Betty Osceola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Betty Osceola
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Osceola at Lake Okeechobee (2019) by Lisette Morales
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Betty Osceola
August 8, 1967 Ochopee, Florida, U.S.
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| Occupation | Airboat Captain, Everglades Educator, Miccosukee tribal judge & Everglades Advisory Committee |
| Known for | Everglades education and clean water advocacy |
Betty Osceola (born August 8, 1967) is a brave Native American woman from the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. She is known as an Everglades grandmother and works hard to protect the environment. Betty teaches people about the Everglades and fights for clean water. She also speaks out against a drilling method called "fracking."
Betty was born and grew up right in the Everglades. She learned to live off the land, hunting and fishing with her father. Today, she is an airboat captain and runs Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours in Miami, Florida.
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Betty's Early Life in the Everglades
Betty Osceola shared stories about growing up in the Everglades. She lived in a special hut called a chickee hut. When she was five, she loved to play barefoot in the swamp all day.
Her people used to grow corn and pumpkin on the islands in the Everglades. But now, the water is so polluted that they can't do that anymore. This is why Betty works so hard to protect the water.
Prayer Walks for Mother Earth
Betty Osceola organizes special "prayer walks" to bring attention to important environmental issues. These walks help educate people and protect nature.
Protecting the Everglades from a Bike Path
From 2015 to 2017, Betty and her uncle, Bobby C. Billie, started the "Walk for Mother Earth." They walked along a road where a new bike path was planned. This project, called the River of Grass Greenway (ROGG), would have harmed the Everglades.
Betty and Bobby taught people and government leaders about the dangers of the project. They spoke at public meetings, and because of their efforts, the project was stopped. Betty continues these important prayer walks today.
Supporting Standing Rock Protests
In 2016, Betty traveled from Florida to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. She made two trips to deliver supplies to people protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. This pipeline was planned to go through sacred lands and threatened water sources.
Walking for Clean Water in Lake Okeechobee
In 2019, Betty led a seven-day prayer walk around Lake Okeechobee. This walk covered 118 miles! She wanted to show how important it is to have clean water in the lake. During the walk, she carried a red bandanna to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Historic Loop Road Walk
Later in 2019, Betty and Reverend Houston R. Cypress led another prayer walk. Over 60 people joined them for two days, walking 31 miles on the historic Loop Road in Ochopee, Florida.
Fighting Against Water Pollution Permits
In 2021, Betty and Reverend Houston R. Cypress led two more long prayer walks. One was on U.S. Highway 41, and another was around Lake Okeechobee. These walks protested a new rule that would let Florida take over permits for dredging and filling wetlands. This rule could make it easier to pollute the water.
Protesting Oil Drilling in Big Cypress
Also in 2021, Betty organized a hike into Big Cypress National Preserve. She wanted to teach people about a plan to drill for oil there. After the hike, protesters stood along Interstate 75 to show their opposition.
Honoring Ancestors in Miami
In 2023, Betty led a peaceful prayer walk in Miami. This walk was to protest building on a very old and important site called the Miami Circle. This area was once home to the Tequesta people thousands of years ago. Archaeologists have found ancient human remains and artifacts there, some even older than the pyramids of Egypt.
Featured in Films and TV Shows
Betty Osceola's important work has been shown in documentaries.
Path of the Panther (2022)
Betty is featured in the documentary film Path of the Panther. This film is about protecting the Florida panther and its habitat. It was even executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio!
PBS Native America, Season 2 (2023)
Betty also has her own episode in the PBS series "Native America, Season 2." The episode is called "Betty Osceola - Earth Protector." It shows how Betty uses Miccosukee teachings to protect the environment and leads prayer walks to save the Florida Everglades.
Awards and Recognition
Betty Osceola has received awards for her important work:
- March 2024: She received the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Defender of the Everglades award from the Friends of the Everglades.
- January 2018: She received the John V. Kabler Grassroots Organizing Award during the Everglades Coalition annual summit.
See also
In Spanish: Betty Osceola para niños
