Oral History Project, Florida Humanities Council

To Host Lecture on Seminole Indians in Florida

Among the earliest residents in Florida were Seminole Indians, with some historians dating the tribes back nearly 300 years. Today, they are known more for their casinos, alligator wrestling and tourism at several reservations around the Sunshine State. Yet this tribe with a population of 3,100 people has a rich history.

Public Radio Station WQCS's Oral History Project will present Seminoles: Through the Ages as part of a special projects grant provided by the Florida Humanities Council. The presentation is scheduled for Monday, May 21 at 3 p.m. at the Schreiber Conference Center on the St. Lucie West Campus of Indian River Community College. The program is FREE and Open to the Public.

Helping attendees step back in time will be Seminole Indians Louise Jones Gopher, Education Director at the Brighton Reservation near Moore Haven and Willie Johns, historian at Brighton. They will discuss the history of the tribe and current ventures in education, such as a Seminole language development project and a new charter school.

In addition, Florida Humanities Council Road Scholar and Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers columnist Joe Crankshaw will concentrate on the Seminole Indian Wars. A Question and Answer period will follow the presentation.

Gopher and Johns will bring tribal artifacts for those attending the lecture to view. The St. Lucie Historical Society will also display some Seminole tribal items from its collection at the local museum.

Gopher is the first Seminole Indian to graduate from Indian River Community College and to receive a four-year degree from Florida Atlantic University. She has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumna from IRCC and was named by the Palm Beach Post in 2000 as one of the 100 outstanding citizens who have made a difference in people's lives for the last century.

Crankshaw has been employed as a reporter, columnist and editorial writer at the Stuart News for approximately 25 years. He was previously with The Miami Herald. He is a member of the Florida Historical Society and the Florida Humanities Council.

For additional information on this program, please contact WQCS at (772) 7813 or 1-888-286-8936.