An assumption of sovereignty : social and political transformation among the Florida Seminoles, 1953-1979 / Harry A. Kersey, Jr.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kersey, Harry A., 1935-

Series:

Indians of the Southeast

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Seminole Indians--Politics and government.

Seminole Indians.

Seminole Indians--Government relations.

Seminole Indians--Land tenure.

Physical Description:

xvi, 266 pages, 10 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, map ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lincoln : University of Nebraska Press, [1996]

Summary:

In the early 1950s the very existence of the Florida Seminoles was in jeopardy. Mired in poverty, poorly educated, under-employed, and without a tribal government, they also faced the possibility that the U.S. Congress would terminate services to them. Fortunately, loss of reservation lands was averted and the situation began to improve. When the federal government approved a charter and constitution for the tribe in 1957, it marked both the official resumption of tribal sovereignty and the first agreement that did not force removal of the Seminoles from the reservation. An Assumption of Sovereignty continues Harry A. Kersey Jr.'s examination of Seminole history. He studies the effects of shifting governmental attitudes and policies on the Florida Indians during the past quarter-century. He also charts the social, economic, and political experiences of the tribe during these volatile decades. By the end of the account, readers understand that the Seminole tribe has become organized, functioning, and sovereign, with a stable economic base. The author has made extensive use of oral history from tribal elders as well as the memoirs and records of Florida congressional leaders.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 247-253) and index.

ISBN:

0803227280

OCLC:

33206258