Florida Seminole Tourism

The Legacy of Five Fearless Seminole Trailblazers Who Came First

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has a legacy marked by resilience, resistance, and survival. Built from only a few hundred individuals after the end of the Seminole war period, the legacy of the Florida Seminoles is one that shows incredible strength and perseverance. Today, we will explore just a few of the individual trailblazers who have affected this history, and celebrate five Seminoles who paved the way in the last century and a half. All of them added to and changed the history and path of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and worked to build the legacy that we see today.

But, don’t get stuck on just these five individuals. Countless individuals have built the history and legacy of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. We encourage you to explore this rich history to identify more Seminole history and change-makers. Who do you think might be the next trailblazer to add their name to this inspiring list?

2009.34.83, ATTK Museum.

Today in our featured image, you can see Mrs. Edith Boehmer sitting with Betty Mae Jumper and Agnes Parker shortly after returning from school in Cherokee, North Carolina, circa 1939. The pair were the first Florida Seminoles to graduate from high school in 1945 (2009.34.164, ATTK Museum). Above, Betty Mae stands with Agnes’ sister Mary Parker around the same time. Betty Mae and Howard Tiger, Mary and Agnes Parker, and Moses Jumper were all sent to school in North Carolina in 1937. They had been denied an education in Florida. With the help and financial support of Ivy Stranahan and the “Friends of the Seminoles” the five would become the first Florida Seminoles to go to school.

 

Connie Gowan, 1957, via the Seminole Tribune

Connie Gowen – First Miss Florida Seminole

Miss Florida Seminole and Miss Junior Florida Seminole are positions that transcend beyond a simple beauty pageant. They represent the Seminole Tribe of Florida, coordinate outreach, and also use their reigns to advocate. Gowen’s legacy can be seen through every Miss Florida Seminole since, as they represent, work for, and are faces for the Tribe. The pagent has been running since the 1960s, but it didn’t even start out as a pagent!

Soon after they gained federal recognition, Tribal leaders decided that they wanted someone to represent the Tribe, attend functions, and be a face for their culture. In an NPR interview Wanda Bowers (Miss Florida Seminole ’68 and ’69) spoke about the origin of the title, when a young secretary travelled with Tribal leaders to Washington D.C. “They’d ask, ‘Is she your princess?’,” says Bowers. “She would always say ‘I’m the secretary-treasurer of the tribe. I’m their translator, their note-taker’ Finally she told the chief, ‘I’m not gonna be recognized as the princess anymore. I want you to start a princess contest so that we can have an official princess to be recognized as our ambassador.”

They soon selected the first Miss Florida Seminole, Connie Gowen in 1957. There was no pagent – just a request from Tribal leaders and then-Chairman Bill Osceola. Gowen remembers that she was initially nervous to accept the title, seeing it as a “big responsibility.” She worried she was the wrong choice, coming from West Palm Beach, when there were other women on the Dania (now Hollywood) reservation that were well-suited. But, she followed the advice of her mother and accepted. Now, 68 years later, her legacy as Miss Florida Seminole is one that will never be forgotten.

In 2021 Gowen crowned the FSU homecoming court, as Seminole royalty has done for decades. In fact, Gowen herself initially suggested Seminole royalty crown the court in the 1980s. Gowen also makes all of the homecoming court’s turbans, and has since the 1990s, as well as working as a craft vendor during the festivities. “I’ve always tried to participate and help where I can,” she said.

 

Captain Tom Tiger and Family, early 20th c.

Thlocklo Tustenugee, Captain Tom Tiger – Opened the First Seminole Tourist Camp

Thlocklo Tustenugee lived in a Florida that was rapidly changing and shifting around him, his family, and his community. Tiger himself was a well-known Seminole War Veteran and leader of the Cow Creek Band of Seminoles. Following the end of the Seminole War period, Seminoles retreated to the safety and protection of the Everglades. Seminoles intentionally isolated themselves, living in their family camps and generally were very distrustful of white settlers.

