Big Cypress Reservation, Florida

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United States Florida  Indians of Florida  Big Cypress Reservation

The Big Cypress Reservation is located in Hendry County, Florida

Established: Agency: Tribe: Seminole Population: 1969: Tribal enrollment: 956

History
Seminole People are originally from further north. They are of Creek origins and of the Mushkogean Language Family which is a part of the Macro-Algonquian Languages. Click this link http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/355350/Macro-Algonquian-languages to learn about the Macro-Algonquian Languages. Mus-ko-ge-an is similar to the Ojibwa word for the Ojibwa's who lived in swampy areas which is Mus-ke-go or Mus-ke-go-walk. Muskegowalk means Swampy People. These Ojibwa People are known as the Swampy Cree.

During the 18th century, many Creeks fled south to Florida with their Indian and black allies. During the first 6 decades of the 19th century, the Creek Seminoles and their Indian and black allies, were constantly at war against the United States. These wars are known as the Seminole Wars. There were 3 Seminole Wars.

During the 1st Seminole War, large numbers of Seminoles and their Indian and black allies, fled to the Bahamas and other islands in the Caribbean. They probably even migrated to northern South America and Central America. Many settled at Andros Island. Red Bay was settled by the Seminoles and their Indian and black allies, and from the names of a few other Andros Island settlements, several other Andros Island settlements were also colonized by the Seminole and their Indian and black allies. These Seminole migrations to Andros Island happened between 1819 and 1821.

After the 2nd Seminole War, several thousand Seminoles and their Indian and black allies, were forced to leave Florida, for Oklahoma. After the 2nd Seminole War, it was estimated only 300 Seminoles remained in Florida. After they reached Oklahoma, many of the Seminoles and their Indian and black allies, joined with other Algonquin's and fled to Mexico.

After the 3rd Seminole War, nearly all of the Seminole People of Florida had been removed to Oklahoma. Chief Billy Bowlegs was persuaded by Seminoles from Oklahoma to move to Oklahoma. In early 1858, chief Billy Bowlegs led 171 Seminoles to Oklahoma, Later on in that same year, he returned to Florida and gathered together another 75 Seminoles to be relocated to Oklahoma. Afterwards, only around 50 to 60 Seminole remained in Florida. They were led by chief Sam Jones who was nearly 100 years old at that time.

Between 1860 and 1880, almost nothing is known about the Seminoles who remained in Florida. In 1880, a researcher from the Bureau of American Ethnology found 5 Seminole villages in southern Florida. Their population was 208.

Between 1877-1889, the Cheyenne Chippewas from Montana, were forcefully relocated to Oklahoma and soon afterwards a series of violent military actions happened which killed and wounded 100s of Cheyenne Chippewas and whites. Many refused to live in Oklahoma and for many of them it was better to die trying to go back to Montana than stay in Oklahoma.

Mexico was an attraction and that was known of by American leaders who were aware of the war the Chippewas of Mexico were waging against the United States at the time (late 1870s and early 1880s). Instead of confining the Cheyenne Chippewas to Oklahoma, the United States relocated them to Fort Marion in northeastern Florida. Either many escaped to southern Florida or they were allowed to settle in southern Florida by the United States. The United States knew keeping the Cheyenne Chippewas in Florida was safer and the likelihood of a war being fought in southern Florida, was very unlikely.

Brief Timeline
1821: Florida annexed by the United States

Records
Agency Records:

Census Records:

Land Records: All land is tribally-owned.