SEMINOLE INDIAN SCOUTS CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
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9/17/2024

September 2024

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Hello, everyone! Seminole Days is just a couple days away. We can’t wait to see everyone. In this newsletter, you’ll find the Seminole Days 2024 flyer, the link for our Zoom Presentation this evening, and a special thank you to Ms. Becky Pena Moore.

Seminole Days 2024

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If you are interested in participating in the parade, being a vendor or volunteering please contact us.

MonthLY Zoom Presentation

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Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 872 5451 6824
​Passcode: 935701

Special thanks to
​ Becky Pena Moore

We want to extend a very special thank you to Ms. Becky Pena Moore. On July 5 and September 5, she cleaned the State Historical Markers located at the Carver School and Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery, respectively. As you can see, they were in desparate need of a good cleaning. The before and after photo show the level of care that Ms. Moore took to make sure that both signs are now clean of debris and easy to read. 

Thank you!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend.
​Thank you to everyone who has supported SISCA throughout the year.

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3/31/2024

march

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hAPPY eASTER, y'ALL!

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Happy Easter to you and yours! We hope your day has been a beautiful and blessed one! Keep reading to find out all that we have been up to since our last newsletter.

trip to wewoka, oklahoma -
​february 17, 2024

INDIAN VOICES ARTICLE

On Saturday, February 17, 2024, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Seminole Nation Museum in Wewoka, Oklahoma. I was invited to speak by Chief Lewis Johnson of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. He’d seen a presentation that I’d done for the Fort Worth Public Library on YouTube, and after connecting with the kind people there, extended an invitation. I happily (and quickly)accepted.

To say that the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and the Seminole Nation Museum were kind and hospitable is an understatement. As mi prima and fellow travel partner Corina Torralba said, “They treated us like royalty.” And I am not exaggerating when I say the whole trip was magical.

From the time I got on the plane, everyone that I encountered was so warm and friendly. The Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City was full of great energy and easy to navigate. Then, when Corina and I hopped in our rental car, after setting our GPS for Wewoka, we enjoyed a scenic drive filled with endless flat land, cows, and beautifully colorful houses that dotted the sparse landscape. There were even a few times when we were directed to take backroads. It was an unexpected adventure that showed us equal parts sights we’d never seen before and surroundings that felt very much like home.

When we arrived in Wewoka, we went right to the Seminole Nation Museum, where we were greeted by museum director Richard Ellwanger and collections manager Caitlin Maddox, who quickly made us feel welcomed. We also were finally able to meet Chief Phillip Barkus of the Dosar Barkus Band in person. He made us feel instantly at home as well. He and Sen. Anastasia Pittman set up a lovely display that included tons of books and personal photos and artifacts. After they finished setting up their display, we went out to eat at a great restaurant called Rudy Alan’s Steakhouse. It was a great way to end our first day in Wewoka, where the weather was incredibly, unbelievably cold, but the people were so warm.

The next day, the day of the presentation, we were treated to a traditional Seminole meal that was arranged by Chief Johnson. The meal included fry bread and sofke/soski. I’d grown up hearing about sofke/soski, but had never had the opportunity to try it. I was surprised by how much I liked it. Everything was incredibly tasty.

Ahead of the presentation, several dear friends, old and new, began to appear. Guy Narcomey and his beautiful mom Phyllis, Erwin and Cynthia Atchico, LeEtta Osbourne-Sampson, Elizabeth Ann Gaines Ali, and Arthur “Butch” Conley all braved the cold to come out and show their support. Seeing so many familiar faces in the audience made me feel loved and just a little less nervous.

My presentation lasted about 45 minutes and was titled “The Black Seminoles of Texas and Mexico.” It consisted of a (brief) history of the Black Seminoles and a (brief) discussion about our culture, annual events, and current revitalization efforts (which include our language, Afro-Seminole Creole, and our songs.) I dedicated my presentation to my mom, Darnett Darlene Goodloe Hardrick, who passed away just over a year ago on February 3.
Following the presentation, there was a short Q&A. Then, a beautiful spread of refreshments was enjoyed by everyone who attended.
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If I am being honest, it’s hard to believe that I am even writing about this experience right now. Being invited to Oklahoma has, quite literally, been a dream. And as with most experiences that we can’t wait to have, the date seems to take forever to approach. Then, once it’s here, it, quite literally, flies by. Even though the time was short, many wonderful memories and amazing new friends were made.

If you'd like to watch the presentation, click the link below:
SEMINOLE NATION MUSEUM PRESENTATION

FORT CLARK DAYS
March 1-2, 2024
FORT CLARK SPRINGS/BRACKETTVILLE, TEXAS

On Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2, several members of SISCA participated in Fort Clark Days, which is the annual living history event that takes place at Fort Clark Springs in Brackettville.

Fridays are always dedicated to school children. We had a booth in the living history section and were able to expose a whole new group of children to the history of the Black Seminoles and, more specifically, the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts. For the second year in a row, our booth was right next to Tom Ashmore with the West Texas Archealogical Society. Sharing a space with him meant we were able to provide a more tangible aspect to our stories. The students were able to see some of his finds and touch some of the artifacts that he brought with him.

On Saturday, we also sold brisket sandwiches. The brisket was prepared by Herbert Brown. We had a great turnout and had several customers who returned for seconds and thirds. We didn't turn them away! 

Fort Clark Days is always a great event. We are certainly looking forward to 2025!

women's history month
march 1-31, 2024
internatonal women's day
march 8, 2024

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March is Women's History Month, and March 8 is International Women's Day. This year, we honor some of our most important and influential women on our Facebook page. Below are all the ladies that we honored. 
Check out our Facebook page (Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association) to read what was written about each of the women we honored.

trip to camp meyers spring 
March 17, 2024

On Saturday, March 17, several members of SISCA went out to Camp Meyers Spring in Dryden, Texas. Tom Ashmore invited the group out to witness the unveiling of a painting depicting the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts and to go on a tour. This is our second trip out to Camp Meyers Springs. And each trip has been filled with more information as more and more artifacts are found and identified. We are certainly looking forward to Mr. Ashmore's report on his findings.

afro-seminole Creole Zooms 
on Youtube

We began revitalizing Afro-Seminole Creole (ASC) on Juneteenth in 2021. Following our inital meeting, we had 11 additional lessons. Now, all of the lessons have been uploaded to our SISCA Brackettville (@siscabrackettville1413) YouTube channel.
​To check out our first lesson, click the link below:
AFRO-SEMINOLE CREOLE ON YOUTUBE

mONTHLY zOOM PRESENTATIONS
​ON YOUTUBE

Just like with our ASC lessons, we've also started uploading our Monthly Zoom Presentations onto YouTube. Check out our very first Zoom Presentation, featuring Dr. Wallis Tinnie and Mr. Victor Norfus below:
FIRST MONTHLY ZOOM PRESENTATION

JUNETEENTH 2024

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SEMINOLE DAYS 2024

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MEMBERSHIP

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​​​​​Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you.
MEMBERSHIP

THANK YOU!

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Thank you to everyone who supports SISCA.
​None of this would be possible without your support.

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1/30/2024

february 2024

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happy febraury

Hello! Happy New Year! And Happy Black History Month! We hope your 2024 has gotten off to a happy, healthy, and prosperous start! We are looking forward to a year that is filled with a lot of important events. Keep reading to find out what we have been up to and what we are looking forward to.

