The ABC’s of Seminole History You Need to Know: Part 2

Welcome back to the second part of our ABC’s of Seminole Culture and History! Last week, we went through the first half of the alphabet: from Abiaka to Matriarch. This week, follow along for the second half, as we explore Seminole history, culture, and tourism from N through Z! This kid-friendly, educational glimpse into Seminole culture is just the surface. In each section we encourage you to explore the linked resources for additional learning opportunities. Beyond our ABC primer, we also hope that you take the time to peruse the many online educational resources hosted through the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum.

Off-line, we encourage you to make exploring the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and public events from the Seminole Tribe of Florida part of your family’s summer plans.

 

N is for…. Nature

Seminoles and Seminole ancestors have long had an intense and intimate connection with nature. They thrived in the subtropical environments of Florida, which includes swamps, rivers, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks. The Everglades, often seen by outsiders as inhospitable, became a refuge and a home that offered sustenance and protection. Instead of seeking control, Seminoles adapted to its rhythms, navigating the waters in dugout canoes, constructing chickee homes that welcomed breezes and shed rain, and planting crops according to the seasonal flows of water and sun.

During the Seminole War period, the wilds of Florida sheltered them from the grip of the U.S. Army. After and before, its bounty supported them through hunting, fishing, farming, and more. Where others who came into Florida could not navigate the harsh terrain, the Seminole connection is one of respect, innovation, and a long-developed relationship. Today, there are many Seminole leaders who are strong advocates for Everglades and environmental protection and restoration.

 

O is for…. Osceola

Osceola is one of the most famous Seminoles in history, and in particular the Seminole war period. He was known for his fierce opposition to Seminole removal, his speaking skills, and his ability in battle. He often acted as a spokesperson for Abiaka, who we featured in the first half of our alphabet. A brilliant strategist, Osceola was instrumental in several battles that made the Seminole position on Indian Removal clear. He was captured in 1837 and transported to South Carolina and imprisoned.

In 2018, a sash believed to have been owned by Osceola during his capture made its way home to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Dark green and black, this finger-woven wool sash features a lightning bolt pattern and delicate beading along the tassels. The sash dates to the 1800s, and there is evidence to suggest that he owned it during his 1837 capture. Osceola imagery still appears today, often in Seminole art as a symbol of resistance, opposition to removal, and resilience.

Below is a framed oil painting of Osceola by Robert John Curtis, created in 1838 and first exhibited that same year in Charleston, South Carolina. In the portrait, Osceola is dressed in traditional attire, including an orange, white, and blue kerchief. A distinctive sash featuring green diamonds on a black background with white dot accents—representing white seed beads—drapes over his shoulder. He also wears a similarly patterned sash wrapped around his waist. Now part of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Collection, this portrait gained widespread recognition following Osceola’s death. While imprisoned, Osceola posed for three different portrait artists.

 

P is for…. Patchwork

Seminole patchwork is instantly recognizable and carries with it a legacy beyond scraps of fabric. In the late 1800s, sewing machines became increasingly accessible to American households. Companies like Singer revolutionized home sewing by introducing installment payment plans, allowing families who couldn’t afford the full cost upfront to bring these machines home and pay over time. This innovation reached far beyond the average consumer; it would eventually reshape Seminole artistry.

At the same time, the Seminole people were undergoing major transitions. After enduring years of conflict and isolation following the Seminole Wars, they were now facing a new challenge: the rapid transformation of their homeland. Canal and drainage projects in the Everglades disrupted traditional ways of life, forcing the Seminoles to adapt to an altered landscape. With hunting grounds and natural resources disappearing, economic survival required ingenuity.

Tourist camps began to spring up in Florida, offering a new and complex avenue for income.

Around the 1910s, Seminole women began incorporating sewing machines into their creative practices, giving rise to the now-iconic patchwork style. This intricate craft quickly became embedded in Seminole culture, evolving into a signature element of their clothing and identity.

