While hundreds of other tribes were obliterated by early French, Spanish and English explorers, the 500-member Miccosukee Tribe has remained culturally intact. Their belief that compulsory education interferes with cultural learning. The tribe has an 18 percent graduation rate. Their staunch claim of support to the Republican Party. That's fine by the father of eight who has been the Miccosukee chairman for the past 12 years, and vice chairman for 14 years before that.
Life is home here in the Everglades.
We have to be back here and concentrate on our own areas. While the tribe has managed to keep its language, culture and traditions intact since the early days of southeastern North American colonization, it's not immune to modern- day comforts. Cypress points out some of the newer, spacious homes and makes note that the tribe refuses to accept HUD money. HUD housing has too many strings attached. It would erode our sovereignty.