2023 Holiday dinner

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, several of SISCA's officers and board members and their loved ones gathered at the Carver School for a holiday dinner. We have traditionally gathered during the holidays for several years. During COVID, we weren't able to get together for the past few years. 

Along with amazing food, one of our other traditions is something we adopted from the late Mary Griner Nofi and her husband Dr. Al Nofi. Each year, they would invite friends and family to their home to help decorate their Christmas tree. Each person puts, at least, one ornament on the tree. We did the same thing during our holiday gathering, thinking about Ms. Mary all the while.

186th Seminole Maroon Family Reunion -
January 13-14, 2024
​Jupiter, Florida

Florida Black Historical Research Project Inc.’s
186th Seminole Maroon Family Reunion – January 13-14, 2024
By Windy Goodloe, secretary, Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association
 
(This article appears in the January 2024 editon of Indian Voices.)

At the end of last year’s Seminole Maroon Family Reunion, we (Corina Torralba, treasurer of SISCA and I) began making plans to attend this year’s event. Why? Because the space that the Tinnies of Florida Black Historical Research Project Inc. (FBHRP) have fostered is one of warmth, inclusivity, openness, and love. It is familial and familiar. This truly has become a family reunion that I look forward to attending each year.

This year, the focus was on those who stayed in Florida, such as Sam Jones (Abiaka) and Cha-Chi, and the Saltwater Underground Railroad (aka the Bahamas). On Saturday, January 13 at 10:00 AM, we gathered at Sunset Park, located in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Cha-Chi’s Village Memorial Ceremony, which included a plaque dedication. The event, which was moderated by Professor Michelle T. Riley, included an invocation by Reverend Gerald Kisner. After the invocation, short speeches were given by the Honorable Cathleen Ward, who is the commissioner for the City of West Palm Beach, District 1, Mrs. Annie Ruth Harrison, with the African American Research Library and Cultural Center of Palm Beach County, Brother Victor D. Norfus with the Heart of Boynton Unity Project, and Professor Derek Hankerson.

Dr. Wallis H. Tinnie, president of FBHRP, gave the occasion. She spoke beautifully and passionately about the all the work that had gone into preparing for the day and how the ancestors had helped and approved every step of the process. Dr. Anthony Dixon gave a brief history about the Florida Maroon Community that inhabited the area. Mr. Dinizulu Gene Tinnie, who designed the plaque, spoke eloquently about his work.
The plaque reads: “Seminole Maroon Remembrance Site: Indigenous Land Acknowledgment: Cha-Chi’s Village: A prominent Seminole settlement, with a probable connection to Cha-Chi’s Landing, a historical site once identified in what is now Downtown West Palm Beach, was located in this general area before and during the Second Seminole War, 1835-1842. The site, with its wealth of verdant and thriving crop fields, was destroyed by U.S. military forces in 1841, following the capture of Cha-Chi and his wife Polly, among other captures, deaths, and forced deportation on the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma Territory under the Indian Removal Act of 1830.”

It goes on to say: “This memorial is placed by the City of West Palm Beach in cooperation with Florida Black Historical Research Project Inc. and the African American Research Library and Cultural Center of P.B. County. It was made possible by grants from ArtLife WPB, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.”

Brian Forbing and his Capital Battery Line closed out the program with their rhythmic cadences and impressive showmanship.

After the plaque dedication, we toured Boynton Beach and stopped at special sites along the way, including Brother Victor Norfus’s 92-year-old mom’s house. We ended the day with a panel discussion about the Saltwater Underground Railroad, featuring Professor Stefan Moss, Dr. Grace Turner, and Dr. Anthony Dixon. They discussed Google maps exploration of the Saltwater Underground Railroad, Angola, and Andros, respectively. The Boynton Bahamian Dancers entertained the crowd with their lively dance moves and even got everyone up on their feet a few times.

On Sunday, January 14 at 10:00 AM, we gathered at the Loxahatchee Battlefield Park for the 186th Anniversary of the Annual Seminole Maroon Spiritual Remembrance of the Two Battles of the Loxahatchee River. This event, in my humble opinion, is deeply healing and cathartic. We gathered in front of Isa’s Tree, which was dedicated on May 20, 2023, on Florida’s Emancipation Day. Dr. Wallis Tinnie and Mr. Dinizulu Gene Tinnie welcomed everyone. Afterward, a group of Buffalo Soldier reenactors, dressed in period uniforms, performed “Taps” and presented the colors.

The guest speaker was Professor Magdalena LaMarre. Her presentation was entitled “Sourcing Florida’s Maroon Communities.” Even though her speech was brief, she gave a thorough history of the Black Seminoles and even mentioned Brackettville and El Nacimiento. After her speech, a panel featuring Prof. Stefan Moss, Mr. Thomas Mitchell, Dr. Grace Turner, and Prof. Derek Hankerson discussed the Seminole Maroons of the Saltwater Underground Railroad. The panel was moderated by Dr. Anthony Dixon. And just like the day before, the program concluded with Brian Forbing’s excellent Capital Battery Line.

This year’s event also acknowledged the passing of two luminaries — Dr. Rosalyn Howard and Richard Procyk. Dr. Howard’s research on the Black Seminoles of the Bahamas is seminal. She is deeply missed. Richard Procyk was a champion of the Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park. Several of his dear friends spoke lovingly about him. Like Dr. Howard, his loss is immeasurable.
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On a personal note, I had the pleasure of meeting the most extraordinary seven-year-old. As she and her mom and a few of her friends were walking toward where the event was taking place, I saw that she was carrying a small bouquet of freshly picked flowers. I asked her what she was going to do with the flowers, and she said that she wanted to place them at Isa’s tree. She asked me to accompany her, and I happily obliged. Before she placed the flowers at the base of the tree, she said a prayer, and the words she spoke left me in awe. She understood why we had gathered there, and she wanted to do her part to bring peace, love, and unity. In her tiny hands, our future is safe. I can’t wait to return next year to see her and everyone else who I have come to consider family. 
Indian Voices - January 2024

LT. Col. (retired) Richard Best & Wife
donate picnic tables to sisca

From Lt. Col. (retired) Richard Best (dated January 21, 2024):
"A promise made nearly 20 years ago from childhood into adulthood was kept by me, Lieutenenat Colonel (retired) Richard Best and his wife. As a young adult who entered military service in the US Army in 1990, I kept my promise to never forget my roots. So recently this last year, I set out on a personal misson or project to support the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association of Brackettville, TX, with park material to hlep make it rather more modern in the year 2024. On behalf of myself (LTC) (retired) Richard Best/Mrs. Pamela Best and family, we donated on January 20, 204, ten (10) ready custom-made picnic tables to the (SISCA) Association of Brackettville, TX. It was a personal promise which was kept to the association members, IN REMEMBRANCE OF CPL ISAAC PAYNE, USS ARMY, TRUMPETER, METAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT 1875. I hope this small gesture encourages other Semiole descendants to support/help with funds to keep our great heritage alive going forward into the future."

Dear Lt. Col. Best, thank you so much for your generosity. A lot of time and work went into crafting these beatiful tables. They will be a source of pride for many, many years to come.
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February Fundraiser -
​BBQ Chicken Plate Sale

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Seminole indian scouts cemetery plaque project
deadline coming soon

Following the completion of the renovation of the fence at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery, we reached out to members and friends to help pay for the debt that occurred as a result. For those who wish to donate $100, their name or the name of their family or a loved will be placed on a plaque that memorializes their support.

