in 2021

in which plaintiffs alleged the state has failed

to implement and enforce a constitutional

mandate requiring K-12 public education to

recognize the “distinct and unique cultural

heritage of American Indians.”

In 1999, the state Legislature enacted

the Indian Education for All (IEFA) Act

to implement that constitutional mandate

and require public schools to teach Native

American history and culture. Since 2007,

the Legislature has appropriated about $3.5

million annually to school districts to fund

implementation. According to the IEFA Act,

schools are supposed to use the funds to

develop curricula, purchase class materials

and train teachers.

In 2021, a group of Montana students,

families and tribes filed a class action lawsuit

against the Office of Public Instruction and

the Montana Board of Public Education,

alleging that school districts were improperly

using funds intended to support IEFA.

Tribal plaintiffs include the Fort Belknap

Indian Community, Confederated Salish and

Kootenai Tribes, Fort Peck Assiniboine and

Sioux Tribes, Northern Cheyenne Tribe and

Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of

Montana.

Court documents alleged that in 2019

and 2020, only 10% of Montana school

districts could account for their IEFA

funding having been spent on appropriate

expenses. One school, according to court

documents, used some of its IEFA funds

to pay a portion of librarian salaries. Other

schools allegedly used the funds to purchase

books unrelated to Native American culture

or history.

A district court judge on Monday

[August 24, 2026] preliminarily approved

the settlement, which is subject to final

court approval after a notice period. The

Office of Public Instruction has agreed, in

part, to:

Use its accreditation system to require

districts to provide evidence of IEFA

implementation

Establish enforcement mechanisms,

including a yearly evaluation of at least

seven schools’ IEFA expenses and potential

funding reductions for noncompliance

“Strengthen and formalize” tribal

consultation processes

Require schools to report IEFA

expenses and publish a list of noncompliant

schools

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Susie Hedalen wrote in an emailed statement

that she is “pleased” an agreement has been

reached so “that we can move forward with

ensuring every Montana student receives

authentic instruction on our state’s tribal

nations.”

“The OPI has also launched a new

website and professional development

portal to house additional IEFA resources

for educators and families,” she wrote. “In

Montana, we support all students and work

to ensure they are seen and supported.”

Hard Rock Cafe Tampa to host

Venezuelan Salsa band

FROM PRESS RELEASE

Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa will host

En Vivo featuring Venezuelan Salsa band

Adolescentes Orquesta at Seminole Hard

Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa on Sept. 24 at

9 p.m. Guests can enjoy an evening of live

Salsa music and vibrant Latin dance party.

For tickets go to casino.hardrock.com

and Ticketmaster.com.

Founded by legendary producer Luis

Francisco “El Negro” Mendoza under Kora

Records, the iconic Adolescentes Orquesta

remains the global gold standard for

authentic Salsa music. Today, the group is

fronted by the powerhouse talents of its fifth

generation—Ernesto Cabrera, Rodrigo Silva,

Alex Quintero, Jonathan Martínez, Ángel

Mejía, And Andy Moreno—who seamlessly

bridge classic tropical rhythms with modern,

multi-generational appeal. Their recent

career trajectory is marked by massive

commercial triumphs, including the charttopping anthem “Resistiré” (which hit #1 in

ratings, earned Mexico’s prestigious Premio

Inmortal Internacional in 2021, and secured

a YouTube Silver Plaque), the cultural

hit “Soy Latino”, and “Nadamás,” which

earned the group a YouTube Gold Plaque for

surpassing one million subscribers.

NAFOA (originally Native American

Finance

Officers Association)

has

introduced the eighth cohort of the NAFOA

Leadership Summit. This year’s class

includes 10 rising young Native American

professionals selected for their passion

and experience in accounting, business,

and tribal economic development policy.

They have each demonstrated a strong

commitment to advancing the economic

future of Indian Country.

As part of the program, participants

will connect with tribal leaders, engage

with industry executives and policymakers,

and sharpen their understanding of finance

and economic development. The Summit

will take place on Sept. 20, preceding the

2026 Fall Finance and Tribal Economies

Conference on Sept. 21–22.

The Leadership Summit is part of

NAFOA’s ongoing work to strengthen

tribal economies by fostering leadership in

financial and business sectors across Indian

Country.

Please join us in welcoming this new

cohort to the NAFOA community:

Ava LaPlante

Descendant of Santo Domingo Pueblo

Bachelor’s in Economics - St.