When it first emerged, patchwork was simple and used only a few colors. Artists make geometric patterns by cutting, rotating, flipping, and mirroring long bands of sewn fabric strips. Then, they sew these patterned strips into larger pieces of clothing. Over time, it evolved into the intricate designs we see in today’s patchwork. Some patchwork makers create designs to represent stories or legends. Others may represent a powerful element, or a personal design for the maker themselves. Before patchwork, Seminoles would often use calico fabrics and ribbon in their traditional clothing. Both became scarce around World War I. So, patchwork evolved with Seminole seamstresses developing their own intricate patterns.

Here, a mother sits with her son at the Musa Isle tourist camp in the early 20^th century. Both are wearing patchwork, and she has a hand crank sewing machine in front of her.

 

Q is for…. Quest for Sovereignty

Around the 1950s through the 1960s, the United States government began a series of policies and laws that we now refer to as Indian Termination. The goal was to assimilate Indigenous people as ‘Americans’ first and terminate the trustee relationship the government held over the tribes. These policies were another way to control and erase Indigenous rights, culture, and ways of life after the brutality of the Indian Wars had failed.

These policies also would have effectively ended the government’s recognition of tribal sovereignty, which is their inherent right to govern themselves. Seminoles were increasingly worried about this, and what followed was a full-scale quest to entrench their sovereignty through federal recognition. Under the Council Oak on the Hollywood (then Dania) Reservation, a new group of Seminole leaders decided to form a tribal government, and cement that sovereignty.

Seminoles developed a formal constitution and corporate charter under the Council Oak, establishing a two-tiered government. It is composed of a Tribal Council and Board of Directors, with elected representatives from each reservation community. On August 21, 1957, the Seminole people would vote on the ratification of this constitution and corporate charter and start down the path to recognition.

The U.S. Congress officially recognized the Seminole Tribe of Florida as a sovereign nation that same year. This recognition and acknowledgement of sovereignty allowed Seminoles much more political agency than they had ever held before. It was also something that they are constantly seeking to protect, and make sure that is not eroded. The only way the Seminole Tribe of Florida can protect its culture, history, and ways of life is through the further entrenching of their sovereign rights.

Below, you can see a black and white photo from a March 1957 Constitution and Charter Committee meeting on the Dania Reservation. From left to right, you can see an unidentified man, Res (Rex) Quinn, Josie Billie, Joe Bowers (background), U.S. Indian Agent Kenneth A. Marmon, Billy Osceola, and Jack Willie.

 

R is for…. Reservations

The Seminole Tribe of Florida currently has seven reservations: Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood, Immokalee, Tampa, Fort Pierce, and Lakeland. They are all governed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and each hold a special place in Seminole history, government, and tourism. Last year on the blog, we did a special feature on each that highlighted the unique aspects and history of each. We encourage you to explore what makes each reservation different, and the incredible people who have built these communities!

Although there was initial resistance to moving to the reservation communities (and for good reason!) each also has a long connection to Seminole occupation beyond the reservation designation. Seminole ancestors have been living in Florida since time began, and the reservations also represent ancestral homes. The first three reservations to be established were Brighton, Big Cypress, and Dania (Hollywood) and they would have a marked impact on Seminole history.

Reservations also became incredibly important during the bingo boom of the 70s and 80s!   As a sovereign nation, the Seminole Tribe of Florida argued that those rights made them immune from legal interference on reservation land, skirting Florida’s restrictions on high-stakes bingo games. Their legal win in that case not only further cemented tribal sovereignty but would also set precedent for gaming throughout Indian country.

Here, you can see tourists outside the Arts and Crafts Center on the Dania Reservation. The Seminole man statue, based on the likeness of Jackie Willie, reaches out to place a hand on the open mouth of a large alligator. This iconic statue would grace the front of the Arts and Crafts Center, enticing visitors to stop just like the pointing man signs of the earlier decades. (2005.27.1229, ATTK Museum)

 

S is for…. Seminole

The term “Seminole” as we use it today is a relatively recent part of Seminole history. Although Seminole ancestors have been in Florida since time immemorial, the Seminole Tribe as we know it is the result of a unique blend and adoption of many tribal lineages. The Southeast before Spanish contact was a vast interconnected trade web of many different cultures, outlooks, and languages. Although connected, they were not homogenous like the Spanish assumed. When landing, they referred to Indigenous peoples as one people, a trend that would continue with English speaking colonizers.

