Bill Osceola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Osceola
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Seminole Bill Osceola building his new home at the Dania Indian Reservation November 1956, by photographer Johnson.
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| 1st President of the Seminole Tribe of Florida | |
| In office 1957–1967 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | June 30, 1919 Everglades, Broward County, Florida |
| Died | April 16, 1995 (aged 75) Hollywood, Florida |
| Resting place | Seminole Cemetery West |
| Spouse | Charlotte Tommie |
Bill Osceola (born June 30, 1919 – died April 16, 1995) was a very important leader for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. He was the first president of the tribe. When the government planned to stop supporting his tribe, Bill Osceola came up with a clever idea. He thought of creating a rodeo to earn money.
The rodeo made enough money to help the tribe. They used the funds to send people to talk to the government. This helped them stop the plan to end their tribal status. It also helped them officially organize as a tribe.
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Bill Osceola's Early Life
Bill Osceola was born on June 30, 1919, in the Everglades area of Broward County, Florida. His parents were Jimmy and Mary Motlow-Osceola. His first language was Miccosukee, which is a Muskogean language.
He did not go to school and could not read or write. However, he was very good with numbers and had an amazing memory. At that time, Seminole children could not attend public schools in Florida. This changed in the 1960s. He grew up near the Tamiami Trail and moved to the Dania Reservation in 1943.
Bill Osceola became a church deacon in 1945. He later became a minister in 1950. He helped start the Mekusukey Independent Baptist Church in Hollywood. He also helped set up churches in other Seminole communities. To support himself, Bill raised cattle. He had about 300 cows on the Big Cypress Reservation. He also worked with heavy machinery.
Standing Up for the Seminole Tribe
In 1953, the Seminole people learned bad news. The government planned to end their official tribal status. This would mean losing important support and benefits. This plan made the tribe decide to take action.
On October 9, 1953, an urgent meeting was held. They needed to tell the government two things. First, the tribe was not ready to manage everything on their own. Second, not all Native people in Florida were Seminole.
From March 1 to 2, 1954, tribal members spoke to Congress. On April 4, 1955, the tribe formed a special group. Bill Osceola was chosen to lead this group. Their goal was to create a tribal organization quickly. This was before important meetings in Clewiston.
At the Clewiston meetings, the tribe asked for continued government help. They wanted this help for another 25 years. They also asked for the Seminole people to be separate from the Miccosukee tribe.
The Rodeo Idea
The tribe needed money to travel to Washington, DC and Tallahassee, Florida. These trips were important to argue their case. In 1956, Bill Osceola had a great idea. He suggested building a rodeo arena on the Dania Reservation. This would attract tourists and make money.
Many Seminoles were excellent cattlemen and horsemen. They worked on ranches or had their own. So, Bill thought a rodeo would be a perfect way to earn money. He convinced cattle owners in Brighton to provide cattle. People in Broward County also donated wood.
On opening day, 500 people came to the rodeo. The money earned helped the tribe organize and gain official recognition. The rodeo that Bill Osceola started is still remembered today. On February 7, 1997, it was named the Bill Osceola Memorial Rodeo. This was to honor his memory.
Forming the Seminole Tribe
By March 26, 1957, a committee was formed to write a constitution. Bill Osceola was the chairman of this committee. Other members came from different Seminole communities. They included Billy Osceola, John Henry Gopher, Jack Willie, Jimmie O. Osceola, Frank J. Billie, and Larry Mike Osceola.
Once the documents were ready, meetings were held. They discussed the constitution with people on each reservation. On August 21, 1957, the tribe voted. The constitution and rules were accepted by a vote of 241 for and 5 against.
The first leaders of the Seminole tribe were chosen in 1957. Billy Osceola became Tribal Chairman. Betty Mae Jumper was vice chairman. Laura Mae Osceola was secretary. Frank Billie became president and Bill Osceola was vice president. Later, Bill Osceola served as the first president of the tribe.
His Family and Legacy
Bill Osceola married Charlotte Tommie. They had four children and adopted two daughters. Their children included Priscilla Osceola Sayen, Marcellus Osceola, Raymond Osceola, Yvonne Osceola Cortney, Judybill Osceola, and Cynthia Osceola.
Bill Osceola passed away on April 16, 1995, in Hollywood, Florida. He was buried at Seminole Cemetery West. His grandson, Marcellus Osceola Jr., continued his family's legacy. He was elected tribal chairman in 2016 and again in 2019.
