For Everything, There Is A Season

It's been quite a while since I really used this blog! My whole trip to Japan is chronicled on this blog. The moment that my class was told they won Disney's Environmentality Challenge is on this blog. And now, this blog will be used again, this time for the purpose of recording my trip to visit and learn about Florida's fantastic Seminole Tribe! I thought about changing the name of the blog, but I think I'm going to leave it. Even though I'm not going to Japan this school year, it could happen again!

Here's the rundown on this newest experience: I received my reading materials in the mail a couple of days ago. An email had shown up shortly before that, informing me that my reading materials had been sent. This was no surprise, as I had some materials to read before heading to Tokyo in June 2008. What came was nothing short of awesome. Three books and two magazines. Two of the books are the autobiographies of Betty Mae Tiger Jumper and Buffalo Tiger, a pair of native Florida legends in their own right who have worked to maintain their tribal traditions and history while at the same time moving their tribes toward success and continued longevity. The third is a book about the Seminoles' gaming business and the impact (both good and bad) that it has had on their culture. The two magazines are both issues of the Florida Humanities Council's Forum magazine, one from 2003 and the other from 1992! Both issues have Florida's Native Americans as their topic. I recently received a new issue about Florida's involvement in the Civil War and it was excellent, so I can't wait to dig into these magazines.

After I sign off tonight, I'm going to go into the FHC Teacher's Center website to retrieve my seminar materials. I can't wait to share what I'll be doing during this trip. Even more, I can't wait to share what I learn about the Seminole and Florida's other natives before I head down to Clewiston. This is going to be an amazing journey, and I can't wait to bring all of you along for the trip!