But, trading posts soon began cropping up along the waterways. Recognizing the important economic opportunity, Seminoles began trading hides, feathers, crafts, produce, and other items at these trading posts. Soon, tentative relationships began to form between Seminoles and these trading posts, such as at Stranahan House on the New River in Fort Lauderdale and Brown’s Trading Post on the now-Big Cypress Reservation. These crucial early relationships would provide important economic opportunities, and open relationships back up for Seminoles in a time of increasing change.

Only a few years later Captain Tom Tiger would open the first Seminole tourist camp in March of 1904. Established on the South Fork of the Miami River, notices were soon sent to newspapers inviting tourists and locals alike. On March 7, 1904, the Miami Evening Record published an article about the camp boasting that “a trip to Tom Tiger’s camp will repay the tourist.” Tiger advertised that tourists could see Seminole dancing, making traditional crafts, and conducting canoe making demonstrations. He also organized the first Everglades tourist excursion, with the highlight of the camp tourist season being a guided “trip from Tom Tiger’s camp into the real sawgrass ponds of the Everglades in Seminole canoes.” Chickees and a Seminole camp were built on-site.

The opening of this camp would change the trajectory of the Florida Seminoles for decades to come. It represented a vital economic opportunity, when resources and the traditional ways of life was disappearing before their eyes. The camp also increased visibility for Seminoles, and Tom Tiger’s camp “is the first time in the history of the Seminoles of Florida that they have ever engaged to come before the public.” It would begin a marked community effort, including many influential Seminoles at the time such as Frank Jumper, John Osceola, Sam Huff, Jackson Charlie, Willie Jumper, Jim Truitt, Young Ingraham, Clyde Tiger-tail, Little Tiger, and Cypress Tiger (STOF SHS, May 2022).

 

2015.6.13280, ATTK Museum

Billy L. Cypress – First Florida Seminole to Graduate College

William Lawrence Cypress was born in a Seminole camp at Royal Palm Hammock on the Tamiami Trail and a member of the Bear clan. He constantly strove forward, and he was dedicated to his work of preserving, educating, and sharing the Seminole story. Cypress was the first Seminole Tribal member to graduate college, graduating from Stetson University with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1965. He would go on to receive a master’s degree in history from Arizona State University.

A Vietnam veteran, Cypress served in the U.S. Army as a combat platoon leader, rising to a rank of major. He dedicated several years to teaching in the Tribe’s Head Start program and went on to serve for 18 years in the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ education department. Cypress served on numerous museum planning and advisory boards including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).

But, his true legacy would be the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. Although many people were instrumental to its opening, Cypress was the driving force behind the idea, the first THPO, and Executive Director from 2002-2004. In 2019 at the opening of the Major Billy L. Cypress Building right next door to the Museum, many Tribal leaders and friends remembered his impact.

“Billy was always thinking ahead,” former Chairman James Billie, who grew up with Cypress, said. “In the 80s we had a dream that we wanted a museum. It started with cypress logs and I thought it would be simple, but it was a little more sophisticated than that. We always wanted a Seminole to be in charge and Billy was instrumental in making sure we had the proper people in place. It seems like anything he touched he learned from and excelled at. It’s good for him to be remembered.”

“Everyone has a story about what Billy did and what he gave,” said Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. at the same event “He dedicated himself to telling our story. His legacy lives on because we continue to tell our own story today.” In a statement read to the crowd at the opening, Tina Osceola emphasized the importance of Cypress’ work. “It is because of his [Billy Cypress’] vision that we have this,” Osceola wrote. “This building represents our sovereignty. Nothing shines brighter than investing in the protection and preservation of our ancestors. This is sovereignty in action.”

Above, Billy L. Cypress sits dressed in traditional clothing and a turban. Date and location unknown (2015.6.13280, ATTK Museum).

 

 

2009.16.279, ATTK Museum

Betty Mae Tiger – First Chairwoman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida

Betty Mae Tiger is one of those people that is a force.  Similarly, she had more than one “first” that made her stand out in history. She was one of the first Florida Seminoles to graduate High School, travelling from Florida to North Carolina for an education. Continuing on to become a nurse, Betty Mae would return to Florida to dedicate over four decades to the health and wellbeing of the Tribe and improving healthcare in the community.