Catherine University

LaPlante (she/her) is an associate data

scientist at the Federal Reserve Bank of

Minneapolis’s Center for Indian Country

Development (CICD), where she compiles

data, conducts analysis, and builds data

tools supporting the economic selfdetermination of Native nations. She joined

CICD as an intern and was a 2022 scholar

in the American Economic Association’s

Summer Program.

Aiden Perkins

Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation

Bachelor of Science, Business

Administration – Montana State UniversityNorthern

Perkins (he/him) is an Accounting

Associate at CB Accounting in Dickinson,

North Dakota. He is currently pursuing both

a Master of Business Administration and a

Master of Entrepreneurship at Dickinson

State University with plans to become a

Certified Public Accountant.

Ailana Toya

Pueblo of Jemez

Bachelor of Business Administration,

Finance – University of New Mexico

Toya (she/her) earned her BBA in

Finance at the University of New Mexico

and is currently pursuing her Master of

Business Administration. She is passionate

about expanding her knowledge and

developing as a leader, with a strong interest

in strengthening Tribal organizations and

supporting the long-term success of Native

communities.

the Tribe’s business venture. She is also

currently pursuing a Master of Science in

Organizational Leadership at Johns Hopkins

University, strengthening her expertise

in organizational systems, leadership

strategy, and Tribal governance. Peters was

recognized in 2026 as both a Champion for

Change and a 25 Under 25 honoree.

Broderick Roberts

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate

Master of Business Administration –

Sitting Bull College

Roberts (he/him) serves as the Economic

Development Planner for the Sisseton

Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. His role focuses

on strengthening economic sovereignty

through Tribal entrepreneurship, strategic

land use planning, and capital development

initiatives. Starting in the Fall of 2026,

Roberts will be pursuing his Master’s in

Business Administration.

Aziza Smith

Eastern Shoshone Tribe

Master of Public Administration –

University of Kansas

Smith (she/her) grew up on the Wind

River Reservation. She attended Haskell

Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS,

and received an Associate’s degree in Social

Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Business

Administration. Smith is currently pursuing

her Master’s degree in Public Administration

at the University of Kansas.

Lawrence Village Center III

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Business

Administration

&

Environmental Science – Sitting Bull

College

Village Center (he/him) is a Tribal

member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

He is a first-generation student attending

Sitting Bull College, where he also serves

as a peer mentor, guiding and supporting

mentees in their academic careers. Village

Center plans to pursue a Master’s degree

upon completing his undergraduate degree.

Gavin Crouch

Choctaw Nation

Bachelor of Business Administration,

Finance – Southeastern Oklahoma State

University

Crouch (he/him) works as a Performance

Analyst for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma,

supporting Gaming and Hospitality through

reporting, revenue analysis, and efficiency

improvement. He is passionate about using

finance, analytics, and leadership to support

financial growth and sustainability for

Native communities. Crouch is currently

pursuing an MBA with a concentration in

Native American Leadership.

McKaylin Peters

Menominee Nation

Bachelor of Science, Community

& Nonprofit Leadership – University of

Wisconsin-Madison

Peters (she/her) currently serves as

Executive Director of the Menominee

Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and is beginning

a new role as Vendor Relations Manager

for the Wolf River Development Company,

Delanie Seals

Chickasaw Nation

Bachelor’s and Master’s – East Central

University

Seals (she/her) is a member of the

Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Sac and Fox

Nations. She has an extensive background in

political and legal organizations, including

internships with U.S. Representatives,

USAID, and multiple Chickasaw Nation

offices. Seals currently serves as an Adjunct

Professor at Oklahoma City Community

College, Chair of the Young Democrats of

America Indigenous Caucus, and a board

member of Regalia Making Relatives. Seals

was recently awarded the Oklahoma Native

Students in Higher Education 2026 Rising

Alumnus Award.

Stevie Quijas

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and

Chippewa Indians

Master of Public Policy & MS in

Environmental Sustainability – University

of Michigan

Quijas (he/him) serves as a Graduate

Fellow at the Great Lakes Fishery

Commission, pursuing a dual Master’s

in public policy and environmental

sustainability. He is an emergency medical

technician and has worked in both the U.S.

Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Those experiences anchor his interest in

Tribal health and environmental policy in

what communities actually need on the

ground. Quijas is most excited to learn

how Nations are building enterprises that

will continue to generate benefits for seven

generations.

