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Show Friday, November 10, 1972 Page 5 Seminole Hospitality Abounds At Florida Barbecue, Rodeo Pine trees and palm trees growing side with Spanish moss. . by side-dra.acres of silvery .sand lapped by ocean waves. It was a new world to most of us. . familiar only (o the hosting tribe, the Seminoles. The Greyhound bus driver told us Spanish moss is mixed with citrus pulp fed to cattle. The cattle we viewed om the bus window were knee-dee- p in grass and we doubted their need for supplemental feed. Our destination was a barbecue and rodeo on the Seminole Reservation at ped (X Brighton. Boarding the bus with the enthusiasm of shopping and sightseeing which Sarasota offers, we were somewhat .stunned to find ourselves in the middle of a Held centered by a rodeo arena and a few ramadas. However, Seminole hospitality soon outweighed any shopping spree. With barbecued steak promised on the menu, we were surprised to find it accompanied with an adventure in southern cuisine. "Swamp cabbage" seemed a rather unlikely name for the heart of the palm tree which tlie Seminoles boil with sugar to make a cooked version of cole slaw. In a paper cup we were served sofique. This Seminole soup is a mixture of grits and a lye which is extracted from ashes when tree roots are burned. For those less adventuresome diners, the menu was completed with tossed salad, macaroni and cheese and baked beans. Another Seminole treat, which also was sold from a ramada near the pool at convention headquarters, is pumpkin frybread which is made similar to Ute frybread with canned pumpkin added. (Also sold from the poolside ramada were "Seminole burgers,,--- a combination of with a hamburger bybread mixture placed in the middle before frying.). (non-pumpki- n) Indian Humor Often Overlooked, Says Sarasota Reporter The Seminole's candidate for Miss was at the barbecue with the Utes queen candidate, Kathleen Chegup, and was most helpful in explaining the Seminole menu and customs to us. After-dinnentertainment on the Seminole Reservation (one of three in the state) was the rodeo, much like our western rodeos, with students skipping out of college to entertain the visiting NCAI, er Indians. A Florida feature, however, which kept everyone on the edge of their seats (and a few brave ones peering through the fence) was Jimmy Scott Oseola, the famed Seminole alligator wrestler who faces his foes 88 teeth with complete confidence. For us gals in the bleachers (Irene Cuch, Linda Garcia, Bernice Cesspooch, Kathleen Chegup, June Lyman (visiting with Ute friends) and the Bulletin writers) the hosting tribe also provided a very enjoyable fashion show. A family of five children in front of us were costumed in their native dress. The little boys wore featuring bands of tiny shirt-jacke- ts patchwork similar to that used for quilting. The little girls wore skirts of the patchwork-th- e bands of fabric sewn skirts. Some wore blouses of the same intricate bands while others had on their "Sunday best blouse or cape of a which is a pancho-styl- e sheer,; fabric gathered onto a patchwork band at the neckline and edged with rows same together into .of rick-rac-k full-gather- and lace. 'A glance around the three bleachers proved rodeos are very popular with the Seminoles. The 70 families who makes their home in the Brighton community were well represented at the event. The large Seminole rodeo, we were told, is staged in Hollywood, the Seminole tribal headquarters, in February. Hopes are high for an championship rodeo in two or three years at the Hollywood site. The rodeo spirit is no doubt prompted by the fact most Seminoles are natural cowboys with 60 percent of the Brighton reservations 1000 acres providing grazing land for cattle. . . .this was evident by the view from the bus window. Their natural south "western" hospitality is just a off-seas- all-Indi- Under the headline "Indian Humor sideline! Overlooked, the following story appeared the last in the Sarasota Hearld-Tribun- e of American National of the Congress day Indians convention. To quote: "A delegate to the National Congress of American Indians convention in Sarasota found himself at the Tampa airport Sunday awaiting a flight to Sarasota when n he was approached by a traveler. "Say, said the paleface, "Where are all you Indians going? The Indian told the man he was flying to Sarasota to attend the NCATs 29th convention at the Sarasota Motor Hotel "Well said the man, I hope youll have a good time. Is this your people's first visit to Florida?" "No, said the Indian, We met you on your first visit The story was told by Leon Cook, NCAI but president at the general 'session convention the around had been floating center for several days previously. Also in the article, which pointed out that Indian humor is a portion of Native American culture which is often overlooked, was a true happening at the non-India- G WAITING FOR THE PARADE TO BEGIN-- At the 29th NCAI Convention in sunny Florida is Kathleen Chegup, Bliss Ute Tribe. She was one of nine candidates vying for the title of Miss NCAI. Chauffeuring KtthUfB through downtown Sarasota in the parade was Gary Poowegup, Business Committee member. Miss llte Tribe Relates HCAI Pageant Events "Just be yourself" are the words of advice Miss Ute Tribe extends to future beauty pageant contestants after returning last month from the MISs NCAI contest in Sarasota, Fla. Kathleen Chegup, the Ute Tribes official representative in the national pageant, was among the nine candidates vying for the title. A week of judging, touring area attractions and taking part in the convention was scheduled for the visiting princesses. The Ringllng Brothers Museum of Arts was on Mondays agenda where the young ladles were guests of the convention committee. A parade through downtown Sarasota Tuesday featured the queen contestants and the day also Included the barbeque and rodeo at Brighton. The latest in fall fashions was reviewed at a luncheon Wednesday prior to the talent presentations for the judges. The convention delegates were entertained by the talent numbers when the contestants highlighted the paw wow that same evening. The Ute entrant sang two songs before the audience. A whirlwind tour of Disney World at nearby Orlando was enjoyed by the girls and their chaperones. The crowning of Flora Jean Ethelbah, White Mountain Apa- che, concluded the banquet Thursday evening. Kathleen stated she hoped the entrant for next year is prepared for the contest on which, she said, is based mostly of and customs tribal culture, knowledge traditional dress. She further commented, "I benefited from this experience in meeting people. We learned from the experience even if its just meeting and talking with each other. She felt the idea of an panel of judges is good because "it is only fair to have Indian judges for an Indian pageant." The judges were representative of the different Indian cultures and areas. contest The chairman, James L. Claymore, Sioux, who is superintendent of the Cheyenne River Reservation said, "The whole movement is to redevelop pride in being an Indian. Were trying to stress that the girls have a knowledge of their own tribes and bring to the conference their ideals and appreciation of all-Indi- an their culture." ... convention. . . Reportedly a delegate to the convention from Oklahoma made a telephone call to the reservations desk of an airline to secure airline tickets for himself and other delegates. "How many reservations do you want? asked the airline representative. "Let's see, said the Indian, "Weve got Ten Bear, Little. . . . "Wait a minute, said the airline man, Til transfer you to air freight. For the Florida flag the NCAI during parade wait Fred Conetah, member of the Ute Buxines Committee. Benson Gibson of Nevada, Phoenix Area Past donned his headdress for his part as color bearer. COLOR BEARER Vice-Preside- nt; THE GOOD SHIP 8ARASOT in the NCAI parade on Tuesday morning and its cargo included the queen of the King Neptune Frolic. Also featured in the parade was a large float designed by U8ET, United Southeastern Tribes. A-8a- lled |
