Seminole Tribe

The Seminole people are part of the "Creek Confederation of Tribes." They are currently located in Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma. They traditionally spoke the Muskogee language. In the 1700's, the Seminole's migrated to Florida and joined with other tribes that spoke the Mikasuki language. They currently have a population of approximately 10,000 members.

The traditional Seminole people hunted and fished for food. They wore brightly colored clothes and adorned themselves with extravagant beads. They were very artistic. Their works included beautiful paintings, "Sweetgrass" baskets, extravagant bead work and beautiful dolls. There were eight different Seminole clans including the Otter, Panther, Bear, Wind, Deer, Bigtown, Bird, and Snake clans. The Seminole people held dance ceremonies for the purpose of purification, manhood and settling disputes. They lived in log framed palmetto thatched houses known as Chickees.

• 1510: First recorded European contact with Seminole ancestors

• 1740: Alachua, earliest recorded Seminole town

• 1804: Osceola born near Tuskeegee, Alabama

• 1816: First Seminole War begins after Jackson crosses into northern Florida

• 1835: Osceola leads Seminoles at Battle of Withlacoochee

• 1855: Billy Bowlegs leads attack on U.S. Army surveyors. Third Seminole War begins

• 1858: Third Seminole War officially ends with capture of Bowlegs

• 1890s: Seminoles and whites begin to trade peacefully

• 1926: Hurricane devastates Everglades wilderness, many Seminoles homeless

• 1946: Creation of United States Indian Claims Commission

• 1953: U.S. House Resolution proposes termination of Seminole Tribe

• 1957: Seminole Constitution ratified. Tribe gains federal status: Seminole Tribe of Florida

• 1992: Seminoles in Florida and Oklahoma collect land claims against the U.S.

• 1996: Fort Pierce reservation established

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