Seminole
The Seminole are part
of the Creek Confederation of tribes. Location: Florida, Arkansas
and OklahomaLanguage:MuskogeeHistory: In the 1700's they moved into Florida,
which was then inhabited by the Spanish. They shared land with a group of
Indians that spoke the Mikasuki language. The two groups banded and became
known as the Seminoles, meaning "runaways". In 1763, Florida was taken by the
British. The British often caused problems between the Seminoles and American
settlers. When black slaves escaped from their masters, they often found
protection with the Seminoles. Because of this, Americans fought against the
Seminoles in the First, Second, and Third Seminole Wars.
The outcome of the First Seminole War involved Spain giving
Florida to the United States. The Second Seminole War was one of the most
costly of the United States-Indian wars. The majority of the tribe surrendered
and moved to Oklahoma. They settled on the western area of the Creek
reservation. The Third Seminole War started from renewed efforts to find the
Seminole remnant remaining in Florida. This war caused little bloodshed.
However, it ended with the United States paying a troublesome band of refugees
to go West. After the wars ended, over 3,000 Natives had been forced into the
western territories of Arkansas and Oklahoma. As few as 300 remained in
Florida.
From the 1920's onward, development burst in Southern
Florida. The Seminoles lost hunting land to tourists and settlers. They were
gradually forced into the wage labor economy. They become agricultural workers
and attracted tourists with their exciting and colorful patchwork clothing.
Much of the traditional Seminole culture is dependent on a
healthy ecosystem. Tribal members believe that if the land dies, so will the
tribe. Seminole environmental projects are now designed to protect and preserve
the land and water systems.
Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not
claim expertise on the Seminole.
Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the web address of this page.
If you are Seminole, your feedback is much appreciated.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida: http://www.seminoletribe.com/
The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma: http://www.seminolenation.com/
Miccosukee Seminole Nation: http://www.miccosukeeseminolenation.com/
References
Written by: Jennifer
Segar |