Navajo Nation Council celebrates Indigenous STEM

facility at Navajo Preparatory School

FROM PRESS RELEASE

Members of the 25th Navajo Nation

Council joined Navajo Nation leaders, New

Mexico officials, educators, students and

community partners Monday [August 17,

2026] to celebrate the groundbreaking of

a new Indigenous STEM facility at Navajo

Preparatory School.

Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne

Curley attended the ceremony with

members of the 25th Navajo Nation

Council’s Health, Education and Human

Services Committee, including Chair Vince

James and Council Delegates Helena Nez

Begay, Curtis Yanito and George Tolth.

The planned facility is designed to bring

Indigenous knowledge together with science,

technology, engineering and mathematics

while creating opportunities for students to

pursue academic and career interests without

losing connection to Diné language, culture

and identity.

“Education, along with our Navajo

language and culture, has always been one of

our top priorities. It takes teamwork and an

entire network of people working together.

Our students asked for a school system that

is here for them and willing to protect our

language and who we are as Navajo people.

We heard them, and our responsibility as

leaders is to support them and help find

the resources to make those opportunities

possible,” Curley said.

Navajo Preparatory School President

Shawna Allison Becenti said the project has

received substantial support from federal

and state partners.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich secured $2

million in congressional direct spending

for the project in 2024, providing its first

major funding commitment. New Mexico

later provided $10 million in capital outlay

funding over two years, followed by another

$6 million through the New Mexico Indian

Affairs Department’s Tribal Infrastructure

Fund.

The school has also secured resolutions

of support from all five Navajo Nation

agencies and 110 chapters as it seeks Navajo

Nation matching funds for the final phase of

construction.

School officials emphasized that

continued partnerships with Navajo Nation,

state and federal leaders will be necessary to

complete the project.

Becenti described the facility as a

place where Indigenous knowledge and

contemporary technology will work side by

side.

Students are expected to have

opportunities to weave, code, perform,

design and create within the new building,

reflecting an approach that places traditional

knowledge and modern innovation alongside

one another.

The facility is intended to support

STEM education, career preparation,

cultural preservation and community

wellness. Navajo Prep has set January 2028

as its target opening date.

Speakers at the groundbreaking

described the project as an investment

in Navajo students and the Nation’s

future workforce. They highlighted the

longstanding scientific and engineering

knowledge practiced by Diné people and

the opportunity to showcase the abilities of

students from communities throughout the

Navajo Nation.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan

Grisham also recognized Navajo Prep’s

academic accomplishments and emphasized

the importance of providing students with

modern educational facilities.

She said investments in educational

infrastructure give students the space,

resources and dignity needed to succeed

while

stressing

that

technological

advancement should remain connected to

the cultural knowledge and human values

students bring into the classroom.

The groundbreaking represents the latest

step in Navajo Preparatory School’s ongoing

campus development and its broader mission

of preparing Navajo students for higher

education and future careers.

3B • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

PECS

From page 1A

Thomas read “The Legend of Pemayetv

Emahakv Charter School” about the school’s

history and its 20 years of growing together,

which was projected on a large screen.

The story tells about how the three

founding mothers of PECS – Lorene Gopher,

Louise Gopher and Jennie Shore – worked to

create a school focused on Seminole culture

and history along with academics. In 2007

that dream came true when PECS was born.

In 2015 the school’s immersion program

began.

“Together we build successful learners

today and unconquered leaders tomorrow,”

Thomas said. “One tribe, one family, one

journey.”

After the story finished, Councilman

Howard and Downing unveiled a banner

proclaiming PECS as a grade “A” school for

the 2025-2026 school year.

“For 20 years PECS has been a place

where we celebrate the heritage, culture,

traditions and language of the Seminole

Tribe of Florida while preparing students to

become the leaders of tomorrow,” Downing

wrote in prepared remarks.

After the banner was revealed, students

and teachers filled the gym with color from a

slew of confetti cannon poppers.

Beverly Bidney

Students celebrate in a storm of confetti.

Beverly Bidney

Students walk through the reception line consisting of characters from the Wizard of Oz on their way

into the PECS gym to celebrate the school’s tenth “A” rating from the state.

Beverly Bidney

Brighton Councilman Larry Howard, left, and PECS administrators and teachers including from right administrative assistant Michele

Thomas and principal Tracy Downing, greet students as they walk the yellow brick road into the gym, aka for the day as the Emerald City

in the Land of Oz.

Beverly Bidney

Principal Tracy Downing and Brighton Councilman Larry Howard unveil the banner announcing the school’s “A” rating for the 2025-2026

school year.