This has been an ongoing project that we hope to complete soon. The deadline to pay the $100 and have your name added to the plaque is March 2, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact us. 

​If you'd like to donate, please click the link below.
DONATE

FORT CLARK DAYS 2024

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We look forward to Fort Clark Days every year. This is Brackett/Fort Clark's largest event. It brings together living historians from all over Texas and beyond, and it is a chance to step back and time and hear the stories and (sometimes) actually feel the artifacts that were used a century (if not longer) ago.

For more information, click the button below:
Fort Clark Days

February's Monthly zoom presentation speaker is
rhonda grayson
thursday, february 29, 2024 at 7:00Pm ct/8:00PM ET

membership

​​​​Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you.
MEMBERSHIP

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who supports SISCA.
​None of this would be possible without your support.

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10/17/2023

october 2023

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Hello, October!

Welcome!
First, we would like to thank everyone who helped with Seminole Days 2023. Ths year was incredibly special. and it wouldn't have happened without the help of several volunteers who are dedicated to making sure that everything we do is successful.

Following Seminole Days, we felt it was important to continue to connect with everyone. One of the ways that we can do this is virtually, so the idea of having a monthly lecture series was presented. This is a way to continue to discuss matters that pertain to Black Seminoles, whether it is through history or current events, on a more regular basis. We hope that we can forge a stronger connection through these events.
​ 

Monthly zoom lecture presentation:
inaugural presentation
​Dr. Wallis tinnie & Mr. victor norfus

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Dr. Wallis Hamm Tinnie, granddaughter of the late Seminole Florence Ealer Jones Hamm, is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida.  Dr. Tinnie’s grandmother Florence left her native home in the village of Mikasuki on the edge of Tallahassee, Florida, to go to Tampa, Florida; later, she married James Hamm and went to West Palm Beach with her husband in the second decade of the Twentieth Century. Their union included seven children, one of whom was Dr. Tinnie’s father. 

Dr. Tinnie has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida A and M University, a Master of Arts from the University of Florida, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Iowa.  Dr. Tinnie serves as  President of Florida Black Historical Research Project, Inc., a Florida non-profit organization founded by her late cousin, Isa Hamm Bryant, a Seminole Maroon descendant who was one of the driving forces behind the reclamation of Loxahatchee River Park as a Battlefield site in Jupiter, Florida..

Dr. Tinnie is a retired College Professor and former Protocol Officer of the City of Miami.  As a long-time cultural programmer, she was one of the chief organizers of Miami’s Annual Pan African Bookfest and Cultural Conference spearheaded by the African American Caribbean Cultural Arts Commission which she co-founded.

As president of Florida Black Historical Research Project, Inc., Dr. Tinnie has worked diligently, with the help of family members and others, for the last 15 years to continue the work of honoring the sacred site of her ancestors, work begun by her cousin, Seminole Maroon descendant, Isa Hamm Bryant.

Cha Chi’s Village:
Revisiting the Historiography of the Seminole Wars
 
In the case of the Seminole Wars, a wealth of emerging information that might have been previously hidden, forgotten, denied, ignored, misrepresented or misunderstood not only adds to our knowledge, but, even more importantly affects how we interpret what we learn.  What we think we know is based on our cultural presumptions about what is important and why. This presentation questions many of the accepted modes for interpreting and presenting Seminole Wars history, suggesting re-presenting this history through the perspectives, purposes, and priorities of history in the Seminole maroon experience.

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ZOOM LINK

Meeting id: 825 6615 0065
​Passcode: 162292

membership

​​​Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you.
MEMBERSHIP

THANK YOU

Thank you so much for continuing to support us! 

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9/14/2023

september 2023

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​seminole days 2023

Seminole Days 2023 begins tomorrow. We are looking forward to seeing everyone. This year, as does every year, promises to be full of excitement. Click the link below to view the full scope of all the events we have planned for this year's celebration. 
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Seminole Days 2023

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6/14/2023

June 2023

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juneteenth 2023

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Join us! This Saturday for our annual Juneteenth celebration!
We will have a follow-up newsletter detailing the event.
If you have any questions, please contact us.

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2/28/2023

February 2023

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Hello, everyone! Here we are, on the last day of February at the eleventh hour, sending out our monthly newsletter. We just wanted to give a quick rundown of our upcoming events. 

Fort Clark Days
March 3-4, 2023
Brackettville, Texas

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Fort Clark Days will be taking place on March 3 & 4 (Friday and Saturday). This annual event is one of the most popular events that take place in Brackettville/Fort Clark.

SISCA will be located in two places. Members of our organization will be in the living historian section, educating visitors about our history. We will also be serving as food vendors. We will be selling brisket sandwiches.

Here's more information about Fort Clark Days

​From the official website:
 
For more than 40 years, Fort Clark Days has taken place at Fort Clark Springs in Brackettville, Texas. More than 100 living historians demonstrate skills from the past and educate our visitors about the history of southwest Texas. In addition to our living historians, we have arts & crafts and food vendors.  

Our 2023 celebration will be a living history (educational) event on Friday, school day.  Food vendors will be on site for lunch and dinner.  On Saturday, March 4 (open to the  public day), we will also have arts and crafts vendors. We are expecting more than 100 living historians in 2023.

Join us for a Street Dance Friday night in front of the Commissary from 7:00-10:00 PM. Arts & Craft Vendors will be open during the Street Dance. 

Fort Clark Days is sponsored by Fort Clark Springs Community Council, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and Fort Clark Springs Association.   

Our annual multi-day event helps us fulfill three of the six purposes of Fort Clark Springs Community Council (FCSCC):
  • To assist in the education of the youth and general public in the history of Southwest Texas.
  • To preserve, protect, and promote the Fort Clark Historic District for its citizens, the visiting public and future generations. 
  • To raise money to help achieve these goals.

Students at Lytle High School created Is Living History a Dying Art? and were runners up at the Young Filmmakers State Finals on March 12, 2021. Video was shot at the 2020 Fort Clark Days event. 

Click the link below for more information:
Fort Clark Days
Here are some pictures from last year's Fort Clark Days.
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SAVE the date:
​juneteenth

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Save the date:
​Seminole days

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membership

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​​Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you
Membership
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Thank you for your continued interest and support in
the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association.

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1/27/2023

January 2023

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Happy New Year, everyone! We hope your 2023 has gotten off to a great start. In this newsletter, we will let you know about an event some of us just attended and some of the events we are looking forward to this year.

The 185-Year Seminole Maroon Family Reunion
January 11-15, 2023
​Jupiter, Florida

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From January 11-15, members of  SISCA attended an incredibly special event known as the 185 Year Seminole Maroon Family Reunion. Florida Black Historical Research Project Inc. is responsbile for creating and hosting this annual event. Check out the photos below. 
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On Wednesday, January 11, there was a welcome reception at a beautifully eclectic place called the Seminole Inn.
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On Thurday, January 12, attendees went on a bus tour of Jupiter. Our first stop was at the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. Because of the danger of flooding, graves are weighted with cement overlays that weigh 5,000 pounds!
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Our next stop was Riverbend Park. This was where signficant battles during the Second Seminole War took place.
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Our third stop was at a reserve, where a beautiful traditional African libation ceremony was performed by Theodore Lush.
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On Thurday and Friday night, several lectures and presentations took place. Each talk brought enlightenment and interest.
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On Saturday and Sunday, we returned to Riverbend Park. Each day, we listened to great lecutres and were entertained by two amazing drumming groups. We also honored the legacy of Isa Hamm Bryant, who was the founder of Florida Black Historical Research Inc.
​For more information, click the link below.
Florida Black Historical Research Project Inc

Mark Your Calendars:
​Upcoming events

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Because we know how important it is to plan ahead for some of our events, we will do our best to let everyone know (as far in advance as we can) about our upcoming events. What we know for sure is that we will definitely be participating in or hosting the three events that are listed above. Mark your calendars and join us for each one!

