Cattle Ranching Exhibit Premieres at Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

By Chris C. Jenkins
Staff Writer

BIG CYPRESS — A historical account of the rich heritage of Seminole cattlemen and women and their way of life premiered at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on Sept. 25 in an exhibit entitled “Cattle Keepers: The Heritage of Seminole Cattle Ranching.”

Through oral reflections and photographs, museum staff created a historical account of the trailblazing cowboys and cowgirls who began the Seminole cattle operations centuries ago. Chief Historic Resources Officer Tina Osceola said the idea for the exhibit came about two years ago from suggestions made by Tribal citizens and the Tribal Council.

“This is a community exhibit,” Osceola said. “This exhibit is more important than any other we have ever opened … It is important for us as a Tribal people to tell our own stories.”

Tribal citizens loaned the museum items from their personal collections and possessions, including Seminole brands, ropes and saddles, to display as part of the exhibit, which runs through Sept. 20, 2009.

“This exhibit helps to provide an even bigger perspective on Tribal history,” Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Director Anne McCudden explained. “Especially since the cattle industry is such a thriving business within the Tribe.”

The exhibit also features the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki’s prized “Letter to Cowkeeper.” Written in 1774, the letter comes from Lieutenant John Moultrie, governor of the territory of British East Florida sent to the first leader and founder of the Seminole Tribe.

Throughout history, Juan Ponce de Leon and St. Pedro Menendez de Aviles, have been credited with introducing cattle (Andalusian criolla) to Florida in the 16th Century. However, the Tribe’s influence in the cattle industry has also remained vital throughout several centuries.

“Before the gaming or anything, this was our livelihood,” President Richard Bowers Jr. said.

Fifth generation cattle owner and Tribal citizen Moses “Bigg” Jumper Jr. agreed, saying “this goes back to part of our history and people needed to know about it.”

The Tribe continues to have an increasing impact on the cattle ranching industry today, currently ranking fourth in the state of Florida and 12th in the U.S. in cattle production. Tribal innovations to the industry include the creation of the state’s first electronic identification program, which verifies the source of Seminole brand beef.

“I am happy this exhibit has been done so that we can continue to educate everyone,” Chairman Mitchell Cypress said. “It is about learning, and I was happy to be a part of it.”

Rounding out the day’s events, the fifth grade Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School students recited the Pledge of Allegiance in Creek, and Moses “Bigg” Jumper Jr. and Norman “Skeeter” Bowers recited poetry.

The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is a Tribally-owned and operated flagship facility. It sits in the Everglades on a 66-acre cypress dome in Big Cypress. With 10,000 square feet of gallery space, the museum features rare artifacts and other collections depicting Seminole life. It is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is located north of I-75 at Exit 49.

For more information, please call (877) 902-1113 or visit www.ahtahthiki.com.