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on location: south dave bodle Going Native in Florida The Seminole and Miccosukee tribes offer a variety of itinerary options in the Sunshine State 18 February 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.

The Northern Plains and Southern Plains are home to the largest number of tribes and the ones we are most familiar with. We associate many of the Plains tribes with winning the West stories.

1 on location: south dave bodle Going Native in Florida The Seminole and Miccosukee tribes offer a variety of itinerary options in the Sunshine State 18 February 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com Seminole culture comes to life at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Hollywood, Fla. Today there are 564 federally registered Indian tribes in the United States. The Northern Plains and Southern Plains are home to the largest number of tribes and the ones we are most familiar with. We associate many of the Plains tribes with winning the West stories. Long before the migration of settlers beyond the Mississippi River, the Florida peninsula was the new frontier. In the early days of the United States and until 1821 Florida remained under control of the government of Spain. The surrounding U.S. states and territories coveted the rich resources of their neighbor. The Maskoki tribes of Alabama rose up against white settlers during the Creek War of The horrible treaty forced upon them by Gen. Andrew Jackson sent thousands of the strongest warriors and their families escaping to Spanish Florida. They joined tribes that had been living in Florida for thousands of years and called themselves yat siminoli or free people. These people were proud that their ancestors had resisted the attempts of Spaniards to conquer them. White Americans would soon begin calling all Florida Indians Seminoles. Although Florida s resources were prized, what really infuriated U.S. officials was the shelter and protection the Seminoles provided African slaves. Between Jackson crossed the international Florida border to settle the Indian problem by burning towns, capturing runaway slaves and hanging all he suspected of inciting the Indians. It continued through the 1830s when Jack- Groups get an up-close look at alligators and other Everglades wildlife at Billie Swamp Safari.

This war required the resources of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. From 1856-1858 a series of conflicts were termed the Third Seminole War. The U.S. government spent a large portion of the first half of the 19th century attempting to dislodge approximately 5,000 Seminoles from Florida.

2 son became president of the United States and pushed through Congress the Indian Removal Act. In what is known as the Second Seminole War ( ) the government spent almost $400 million to remove 3,000 Maskoki men, women and children from Florida to Oklahoma. This war required the resources of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. From a series of conflicts were termed the Third Seminole War. The U.S. government spent a large portion of the first half of the 19th century attempting to dislodge approximately 5,000 Seminoles from Florida. SEMINOLE ATTRACTIONS Today the Seminole Tribe of Florida is one of two federally recognized tribes in Florida. They are proud to share their history and culture with visiting groups. Five of the six non-contiguous Seminole reservations welcome visitors, while the sixth reservation, Ft. Pierce, will soon be home for two dozen native Seminole families. Located on I-75 midway between Naples and Fort Lauderdale, Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation offers a wide variety of visitor attractions. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Hollywood is a great to place to begin. Meaning a place to learn, the museum spotlights the dynamic culture and history of the Seminoles. Exhibits share their tale of survival in the Florida swamps. The film We Seminoles tells the Seminole story in their own words. Do allow time for a visit to the museum s retail shop. All areas of traditional Seminole culture are dependent on a healthy Everglades ecosystem. Groups can explore the Everglades on both airboat and A visit to Hollywood s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum begins at the orientation theater. The snake show is a hit at Billie Swamp Safari on Big Cypress Reservation. swamp buggy tours at Billie Swamp Safari. Reptile and animal shows spotlight alligators, snakes and other critters. Junior Cypress Rodeo and Entertainment Center offers a variety of opportunities for groups, including horseback riding tours. The complex hosts events throughout the year. Fabulous dining, shopping, entertainment and gaming are all available at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa lies just off I-4 on the Seminole Reservation in Tampa. A new Hard Rock Cafe opened in December 2010, bringing Hard Rock s classic American fare, rock atmosphere and live music to what is already Tampa s top entertainment destination. Seminole Casino Brighton, west of Lake Okeechobee, offers video gaming, high-stakes bingo and low-stakes poker six days a week. Ask about free breakfast for seniors on Wednesdays. The Brighton Reservation is also home to Indian arts and crafts shops and Brighton Citrus. The Immokalee Reservation in Southwest Florida houses Seminole Casino Immokalee, the area s leading attraction since opening in A LeisureGroupTravel.com February

on location: south variety of arts and crafts shops is available. The reservation is conveniently located off I-75. The best place to begin planning is online at semtribe.com/tourismandenterprises.