CEMETERY cleanup
Saturday, January 28, 2023
at 8:00 AM
Seminole Indian Scouts cemetery

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This will be our first official cleanup for the year!

Fort clark days
​march 3-4, 2023

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SISCA will be participating in Fort Clark Days as both living historians and vendors. We are certainly looking forward to it. For more information, click the link below.
Fort Clark Days
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​Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!
Membership
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Thank you for your continued interest and support in
the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association.

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12/1/2022

December 2022

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Merry Christmas, everyone! We hope that you and yours are enjoying this holiday season. We hope that everyone is safe and warm. In this newsletter, we wanted to provide a recap of some of the past events that SISCA members have participated in and look ahead to some upcoming events that we are really excited about. Read on to find out!

The Four Sierra Leone-Gullah Homecomings
Beaufort, South Carolina
Friday, december 2 -december 4, 2022

On Friday, December 2, Corina Torralba Harrington (treasurer) and Windy Goodloe (secretary) traveled to Beaufort, South Carolina, to attend the Four Sierra Leone-Gullah Homecomings.

Ahead of the symposium, they attended a pre-Kwanzaa celebration at Georgia Southern University. The event was organized by Dr. Maxine Bryant. She is the Director of the Center for Africana Studies and the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center. Lillian Grant-Baptiste spoke eloquently and beautifully about Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa. (Wikipedia)
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Following the pre-Kwanzaa presentation, they raced to Beaufort, hoping to catch Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk's Christmas concert. They arrived in time to catch the tail-end of the performance, but just the short bit they saw was enough to know that the songs that are being sung in Mexico have origins in South Carolina. What was even more amazing was that Amadu Massally, the creator and host of the Sierra Leone-Gullah Geechee event, was called up to the stage by Aunt Pearlie Sue. He was recognized for all the work that he has done bringing the two groups togther.

Aunt Pearlie Sue is the creation of Anita Singleton-Prather, a native of the Sea Islands of Beaufort, South Carolina. Based on her grandmother, Aunt Pearlie Sue's character has entertained audiences with Gullah-flavored folktales for over 20 years from the schoolhouse to the White House.
In addition to being a renowned master storyteller, Prather is an educator, historian, business woman, writer, singer, actress, and director/producer.  She is the founder and artistic director of the musical performance group the Gullah Kinfolk. As a storyteller and singer, Prather has performed at many festivals, the Beaufort Gullah Festival, Penn Heritage Days Festival, Woodlands Festival, Spoleto USA  International Arts Festival in Charleston, SC and San Francisco Festival of the Sea, just to name a few. (from https://www.gullahkinfolktravelingtheater.org/aunt-pearlie-sue)
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On Saturday, December 3, ahead of the symposium, there was an event that took place called Gullah Taste of Christmas. It featured numerous vendors and performances by the Gullah Kinfolk Traveling Theater. The highlight of the event (without question) was the rice cook-off.
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The Four Sierra Leone-Gullah Homecomings was an event organized by Fambul Tik, which means "family tree" in the local Sierra Leonian Creole. The event, which was held at The Technical College of the Low Country brought together four groups that had traveled to Sierra Leone. The trips took place in 1989, 1997, 2005, and 2019. Members from each of the four groups told those in attendance about the experience of traveling to Sierra Leone, which is, for many, the area from which their ancestors were stolen into slavery.

The audience learned about a song that was sung in South Carolina that linguist Dr. Lorenzo Dow Turner discovered was a Mende song, originally from Sierra Leone. 
 
They also heard the story of Priscilla, who was taken into slavery in 1750, at just ten years old. Her seven-times granddaughter was able to return to Sierra Leone in 2005. 

Renowned linguist Joseph Opala gave a brief history about the Black Seminoles. After his speech, Corina and Windy spoke about the Gullah-Black Seminole connection and what life was like in Texas and Mexico.

Below are a few pictures from the event: 
1. The beautiful HUGE Christams tree that was the centerpiece of the Taste of Gullah event.
2. Windy Goodloe, Amadu Massally, Corina Torralba Harrington, and LeeJay Krueger
3. Gabriel Greaves (Black Seminole and scholar) and Corina Torralba
4. Amadu Massally and Corina Torralba Harrington
5. Windy Goodloe, Amadu Massally, and Corina Torralba Harrington
​6. The Sierra Leonian flag
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The Florida Historical Black Research, iNC:
​Telling The Full History

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Florida Historical Black Research Inc,, one of our sister organizations received a grant that will enable them to present their annual spiritual remembrance/family reunion for five days in January. Make plans to attend this important event. Click the link below for more information.
Florida Historical Black Research Inc

Fort Clark Days
March 3-4, 2023

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SISCA will be participating in Fort Clark Days as both living historians and vendors. We are certainly looking forward to it. For more information, click the link below.
Fort Clark Days 2023
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​Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!
Membership
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Thank you for your support throughout the year. May the new year bring continue health, love, and properity.

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11/2/2022

November 2022

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Seminole Days 2022

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Seminole Days 2022 was amazing! This Seminole Days, the first we've been able to celebrate in-person since 2019, was one of the most well-attended celebrations. We appreciated everyone who took the time to travel to Brackettville to help us celebrate and honor the legacy of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts. Enjoy a few of the photos that were taken during the event.

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Johnny Montgomery's Latest Paintings

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We were honored to have Johnny Montgomery attend Seminole Days. He brought several of his paintings along with him. They were displayed in the Carver School throughout the weekend. He calls his work "cultural art." Many of his paintings depict Black Seminoles  and important events from our history. 

November is Native American Heritage Month

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November is Native American Heritage Month.

From Wikipedia:
"On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, thereafter commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. The bill read in part that 'the President has authorised and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organisations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.' This landmark bill honouring America's tribal people represented a major step in the establishment of this celebration which began in 1976 when a Cherokee/Osage Indian named Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle authored Native American Awareness Week legislation the first historical week of recognition in the nation for native peoples. This led to 1986 with then-President Ronald Reagan proclaiming November 23–30, 1986, as 'American Indian Week.'
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This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for Native people in the United States of America to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This gives Native people the opportunity to express to their community, both city, county and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area. Federal Agencies are encouraged to provide educational programs for their employees regarding Native American history, rights, culture and contemporary issues, to better assist them in their jobs and for overall awareness."
For more information, click the button below
Native American Heritage Month

4th Annual Texas Veterans Hall of Fame
​Induction Ceremony - Denton, TEXAS

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Members of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association will be participating in the 4th Annual Texas Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The event will take place in Denton, Texas. The four Medal of Honor recipients buried at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery will be honored. They are Adam Payne, Isaac Payne, John Ward, and Pompey Factor. Clarion Windus, the fifth Medal of Honor recipient who is buried at the Masonic cemetery in Brackettville, will also be honored. 
​For more information, click the button below.
Texas Veterans

Gullah Homecomings Symposium:
Four Sierra Leone - Gullah Homecomings

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Another important event will be taking place in December. The Four Sierra Leone - Gullah Homecomings will take place on Saturday, December 3, beginning at 2PM EST at the Auditorium of the Technical College of the Low Country (104 Reynolds Street, Beaufort, SC 29902).
For more information and to purchase tickets, click the button below: 
Buy Tickets at Eventbrite

The Florida Black Historical Research Project, Inc:
Telling the full history

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One of our sister organizations received a grant that will enable them to present their annual spiritual rememberance/family reunion for five days in January. Make plans to attend this important event.

