12A • The <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribune • July 31, 2009<strong>Seminole</strong> Youth Learn to Give Back <strong>at</strong> Culture ExchangeBY RACHEL BUXTONStaff ReporterPEACH SPRINGS, Ariz. — Summer vac<strong>at</strong>ion for27 high school students from all reserv<strong>at</strong>ions began asthey traveled out west to Peach Springs, Ariz. to particip<strong>at</strong>ein a culture exchange program during the week ofJune 8-13.Sponsored by the Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Dept., the <strong>Seminole</strong>youth enjoyed a weeklong excursion where they visitedthe Hualapai Tribe. Throughout the week the groupspent time learning about the Hualapai culture, sharingtheir culture and getting to do once in a lifetime activities.“It was any Tribe I wanted to expose them to andthis kind of way to make a difference,” said Educ<strong>at</strong>ionDept. Director Emma Johns. “I want them to becomemore humble beings and learn how to give back andlearn how to appreci<strong>at</strong>e wh<strong>at</strong> you have.”The <strong>Seminole</strong> youth began their journey landing inLas Vegas where they visited a place th<strong>at</strong> made themfeel right <strong>at</strong> home — the Hard Rock Café. The studentsenjoyed a lunch th<strong>at</strong> was full of entertainment th<strong>at</strong> includedlots of music and dancing. Some students andeven a few of the adults jumped up and joined the HardRock staff in showing off their dance moves to the VillagePeople’s classic song, “YMCA.”Tribal citizen Shandiin Josh celebr<strong>at</strong>ed her birthdayand was serenaded by the entire café while receiving anice cream sundae topped with a cherry and a candle tomake a wish.After lunch the kids boarded their bus as they gotready to embark on their cultural exchange.The students got their first introduction to the HualapaiTribe as they visited the Grand Canyon Caverns.The Grand Canyon Caverns, loc<strong>at</strong>ed on the historicRoute 66, is a n<strong>at</strong>ural limestone cavern loc<strong>at</strong>ed 210 feetunderground. Students explored the caverns travelingdown winding p<strong>at</strong>hs.They learned their first tidbit about the HualapaiTribe. Remains in the caverns originally thought to beprehistoric were actually ancestors of the Hualapai Tribewho became sick while out cutting firewood during thewinter of 1917. The ground was too frozen for a burialso the two men were lowered into a concealed hole. Thestudents were able to view the hole th<strong>at</strong> has since beensealed off in respect to the l<strong>at</strong>e Hualapai members.It wasn’t until the next day th<strong>at</strong> the students got theirformal introductions to the Hualapai Tribe of today.In the early morning of June 9, the students, staffand chaperones made their way into the residential areaof the Hualapai Reserv<strong>at</strong>ion to take part in a communityservice park cleanup.“When I was on the bus it was hard to w<strong>at</strong>ch,” saidWhitney Osceola about seeing the Hualapai Reserv<strong>at</strong>ionfor the first time. “It made me feel bad. I didn’t knowhow other reserv<strong>at</strong>ions live. It was eye opening.”Pete Imus of the Hualapai Tribe welcomed the<strong>Seminole</strong>s to their reserv<strong>at</strong>ion.“It’s good to finally be able to put a face to thephone numbers and e-mails,” said Imus.The two Tribes teamed together to help cleanupthree parks loc<strong>at</strong>ed on the Hualapai Reserv<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong>had been overgrown with weeds, littered with trash andglass and covered in graffiti.Rachel Buxton(L-R) Christian Buck and Jason Melton, along with other <strong>Seminole</strong>students, shovel debris into a bulldozer to be taken away.Rachel BuxtonHualapai Tribal member Ivan Bender (R) presents Daylon Youngblood (L)with a n<strong>at</strong>ive r<strong>at</strong>tle.The Skywalk Bird Dancers show the <strong>Seminole</strong> girls their traditional dances.“If there’s onething they take awayfrom today th<strong>at</strong>’s leavingwith a full heart andknowing deep down intheir spirit they madea difference,” saidEmma JohnsStudents raked,shoveled and baggedweeds as it rained offand on. The first park,Milkweed, was a rundown playground th<strong>at</strong>will eventually be repaintedso children canplay on it.“I was probablyone of the ones th<strong>at</strong>complained the most,”said Ali Nunez referringto having to doRachel BuxtonThe <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribe and the Hualapai Tribe become one and family.community service.