She would found the first tribal newspaper, the Seminole News, in 1956. This newspaper would go on to become the Alligator News, and then the Seminole Tribune. In a 2017 article written by-then Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Research Coordinator Mary Beth Rosebrough, Betty Mae’s priorities were put plainly. Rosebrough wrote that “To Betty Mae, family, faith, and her Tribe were everything. She believed change and tradition could live side by side strengthening and complementing each other.”

Dedicated to her community, Betty Mae Tiger would also become the First Chairwoman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida in 1967. A powerhouse, she would go on to be a founding member of United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) which was intended to run health and education programs for their members. Today, it operates as a powerful lobbying group. Financially, she would turn the tribe completely around, bringing them out from near-bancruptcy. In 1970, she was one of two women appointed to the National Council on Indian Opportunity, where she would serve for 16 years.

Her sole focus during her career was improving the lives of her community. In an oral history interview from 1999, she would say that  She worked tirelessly to imporove their lives not only on a health and education scale, but also financially. Much of the success of the Seminole Tribe of Florida is due to strong, impactful leaders like Betty Mae Tiger.

Above, Betty Mae poses for a photograph in her nurse’s uniform, circa 1946.

 

2009.16.274, ATTK Museum

Howard Tiger – First Florida Seminole to Enroll in the Military

Howard Tiger, son of Ada Tiger and brother to Betty Mae, was another Tiger sibling to make history. Veterans have played an important and revered role in the Seminole community, carrying forward a legacy of sacrifice that began during the Seminole war period. Howard Tiger would be the first modern Seminole to enroll in the military, and the first Seminole WWII veteran. Tiger served in US Marine Corps seeing action in the Pacific on Guam and Iwo Jima. Tiger would additionally serve on the Seminole Tribal Council from 1958 to 1963.

Beyond his legacy as a veteran, Tiger was an accomplished sportsman. He played basketball, football, baseball, participated in rodeo, and boxed. His love and dedication to sports would make an incredible impact. Tiger would found the Tribe’s Recreation department, and coach a generation of Tribal youth before his passing.

In 2014, the Howard Tiger Recreation Center was opened. At the opening ceremony, many remembered Tiger’s impact and legacy decades after his passing. “He was a great coach and Tribal member,” said Howard Tiger’s son Mike Tiger. “He started the Recreation Department for us when the field was all pine trees and palmettos. We thought we were on cloud nine. It was great, and it will continue to be great for our people. This will help keep our youth out of trouble and set them on the right path, which was my father’s biggest message.”

Many who had been coached by him, or had a personal connection, remembered him fondly. “Howard Tiger let people like me come out and showcase what we could do,” added Brighton Board Rep. Larry Howard. “He laid a good foundation for our youth.” Notably, many talked about the values and morals Tiger emphasized, and folded into his coaching. “Howard Tiger instilled a lot of values to the kids he coached and they are being passed along today,” Councilman Osceola said. “Recreation centers are extremely important on the reservations. They give our kids someplace to go. Without them, there would be a lot less Seminoles today.”

In addition to the recreation center, an annual basketball tournament is held in recognition of Tiger’s legacy. An inscription on Tiger’’s Sports Hall of Fame plaque from the induction class of 1998 reads: ‘Warrior. Hunter. Athlete. Friend of Youth.’

Above, you can see Howard Tiger in a military uniform. The back reads “Howard Tiger 1st Seminole to enter World War II.”

 

Who is next?

For every single one of these people, their achievements transcend the “firsts” they accomplished. They all would go on to make an incredible impact on the Seminole Tribe of Florida and also help to build a legacy that continues today. As you are reading and learning more about them, we encourage you to explore more of Seminole history and highlight some more Seminole change-makers who have driven the Seminole Tribe of Florida to where it is today. Additionally, ask yourself: who is next? Who today is working for the betterment of the entire community, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and beyond? We encourage you to lift these contemporary change-makers up and add your own note to history.

 

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.

Comments: 1

  • Newton Collier
    June 13, 2025

    Love this site! My daddy talked about this.

    reply

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