FLORIDA BLACK HISTORICAL RESEARCH PROJECT, INC. RECEIVES NATIONAL GRANT FUNDINGFlorida Black Historical Research Project, Inc. (FBHRP) has received $50,000 from Telling the Full History Preservation Fund—a grant program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, made possible through the National Endowment for the Humanities under the American Rescue Plan.
The funding enables the planning and presentation of a five-day “185-Year Seminole Maroon Family Reunion,” on January 11-15, 2023, a physical and virtual gathering in Jupiter Florida (in present-day Palm Beach County), site of the two pivotal 1838 Battles of the Loxahatchee River during the Second Seminole War, which significantly altered the course of full American history.
The event also marks the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking “160-Year Family Reunion” held in 1998, which brought Oklahoma Seminole Maroon (“Black Seminole” or “Estelusti”) descendants (of Trail of Tears survivors) to their Ancestral homeland of Florida for the first time, garnering remarkably broad local interest and support, and establishing permanent networks and exchanges which continue today, with January’s event expanding to include Maroon descendant communities in Mexico, Texas, and the Bahamas as well as Oklahoma and Florida itself.
FBHRP is one of 80 organizations that received $25,000 or $50,000 grants to interpret and preserve historic places of importance  that embody the history of underrepresented communities in our nation.
Telling the Full History grants support the core activities of humanities-based organizations as these organizations recover from the pandemic, using historic places as catalysts for a more just and equitable society. To learn more about this program, visit Forum.SavingPlaces.org/tellingthefullhistoryfund.
Florida Black Hisotrical Research Project Inc

membership

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Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!
Membership
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We want to say "thank you" to everyone who has supported SISCA, especially in recent months, as we prepared for Seminole Days and during Seminole Days. We truly cannot thank you enough.

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9/11/2022

September 2022

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Hello! It has been a while! 
We are hard at work preparing for Seminole Days 2022.
​Let's get up-to-date! 

Seminole Days 2022

This year will be the first time we've celebrated in-persion since 2019. In 2020, we had a drive-through BBQ plate sale. In 2021, we focused on outdoor activities across the three-day celebration, so we went out to Seminole Canyon, had our parade and BBQ plate sale, and our cemetery service on Sunday.

For this year's full itinerary, please take a look at the flyer below:
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Seminole Days
We've created a special section on our website that is dedicated to Seminole Days. Each event has its own page. If you have any particular event that you are curious about or would like more information about, this is the place to go.

Seminole Canyon

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For the past ten years (except for 2020 because of COVID-19), we have started off our annual three-day celebration with a trip to Seminole Canyon. This year marks a decade that we have been doing this. This trip is open to everyone. We will meet at the Carver School at 6:30 AM and will leave at 7:00 AM. We should arrive in Comstock (where Seminole Canyon is located) at about 8:30 AM.

Please note: According to our guide Tanya, because of the rain, we will have to take a different route to the Watering Hole. Be prepared to walk/hike a little bit longer. We will provide more information before Friday morning. 

For more information, click the button below:
Trip to Seminole Canyon

Afro-seminole creole lessons

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Since Juneteenth 2021, we have been having monthly classes in an effort to revitalize our language, which is called Afro-Seminole Creole. During Seminole Days, we will have two lessons. One will be on Friday at 5PM and the second will be on Saturday at the same time. The classes will be taught by reknowned linguist Dr. Ian Hancock. We will be providing updated dictionaries and handouts for participants who are in attendance.
Afro-Seminole Creole

Lecture series/Meet & Greet
Guest Speakers:
​Tom Ashmore & C.A. Maegdan iii

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This year our guest speakers are Mr. Tom Ashmore and Mr. C.A. Maedgen III. The title of their presentation is Camp Meyers Spring and the Seminole Negro Indian Scout Encampment. Mr. Ashmore and Mr. Maedgen's presentation will begin at 6PM on Friday.
Tom Ashmore spent 22 years in the Air Force as a special intelligence analyst.  After retiring active duty he taught intelligence skills for another 20 years for the Air Force Intelligence School at Goodfellow AFB, Texas.  He headed up avocational archeological investigations for the Concho Valley and Iraan Archeological Societies and worked closely with the Texas Archeological Society over the last 15 years.  He completed a book in 2019 on his Butterfield Trail investigations, ‘The Butterfield Trail Through The Concho Valley And West Texas.’  He is currently a member of the West Texas Archeological Society and board member of the Southwest Federation of Archeological Societies.
​C.A. Maedgen, III is a military veteran having served in Viet Nam at Da Nang in the U.S. Air Force in 1970. Prior to military service C.A. graduated from SMU with a degree in Geology and MFA in Communications. After military service C.A. worked in Houston as a licensed Real Estate Broker for 10 years and in the last 30 years C.A. worked for a national chemical manufacturer. C.A. has many hours of avocational archeology at Forts Chadbourne and Concho historic sites, Butterfield Trail station sites, Horse Head Crossing, Lower Pecos Rock Art and archeology sites.  He served for over 10 years as the Region 10 Director of the Texas Archeology Society, 4 years as president of the Concho Valley Archeology Society, and past board member of the Southwest Federation of Archeology Societies.  He is currently an active member of the West Texas Archeology Society and Texas Archeological Society.
Lecture Series/Meet & Greet

Breakfast with
the fort clark
Historical society

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The Fort Clark Historical Society (FCHS) has worked closely with SISCA over the few years (nearly a decade) to honor the Scouts who called Fort Clark home during their service. Several markers have been erected thanks to the FCHS's dedication to keeping the Scouts' legacy alive.

This year, we will be having breakfast with the FCHS. They will be providing early birds with a variety of breakfast tacos and other goodies. The breakfast starts at 8:00 AM. It will be held at the Palisado Building on Fort Clark.  
Breakfast with the FCHS

Annual Parade

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We are so happy and proud to announce that our parade marshal for Seminole Days 2022 is Mr. Joe Louis Factor.
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He is one of our board members. He is the main caretaker of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemtery. He is a descendant of Pompey Factor.

Andwho doesn't love a parade?!
We are looking forward to our annual parade this year, as we do every year. 
​Would you like to be in the parade? If so, click the link below to access our parade entry form.
Annual Parade

Annual program

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Our guest speaker is Reynard Faber. He is  a Jicarilla Apache from Dulce, NM. He was educated at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Reynard has been on staff with Samaritan’s Purse for 20 years. He oversees the Native American aspect of the ministry. He has authored his autobiography titled FRONTRUNNER- The Story of an Apache Indian

Reynard Faber is the chief of the Jicarilla Apache People. It is an honor bestowed by the Jicarilla Apache Legislative Council in 2000 and reaffirmed in 2004. He had the privilege of sharing his testimony at Billy Graham Crusades and Franklin Graham Festivals. Reynard Faber was discipled and mentored by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Most of all, Reynard Faber serves the Living God fervently and has been blessed by ministering the Word of God.
Parade

BBQ Plate Sale

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BBQ Plate Sale

Special presentation: Artist johnny montgomery

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​Johnny Montgomery has been painting for most of his life. He has been painting the Gullahs, Seminoles, and Black Seminoles for more than 50 years. He calls his work "cultural art." He is, also, a student of the history of his subjects, having studied for as long as he's been painting them. 

