Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Location | Big Cypress Indian Reservation in Hendry County, Florida |
| Accreditation | American Association of Museums |
| Owner | Seminole Tribe of Florida |
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is a special place to learn about the Seminole people. Its name, "Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki," means "a place to learn, a place to remember" in the Seminole language. This museum is located on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation in Hendry County, Florida. The Seminole Tribe of Florida owns and runs the museum.
The museum first opened its doors in 1997. It is recognized as an affiliate of the famous Smithsonian Institution. In 2009, it became the first museum owned by a Native American tribe to receive special accreditation from the American Association of Museums.
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Discover Seminole History and Culture
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is dedicated to sharing the rich history and culture of the Seminole Tribe. It does this through many different programs and collections. The museum helps everyone, including students and families, understand the Seminole way of life.
Explore the Museum's Collections
The museum has a huge collection of almost 200,000 items. These items include beautiful patchwork clothing, dolls, baskets, and beadwork. You can also see sculptures and paintings. The museum often changes what items are on display. This means there is always something new to see.
Each part of the museum has a special theme. These themes might be about daily life or important ceremonies. Many exhibits also have interactive parts. These let you get a better feel for the topic. There is also a 15-minute video near the entrance. It tells the story of the tribe and why the museum was created.
Listen to Oral Histories
The museum has an Oral History Program. This program records Seminole Tribal members telling their own stories. This helps keep Seminole history and memories alive. These special recordings are mainly for Seminole Tribal Members.
Find Information Online
You can also explore some of the museum's collection online. Their online database lets you look at documents and images. These are all related to the Seminole Tribe and other tribes. You can search by type, like photos or objects. You can also search by keywords or specific topics.
Learn Through Education Programs
The museum has an Education Division. This part of the museum creates programs for everyone. These programs help both Seminole Tribal members and others learn about Seminole stories, history, and culture.
The division offers tours and programs at the museum. They also have online learning tools. Teachers and students can use these resources in their classrooms.
Enjoy the American Indian Arts Celebration
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum hosts a fun event called the American Indian Arts Celebration (AIAC). At this event, visitors can enjoy many things. These include traditional and modern arts and crafts. There is also dance, music, and delicious food. You can see special presentations and wildlife shows. Many Native vendors also sell their unique items. This celebration is great for all ages. It is also a wonderful field trip for students.
Walk the Cypress Boardwalk
Beyond the main museum building, there is a mile-long boardwalk. This path goes through a 60-acre cypress forest. You can also visit the Seminole Village. This village shows what older Seminole tourist camps were like.
Along the boardwalk, you will find signs. These signs tell you about the plants and animals in the forest. They also share the names of these plants and animals in the Maskókî and Mikisúkî languages. The signs explain how the Seminole Tribe used them. This connects tribal traditions with the natural world around you.
The Museum's Journey
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum building was finished in 1989. However, it officially opened to visitors on August 21, 1997. This opening day was special. It celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Seminole Tribe of Florida being officially recognized by the government.
The museum has changed over the years. It has had different leaders and updates. Billy L. Cypress was one of the first executive directors. He was a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. He was also a US Army veteran and had a master's degree. After he passed away in 2004, Tina M. Osceola became the director. Today, Gordon "Ollie" Wareham, Billy L. Cypress's nephew, is the executive director. Their hard work has helped the museum grow and succeed.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is in charge of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. The Seminole people have lived in Florida since the 1700s. After many difficult times, some groups were forced to move away from Florida. These groups became the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
However, a small group of about 300 to 700 Seminole people stayed in Florida. They continued their traditions and way of life. In 1957, this small group was officially recognized as the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
When Spanish explorers arrived in Florida, they met the Miccosukee people. These were the ancestors of the Seminole Tribe. The Seminole people lived by trading with other tribes and settlers. But over time, the United States began to take over their land. This led to conflicts between Native people and settlers.
When Andrew Jackson became president, he signed a law. This law aimed to move all Native people living east of the Mississippi River to the west. Many Native people were forced to move. But some followed a brave leader named Abiaki.
Abiaki was also known as Sam Jones. He was a Mikasuki tribe member and a medicine man. He was respected for his care and guidance. American soldiers called him "The Devil" because he was a great leader and strategist. Abiaki did not want to negotiate with the Americans. He strongly believed his people should stay on their land.
After many conflicts and losses, Abiaki led about 200 remaining Seminole people into the deep wetlands of Florida. This group survived and thrived. Today, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has more than five thousand members. Their history and strength led to the creation of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Museum. The museum continues to keep Seminole traditions and history alive for everyone.
Images for kids
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Exhibition of Seminole clothing, dolls, and accessories, National Museum of the American Indian. These textiles would be the types of artifacts that conservation would care for.
See Also
