The Seminole Indians are a Native American tribe from Florida, formed by a mix of escaped African-American slaves, Creek Indians, and Muscogees. Most were moved out of Florida in 1830, but some remained and defended their lands. The Seminole Wars failed to remove them, and they took on the nickname Unconquered People. Today, there are approximately 33,000 registered Seminole tribe members, with tobacco, tourism, and gambling as major sources of income. The tribe is divided into bands, including the Freedman Bands or Black Seminoles. The Miccosukee Tribe chose a traditional way of life, while the Seminole Tribe chose reservation life. Florida State University uses the Seminole name and logo as their mascot with permission from the Seminole tribes.
The Seminole Indians are a Native American tribe originating in Florida. They are a relatively recently formed tribe, developed from a mixture of escaped African-American slaves, Creek Indians from the state of Georgia, and Muscogees. The name of the tribe comes from the Mvskoke’ language and literally means runaway or wild men. Two languages were spoken by the native Seminole Indians: Creek and Miskasuki.
In 1830, Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act moved most of the Seminole Indians out of Florida and to the Mississippi River coast. The Treaty of Payne’s Landing promised the Seminoles who had moved from Florida power over lands in Oklahoma. About 500 Indians remained in Florida and defended their people and lands from government attacks.
The Seminole Wars were waged against the Florida sect of Seminole Indians, but failed to remove these tribes from the state. During the Second Seminole War, an estimated 1,500 American soldiers were killed. The Third Seminole War was fought between 1855 and 1858, and when a ceasefire was finally established, an estimated 100 to 200 Seminoles remained in Florida. The Second Seminole War is often referred to simply as The Seminole War because it lasted longer than the other two. After the wars, the Seminole tribes took on the nickname Unconquered People.
As of 2010, approximately 33,000 people are registered with the Seminole tribe. Approximately 15,000 are registered with the Seminole Nation of Florida and 18,000 with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. After the Seminole Wars, Florida tribes took over sovereignty over tribal lands. Tobacco, tourism, and gambling are major sources of employment and income for Florida’s Seminole Indians.
The Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma is subdivided into 14 bands. Two bands are called the Freedman Bands or Black Seminoles. Some Black Seminole have ancestry roots in slavery. Escaped slaves who took part in founding the Seminole tribe were legally freed from slavery after the Civil War.
The Seminole tribe of Florida split into two sects after the Third Seminole War. The Miccosukee Tribe of Seminole Indians chose a traditional way of life and did not move onto established reservations. The Seminole Tribe of Florida chose reservation life over traditional life.
Today, the Seminole tribe is a part of Florida culture. Florida State University (FSU) athletic teams use the Seminole name and logo as their mascot. Legal proceedings attempted to force FSU to change the mascot because its use was deemed offensive, but the Seminole tribes of Florida and Oklahoma agreed that FSU had permission to use the logo and name.
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