His most recent exhibit was at the Seminole Nation Museum in Wewoka, Oklahoma.

Mr. Montgomery is a Vietnam veteran. He was was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
Artist Johnny Montgomery

Special Presentation:
​The S.I.N.S Screening

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Lovie is a Nigerian/Seminole/British/Ashkenazi-Jewish filmmaker, who raised an Army brat. He played professional basketball overseas. He developed a unique flavor for storytelling. Lovie first directed music videos, socially conscious/hip reality shows, and helped develop PSAs for non-profit programs for the homeless youth in the Southeast.

Lovie's experience as an actor in the stage productions Amistad and For Black Boys along with films such as "Fright Night", "Debt to Society", "UTU", and "The Sounds of War..." contribute to his ability to bring the character to life.

Lovie is producing the feature films "Supernal Darkness", a psychological action/thriller, and "Sidewalk Baby" an urban/hip hop bi-opic. Current projects in active development are a paranormal/sci-fi action-thriller called "The Blackest Yellow...", a black western called "The SINS".

Next on the film slate is a paranormal/action short called "Your 24..." which is Produced, Written, & Directed by Lovie. He will also be co-starring in Greg Hatanaka's upcoming horror/thriller "Amityville Cop" (October 2021) and Benny Tjandra's newest action-epic "Prey Of Wrath" which is due out in 2022.

Lovie is committed to create social awareness and positive change through film and television around the areas of child abuse awareness and child sex trafficking plus social-change topics.


Lovie's training and life experience combine to provide him a unique lens through which he views life. It is this lens which he applies to the discipline of storytelling as a Filmmaker/Actor/Writer/Director...

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The S.I.N.S. Screening

Annual Meeting
​& Election Results

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Annual Meeting/Election Results

Election 2022 information

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Election 2022

Spaghetti/Pasta Dinner

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Spaghetti.Pasta Dinner

Dance

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Dance

Sunday Ceremony

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if you have a loved who has passed away within the past three years (2019 - 2022), please let us know so that we can honor them during our ceremony.
Sunday Ceremony/Service

PotLuck lunch

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Potluck Lunch

Places to stay

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membership

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Membership & Donations

thank you

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We want to take a to say "thank you" to everyone who has helped us prepare for Seminole Days. We simply could not have planned for this event without your help. This year is the first year we have been able to gather fully and in-person since 2019. We do not take this for granted at all. One million thank yous!

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1/1/2020

January 2020

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Happy New Year, everyone! We are so excited about 2020! It is a big year for us, and we can't wait to tell you all about what we are planning. This year commemorates 150 years since the founding of the Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts. We are planning to do a lot this year. Keep reading to find out.

In this newsletter, along with letting you know about our plans, we also want to let you know what has happened since our last newsletter. We will begin with a Seminole Days recap. From there, we will let you know about a special plaque that was given to a special person. You'll also read about and see several pictures from our Thanksgiving get-together and the 151st celebration of Cactus Jack's birthday at the Briscoe-Garner Museum in Uvalde, Texas. In late November, two beautiful souls passed away. In December, they were buried at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery. You'll learn about them and see a touching photo that was taken following their burials. Also in December, a beautiful celebration of song took place in Nacimiento. Finally, we will discuss ways that you can become more involved with SISCA. Are you interested in sharing family photos? Are you interested in learning Afro-Seminole Creole? Would you like to share information about a Seminole-Negro Indian Scout? If so, find out how you can contribute and learn.
Seminole Days Recap
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Seminole Days took place between Friday, September 20 and Sunday, September 22, 2019. Our annual celebration was packed with several events that were both fun and educational. 

On Friday morning, Seminole Days kicked off with our annual trip to Seminole Canyon. Each year, this trip becomes more sacred as hikers are taken on a tour that retraces the steps our Seminole Negro Indian Scouts ancestors trekked. That Friday evening, Dr. Anthony Dixon, author of Florida's Negro War, enlightened the audience about the wars fought by the Black Seminoles in Florida. His lecture was riveting and powerful. 

On Saturday, the majority of our Seminole Days events took place. Saturday morning, a group gathered in a beautifully shaded area in Fort Clark for the Robert "Bobby" Kibbetts' marker dedication. Following the dedication, our annual parade took place. Mr. Frank Arredondo was our parade marshal. After the parade, we gathered at the Carver School grounds. Dr. Rosalyn Howard, author of Black Seminoles in the Bahamas, spoke during our annual program. This was her second time speaking during Seminole Days. Her lectures are always beautifully insightful and personal. Later that afternoon, the elders' circle took place. Linguist Dr. Ian Hancock began the presentation with a short speech. This year, we began having an annual meeting. During the meeting, Mr. Warrior encouraged other members to donate, at least, $5 a month (more about this at the bottom of the newsletter). That evening, we enjoyed our annual pasta dinner, which was prepared by Dr. Al Nofi, and our annual dance. 

On Sunday, we gathered at the cemetery for our annual ceremony. Following the ceremony, we gathered back at the Carver School and had a pot luck before saying our goodbyes.
Miss Charles Award Presented to 
Joe Louis Factor

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We wanted to show our appreciation for Joe Louis Factor, one of our board members. He has taken on the care and maintenance of the cemetery, often going out there every day to clean and observe its condition.

The Miss Charles Award was presented to Mr. Joe Louis on September 26. This award is for those who embody the dedication and generosity that Miss Charles was known for. We truly appreciate Mr. Joe Louis's attention and dedication to SISCA and the cemetery.

​The plaque reads: Thank you for giving your time, talent, and expertise to SISCA. You have made a difference through your dedication and hard work.

​(Photos courtesy Corina Torralba Harrington)
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Thanksgiving Dinner
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On November 19, several members gathered to enjoy an early Thanksgiving meal. We dined surrounded by Christmas decorations as festive music played softly in the background. 
​(Photos courtesy Corina Torralba Harrington)

Cactus Jack's 151st Birthday Celebration -
Briscoe-Garner Museum, Uvalde, Texas
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On November 23, several SISCA members traveled to Uvalde, Texas, to celebrate the 151st birthday of John Nance Garner, also known as Cactus Jack. He was the 32nd vice president, serving alongside Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

SISCA's table displayed several photos and pieces of memorabilia that detailed the history of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts and their descendants. Our table was set up beside Allen Mack, who is our favorite Living Historian/Buffalo Soldier reenactor. 
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(Photos courtesy Corina Torralba Harrington)
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Our Dearly Departed
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Rose Mary Haywood Scott was born on March 3, 1926 in Del Rio, Texas. She passed away on November 24, 2019 in San Angelo, Texas. She was buried at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery on December 7, 2019. Memorial services were also held in San Angelo, Texas and Los Angeles, California.
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A Celebration of the life of Paul Glenn Ward
Sunrise May 4, 1949 ~ Sunset November 27, 2019
Viewing 4-7PM Friday, December 6, 2019 Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home
2020 N Bedell Ave, Del Rio, TX 78840 (830) 778-2020
Funeral Services 11AM Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Brackettville Sunset Funeral Home
302 Spring Street Brackettville, Texas 78832
Internment at the
Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery
With presentation of USA Military Honors
Repast immediately following at The Seminole Indian Scout School and School Grounds

Obituary of Paul Glenn Ward

On May 4, 1949, in Del Rio, TX Paul Glen Ward was born to the proud parents of Willie and Mary Ward. Paul’s sister was born two years later. The family moved to Brackettville where they stayed until Paul’s father completed his sixth year of military service. Now residing in Ozona, TX, Paul started first grade and was baptized in 1955 at Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. His Godparents were John Joe Nunley and Hazel Washington. Under recommendation from Uncle Pete Pierce and Auntie Annie Mae Pierce, Paul’s Father relocated the family to Los Angeles, California.