“But when you actuallycome out here andstart working, you realize how muchyou’re doing for them and it feels reallygood to help out.”Arnellda Powskey, 15, a memberof the Hualapai Tribe, said she foundout the night before th<strong>at</strong> members ofanother n<strong>at</strong>ive Tribe, one she had neverheard of, were coming to help hercommunity.“I had a good feeling,” saidPowskey. “A lot of N<strong>at</strong>ive AmericanTribes are living in poverty and it isjust best if we try to get together anddo something th<strong>at</strong> is good and we’llget to know one another and just havefun.”“It feels good to have anotherTribe come to help us clean our park,trying to make our reserv<strong>at</strong>ion a betterplace,” said Tawnya Shongo, 17, alsoof the Hualapai Tribe.Everyone took a break to e<strong>at</strong>lunch th<strong>at</strong> was provided by the HualapaiTribe. Following lunch the youthwere split up and sent to two otherparks for cleaning up.“We’re real fortun<strong>at</strong>e for the stuff we’ve got,” saidAudrey Osceola. “A lot of other Tribes don’t get anythingso I think it’s really cool th<strong>at</strong> we get to do this.”The community service didn’t start <strong>at</strong> the parks,however. Prior to the trip departure students don<strong>at</strong>editems to be given to the Hualapai Tribe. Marie Dufour ofthe Hollywood Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Dept. drove a U-Haul ® from<strong>Florida</strong> to Arizona to drop off the items. Dufour was onthe road for 2.5 days, but in the end, said it was wellworth the time and effort.“I always hear about the don<strong>at</strong>ions,” said DavidNunez, who accompanied his two daughters on the trip.“I didn’t realize this is where it was coming to. WheneverI hear about those don<strong>at</strong>ions again I’ll talk to mygirls and say, ‘Hey remember where we were <strong>at</strong>and wh<strong>at</strong> it was like,’ and just give. It’s a realisticeye opener for them.”The next day the <strong>Seminole</strong> youth got to experiencea more global side of the Hualapai Tribe asthey visited Grand Canyon West.Grand Canyon West, unknown to most, is notpart of the Grand Canyon N<strong>at</strong>ional Park. It is loc<strong>at</strong>edon the Hualapai Reserv<strong>at</strong>ion and has becomea major part of their Tribal economy with the recentlybuilt Skywalk, a glass bridge th<strong>at</strong> juts outover the canyon edge and over 4,000 feet abovethe canyon floor.“It was very beautiful,” said Cassandra Jimmie.“When I looked down I just hoped I wouldn’tfall. It was an unforgettable site.”Also loc<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>at</strong> Grand Canyon West is theHualapai Ranch where students took a step backin time. At the ranch youth tested their h<strong>at</strong>chetthrowing abilities, gun drawing speed and archeryRachel BuxtonAlex Buck (R) used sister, Farrah Lyttle (L), and Stevie Brantley (C) asshields from the 30 degree w<strong>at</strong>er.Rachel Buxton(L-R) Kyle Baker and Christian Buck have a quick draw shootout <strong>at</strong> theHualapai Ranch.Rachel Buxtonmarksmanship.After a day of witnessing the Hualapai Tribeas a corpor<strong>at</strong>ion the students were finally able toengage themselves into the Hualapai culture<strong>at</strong> the culture exchange present<strong>at</strong>ionheld th<strong>at</strong> evening <strong>at</strong> the Tribe’s gymnasium.The evening began with the HualapaiBird Singers, men and boys of all agesdemonstr<strong>at</strong>ing their chants using n<strong>at</strong>ive Indianr<strong>at</strong>tles.The bird singers kept the audience entertainedwhile everyone feasted on the n<strong>at</strong>ive classic, Indiantacos.The <strong>Seminole</strong> youth took the floor for theirPowerPoint ® present<strong>at</strong>ion to teach the HualapaiTribe about the <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribe of <strong>Florida</strong>.Stephanie Hall discussed the difference betweenthe Tribal Council and Board of Directorsand talked about the different Tribal services offeredincluding social services provided to Tribal elders.“I can’t wait until I’m an elder,” said Hall.