Florida Native American Heritage Trail - (Page 5) their people largely left out and why native people may truly say, “that is their story, not our story.” But today things are changing. People are less comfortable with phrases like the “age of discovery” and “vanished races.” Under federal law, tribes now establish their own Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, which give “traditional cultural authorities” of the native people the same place in historic preservation law as professional archaeologists, historians, and architects. At the beginning of the 21st century, there is a greater understanding and more effective preservation of cultural landscapes and traditional properties that are so important to native people and of great interest to the general public. Heritage tourism is the practical application of history and historic preservation. It provides both education and economic development and is self perpetuating. It is also a Seminole tradition. Since the late 19th century, Seminoles have worked in tourist attractions and hotels all across the state. ey act as guides for hunters in the Everglades. e “Seminole Heritage Map,” developed in 1993, depicts 24 of the most significant Seminole sites in Florida and provides a history for each. In 1997, the Seminole Tribe of Florida opened the Ah-Tah- i-Ki Museum other programs, and economic development became a key issue for both. In 1971 Seminole Tribal Chairman Howard Tommie began selling tax-free tobacco products. In the mid-1970s, Miccosukee Tribal Chairman Buffalo Tiger created eco-heritage tourism packages that combined the Miccosukee culture with the Everglades environment. This became a successful venture, attracting tourists from all over the world. Building on these successes, the Hollywood Seminole reservation began offering high stakes bingo in the late 1970s, which was challenged in U.S. courts as being unlawful. The U.S. Supreme Court found in favor of the Seminole Tribe, opening the door for similar ventures at other reservations throughout the United States. The proceeds from casinos and resorts have vastly improved living conditions of on the Big Cypress Reservation (see page 27). To increase public awareness of the Seminole’s involvement in the rich history of Florida, the Seminole Tribe has worked to acquire, preserve, and interpret significant historic Seminole sites across south Florida. e Seminole Tribe invites the public to learn more about their story and the thousands of years of native culture through the Florida Native American Heritage Trail.v Seminole woman in traditional clothing. (Image courtesy of Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State) Florida’s Native Americans. This new income also allowed the tribes to create other enterprises that they had never before been able to develop, such as the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the Big Cypress Reservation in 1997 and the Miccosukee Resort and Convention Center in 1999. These enterprises allow today’s Native Americans in Florida to share their heritage and continue their cultural traditions. Lee Tiger Okalee Indian Village. Now the Tribe could reap the benefits of sharing its culture and history. Many Miccosukee families sought federal recognition as the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and were successful in 1962. After federal recognition, both Florida tribes organized health, education, public safety, and Crafts currently made by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Brighton Trading Post. (Photographed by Patti Cross) 5
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