Florida Native American Heritage Trail - (Page 9) A coastal Safety Harbor village at the time of Spanish contact. (Image courtesy of artist Hermann Trappman, Gulfport) Chakaika settled in the remote areas and swamps of South Florida. e descendents of these groups are now members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. e Miccosukees and Seminoles belonged to the Creek Confederacy and have a shared heritage. In fact, the Miccosukee and Florida Seminole cultures include most of the same beliefs and practices. e language spoken by the Miccosukees is also spoken by over half of the modern Seminole Tribe. is language is called Mikasuki. e Miccosukees and Seminoles however, are distinct and separate tribes with their own proud histories that pre-date Columbus. Others who are culturally and historically tied to the Seminoles or Miccosukees have chosen to remain independent of the federally recognized tribes. Visitors can learn more about these cultures at the Miccosukee Indian Village (page 32) and Ah-Tah- i-Ki Museums (pages 27 and 31). Today almost 3,000 people live on Seminole and Miccosukee reservations. Also living in Florida, mostly in Escambia County, are members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. e 2000 census records show that over 53,000 people in Florida claim Native American descent, and 39 different tribes from across North America are represented in Florida’s population. Archaeological remains, oral traditions, and living Native American cultures in Florida demonstrate the long presence and continued significance of Native American heritage in Florida. e Florida Native American Heritage Trail informs the public about this important contribution to Florida’s rich cultural legacy, enriching experiences of Florida’s citizens and visitors.v Safety Harbor bottle (ca. 500 – 1,100 years ago) from the central Gulf Coast of Florida. (Image courtesy of the Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville) 9
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