Florida has rich American Indian history

Florida has rich American Indian history
By Chris Wadsworth
November 14, 2005

Link to full article: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005511140327

• Florida has two federally recognized tribes — the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
• The Seminole Tribe is larger, with six reservations and approximately 3,000 members.

• The Miccosukee Tribe has three reservation areas and approximately 400 to 500 members.
• The Seminoles and Miccosukees speak the same language, called Mikasuki. However, Seminoles at the Brighton Reservation in Florida speak Creek, a related but distinct language.

• Most of the American Indians in Florida were killed, died from disease or were moved to Oklahoma by the United States government in the 1800s.

• Some American Indians were able to hide deep in the Everglades and avoid capture. They are the ancestors of today's Seminole and Miccosukee tribes.
• The Seminole and Miccosukee tribes share similar culture and traditions. The split between the two groups has more to do with politics and attitudes toward the federal government.

• For more information on the American Indian tribes of Florida, log onto their Web sites at www.seminoletribe.com or www.miccosukeeresort.com
SOURCE: Seminole Tribe of Florida; Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida; The News-Press research