Paul attended Saint Odilia’s Catholic School, made his first holy communion and later the sacrament of confirmation. Although Willie Ward bought a home for his family in San Dimas, California, Paul and his sister spent summers between two sets of Grandparents in Ozona and Del Rio, Texas. Paul enjoyed spending time with his Grandpa Billie Ward, foreman of the Ralph Jones Ranch, riding horses and roping, branding, feeding, cleaning, and handling cattle. Papa Billy believed that hard work would help young Paul prepare for manhood. For three to four weeks, leaving at five a.m. on Monday morning for the ranch, they did not return to home until mid-day on Saturday. Paul learned to swim in the community pool. Going to the double-feature movies and having fun with the kids in the neighborhood were favorite pastimes. As he attended Damien High School, Paul became an outstanding athlete, receiving, for three years, the most valuable player award in track and varsity football. He also excelled in science.

At seventeen years of age, Paul joined the United States Army doing basic training at “Fort Ord” in Northern California. He traveled to and lived in several countries during his years in the military and completed three tours of duty in Vietnam between 1966 and 1976. In the field of battle, Paul relayed phone messages with orders to drop Napalm, Agent Orange and bombs. His special duties included going through underground tunnels to dismantle Vietcong strongholds; and to locate and destroy stockpiles of weapons or supplies. He was wounded in battle and spent time in Germany healing. In addition to an honorable discharge, Paul received the following Army decorations: National Defense Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Dev: Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/palm; Expert Badge (M-14 Rifle); Marksman Badge (16 Rifle). When the war was over, like many veterans, Paul had a very difficult time adjusting while lamenting the thousands who died.

Paul met his smart and beautiful wife Specialist 4 Paula Jones (General Westmoreland’s secretary) in General Westmoreland’s Office. He had come to Fort Eustis, a US Army installation in Newport News, Virginia, to receive an award for being wounded in Vietnam. It must have been love at first sight. Paul and Paula were later married, and their first son Kenneth Eugene Ward was born Sept. 29, 1976. Their second son, Erin Antonio Ward was born Oct. 2, 1978 in Trenton New, Jersey.

Best memories Paul shared: reuniting in San Dimas for a wonderful vacation with his 10 and 12 year old sons; Celebrating his Paul’s 65th birthday with his best friend Dora Factor, her daughter and many more - hosted by his cousin Billy Joe and his loving wife Marian; Paul’s first visit to Alamo Village with his sister- they had a great time before the movie set was closed for good; Paul’s enjoyed working, cooking and eating at the Sirloin Stockade Restaurant;. and the best memory will always coming together on Seminole Indian Scouts Celebration Days the third weekend in September in Bracketville, Texas.

Paul was blessed with 70 years, he departed Nov. 27, 2019, the day before Thanksgiving. Preceding Paul in death were his wife Paula Ward; his parents, Mary and Willie Ward; his Grandparents: [Nancy Wilson-Williams, Clifton Williams, John Wilson, Gertrude and Billie Ward}; his friend & companion Dora Factor; cousins, Billy Joe Pierce, Debbie Pierce, Dorothy Nell Best and Alford Best; Aunt Hazel Washington and Uncle Earl Wilson.
Paul leaves to cherish his memory, his two sons: Kenneth Ward (Farada), Erin Antonio Ward (Kimberli); Billie Jean Frierson (sister), David Frierson (brother-in-law),Pete Pierce (uncle), Juanita Montague (aunt); grandchildren: Farah Lee Ward, Soraya Ward, Michael Ward, and Katherine Ward; nephews and nieces: Rashad Frierson, Spencer Chenier and Gregory Chenier, Chante Frierson, Sheri Frierson Chenier, Cassandra Frierson, Sadie Frierson, and Saia Frierson; cousins: Marian Pierce, Ethyl Warrior, Rodessa Jones, Cynthia Shaw, Linda Wytch, Louise Thompson, Terry Shaw and Extended families:: Keshia Factor, Warrior’s, Wilson’s, Gill’s, Taylor’s, Washington’s, Montague’s, Payne’s, Hall’s, Grayson’s, July’s, William’s, Bowleg’s, Hatley’s, Daniels, Perryman’s, Roach’s, Wytch’s, Blank’s, Young’s, Benson’s and of course the Ward’s.

Active Pallbearers
Clint Williams, James Bass, Earnest Benson,
Herbert Blanks, Clyde Adams, Bernie Sanders,
Honorary Pallbearers
Kenneth Ward, David Frierson, Pete Pierce, William Warrior, Brother Jackson,
Rashad Frierson, Russel Coleman, Patrick Montague, Erin Antonio Ward,
Michael Ward, David Montague, John Wytch, Denise Benson, Terry Shaw,
Tommie Wytch, Joe Wytch, Michael Montague, Luther and Clarence Ward

Acknowledgement
The Ward and Frierson Families express our sincere thanks for your many sincere expressions of love through our time of bereavement.
Your cards, flowers, visits and above all your prayers have been of great comfort. It’s during a time like this that we realize how much our family and friends mean to us.
Your kindness will be acknowledged by mail please complete the envelope.

Miss Me–But Let Me Go by Christina Rossetti

When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little–but not too long And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me–but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the Master's plan, A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss Me–But Let me Go!

​Internment at the
Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery
With presentation of USA Military Honors
Repast immediately following at The Seminole Indian Scout School and School Grounds
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Following the burials of Mrs. Scott and Mr. Ward, their families gathered at the Carver School for the repast.
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Cantando la Historia - El Nacimeinto
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On December 26, our treasurer, Corina Torralba Harrington, and two of our board members, Jerry Fay and Dina Rodriguez, attended an event called Cantando la Historia in Nacimiento. This very special event showcased the songs of the Negros Mascogos. Many of them were Negro Spirituals which were sung in English, even though Spanish is the only language many of the Negros Mascogos speak. Their teacher Jordy Barrera is responsible for organizing this event. He has been working very hard to teach the songs to the children and make sure they understand the meanings of the songs. Two highlights were "(It's a) Very Happy New Year" and "This Little Light of Mine."

SISCA will be selling the program from this event. More details will follow shortly.
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​(Photos courtesy Corina Torralba Harrington)

(FYI: There is some great video of the children singing. Unfortunately, I was having a hard time uploading the videos onto the site. Please check out our Facebook to see the videos.)
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Family Photos Request
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We love that you all have liked and followed our Facebook and Twitter pages, but sometimes, it feels like we're having a very one-sided conversation. 

