
Join the Excitement: Discover a Stunning Lineup at the Indigenous Arts & Music Festival!
Riding high off the fun and festivities at Tribal Fair? Well, you’re in luck! We are just part way through this year’s festival events. Join the Seminole Tribe of Florida February 6-8th, 2025 for the 3rd Annual Big Cypress Indigenous Arts and Music Festival. This free event will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous people, honoring the wisdom and legacy of the elders with this year’s theme; “Honoring our elders.”
Musical Performances
John Anderson
A country music icon, John Anderson has been releasing music for almost 50 years, since his first official single “I’ve Got a Feelin’ (Somebody’s Been Stealin’)” in 1977. He has charted more than 40 singles on the Billboard Country music charts and recorded 22 studio albums over the decades. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Anderson in 2014, and just recently the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024. While he has a prolific career with many, many top hits, you would be hard pressed not to recognize his 1992 hit “Seminole Wind.” Long time friend of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, we have shown Anderson before in a number of historic images, such as his 1990s STOF Christmas performance. Medicine man Bobby Henry himself played a role in the “Seminole Wind” music video. In 2022 Anderson would thank him on stage at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, sharing “[Henry] was one of the ones responsible for it. If it weren’t for him, we could never have done that video like we did. God bless you, brother. We love you and all the respect to you.” Anderson will perform on Thursday, February 6th at 6:00 pm.
Indigenous
The blues rock group Indigenous will take the stage on Friday, February 7th, at 5:30 PM! Led by Mato Nanji (Ihanktonwan Nation) on vocals, the band features his son Evan Nanji on guitar, Justin Cournoyer on bass, and John Fairchild on drums.
Originally, Mato Nanji and his siblings formed the band in the 1990s. Their father, Greg Zephier, Sr, heavily influenced the group as well as artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King. Although no longer playing with his siblings, Mato carried on the Indigenous Band name. Since then, he has had a prolific career, with a number of highly acclaimed albums and songs. Indigenous will perform on Friday, February 7th at 5:30 pm.
The Osceola Brothers
If you missed them last weekend at Tribal Fair, you are in luck! The Osceola Brothers are back for another performance at this year’s Big Cypress Indigenous Arts and Music Festival. Cameron, Tyson, and Sheldon Osceola, who grew up on the Hollywood Seminole Reservation, have been making music together for most of their lives. Cameron leads with vocals and guitar, while Tyson holds down the bass and Sheldon keeps the beat on drums. A hard rock power trio, they take their inspiration from bands like Guns N’ Roses, the New York Dolls, Motley Crue, Black Sabbath and Jimi Hendrix. The brothers formed the band in 2012. You can catch their performance on Saturday, February 8th at 6:00 pm.

Early days of the Cowbone Band
Cowbone Band
Headed by Paul “Cowbone” Buster, the Cowbone Band started in the swamps of the Big Cypress Reservation. It all started when “Tony, Paul Buster’s dad, Jimmy Roberts’ cousin, Tony Osceola and Jack Micco used to get together when Paul (AKA Cowbone) was younger playing under the oak tree. They also played at church once in a while. Cowbone learned from them, but at the time, he was more interested in football and basketball rather than actually joining the band. However, he did have time to listen to them play.”
And listen he did! Soon, he would pick up his own guitar, playing on the reservation and around town with his father. The rest, they say, is history. Cowbone Band performs on Thursday, February 6th at 1:00 pm.
Bearhead Sisters
Comprised of Allie, Trina, and Carly Bearhead the Bearhead Sisters are a rising musical trio from Paul First Nation, Alberta, Canada. They perform traditional First Nations Pow wow music. Just recently, they won the Juno Award for Traditional Indigenous Artist of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2023 for their album Unbreakable.
On their official Youtube page, the sisters state “Our music is healing for all. We sing because it heals us also. In this world music is a language spoke by all. We heal each other one song at a time. Sing from heart and they’ll hear you. When you’re feeling down always remember that our loved ones prayed for you to be here. Take that and use it for fuel to find your purpose in this life. You are loved. Always.” You can find more information about their performances on their Facebook. They will perform on Thursday, February 6th at 1:30 pm.
Sage Cornelius
Back again at the 3rd Annual Big Cypress Indigenous Arts and Music Festival, Sage Cornelius is a classically trained Oneida/Diné/Potawatomi violinist with a metal edge. From Kansas, his Facebook bio is short and sweet, stating that he was “Raised on Charlie Daniels and Dimebag Darrel. The most metal fiddle player you know!” He picked up a fiddle at age 8, and never looked back. Today, he is well known for his genre-bending, head-banging violin music with influences ranging from country, metal, and even traditional Irish fiddle music. You can also find Sage Cornelius on YouTube and Instagram. Sage Cornelius performs 4:30 pm on February 7th, and 5:00 pm February 8th.

