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The Calusa, Apalachee, and Timucua tribes were already living in Florida when the Spaniards arrived, and later merged into the Seminole tribe.
(engraving, native cutting trees) -
Conflicts with Europeans and other tribes caused them to seek new lands to live in peace. The group consisted of many different tribes of Native Americans including Creeks, Yuchis, Yamasees Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Cherokees
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The Spansh killed and enslave thousands of Natives
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Settlers started heading southward into Florida and when they arrived, many Seminole Indians were kidnapped, tortured, or killed.
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The first recorded usage of the name "Seminole" to denote an actual tribe was recorded. It consisted of what was left of each tribe after all the violence and disease. Seminole is a name meaning "wild people" or "runaway"
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The Seminoles were joined by more Lower Creeks and a few Apalachees.
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Also known as the Creek War; this was a civil war among the Creeks. It took place in Alabama and along the Gulf Coast. The US and European Empire joined sides. Thousands of Creek refugees migrated to Florida. The US gained millions of acres of land from the Creeks as a result of the Fort Jackson Treaty.
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Spanish Florida is invaded by American soldiers. Seminole towns are burned and escaped slaves are captured.
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The United States buys Florida from Spain for $5 million as a result of the Adams-Onis Treaty
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Indians are forced to migrate to a reservation in Central Florida. This was the first treaty negotiated between the U.S. and the Seminole Indians
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Congress passes a law forcing Native Americans to migrate to a designated land East of the Mississippi River referred to as Indian Territory and is located in modern day Oklahoma. This migration became known as the Trail of Tears.
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This treaty was negotiated by Seminole leaders; it allowed Seminole leaders to get a glimpse of the Indian Territory (current day Oklahoma) prior to agreeing to leave Florida. This was a direct result of the Indian Removal Act
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Seminole Indians coerced into agreeing to leave Florida to Migrate to Indian Territory by 1835.
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Many Seminoles resisted the Treaty of Fort Gibson. Rather than migrate to Indian Territory they headed South in Florida
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Refusing to be forced out of Florida, the Seminoles fought back against U.S. Soldiers. This was the longest of the Seminole Wars. The bloodshed finally halted when Col. Worth called for peace with the Indians if they agreed to stay in South Florida.
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Seminole Indians had shadowed U.S. soldiers for 5 days before ambushing them. The soldiers were on orders to battle the Seminoles and force them out of Florida.
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U.S. Army surveying parties conflict with Seminoles near Ft Myers, starting what is now known as the Third Seminole War. By the end of the war in 1858, it’s believed that fewer than 200 Seminoles remain in Florida, most living in seclusion throughout the everglades (just like Keith Tiger’s group in A Land Remembered).
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1880s: Peaceful trades begin, with Seminoles bartering pelts, plumes, and hides in places like Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Stuart, Miami and Tampa. Seminoles trade for items they cannot craft themselves, like ammunition and metal goods.
pictured: coontie strainer (1880) -
1917-1928 The Seminoles’ association with tourism begins as the Tamiami Trail opens (first road through Everglades, expanding from Tampa to Miami). The tribe sells their crafts and patchwork to visiting tourists.
pictured: along the Tamiami Trail in the everglades (19--) -
1936: The federal government establishes two large rural reservations, Big Cypress south of Lake Okeechobee, and Brighton. Federal health, education, housing, and economic programs follow soon after, including cattle programs.
pictured: Seminole family having a meal (19--) -
1957: The Seminole Tribe of Florida receives recognition from the federal government. The Seminole Tribe creates their own constitution and forms a tribal government focused on their reservations.
pictured: Mother and baby standing near chickee hut at Dania Seminole Indian Reservation (1958) -
The Seminoles begin operating high-stakes bingo games on reservation lands. Broward County law enforcement protests the Seminoles’ right to hold the bingo games, resulting in a court case that ultimately paves the way for Native American gaming rights across the United States.
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1974: The U.S. Congress passes the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, allowing the Seminoles to have more control over economic and political affairs that occur on their land.
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1988: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act declares that the federal government, and not the states, has the right to regulate Indian gaming. The Seminole Tribes play a major role in advocating for Native American sovereignty.
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1992 - Seminoles in Florida and Oklahoma collect land claims against the U.S. for barbarous acts during the Seminole Wars. The Seminole Tribe of Florida nets almost $10 million, while independent Seminoles refuse to settle and their funds are held in a trust.
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2007 – The Seminole Tribe’s first charter school opens on the Brighton Reservation. The Tribe celebrates the 50th anniversary of the signing of its constitution.
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Today – The Seminole Tribe of Florida remains to be an influential participant in Florida’s political, cultural, and business worlds.
