# Betty Osceola

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Betty Osceola (born August 8, 1967) is a Native American Everglades grandmother, environmental activist, educator, a strong anti-fracking and clean water advocate. She is a member of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida from the Panther Clan. Osceola is a respected Miccosukee tribal elder, a tribal judge, and serves on the Everglades Advisory Committee. Born and raised in the Everglades, she spent her upbringing living off the land learning hunting and fishing with her father. Today, she continues to share her deep knowledge of the Everglades as an airboat captain and the operator of Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours on Tamiami Trail (US 41) in Miami, Florida.

## Early life

In January 2019, Osceola shared details about her childhood in an interview for the American Experience:The Swamp, a PBS series. She recalled growing up in the Everglades, where she lived in a chickee hut with four walls, while her mother and grandmother had lived in open huts. As a child, she’d venture deep into the swamp, spending entire days barefoot and running freely. She also reflected on how her people had once lived off the land, planting corn and pumpkin in the islands. However, she noticed that due to pollution, the waters are now too contaminated for them to continue these traditional practices.

## Prayer Walks
### 2015-2017: Walk for Mother Earth on U.S. Highway 41

The Walk for Mother Earth was founded by Betty Osceola, alongside with her uncle Bobby C. Billie (1946-2018), a grassroots organization that brought together First Nations and Glades people, scientists, environmentalists, and concerned citizens. Bobby C., a respected spiritual leader and part of the Council of the Original Miccosukee Simanolee Nation Aboriginal Peoples, and Betty Osceola lead an annual multi-day prayer walk along a proposed bike path on Florida State Route 41 between Naples and Miami.
The project, known as the River of Grass Greenway (ROGG). faced strong opposition from Betty Osceola and Bobby C. Billie, who sought to educate the public and government officials on its harmful impacts to the Everglades ecosystem. Their efforts culminated in speaking at public hearings before the Collier County and Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners. As a result, both counties ultimately rescinded the project. Following Bobby C. Billie's passing, Betty Osceola has continued leading prayer walks across South Florida, keeping the movement alive.

### 2016: Standing Rock - Dakota Access Pipeline

Betty Osceola made two trips from the Everglades to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation to deliver supplies to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

### 2019: Prayer Walk around Lake Okeechobee Jan 26-Feb 3

A group of six participants during a seven-day long, led and organized by Betty Osceola, this was a 118-mile prayer walk to bring awareness to water quality issues in Lake Okeechobee. Throughout the journey, she carried a red bandanna in solidarity of the missing and murdered Indigenous women.

### 2019: Prayer Walk on Historic Loop Road Dec 7–8

Betty Osceola and Reverend Houston R. Cypress from the Otter Clan, organized and lead a group of over 60 participants during a two-day long and 31-mile prayer walk in the historic Loop Road in Ochopee, Florida.

### 2021: Prayer Walk on U.S. Highway 41 Jan 2-3

Betty Osceola and Reverend Houston R. Cypress organized and lead a group of 41 participants during a two-day long and 36-mile prayer walk on State Road 41, from East to West, in Big Cypress National Preserve in opposition to the EPA State Assumption of Dredge and Fill Permitting under Section 404 of the Clean Water. The group started on East entrance of Loop Road and ended on the second day in Carnestown, Florida.

### 2021: Prayer Walk around Lake Okeechobee Feb 6–12

Betty Osceola and Reverend Houston R. Cypress organized a second walk around the perimeter of Lake Okeechobee, with a group of 26 participants for a seven-day long and 118-mile prayer. In addition to praying for the healing of Mother Earth the walk was in opposition to the EPA State Assumption of Dredge and Fill Permitting under Section 404 of the Clean Water.

### 2021: Big Cypress Hike and Signs Across the Alley Action on Apr 10, 2021

Betty Osceola organized and lead a group of concerns citizens for a one day hike into Big Cypress National Preserve to educate the public and to protest a proposed oil drilling plan. After the hike protesters lined up on the side of Interstate 75.

### 2023: Honor the Ancestors around the Miami Circle in Brickell on Mar 18, 2023

Betty Osceola organized a mile-long peaceful prayer walk in opposition to the developing of a site of historical significance not only for Native American culture but for humanity. The walkers journeyed from Brickell Park, around the Miami Circle, stopping at 444 Brickell Avenue and ending at 77 SE 5th Street, at this last site archaeologists have uncovered human remains, and other artifacts possibly pre-dating the pyramids of Egypt. The site is located in an area that used to be inhabited by the Tequesta people for thousands of years and in the vicinity of the Miami Circle in Brickell, Miami.

## Film: Path of the Panther (2022)

Path of the Panther (Documentary), United States, 88 minutes running time. Osceola is featured in this film directed by Eric Bendick and produced by Carlton Ward, Eric Bendick, and Tori Linder. Executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. Release date February 24, 2023.

## PBS Native America, Season 2 (2023)

Episode: Betty Osceola - Earth Protector. Documentary, United States. Description: Betty Osceola draws on generations of Miccosukee teachings about respecting all living things and protecting the world in which we live. She leads prayer walks to raise awareness of threats to the environment and to organize people to save the Florida Everglades. Airing: October 24, 2023.

## Awards

March 2024: Osceola received the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Defender of the Everglades award from the Friends of the Everglades.
January 2018: Osceola received the John V. Kabler Grassroots Organizing Award during the Everglades Coalition annual summit.