Rockabillaque to rock Immokalee Nov. 14

FROM PRESS RELEASE

This

year’s

Rockabillaque

musical lineup on Nov. 14 at the

Seminole Hotel & Casino Immokalee

includes headliner Shannon & The

Clams, whose blend of garage rock,

vintage doo-wop, soul, surf, and

psychedelic pop has earned them an

international following and acclaim

as one of the most original bands in

modern roots music.

Just before them, Les Greene &

The Swayzees deliver a mix of vintage

rock ‘n’ roll, Southern soul, rhythm

& blues, and gospel-powered vocals.

Greene – best known as the voice of

Little Richard in Baz Luhrmann’s

“Elvis” and on its Grammynominated soundtrack – is one of the

most electrifying performers working

today.

Swing fans won’t want to miss the

collaboration of Royal Crown Revue

meets Gunhild Carling, bringing

together the legendary architects of the

swing revival with the internationally

acclaimed Swedish jazz virtuoso

known for her incredible musicianship,

showmanship, and infectious energy.

The band spearheaded the 1990s

swing revival. The band’s biggest

signature hits include “Hey Pachuco!”

(immortalized in the film “The

Mask”), “Zip Gun Bop.” “Barflies at

the Beach” and “The Contender.”

4B • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Jack Chalfant named

president of TOFIH

BY BEVERLY BIDNEY

Staff Reporter

BIG CYPRESS — Jack Chalfant

was recently named president of the Trail

of Florida’s Indian Heritage (TOFIH), a

non-profit network of archeological sites,

museums, heritage interpreters and parks

whose goal is to promote and preserve the

state’s historical and archeological resources.

As president, Chalfant leads the board

and runs its monthly meetings. He also

attends the Florida Anthropological Society

meeting every year, where they set up a

booth, promote TOFIH and meet people.

“We have about 500 different sites within

the state that we advertise,” said Chalfant,

who works at the Tribal Historic Preservation

Office as cultural resources supervisor. “The

goal [of TOFIH] is to educate the public

about the past and Florida’s Indian heritage

from way back when to the modern day. We

tell then there were people here before they

even thought there were people here.”

Chalfant leads the board in its decisionmaking process, which includes allowing

sites to join the organization. When a group

wants to join, the board does research and

decides if it is a legitimate archeological or

historic site. He cited one example of a group

who found a burial mound and performed

some “made up stuff” on the mound itself.

That group wasn’t allowed to join.

“We told them they were desecrating

the mound and didn’t know what they were

doing,” Chalfant said. “They stopped, but

they still do their ceremonies off the mound.”

Another time, after a hurricane hit

Martin County and revealed some longburied remains, some people posted pictures

of themselves holding human skulls. The

news media contacted TOFIH, Chalfant

called THPO’s NAGPRA professional

who suggested they call the Martin County

Sheriff’s department to do something about

it. It took just about 20 minutes for the page

to be taken down.

TOFIH has divided the state into five

regions; northwest, northeast, central,

southwest and southeast. All the regions

have numerous sites for the public to

explore, most of which are free of charge.

Sites include museums, archeological sites

and historic sites and county, state and

national parks.

The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the

Big Cypress Reservation is located in the

southwest region, which also includes

seven archeological sites, six museums, two

historic sites and one state park.

TOFIH used to make presentations in

person, but since the Covid 19 pandemic they

make video presentations every few months

on Zoom. The presentations are available

for anyone to view. The Florida Public

Archeology Network gave a presentation

on the effects of hurricanes on archeological

sites and Chalfant made a presentation about

Indian heritage in the state.

“There were people here way before the

Spanish arrived, but most of the history is

only written about when the Spanish arrived,

not before,” Chalfant said. “There is no other

history because everything else was passed

down by word of mouth and not written

down.”

Chalfant also works as the cultural

resources supervisor for the Tribal Historic

Preservation Office, where he does

archeological surveys, works with cultural

advisors and medicine men. Part of the job

is to look for areas with medicine plants and

makes sure those sites are protected.

“I find the plants, mark it on a map and

make sure they don’t overflood the area by

pumping too much water through it,” he said.

“My job is to make sure they don’t destroy

the plants. Too much water will kill them,

Beverly Bidney

Jack Chalfant at the ceremonial grounds behind the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Big Cypress.

not enough water will shrink them down to

a small area. I try to protect those areas as

best I can.”

