Seminole

The Seminole are a Native American people who developed in Florida during the 18th century. Today, they live in both Oklahoma and Florida, and are made up of three groups recognized by the government: the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

The Seminole people formed from different Native American groups who settled in Spanish Florida, especially from the northern Muscogee Creeks who came from what are now Georgia and Alabama.

In the mid-1900s, the Seminole began sharing their old crafts and traditions with tourists traveling on new roads. Later, in the 1970s, they started small games to raise money, and after winning some court cases, they were allowed to operate larger gaming on their land. Many tribes followed this example where allowed by state laws.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida became very successful with their gaming places, especially attracting the many visitors to Florida. In 2007, they bought the Hard Rock Café and built big resorts in Tampa and Hollywood, spending over a billion dollars.

Etymology

According to the Seminole people, the word Seminole comes from the Muscogee word simanó-li. This word has been translated in different ways, such as "frontiersman", "outcast", "runaway", or "separatist".

The word Seminole may also come from the Spanish word cimarrones, meaning "wild one", "untamed", or "runaway". Long ago, Spanish people in Florida used this word to describe locals who left their villages to live freely in the forests. Some groups who lived in Florida, such as the Hitchiti or Mikasukee, called themselves "cimallon". The British later wrote this name as "Semallone", and then Seminole. This name helped them tell themselves apart from other groups living in the area.

Culture

The Seminole people call themselves yat'siminoli, or "free people", because their ancestors resisted being controlled or changed to follow Roman Catholicism. They made many agreements, or treaties, with the U.S. government, like the Treaty of Moultrie Creek and the Treaty of Paynes Landing.

Their culture comes mostly from the Creek people. One important ceremony they kept is the Green Corn Dance. They also have special drinks and ways to use tobacco. When they lived in Florida environs, they made special homes with open sides and roofs made from grass, called chickees. In the past, they spoke Mikasuki and Creek, which are part of the Muskogean languages.

History

Origins

Florida was home to many native groups before explorers arrived in the 1500s. Diseases from other lands and conflicts with new settlers greatly reduced the native population. By the early 1700s, much of Florida was empty except for a few Spanish towns.

People from many places moved into Florida during this time. Many came from what is now Georgia and Alabama, escaping conflicts with other settlers. Others, like the Yuchi and Yamasee, came after wars in the north. These groups settled mainly in the Florida panhandle and mixed with each other.

1700s to early 1800s

As these new groups settled in Florida, they mixed with each other and with the few remaining native people. They created a new culture and called themselves the Seminole, a name meaning “wild” or “runaway.” The Seminole included people from many backgrounds, such as Creeks, Yuchi, and even some escaped slaves from the south.

The Seminole built a strong community and traded with others. They lived peacefully with the Spanish and later the British rulers of Florida. However, when the United States took control of Florida, tensions rose. American settlers wanted the land the Seminole lived on and disliked that the Seminole helped escaped slaves find freedom.

Seminole Wars

The United States tried to make the Seminole leave Florida, but they resisted. Led by leaders like Osceola, the Seminole used clever tactics to fight back against much larger armies. After many years of conflict, most Seminole were forced to move west, but some stayed hidden in the difficult terrain of the Everglades, where they were finally left alone.

American Civil War

During the American Civil War, the Confederate government of Florida tried to keep the Seminoles from fighting for the Union. However, the Seminoles mostly stayed neutral because they did not receive the help they were promised.

Some Seminole leaders joined the Confederacy, but others joined the Union. After the war, the U.S. government made new rules for the Seminoles, including changes to their land and treaties.

Post-Seminole Wars and the 20th century

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Seminoles in Florida began trading items like alligator hides. Later, they received land for a reservation and formed their own governments. During World War II, most Seminoles registered for the draft, though a few tried to avoid it.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Seminoles in Oklahoma and Florida settled land claims and started new ways to earn money, like bingo games, to support their communities.

Political and social organization

The Seminoles organized their communities around groups called itálwa, similar to towns or bands. They followed a matrilineal system, meaning children belonged to their mother's family and clan, and family property and roles were passed down through the mother's side. Men held the main leadership roles. Each itálwa had leaders for civil, military, and religious matters. They governed themselves during the 1800s but worked together for protection. This itálwa system remained important in Seminole communities in Oklahoma even into the 21st century.