We are looking for ways to change that. One idea is to open our feed up to you, so we can show the beauty and diversity of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts descendants and the greater Black Seminoles/Negroes Mascogos community.

Does this sound like a great idea? Would you like to participate?

If so, all you hae to do is upload a picture to our Facebook messenger or any of our other socail media accounts (Instagram and Twitter), or you can email us at [email protected]

The photo(s) belongs to you and will only be uploaded with your permission. If they aren't watermarked or copyrighted, we will add that for you.

What kind of photos are we looking for?

Any and everything that shows you and your loved ones living and enjoyoing life. They canbe in color or in black and white. They can be from 100 years ago or from yesterday. We just want to see you and your loved ones/ We hope this will include parties/dances, marriages, (embarrassing) school photos, graduations, and lots and lots of candid shots.

Along with the photo, we'd like you to share a little bit of information about it, like who's in it, when it was taken, and/if there is an interesting story that goes along with it.

Our goal is to upload, at least, one photo a day. We are so excited and can't wait to see what you guys send in.

​Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you!

 
Let's Learn Afro-Seminole Creole Together!
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Afro-Seminole Creole is the language spoken by Black Seminoles and their descendants. Unfortunately, for many reasons, it was not passed down to subsequent generations and is in danger of being completely forgotten as more of our elders pass away. 

We want to change that.

This year, we want to focus on revitalizing our language. We are still working on ways to learn it, but we want to start by introducing an Afro-Seminole Creole Word of the Day. Thanks to the work of renowned linguist Dr. Ian Hancock, we have a dictionary that we can work from. The dictionary will be available for sale shortly. Check out the website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter each day to learn a new word.
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Seminole Negro Indian Scouts' 150th Anniversary
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 This year, 2020, is the 150th year of the founding of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts. The first group of Seminole Negro Indian Scouts crossed the border into Texas on July 4, 1870. They were mustered into service for the U.S. Army on August 18, 1870 at Fort Duncan, in Eagle Pass, Texas. We are looking forward to spending the year celebrating this important milestone in the history of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts.
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Our next regular meeting will take place on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 1:00 PM. If you would like to participate via teleconference, please contact us for the call-in information.
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Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!
Membership
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One of our members, Mr. Clarence Warrior, was moved during our annual meeting after learning that, many times, we pool our personal resources to meet our financial goals. Below is his suggestion for improving this situation and getting others involved:

In 2020, SISCA would like to raise $2000 to help with maintaining and improving the cemetery and school grounds. Currently, the membership dues collected are being used for this work, but more money is needed. A descendant has suggested that members be invited to donate $5 a month (or $60 for the year) to help with expenses. If 33 members can make an annual donation of $60.00 for the 2020 year, we will easily reach our goal of $2,000. Donations can be submitted through the SISCA website or by check (sent to SISCA). Thanks for helping!

Clarence Warrior
Descendant of Carolina Warrior

Twenty-nineteen was a big year for SISCA. It couldn't not have been without the  support of so many of you. We are forever in your debt, and we are dedicated to making 2020 an even bigger year.

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8/5/2019

August Newsletter

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Welcome to our August Newsletter!

So much has happened since our last newsletter, so we have several interesting things to update you all on.

First, you will see that new doors have been installed on the Carver School building. We, also, had a wonderful Juneteenth celebration. Several SISCA members participated in a Living History Foundation event in Castroville. Several volunteers for the Laughlin AFB Honor Guard cleaned the Seminole Indians Scouts Cemetery. We had a very successful BBQ fundraiser on August 10. And we'll also be sharing our latest election 2019 and Seminole Days 2019 news, so read on to get informed!
New Doors
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The Carver School has new doors!

A big "thank you" goes to Joe Louis Factor, Brian Harrington (our treasurer Corina's husband), and their son Brian Keith Harrington for volunteering their time to install new doors at the Carver School on June 10 and June 17. They installed new doors on the front and side of the building. (Photos by Corina Torralba-Harrington)

Juneteenth
We celebrated Juneteenth on Saturday, June 15th this year. We had a great turnout. Along with our annual program, we also had a BBQ plate sale. Below are some of the highlights from the day. We truly appreciate everyone who attended, and we are looking forward to seeing you all next year.
Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery
​Entrance Restoration
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On Saturday, July 13, the restoration of the entrance of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery began. The first tasks that were completed were the removal of our historic sign and the removal of the top layer of white paint. This was an all day task. The top layer of paint had to be removed in order for the new coat of paint to go on smoothly.

Now, the next step will be to paint the poles. This project is scheduled to be completed before Seminole Days.

Thank you to Jerry Fay, George Fay, Gloria Romero, and Corina Torralba-Harrington for taking on this project.

​(Photos courtesy of Corina Torralba-Harrington)
Laughlin Honor Guard and
Top 3 Organization Volunteer at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery
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On July 24, the Laughlin Honor Guard Team along with the Top 3 Organization volunteered at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery. They chose this volunteer opportunity because of its direct relation to their primary mission -- military funeral honors.
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Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to take care of our beloved cemetery. (Photos courtesy of the Laughlin AFB Honor Guard Facebook page)
"Seeing History from a
​Different Light":
Living History Foundation, Castroville, Texas
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On Saturday, July 20, several SISCA members participated in an event entitled A Sunset Tour: "Seeing History from a Different Light." The LIving History Foundation hosted the event, which took place at the historic Landmark Inn in Castroville, Texas. It highlighted the histories of people of color who lived in Texas before it was Texas. Guests were able to hear about the histories of a Franciscan Friar, Santa Anna, and the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts, just to name a few.
BBQ Fundraiser
Moore Park, Del Rio, TX

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Thank you to everyone who attended the BBQ fundraiser on Saturday, August 10 at Moore Park in Del Rio. And a big, huge thank you goes to the volunteers: Corina Torralba Harrington, Clarence Flowers, Ana Guiterrez, Gloria Romero, Ashley Rodriguez, Joe Louis Factor, Lee Torralba, Bertha Benson, George Fay, Barbara Brown, Dina Rodriguez, Rafaela “Affie” Brown, Rocío, Jesse Atkinson, Edith Goodloe, Merry Brown, and Terran Alexander.
Election News
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SISCA members who are eligible to vote, you should be receiving your ballots via snail mail. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Seminole Days
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We are feverishly preparing for an exciting and unforgettable Seminole Days. We hope that you have all made plans to attend. Seminole Days is taking place from Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September, 22.

Come and enjoy our many annual events — Seminole Canyon trip, marker dedication, parade, program, BBQ plate sale, vendors and booths, museum tours, pasta dinner, dance, and cemetery ceremony.

This year, we are happy to announce a new event called the Elders’ Circle, where we will make time and space to learn about the stories and lives of our beloved elders. This will take place on Saturday afternoon.

We will be posting more details shortly.
Membership
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Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check or money order by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!
Membership
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Monthly Meeting - September 2019

Our next monthly meeting will take place on Saturday, September 14 at 1:00 PM. Please contact us for teleconference details if you’d like to be on the call.
Thank You
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We’ve been fortunate to receive help in many forms over the past few months. A special thank you goes to Katarina “Kato” Wittich for donating a MacBook to the association to be used in the museum and to Cynthia Ventura Atchico for donating a monitor to the association that will be used in the museum to watch videos on.

Thank you, everyone, so much for your continued support, care, and interest in our beloved association.

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5/31/2019

June Newsletter

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Greetings, everyone! