Seminole Tribe of Florida - The Official Home of the Florida -Seminole Indians

HomeHistoryCultureGovernmentTourismEnterprisesServicesSeminole TribuneEmployment

History

TimelineIntroductionIndian RemovalOsceola and AbiakaNo Surrender!Survival In The SwampThe Council OakSeminoles TodayThe FutureBibliographyGenealogy

History -Where we came fromClick here for a brief summary, or follow the links below for more complete details about the Tribe's history.

Seminole Tribe Timeline

Look at a graphic or text only version of a Seminole timeline spanning history as far back as the early 1500s.

Introduction

The unique confluence of culture and circumstance which would become today's Seminole Tribe of Floridacan be traced back at least 12,000 years, say researchers.

Indian Resistance and Removal

In the early days of its existence, the fledgling United States government carried out a policy of displacementand extermination against the American Indians in the eastern US, systematically removing them from thepath of "white" settlement. Until 1821, Florida remained under the control of the government of Spain but the

US Territories of Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana were its covetous next-door neighbors. It was clear thatthe US wanted the Spaniards out of Florida and was willing to consider any means, including warfare, toacquire the rich land.

Osceola and Abiaka

Though his exploits were not as well publicized, Seminole medicine man Abiaka may have been moreimportant to the internal Seminole war machine than Osceola.

No Surrender!

By May 10, 1842, when a frustrated President John Tyler ordered the end of military actions against theSeminoles, over $20 million had been spent, 1500 American soldiers had died and still no formal peace treatyhad been signed.

Survival In The Swamp

The Seminoles began the 20th century where they had been left at the conclusion of the Seminole Wars - inabject poverty, hiding out in remote

camps in the wet wilderness areas of South Florida.

The Council Oak

A special generation of Seminole leaders - children of that last generation to hide in the swamps - began tomeet regularly beneath a huge oak tree on the Hollywood reservation.

Seminoles Today

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has matured both politically and financially.

The Future

The challenge of maintaining the unique Seminole culture while operating in the mainstream economy is thepriority for today's Seminole Tribe of Florida.

For more information about the government of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, please see these articles in theExtracts of the 40th Anniversary edition of the Seminole Tribune: Tribal Founders' Interview Series

Bibliography

Genealogy

TOP

Helpful Links

Questions? FAQEmploymentVendor ApplicationFilming RequestsSchool Field Trips

Site Info

Contact UsSite MapPrivacy PolicyPurchase Order Terms and Conditions

Get in Touch

6300 Stirling RoadHollywood, Florida 33024Phone: (800) 683-7800Copyright © Seminole Tribe of Florida