“They are tre<strong>at</strong>ed very well.”Ali Nunez and Stevie Brantley went through <strong>at</strong>imeline telling the history of the <strong>Seminole</strong>s, whileKyle Baker pointed out the loc<strong>at</strong>ions of the differentreserv<strong>at</strong>ions on a map of <strong>Florida</strong>.Audrey Osceola shared with the Hualapai aboutthe family dynamics within the <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribe. Shenamed the different clans and talked about <strong>Seminole</strong>art and traditions.Whitney Osceola spoke on the two different<strong>Seminole</strong> n<strong>at</strong>ive languages spoken — Creek andMikasuki. She also talked about the sacred GreenCorn Dance.David Youngblood wrapped up the student present<strong>at</strong>ionswith a telling of “The Little Frog Legend,”as originally told by <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribal elderBetty Mae Jumper.“It gives them a little more insight,” said ChelseaStorm. “It lets them know they aren’t alone th<strong>at</strong>they have other people out there just like them.”After the <strong>Seminole</strong> present<strong>at</strong>ion members ofthe Hualapai Tribe taught the <strong>Seminole</strong> youth about thehistory of the Hualapai Tribe and how they also had tofight the government to claim wh<strong>at</strong> land was deservinglytheirs.The Hualapai Tribe has a popul<strong>at</strong>ion of about 2,000and occupies a million acre federal reserv<strong>at</strong>ion along108 miles of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River.Leader of the youth Skywalk Bird Singers andDancers Jorgine Bender discussed the traditional clothingof the Hualapai members. Bender explained how itis tradition to wear a shawl under a beaded cape withcolors representing the veget<strong>at</strong>ionand habit<strong>at</strong> of the land.Members of the SkywalkBird Dancers grabbed a <strong>Seminole</strong>Tribal citizen to dance with.“Don’t pull back or say no,”said Bender. “Just follow thesteps of the dancers.”The Bird Singers chantedand sang shaking their shakersas the bird dancers danced withthe <strong>Seminole</strong> youth.“The songs you hear areabout the stars, mountains, sky,cacti and w<strong>at</strong>er,” said singerIvan Bender.The two Tribes became oneas men and women sang anddanced together.“It was lively and everyonewas happy,” said HualapaiThe <strong>Seminole</strong> youth relax for a moment after surviving a Level 7 rapid.Rachel BuxtonStudents on the winded cavern tour, where they see a mummified bobc<strong>at</strong>.Rachel BuxtonThe <strong>Seminole</strong> youth (L) present the Hualapai Tribal Youth Council(R) with commemor<strong>at</strong>ive <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribe st<strong>at</strong>ues and books.Rachel BuxtonHualapai Tribal member George Walker (R) teaches Alex Buck (L)the proper way to carry elk antlers.Rachel Buxtonyouth, Nolene W<strong>at</strong>ahomigie. “It was like we were onebig happy family.”The night only became more intense as the singingand dancing continued.“Historically this is good because we get to seeeach other’s cultures,” said Willie Johns, Brighton’sMuseum Community Outreach Specialist. “We can seehow similar we are but yet how far advanced they are ornot advanced as we are and see how each one of us aredoing in our respective area.”The culture exchange and friendships made didn’tend th<strong>at</strong> night with the dancing. The next day the twoTribes together went whitew<strong>at</strong>er rafting down the ColoradoRiver.Tribal youth held on for dear life as they went overcascading Level 7 rapids with 30 degree w<strong>at</strong>er pouringon them.“It was really fun and nothing like I had ever donebefore,” said Stevie Brantley. “I didn’t know wh<strong>at</strong> toexpect. I was scared and cold but it was worth it.”The youth spent the first half of the day riding therapids and then enjoyed a lunch while drying off andwarming up on the rocks of the Grand Canyon.After lunch splashguards were put on the bo<strong>at</strong>s soeveryone could enjoy the rest of the tour by taking inthe scenic beauty of the Grand Canyon. When the bo<strong>at</strong>sreached their end point students were given a helicopterride above the Grand Canyon giving them the opportunityto see the canyon from yet another angle.“Even though it was five hours long it was probablythe best five hours of my life,” said Chelsea Storm.Once back <strong>at</strong> the hotel lodge students got their lastlesson on the Hualapai culture with Hualapai Tribalcitizen George Walker hosting a Trophy Class onthe practice and tradition of hunting elk within theHualapai culture.Tribal youth from both Tribes then said theirfarewells. Phone numbers and addresses were exchangedwith promises to keep in touch.