Languages

The Seminole people historically spoke two different languages from the Muskogean family: Mikasuki and Muscogee. Mikasuki is still spoken in Florida by around 1,600 people, mainly from the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. In Oklahoma, the Seminole Nation is working to bring back the use of Muscogee among its members.

Today, most Seminole people, especially younger generations in both Oklahoma and Florida, mainly speak English. Some older Seminole people in both places still speak Muscogee, and most Mikasuki speakers can speak both Mikasuki and English.

Ethnobotany

The Seminole people use the spines of a plant called bristly thistle to make darts for blowguns.

Music

The Seminole people have their own special ways of making music that have been passed down through generations. Their music often includes drums and singing, which are important parts of their celebrations and storytelling. These traditions help keep their culture alive and strong.

Contemporary

During the Seminole Wars, the Seminole people divided into two groups due to the conflict. Some moved to Oklahoma, while others stayed in Florida. Even though they lived in different places, they kept some of their traditions, like special dances and ceremonies.

Today, there are three groups of Seminole people who are recognized by the government: the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Each group has its own way of governing itself.

Most Seminole people practice Christianity, including Protestantism and Catholicism. But they also follow their traditional Native religion, which includes the stomp dance and the Green Corn Ceremony. These ceremonies have been a part of their culture for many years. Some Seminole people combine their traditional beliefs with Christianity, creating a unique mix of both.

Land claims

In 1946, a special group was created to look at land claims from tribes whose lands were taken by the government during tough times. Both the Oklahoma and Florida Seminoles asked for money for their lost lands. In 1976, they were given $16 million because they had lost 24 million acres of land in Florida long ago.

Later, the tribes argued over how to share the money. Most went to the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma, and the rest to the Seminoles of Florida, including the Miccosukee. By 1990, the settlement was worth $40 million. The tribes used this money to help their people with things like education and health.

Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

After a big war, many Seminoles were moved to what is now Oklahoma. During a time of big changes in America, some Seminoles supported different sides. After the war, they had to make new rules together.

Today, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma has about 16,000 members. They have special groups called bands, and children belong to their mother’s band. Some of these bands are made up of people whose families were freed slaves long ago. These families kept their own traditions and languages.

The Nation is led by a council with leaders from each band. Their main town is Wewoka, Oklahoma.

Florida Seminoles

Some Seminoles stayed in Florida and lived in the swamps. They kept their way of life and are proud that their ancestors were never defeated.

In the 1900s, the Florida Seminoles split into two groups. One group agreed to live on special lands set aside for them and got recognition from the government in 1957 as the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Seminole Tribe of Florida

The Seminoles in Florida had to change to survive as America grew and changed around them. Some moved to special lands set aside for them by the government. Others joined only later, hoping for jobs or a stable life.

In 1957, they officially became the Seminole Tribe of Florida, with their main office in Hollywood, Florida. They have several special lands called reservations across the state.

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida

Main article: Miccosukee

Some Seminoles did not want to move to the reservations and kept their old ways. They called themselves the Miccosukee Tribe and got government recognition in 1962. They have their own reservation lands near Everglades National Park.

Commerce

In the year 2000, about 12,431 people said they were Seminole American. Another 15,000 people said they were Seminole along with other groups.

The Seminoles in Florida began raising cattle in the mid-1930s after getting cows from other Native American tribes in the west. This helped them become more independent. Today, the two Florida tribes make money mainly by selling tobacco without taxes, attracting visitors to learn about their heritage and resorts, and running games of chance.

In the early 1900s, Florida grew very popular with tourists, and many Seminoles began showing and selling their traditional crafts like woodcarving and basket weaving. Even today, some Seminoles still practice these crafts. But now, many make their living from games of chance. The first place for games of chance on Native American land opened in 1979, and it has helped many tribes earn money for schools, health care, and other important things.

Several places in Florida are named after the Seminoles, like Seminole County, Osceola County, and the city of Seminole in Pinellas County.

Population history

The Seminole population seemed to grow during the early 1800s. In 1820, there were about 5,000 Seminole, and by 1836, this number had risen to around 10,000 people.

Many Seminoles moved to Florida from other places, which may have helped the population grow. However, during the Second Seminole War, many Seminoles were hurt or had to leave Florida. By 1841, about 3,190 Seminoles were being moved away, and around 575 chose to stay in Florida.

After moving to Oklahoma, the Seminole population was about 3,000 in 1884. By 1910, the number had dropped to around 1,729 people.

Neamathla Indian Territory