Miccosukee Resort & Gaming facts for kids

Miccosukee Resort and Gaming
General information
Type	Hotel and casino
Address	Miami, Florida, USA
Coordinates	25°45′48″N 80°29′4″W / 25.76333°N 80.48444°W / 25.76333; -80.48444
Completed	1999
Opened	1999

Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is a hotel and casino located near Miami, Florida. It sits on the western edge of the famous Everglades. This resort is known for its unique location. It blends a modern hotel with the natural beauty of the Everglades. It also shows the rich culture of the Miccosukee Tribe.

The resort is in a 9-story building. Outside the main entrance, there is a colorful statue of a young Miccosukee boy. It opened in 1999. About 400 members of the Miccosukee Tribe operate the resort.

History of the Miccosukee Tribe

The Miccosukee Tribe has a long history. It goes back even before Christopher Columbus arrived in America. Before Florida became part of the United States, the Miccosukee people moved there. They separated from the larger Creek Nation at that time.

In the 1800s, about 100 Miccosukee-speaking Creeks found safety in the Everglades. They hid there during conflicts with settlers. Since then, the Tribe has grown to more than 600 members. It continues to expand today.

To live in the Everglades, the Miccosukees learned to adapt. They lived in small groups. They stayed in temporary camps called "hammock style" camps. The Miccosukees lived by themselves in the Everglades for about 100 years. They resisted efforts to change their way of life.

This changed when the Tamiami Trail road was built in 1928. In 1959, a leader named Buffalo Tiger traveled to Cuba. He spoke with Fidel Castro to gain international recognition for his people. He wanted them to be seen as a self-governing nation within the United States.

On January 11, 1962, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior approved the Miccosukee Constitution. This officially recognized them as the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. This step legally confirmed their existence as a tribe. It also recognized their status as a self-governing nation within the U.S. government.

On March 6, 1971, the Miccosukee Corporation was created. This group helps manage money from different sources. These funds support many programs for the Miccosukee community. These programs include education, jobs, housing, and social services for tribal members.

Resort Facilities

The Miccosukee Resort has many features for guests. It has 256 fancy guest rooms. There are also 56 suites, which are larger rooms. The resort also has spaces for meetings and big events like banquets.

The gaming center at the resort includes slot machines and a poker area. The resort often hosts poker tournaments. Guests can also use the pool and fitness center. There is a sauna and a jacuzzi available. Exercise equipment is located on the first floor of the resort.

Dining Options

There are six different places to eat at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming.

• Empeek-Cheke is the resort's special restaurant. It offers upscale dining.
• Empeeke Aaweeke's International Buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has a wide variety of foods, from meats to pastas.
• Empeek Aya deli is open 24 hours a day. It offers snacks, sandwiches, and burgers.
• Café Hammock is a casual restaurant. It serves seafood and meat, including Florida Lobster and steak. It is also open 24 hours.
• The Bingo Snack Bar is a convenient stand. It offers snacks and meals like hot dogs. It is located next to the Bingo Hall.
• On Sundays, the resort and gaming casino offers a special Sunday Brunch.

Other Attractions and Mentions

Close to the resort is the Miccosukee Golf and Country Club. This is a place where people can play golf.

On September 29, 2011, Miccosukee Resort helped organize a Latin music concert. It was held in Miami. About 1500 people attended the event. Famous artists like Charlie Zaa performed.

The resort is also featured in a book. It is a setting in the 2010 novel Acts of Nature by Jonathan King.