When someone wants to build a home

or building, Chalfant and his team do

archeological surveys of the property. One

time they identified a camp in a hammock

near cowpens that was used by cowboys

“back in the day” before there were horse

trailers. They would camp and work the

cattle in that area.

“We found the camp and asked them to

move the homesite over a little bit,” Chalfant

said. “We got them to move it over and saved

that site.”

When FPL wanted to build solar arrays

near the Big Cypress Reservation a few years

ago, Chalfant and his team found historic

trails on the site and wanted to make sure

they weren’t destroyed during construction.

FPL worked around the trails and protected

them so the vehicles wouldn’t disturb the

historic site during construction. The solar

array was built around the old trail leading

from Big Cypress to Immokalee.

Chalfant has been doing archeology

since 2013, when he joined THPO. As a

child, he used to go out looking for medicine

plants with his grandmother Alice Micco

Snow, who was a medicine gatherer and

wrote a book on the healing plants of the

Seminoles.

“I kind of have an inside track from

being tribal,” Chalfant said. “I never knew

that what I learned from being a kid would

come to play later on in life.”

Hollywood projects

continue to take

shape

HOLLYWOOD — Here’s a look at

some of the major projects taking place on

the Hollywood Reservation. All photos are

from Aug. 28 of the ballfields project, Senior

Center and Community Center. Also (no

photos) an addition to the Betty Mae Jumper

Health Center is being constructed.

Kevin Johnson

The Senior Center.

Daniella Hakim

Above and below, the Community Center.

Kevin Johnson

The ballfields.

5B • The Seminole Tribune • September 2026

Dolphins Cancer Challenge to

be held at Hard Rock Stadium

FROM PRESS RELEASE

FROM NATIVE LEARNING CENTER

HOLLYWOOD — The NLC offers free

Training, Technical Assistance, and Kerretv

Online Webinars to Native Americans and

those working within Indian Country. The

NLC’s housing-related training opportunities

and resources focus on areas that are critical

to the growth and improvement of Tribal

Communities. Go to nativelearningcenter.

com for more about the latest training,

webinars and podcast episodes. Recordings

are available on the site.

Webinar: Successfully

Managing Change

Instructor: Dr. William R. Latchford,

DCJ, President, Native Peacekeeper

Consulting Group, a Native woman-owned

public safety consulting firm; retired

Executive Director of Public Safety/Chief of

Police for the Seminole Tribe of Florida; codirector of Florida State University College

of Criminology and Criminal Justice Native

American Crime and Justice Research &

Policy Institute

Sept. 1, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Course Description:

None of us can escape change, therefore

it is well worth developing strategies to

manage it! Because everyone has to manage

change, having tools to help embrace it

leads to the best outcomes. Successfully

Managing Change includes the stages and

pace of change, dealing with resistance,

adaptive strategies, approaching change as

an opportunity for growth, and more.

Learning Objectives:

• Accept there are no normal or

abnormal ways of reacting to change, but

that we must start from where we are

• See change not as something to

be feared and resisted but as an essential

element of the world to be accepted

• Understand that adapting to change

is not technical but attitudinal - change is not

an intellectual issue but one that strikes at

who you are

• Recognize that before we can

embrace the way things will be, we may go

through a process of grieving, and of letting

go of the way things used to be

Webinar: Finding Financing for

Your Business

Instructor: Russ Seagle, trainer/

facilitator, Seagle Management Consulting

Sept. 8, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Course Description:

Securing appropriate financing is

a crucial step for business growth and

sustainability. This webinar will guide

participants through various funding options

available, including traditional loans,

alternative lending sources, grants, and tribal

financing programs. Attendees will learn

how to strengthen their funding applications

and increase their chances of approval.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand different types of

financing and their suitability

• Identify Tribal, government, and

nonprofit funding sources

• Learn how to prepare compelling

loan and grant applications

• Recognize common financing

challenges and strategies to overcome them

insights

into

lender

• Gain

expectations and how to meet them

Webinar: The ABCs of Supervising

Others

Instructor: Dr. William R. Latchford

Sept. 10, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Course Description:

This course is for people who are

new supervisors or who are interested in a

supervisory position, as well as those who

are team leads or part-time supervisors

without a great deal of authority. This course

is designed to help students overcome many

of the supervisory problems that they will

encounter as a workplace leader.

