Image Number: FS80216a
In 1938, the federal government, in an effort to assist Seminoles suffering from the Great Depression, created reservations at Big Cypress, Brighton, and Hollywood. In the following years, other reservations such as Tampa, Immokalee, and Fort Pierce would follow. Although not all would move onto the reservations, many did and today these sites continue to promote and preserve Seminole culture.
Image Number: FS89163
Image Number: FS80240a
Image Number: FS89293
Image Number: FS89362
Image Number: FT0090
Image Number: RC24215
In 1934, the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Reorganization Act, which allowed Native American groups to organize politically, elect leaders, and create tribal constitutions. In 1957, several Seminoles created a constitution and established a tribal Council and a Board of Directors. That same year, the U.S. Congress recognized the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida. But not all Seminole peoples chose to join the tribe, and some formed the Miccosukkee Tribe of Florida in 1962. Still other opted out of either tribe and called themselves "independent" Seminoles.
Image Number: FA3191
Image Number: FS89174
Image Number: GV036047
Billy Osceola was the first elected chairman of the Board of Directors for the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida.
Image Number: C671293
Jumper was the first female chairperson of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, first elected in 1967.
She was born in Indiantown in 1923 and attended the Cherokee Indian School in North Carolina. In 1949, she was also the first Seminole to earn a high school diploma. In later years, she became more known for her storytelling and writing.
