Origins of the Seminoles

The original Seminoles came to Florida because it was controlled by the Spanish, who had no interest in returning slaves to the British. They were mostly Lower Creeks who spoke the Mikasuki language, but other Indians, including Yuchis, Yamasees and Choctaws who had confronted Ponce de Leon and DeSoto, also joined the tribe in their trek to northern Florida from Georgia during the early 1700s.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Government


The Seminole Nation began in the early 18th century, but was not formally recognized as a separate tribe by the United States until 1957. Seminoles today have sovereignty over their own tribal lands and an economy based on tobacco, tourism, entertainment and gambling. The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, like other Indian nations, retains its own government, laws, police, and services as if it was an independent nation. However, the Seminoles are also US citizens and are required to obey the law of the United States.

The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma's government is made up of two key components, the Executive Office (Executive Branch), and the General Council (Legislative Branch). The Executive Office consists of a Principal Chief, and an Assistant Chief. The Principal Chief and Assistant Chief are similar to a president and vice president, given that they have executive authority to make decisions based on issues presented to them, but the General Council is actually above the Chiefs on the government's organizational structure and they are the ones who bring about the laws.

The General Council is made up of 28 representatives; two from each of the twelve bands and two each from the freedman bands. Representatives are elected to the Council for a four-year term, through a general election held to coincide with the election of the Chief and Assistant Chief. The Council representatives work as a body to pass resolutions and ordinances that govern the Seminole Nation and its members as a whole. Council resolutions and ordinances are first discussed at the Band level, where Band members review the issues and send their vote to the Council floor through their representatives. The General Council only meets four times per year to pass resolutions and ordinances, but in the case of an emergency or special issue, it has the ability to call a special session.


Links:

Constitution of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma: http://www.seminolenation.com/government_constitution.htm

Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Code of Laws:

http://www.seminolenation.com/government_codeoflaws.htm

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