Learning Objectives:

• Adjust to the supervisor’s role with

confidence

• Develop your skills in listening,

asking questions, resolving conflict, and

giving feedback to employees

• Identify key attitudes that you can

develop to enhance your supervisory skills

• Use time management and planning

techniques to maximize your success

• Develop a technique for giving

instructions that are clear and understood

• Understand

the

importance

of developing good relationships with

employees and peers, so you are seen as fair

and consistent

Webinar: Don’t Surprise Your

Grantmaker: How to be a Fantastic

Grantee

Instructor: Diane Leonard, GPC, RST;

Grant Professionals Association Approved

Trainer; President, DH Leonard Consulting

& Grant Writing Services

Sept. 15, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Course Description:

Grantmakers do not like surprises (good

or bad) about a funded project at the time

a grant report is submitted. Surprises in a

report lead to additional work for the person

managing the funding program, and that

does NOT endear you or your organization

to the grantmaker. This can damage long-

term funding relationships, even if the

surprise was a good one. In this webinar, we

will work through situations that commonly

arise in grant-seeking organizations to help

you be a fantastic grantee even when the

implementation of grant-funded work does

not go as planned.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how to involve your

grant team in relationship development and

maintenance

• Learn how to manage and improve

relationships with grant funders

• Know how and when to

communicate with a grantmaker outside of

required reports

Webinar: Time Management Secrets

of High Achievers

Instructor: Russ Seagle

Sept. 17, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Course Description:

Effective

time

management

distinguishes successful leaders from the rest.

This webinar uncovers practical, actionable

time management techniques used by top

performers. Participants will learn methods

for prioritizing tasks, delegating effectively,

and avoiding common productivity pitfalls

to achieve better results with less stress.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize and overcome common

timewasters

• Master techniques for prioritizing

tasks based on impact and urgency

• Learn effective delegation strategies

for maximizing productivity

• Implement proven daily routines

and practices of high achievers

• Manage

distractions

and

interruptions effectively

Webinar: Meeting Management: The

Art of Making Meetings Work

Instructor: Dr. William R. Latchford,

Sept. 22, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Course Description:

Meetings come in all shapes and sizes,

from the convention to a quick huddle in an

office hallway. This course will be concerned

with small working meetings; with groups

that have a job to do requiring the energy,

commitment, and talents of those who

participate. Members of such a group want

to get some kind of result out of their time

together: solving problems, brainstorming,

or simply sharing information. At its best,

such a group knows what it is about, and

knows and utilizes the strengths of individual

members.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the value of meetings

as a management tool

• Recognize the critical planning step

that makes meeting time more effective

• Identify process tools that can help

create an open and safe forum for discussion

• Develop and practice techniques for

handling counterproductive behaviors

MIAMI GARDENS — Registration

for Dolphins Cancer Challenge XVII is

open, inviting riders, runners, walkers and

supporters to join in the fight against cancer

on Feb. 27, 2027, at Hard Rock Stadium.

One-hundred percent of participant-raised

funds are donated directly to Sylvester

Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the

University of Miami Health System and

Miller School of Medicine.

The event was founded in 2010,

inspired by former Dolphins player and

broadcaster Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich

following his cancer diagnosis, for which he

received treatment at Sylvester. Participants

can choose from the 13-mile Dan Marino

Ride, 39-mile Larry Csonka Ride, 54-mile

Zach Thomas Ride presented by Guardant

Health, 99-mile Jason Taylor Ride, or the

DCC 5K presented by Amazon.

DCC XVI set a fundraising record

for the sixth consecutive year, surpassing

the $18 million mark and bringing the

organization’s total contribution to Sylvester

to more than $100 million.

Register at dolphinscancerchallenge.

com.

Anti-uranium advocates wrest control of public

hearing on proposed mine near Navajo Nation

BY PATRICK LOHMANN

Source NM

GALLUP, N.M. — A recent hearing

meant to inform the public about a new

uranium mine proposal near Church Rock

(New Mexico) instead exposed wounds

around the legacy of mining’s impacts

on Navajo communities, as well as fresh

concerns about whether technology that

promises to safely extract the mineral is as

clean as the industry claims.

Laramide Resources, a Canadian mining

company, and its subsidiary NuFuels, Inc.,

held a public hearing [Aug. 6] at a casino

near Gallup as it seeks a permit from the

New Mexico Environment Department to

discharge.

But Navajo anti-mining advocates,

as well as those who still remember

the cascading consequences

from the

1979 Church Rock mine spill, shouted

out repeatedly during the company’s

presentation. They expressed frustration

th

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