Took a trip into central Florida the other day, to the Big Cypress Seminole reservation and the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki (trans: "to learn/ to remember") museum.
Ah, the Seminoles. Never signed a treaty with the USA, just fought a war and then retreated into the Everglades when it didn't go their way. Elbowed out of the American dream later on, so they began building their own industries. Like multi-million dollar cattle ranching and citrus growing industries, followed by Bingo, the recent casino, etc. The Big Cypress reservation now has excellent public services, and looks like any middle class suburb.
Did I mention the cattle ranching? As the reservation publicly notes, only somewhat tongue-in-cheek: "cowboys are Indians."
So, let's see - fight and don't quit when their freedoms are infringed. Don't quit when facing economic adversity, but build up a thriving economy through smart investment and hard work. See "cowboy culture" as a compliment. "Seminole Pride" indeed. I've no idea why y'all hassled these people, they sound like ideal Americans to me....
You might also mention that the tribe received $12 million in damages from Uncle Sam in 1970. That's a fair amount of seed corn for a relatively small tribe. It's to the great credit of the Seminole that they didn't waste it.
"So, let's see - fight and don't quit when their freedoms are infringed. Don't quit when facing economic adversity, but build up a thriving economy through smart investment and hard work. See "cowboy culture" as a compliment. "Seminole Pride" indeed. I've no idea why y'all hassled these people, they sound like ideal Americans to me...."
Grin Sound like it to me too. ;]
There's a reason why there are at least 8 towns named "Osceola" in the US (Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin -- also an "Osceola Mills" in PA). The guy was a popular hero for resisting the US Army.
Jay,
You forgot the Osceola turkey.
Who knew?
*The European Cowboy Image*