“We’re Just Small Little Circles Inside One Big Huge Circle”

The emic perspective as derived from experience within the upper tier of tribal government is rarely presented as academic discourse. This is likely as a direct result of the burden of commitments and workload inherent in such positions, as well as the specific objectives of the government itself. The following interview, from the perspective of someone with responsibility for oversight of the day-to-day operations of the THPO, therefore provides vital context for the role the THPO plays within the broader governmental structure of the Tribe.

The Promise and Potential of Seminole Tribal Historic Preservation and Archaeology

More than twenty years have elapsed since the federal nexus for the creation of THPOs occurred yet the work of the THPO remains unevaluated holistically. What are the contributions that have been made socially, culturally, politically, academically, and economically? With little organizational or mission-centric uniformity between individual programs, should we expect greater homogenization of institutional forms in the future? Or does the diversity in programs underscore the very different cultural groups that comprise the modern political configurations of the indigenous people of North America? The Seminole Tribe THPO is a case study of one well-resourced office that is attempting to build capacity and pull up a seat to sit squarely at the table. The relative successes, or otherwise, of this strategy will ultimately be judged by the community it serves.

The Significance of People and Preservation

Although they serve different communities with differing cultural belief systems, both the THPO and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) share very similar preservation-centric goals. Florida is a very long state, and the relationship between the SHPO (in Tallahassee) and the THPO (in Big Cypress) presents a challenge to employees of both offices with little opportunity for interaction. Nevertheless, the similarity in mission and cooperative personnel have resulted in a fruitful relationship between the two institutions. This is not to say that culturally mandated project–based disagreements don’t exist. However, staff at both offices demonstrate the cultural and professional respect necessary to work well with one another. Opportunities to collaborate on projects of mutual interest have strengthened this relationship, and we have found much common ground. A view from outside the THPO is always welcome as we learn from one another.

Bringing the Ancestors Home

The enactment of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a powerful tool that in theory affords tribes greater opportunity to bring their ancestors home to rest. Implementation is a different issue. The bulk of the NAGPRA workload undertaken by the Tribe is completed by the THPO bioarchaeologist who works within the collections section. The bioarchaeologist provides an interface between individual institutions and the THPO by protecting the broader Tribal community from having to deal directly with an issue not culturally appropriate for discussion. Because of the subject matter, the bioarchaeologist must prepare information sufficient for the NAGPRA Committee while staying within culturally appropriate parameters to encourage input from the designated spiritual advisors within the Tribal community.

Let’s Celebrate!

The vernacular architecture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida has largely been given short shrift by architectural historians who tend to celebrate brick-and-mortar construction able to last hundreds of years. Traditional Seminole chickee construction emphasizes sustainable building techniques. Chickee structures were built for the needs of a population who frequently moved as a result of the relentless pursuit of the U.S. Army and the ongoing search for available resources. Approaching the issue of architectural heritage management is therefore significantly different in an on-reservation setting. While necessary as part of the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 review process, opportunities for the tribal architectural historian to engage in meaningful projects with the community were extremely limited. Against this background, the Red Barn project represents a sea change in the history of the THPO and as a partner for community heritage activism.

Tarakkvlkv (Land of Palms)

The recent history of the Brighton reservation is contained in the settlement patterns of the camps established by the various groups moving onto lands of a hostile government. Collective memory is transferred through oral histories, but the patterns that emerge can be viewed through a broad temporal lens to reveal the sociocultural motivations of the broader population. The location of camps near the periphery of the reservation in the early years speaks to the mistrust of the families concerned about the ease of escape should they find themselves in peril from the U.S. government. Two decades later the clustering of camps near schools, roads, and trading stores demonstrates a transition and connectedness to the non-Seminole world. These years were certainly formative in the history of the Tribe. GIS is the tool the THPO uses to draw together oral history and archaeological information in the telling of these important stories.

Camp Life

Oral histories concerning the clan camps of the early and mid-twentieth century are still abundant today, but it is feared much of this important history will be lost within a generation. Tribal schools realize the importance of teaching this recent history as it was during these times that Seminole families were still entirely self-sufficient, growing and hunting the majority of their subsistence base. The self-sufficiency ethos is a key part of cultural identity and one that helps define who the Seminole people are. As the authors explain, the research undertaken by the THPO to document these reservation-era camps is driven by a community need to actively manage and preserve this information for future generations of Tribal members. The importance of this work is driven home if you are lucky enough to witness a Tribal school group visiting a historic camp; armed with maps and plans showing where houses and gardens were located students can immerse themselves in their own history. Archaeology adds to this story by providing not only the means to capture a picture of the camp that can be combined with oral histories but also to provide a tangible tool by which students can actively participate in the learning process.

“Bending and Not Breaking”

Marty Bowers offers a perspective on the THPO as a citizen of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a member of the Wind Clan. Born in 1971 and raised on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, Bowers rode the bus eighty miles round-trip every day to attend public school in Clewiston, Florida. On the weekends, he joined his father’s Creek-speaking family for services at a Baptist Church on the Brighton Reservation. Raised in a bilingual household, Bowers is today more fluent in the Miccosukee language, the dominant language on the Big Cypress Reservation. Throughout his career, Bowers worked for the Seminole Tribe as a ranch hand, librarian, and museum exhibits specialist. From 2007 to 2010, Bowers served as a cultural advisor to the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. In this wide-ranging and insightful interview, he relates his personal journey of cultural discovery and shares his thoughts and feelings about Seminole history and the work of the Tribal Historic Preservation Office.

Preservation of Culture in Connection with the Largest Environmental Restoration Project Ever

The vast-scale projects currently being undertaken within the Everglades, collectively referred to as Everglades Restoration, represent an enormous challenge in terms of Tribal consultation. In broad terms, few people relate the Everglades to a cultural environment, and most research undertaken to date has been biologically driven. Despite the intensity of research, basic questions regarding the building blocks of the Everglades ecosystem—tree islands—remain largely unanswered. Archaeological research demonstrates that as long as the Everglades have existed people have lived within this environment. Discussion regarding restoration therefore must include a cultural voice. The enormity of the task is made clear by referencing the wall-sized Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan map that adorns the wall of the THPO. Each component of the overall project is given an individual designation and assigned a project management team. The challenge, as with many interrelated projects occurring at any given time, is ensuring a Tribal voice is heard.

Archaeometry

The archaeometry section is crucial to the operation of all the THPO areas. The philosophy of the section is technological inclusivity—providing the tools and support for applications like GIS Portal and the hardware to enable mobile mapping. These solutions can be operationalized both by staff and the Tribal community. This inclusivity has resulted in some dynamic projects that have been the calling card of the THPO within the community and have forged connections that transcend cultural differences. The ability to generate maps and other digital and physical media promotes collaborative dialogue and active engagement between the community and the THPO, allowing active participation by all constituents and informed cultural heritage decision-making. This is perhaps exemplified by the concept of participatory mapping in which stakeholder groups within the Tribal communities actively work together to provide the information that is then geographically realized. The resultant maps often allow Tribal elders the ability to visually communicate cultural information with younger generations accustomed to receiving information in a geographic format.