During colonization, the Spanish used the term cimarrón to describe two groups: people who had escaped enslavement and Native Floridians who resisted Spanish control. The term originated from the Caribbean Taíno language and was adopted by the Spanish, originally meaning “runaway livestock.” It evolved to mean something along the lines of “runaways” or “wild ones.” North of Florida, Muskogeean-speaking peoples like the Creek adopted the Spanish word cimarrón to refer to the Native people of Florida. In their language, it evolved into simaló-ni. Later, Americans encountered the term through the Creek and pronounced it as Seminole.

The Seminole ancestor tribes were devastated by war, disease, and the control of these colonizers. Over centuries survivors from these different ancestor tribes would join together, or disappear entirely. But, during the Seminole War period it became a common identity for Indigenous peoples within Florida who fought to resist an almost impossible foe. It united people from disparate backgrounds who were facing a common enemy in the United States: from the Creek, to the descendants of the Calusa alike.

 

T is for…. Trails

Before colonization, the ancestral lands of Seminoles and many other Indigenous peoples were not defined by the boundaries we live by today. What Seminoles would consider part of their ancestral lands spans almost the entire Southeast. For centuries there existed a vast trade network throughout this region, with trails spreading throughout Florida and beyond. The routes, through both land and water, were incredibly important to the survival of Seminoles. During the wartime period, Seminoles would traverse the Everglades through these same routes, utilizing their ancestral knowledge to survive. Even as the changes to the Everglades began, and canals and drainage projects became more prominent, Seminoles still used these ancestral trails when they could.

Trails were still regularly used well into the 20^th century for transportation and travel. Just recently the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office unveiled a storymap on the Big Cypress Historic Trail. Seminoles would travel these trails between the different reservations, from Big Cypress, to Immokalee, and even up to Brighton. Below, you can see a screenshot from the storymap that outlines some of these historic trail remnants!

 

U is for…. Unconquered

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is also known as the “Unconquered People.” But, why is that? During the Seminole war period, Seminoles continued to resist and refuse Indian Removal. Even as they were murdered, imprisoned, and transported away from their homelands, the Seminoles left behind refused to give in. For many Seminole leaders, like Abiaka, there was no choice. Without their homeland and culture, they would die regardless.

By the end of the Seminole war period there were only a few hundred Seminoles left in Florida. They survived through fierce determination, guerilla warfare, and the ancestral knowledge and connection to the Everglades that would shelter them from the U.S. Army. The descendants of those who remained would eventually become the Seminole Tribe of Florida. They never signed a treaty with the U.S. government. They never gave in, and the legacy of their sacrifices has been felt for generations. Thus, the Seminole Tribe of Florida is also known as the “Unconquered People,” for the legacy of those who came before that truly were unconquered.

 

V is for…. Voice (Oral Traditions, Music, and Song)

Voice in Seminole culture is very, very important! Seminoles pass down language, history, and knowledge through oral tradition. This means that everything important is learned through stories, songs, music, and apprenticeship. Passed down through generations by elders and storytellers, these oral traditions include myths, legends, historical accounts, and teachings that reflect the Seminole worldview and values. Stories about the creation of the world, animal spirits, and the struggles of their ancestors help preserve the Seminole language and cultural heritage. More recent stories from just a few generations past show the shifts that can be seen in the Everglades. Oral storytelling remains a cornerstone of Seminole life, reinforcing community bonds and ensuring that traditional knowledge endures in a modern world.

In our featured image this week, you can see a fine art piece by Donald Renner titled “The Apprentice.” Based off of photographs, it depicts Jeanette Cypress learning from Susie Billie, who is mixing medicine in a jar (1992.11.1, ATTK Museum). Apprenticeships like this have always been part of Seminole learning, and are part of the ancestral knowledge passed down by voice through the ages. Similarly, music and language have an incredible impact on Seminole history and often represent another form of resistance to encroaching Western ideals. Music, language, and the Seminole voice keep the culture alive, and weave a thread from the modern day all the way back to the Seminole ancestors.