They were part of the Seminole nation and share a similar history. Miccosukee Indian Village, off the Florida Turnpike in Miami, delivers valuable insight into the culture and history of the tribe.

3 on location: south variety of arts and crafts shops is available. The reservation is conveniently located off I-75. The best place to begin planning is online at semtribe.com/tourismandenterprises. Direct links are provided for each reservation and attraction. MICCOSUKEE ATTRACTIONS The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida received federal recognition in They were part of the Seminole nation and share a similar history. Miccosukee Indian Village, off the Florida Turnpike in Miami, delivers valuable insight into the culture and history of the tribe. Historical photo- ONLINE VIDEO Catch Publisher Jeff Gayduk s video blog update from Southwest Florida. Log on to The museum at Miccosukee Indian Village sheds light on tribal history. graphs, artifacts and paintings tell the story of a proud people. The village hosts the annual Miccosukee Indian Arts Festival and Miccosukee Everglades Music & Crafts Festival. Also available are airboat rides and demonstrations of arts and crafts. Only 15 minutes west of the Florida Turnpike, on the southeastern edge of the Everglades, sits Miccosukee Resort and Gaming, with high-stakes bingo, 1,900 gaming machines and 32 poker tables. The 302-room resort features five dining options. Miccosukee Golf & Country Club, a 27-hole championship layout, is nearby. For information on all tourism enterprises of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, visit online at A visit to a Seminole or Miccosukee reservation will be both educational and enjoyable. They make a great addition to any Florida itinerary. LGT Obtain Florida, visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info More of the World for Less GATE 1 IS YOUR ONE STOP GROUP SHOP! LAND FR AIR FR 12 Day Thailand $679 $720* 13 Day Turkey $679 $620* 8 Day Egypt $399 $1130* with 3 Day Nile Cruise 8 Day Rome, Florence $399 $600* & Venice by Rail 7 Day Greece $499 $700* Knowledgeable & friendly staff, experienced in all types of groups Customized air & land itineraries; deviations permitted Competitive net air rates & land prices throughout the world Bulk airline tickets - no price printed on the tickets Knowledge of handling all types of excess baggage Early booking of air space - as early as 11 months prior to departure 24 hour emergency access * Air prices include fuel surcharges. Fuel surcharges are subject to change, at the discretions of the airlines. Prices do not include US and foreign government airport taxes and fees of up to $290, depending upon the package, including the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per US enplanement, up to $10 per round-trip; passenger facility charges of $4.50 per segment, up to $18 per round-trip; federal domestic segment fee of $3.70 per segment; travel facilities tax of $8 per direction; immigration fee of $7; customs user fee of $5.50; APHIS user fee of $5; and international transportation tax of $16.10 per arrival or departure. More of the World for Less

4 Find their PASSION here Find us on Facebook Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key

Florida s Unspoiled Island Sanctuary CAPTIVATING EXCURSIONS RICH HISTORY AND CULTURE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Natural adventure.

On the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, visitors encounter unforgettable experiences that extend way beyond the shore.

exhilarating entertainment, incredible fishing, shopping and much more.

5 Florida s Unspoiled Island Sanctuary CAPTIVATING EXCURSIONS RICH HISTORY AND CULTURE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Natural adventure. Captivating culture. Exhilarating outdoors. On the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, visitors encounter unforgettable experiences that extend way beyond the shore. Discover recreational activities and adventures, including unique eco- and history-based tours, local art, guided excursions and exhilarating entertainment, incredible fishing, shopping and much more. For planning materials and assistance developing your next group itineraries, contact Candice Cocco at ccocco@leegov.com / BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL ORLANDO MIAMI Sanibel & Captiva Islands Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Bonita Springs Estero Cape Coral Pine Island Boca Grande & Outer Islands North Fort Myers Lehigh Acres

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MEET IN G S AT HARD ROC K H OT E L & C AS I NO ATLANTIC CITY WHEN THE SPOTLIGHT IS OURS THE M ME NT IS YOURS Every success story can trace its way back to an experience, one that changed those bold enough