via the Tracking Project
Andy Buster
Born on Tamiami Trail in 1943, Buster grew up around the Big Cypress Preserve and the Everglades. He was raised in the traditional Seminole and Miccosukee way and has worked and served in a number of capacities for the Miccosukee Tribe throughout his career. A revered Miccosukee elder, Buster is a keeper of traditional knowledge and lore. Just recently, the Andy Buster Band was featured on the album “Tarakkvlkv” with artist RYZ-N-SOULZ in 2024. The group also performed at the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. Christmas party just this last December. Andy Buster will perform on Friday, February 7th at 12:30 pm.
Cecil Gray
Six-time NAMA nominee Cecil Gray (Kiowa) is an accomplished singer, songwriter, guitar player, and musicians. He has been playing guitar and harmonica for over 47 years, and has found his career path in blues music. His band, the Cecil Gray Native Blues band (then- Cecil Gray & Red Dawn Blues), won a 2004 NAMA award at the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL for ”Best Blues/Jazz Recording” for “Indian Harmony.” The Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame inducted Cecil Grey in 2015. He will perform Friday, February 7th at 2:30 pm.
Pura Fe
Pura Fé (Tuscarora/Taino/Black/Scottish) is “an Indigenous activist, singer-songwriter, and storyteller known for her distinct, soulful vocals and founding the world-renowned Native women’s a Capella singing group Ulali.” She is world renowned for her effortless blend of blues, folk, and Indigenous music traditions. She has collaborated with a number of high-profile artists such as the Indigo Girls, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Robbie Robertson. Additionally, she has released a number of solo albums, including Follow Your Heart’s Desire and Sacred Seed, which showcase her blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. Pura Fe will perform at 11:30 am on Saturday, February 8th.

Chebon Tiger Band playing the 2018 Jazz In June, via the Norman Transcript
Chebon Tiger
Chebon Tiger blends blues, jazz, soul, and rock, and has performed throughout the United States for over 20 years. Growing up in Oklahoma, he picked up music at a young age. “I was 16 and it was probably my dad who had a copy of ‘Bobby Bland and BB King Together Again Live’ that I listened to it on my car stereo,” he said in a 2018 article. “I asked for a guitar and got one for Christmas then just started playing. I started listening to Muddy Waters and buying truck stop tapes that I could afford.”
In addition to playing solo, he also often plays with the Chebon Tiger Band, which formed in the late 1990s. “We’re all brothers and love each other,” Tiger shared. “We’ve played music together since first meeting in 1997.” Chebon Tiger will perform Saturday, February 8th at 4:00 pm. You can find more information about upcoming performances on his Facebook.
Ahfachkee School Band
Straight from the Big Cypress Reservation, the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s own youth Ahfachkee School Band will perform Thursday, February 6th at 2:30 pm and Friday, February 7th at 3:30 pm!
Creek Hymn Singers
The Creek Hymn Singers will perform Thursday, February 6th at 3:30 pm and Friday, February 7th at 1:30 pm.
Bird Family Performance
The Bird Family Performers will be on stage Thursday, February 6th at 11:30 am and Friday, February 7th at 2:30 pm.
Other Exciting Events!
Need more than music? You are in luck! Throughout the weekend, there will be a number of demonstrations and events on the schedule. On Thursday, a Seniors Clothing Contest takes place at 4:45 pm. Each day there will be a video screening for Elders, honoring them. Wildlife performances, vendors, and food can also be found throughout the festival space.
Polynesian Proud
Based in South Florida, Polynesian Proud Productions “shares their heritage and culture of the South Pacific, with moving storybooks from the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Samoa!” Polynesian Proud will perform On Thursday, February 6th at 11:00 am and Saturday, February 8th at 12:30 pm. You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Seminole Princesses
The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Princesses will also be at the festival on Friday, February 7th and Saturday, February 8th. They will be welcomed each morning during the opening prayer at 10:00 am. Miss Florida Seminole Cece Thomas and Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Violet Osceola are about halfway through their reign as princesses, representing the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In a recent Seminole Tribune article, both said the experience has exceeded their expectations. “This is everything I expected, and more. I love it a lot,” said Miss Florida Seminole CeCe Thomas. Above, you can see Thomas (Left) and Osceola (Right) at the FSU Homecoming Game in November 2024.
The 3rd Annual Big Cypress Indigenous Arts and Music Festival is packed to the brim with good music, exciting events, and great times. So, what are you waiting for? Head on out to Big Cypress this Thursday through Saturday for an amazing, family friendly event you just can’t miss!
Author Bio
Originally from Washington state, Deanna Butler received her BA in Archaeological Sciences from the University of Washington in 2014. Deanna moved to Florida in 2016. Soon, she began working for the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Deanna was the THPO’s Archaeological Collections Assistant from 2017-2021. While at the THPO, Deanna worked to preserve, support, and process the Tribe’s archaeological collection. She often wrote the popular Artifact of the Month series and worked on many community and educational outreach programs. She lives in Lakeland, FL with her husband, two sons, and dog.