 

W is for…. Water

Water is the lifeblood of the Everglades and thus represents a lot for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Before contact and human intervention, water not only fed the Everglades and supported this incredible ecosystem but was also a major transportation route for Seminoles. Seminole ancestors depended on water to survive; water that fed their crops, provided their food, and allowed them to move throughout the peninsula. Following the ebb and flow of the sheet flow, Seminoles built a network of canoe trails throughout the peninsula. Where westerners would see an impassable swamp, Seminoles could travel basically anywhere they wanted to depending on the season.

Here, you can see Charley Tommy poling a canoe in 1907. Visible behind him is a canoe trail leading to Tommy Osceola’s second camp. Julian Dimock snapped the image on a trip intended to explore the interior of the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp. Interestingly, Tommy warned the Dimocks that the trip would fail due to low water. True to his prediction, it did, and the Dimocks were unable to complete their intended trip.

 

X is for…. X-Factors for Seminole Survival

There are a number of “x-factors” that have contributed to continued Seminole survival, resilience, and success in the face of cultural assimilation, colonization, and war. These key factors can be seen throughout Seminole history: not just in the Seminole war period, but through to today. Below, we explore five that have had an incredible impact on Seminole survival and resistance throughout history.

Geographic Adaptability

Honed through centuries of ancestral knowledge, Seminoles flexed to adapt to the environment around them, instead of seeking to control and change it. They built canoes to traverse the water, chickees to handle the rain and wind, and utilized tree islands to farm their crops. This geographic adaptability became important during the Seminole war period, where they used their knowledge of the landscape to disadvantage the U.S. Army. They also sought shelter in the “inhospitable” landscape, allowing them to survive beyond U.S. capture.

Resistance

Seminoles are the only Southeastern tribe never to sign a formal surrender or treaty with the U.S. government. Their continued resistance to control and government pressure was one of their key x-factors for continued survival in Florida.

Adaptation without Assimilation

Many Indigenous peoples throughout the United States have been forced to assimilate, losing key aspects of their culture. Even past the Seminole war period, Seminoles have adapted to a changing world without fully assimilating and losing their cultural touchstones. Although forced from their isolation by a changing world, they still have managed to prioritize the survival of their culture and traditions.

Community and Leadership

Strong communities and leadership have been a significant driver in Seminole survival. From Abiaka leading Seminoles into the Everglades to Betty Mae Jumper carving a new path for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, these leaders and many others are why the Seminole Tribe of Florida exists today. Strong communities continue strong traditions especially when they prioritize education, language, and cultural preservation.

Economic Innovation

Economic innovation has long been an incredible aspect of Seminole resilience. When they were isolated in the Everglades, Seminoles would hunt and trade plumes and alligator hides. Forced out by the changing environment, tourist camps featuring Seminole crafts, alligator wrestling, and other ventures provided economic stability. More recently, the gamble towards bingo paid off big time, and secured the future of the Tribe for generations to come.

 

Y is for…. Youth

Youth and community are a cherished and vital part of the Seminole culture and story. Throughout Seminole history, education in particular has been an important aspect of their survival. Today, education in the form of language and cultural classes are highly prioritized. Emerging youth leaders are given a voice and supported in their efforts to work for a better future for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Below, you can see Valholly Frank (center) participating in an environmental strike rally Oct. 19, 2019, in downtown Fort Lauderdale. She was recently featured in our Spotlight on Five Exceptional Seminole Women Shaping the Future. Frank, and other young Seminoles like her, are the future of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

 

Z is for…. Zero Compromise

A common thread throughout Seminole history is that of zero compromise. If it threatens their culture, ways of life, or future they will resist until the end. This mindset reflects the Tribe’s unwavering commitment to sovereignty, cultural preservation, and self-determination. Rooted in a history of resistance, especially during the Seminole War period when they refused to surrender or be removed, the Tribe has carried that legacy into the modern era.

 

With Z, that rounds out our ABC’s of Seminole Culture and History. We hope that you and your family have found this journey through the alphabet (and Seminole history and culture!) a fun and educational one. We encourage you to keep learning this summer, and make the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Seminole Tourism, and the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum part of your family’s plans.

 

Author Bio

Originally from Washington state, Deanna Butler received her BA in Archaeological Sciences from the University of Washington in 2014. Deanna moved to South 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 Fort Myers, FL with her husband, two sons, and dog.