“I didn’t know the Hualapai Tribe existed untilI came on this trip,” said Storm. “I’ve made a lot ofnew friends and it’s hard for me to make friends sothis was a big step for me.”Students spent their last day on the trip walkingup and down the jam-packed strip in Las Vegasshopping, exploring different hotels and ridingthe monstrous roller coaster <strong>at</strong> the New York, NewYork hotel.“This trip has been pretty awesome,” said JasonMelton. “I was enjoying the places we weregoing to and cleaning up the parks because I knewI was actually doing something for another Tribeth<strong>at</strong> is less fortun<strong>at</strong>e than ours.”Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Dept. Director Emma Johns washappy with the outcome of the trip.“I can’t believe I had so many interested andhelping,” Johns said. “Their <strong>at</strong>titudes are phenomenal.I’m so proud of our students. They have mademe overwhelmingly happy as director of Educ<strong>at</strong>ionand as a <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribal member.”
2A • The <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribune • July 31, 2009v INCENTIVEFrom page 1Agrade student Elena Jim.The Tribe’s Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Dept. and Trail Liaison WilliamOsceola’s office co-sponsored the event, whichalso fe<strong>at</strong>ured a special performance by Cherokee hiphopmusician and actor Litefoot.Chris C. JenkinsTribal citizen Elena Jim (C) receives her award for acadmeic achievement,joined by (L-R) Michael Cantu, Trail Liaison William Osceola and Cherokeehip-hop musician and actor Litefoot.“I am glad we are here to honor you,” said LiaisonOsceola to the students in <strong>at</strong>tendance. “One day you aregoing to grow up to be something; th<strong>at</strong> is wh<strong>at</strong> gettingan educ<strong>at</strong>ion teaches you to do.”During his performance, Litefoot spoke about histime in the music industry, his struggles for respect andstaying dedic<strong>at</strong>ed to achieving dreams and goals.“This was their night because of wh<strong>at</strong> they havedone and accomplished,” Litefoot explained. “Listen towh<strong>at</strong> is inside of you and be confident inwh<strong>at</strong> you can do.”“Putting in the hard work will allowyou to see the rewards,” he added. “You arethe next gener<strong>at</strong>ion of us.”F<strong>at</strong>her Josh Osceola came to celebr<strong>at</strong>ethe accomplishments of this third grader,Angelina, 8.“I am so proud of her and all my kids,”Osceola said. “For her to be here <strong>at</strong> theawards doing the work, she has improveda lot.”“I do not want [my kids] going throughwh<strong>at</strong> I have been through,” he added. “Aslong as they succeed, I do. I tell them ‘Youcan do wh<strong>at</strong>ever you want and be wh<strong>at</strong>everyou want to be,’ ”Tribal Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Advisor Will Baconcommended the progress of many of thestudents who received awards. He alsopraised the behind the scenes heroes — theparents.“The families are really placing an emphasison educ<strong>at</strong>ion,” Bacon said. “We continueto see a growth in the community ineduc<strong>at</strong>ion as a concept as well as a whole.We want th<strong>at</strong> to be part of the motiv<strong>at</strong>ionfor them to continue in school.”Chris C. JenkinsCherokee hip-hop musician and actor Litefoot and Trail Liaison William Osceola (Back Row, L-R) with members of the TribalEduc<strong>at</strong>ion Dept., Trail students and guests <strong>at</strong> the Trail Incentive Awards ceremony, held June 17.v CLINICFrom page 1A“Safety must be your first priority <strong>at</strong> all times,”cautioned DeVeaugh. “Our goal is to teach you abouttechnique and momentum. Speed will come in its owntime, but means nothing if you cannot properly handleyour c<strong>at</strong>ch and overpower the steer for a winning score.”The students began their training on a steer’s head<strong>at</strong>tached to a metal frame being pulled by an All TerrainVehicle (ATV) and known as a Steer Saver. Position,posture and leg placement were stressed as studentstook several turns on the equipment and were critiquedby their instructors.Concentr<strong>at</strong>ing on technique, the group learned theproper head c<strong>at</strong>ch, hand, elbow and arm placementth<strong>at</strong> provides the leverage necessary to overturn a steerweighing from two to three times the weight of the contestant.Following a short w<strong>at</strong>er break, the students weretransferred to live animals on a protective lari<strong>at</strong> to practiceand then moved up to the real thing. Tackling steersright out of the chute, bringing them to a stop and thenwrestling them to the ground.As the hours passed the students’ strength dwindled,but their technique began to take form. Youngsters, whohad previously failed to c<strong>at</strong>ch, lost their prey or woundup on the ground with a steer standing over them, weremaking complete runs th<strong>at</strong> gener<strong>at</strong>ed enviable scores.Judy Weeks(L-R) Kenny Deschene learns some valuable tips on positionand technique in steer wrestling from instructor Dennis De-Veaugh.Judy WeeksPaul “Cowbone” Buster entertains with a medley of rhythm and blues, country and gospel songs <strong>at</strong> the F<strong>at</strong>her’s Day event.v FATHERSFrom page 1Adaily clothing well intothe middle of the 1900s.These men were responsiblefor our survival.”“I am giving each ofyou one of these scarvestoday in their memoryand ask th<strong>at</strong> you rememberthe role th<strong>at</strong> you alsohave played in our future,”he concluded.Big Cypress Boardof Directors Rep. PaulBowers Sr. said: “Visityour f<strong>at</strong>her on his specialday and if he has goneon before you, honor hismemory.”“Many of our f<strong>at</strong>hersare gone and we no longercan spend time withthem,” said Big CypressTribal Council Rep. DavidCypress. “RememberJudy WeeksChairman Mitchell Cypress (R) shows his gr<strong>at</strong>itude to Frank J. Billie (L) for years of moral supportduring his youth.Judy Weeks(L-R) Beverly Alumbaugh, dad Joe Osceola Sr. and Janice Osceolaenjoy the F<strong>at</strong>her’s Day festivities with the BC community.how much they meant to you and pass their legacy on toyour children.”Paul “Cowbone” Buster, Jonah Cypress and PastorArlen Payne provided live musical entertainment for theF<strong>at</strong>her’s Day celebr<strong>at</strong>ion. Delving into their vast repertoire,they took turns playing classic songs th<strong>at</strong> spanneda time frame of over sixty years and included gospel,country, and rhythm and blues.Forming family groups, the partygoers shared theluncheon buffet and posed for family portraits to commemor<strong>at</strong>ethe occasion.Judy Weeks(L-R) President Richard Bowers Jr. wishes George Billiea happy F<strong>at</strong>her’s Day.First Council Meeting Held in Veterans BuildingJudy WeeksCovered in red clay, the young steer wrestlers join their instructors and arena crew on the fence <strong>at</strong> the end of the day.Rachel BuxtonThe Tribal Council conducts a special council meeting in the star-shaped Veterans Building pentagon auditorium.The <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribuneis a member of theN<strong>at</strong>ive American Journalists Associ<strong>at</strong>ion.Letters/e-mails to the editor must be signedand may be edited for public<strong>at</strong>ion.Subscription r<strong>at</strong>e is $35 per year by mail. Makechecks payable to The <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribune, 3560N. St<strong>at</strong>e Rd. 7, Hollywood, FL 33021Phone: (954) 985-5702Fax: (954) 965-2937Or subscribe online <strong>at</strong>www.seminoletribe.comThe following deadlines apply to allsubmissions to The <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribune:Issue: August 28, 2009Deadline: August 12, 2009•Issue: September 25, 2009Deadline: September 9, 2009•Issue: October 30, 2009Deadline: October 14, 2009Please note: L<strong>at</strong>e submissions will beposted in the following issue.Advertising:Advertising r<strong>at</strong>es along with sizes and otherinform<strong>at</strong>ion may be downloaded from theinternet <strong>at</strong>:www.seminoletribe.com/tribunePostmaster:Please send address changes toThe <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribune3560 N. St<strong>at</strong>e Road 7Hollywood, FL 33021Editor-In-Chief: Virginia MitchellEditor: Elizabeth LeibaAssistant Editor: Shelley MarmorGraphic Designer: Stephen GallaReporters: Chris C. Jenkins, Rachel BuxtonReceptionist: Valerie M. FrankContributors: Judy Weeks, Brian Brown,Thommy Doud, Robert C. North Sr., Fred Cicetti,Briana Abittan, P<strong>at</strong>rick Peck, Eric Bricker, CarterElbon, Linda IleyIf you need a reporter or you would like tosubmit an article, birthday wish or poem to The<strong>Seminole</strong> Tribune, please contact theEditor-In-Chief Virginia Mitchell <strong>at</strong>(954) 985-5702, Ext. 10725 or byFax <strong>at</strong> (954) 965-2937© 2009 <strong>Seminole</strong> Tribe of <strong>Florida</strong>
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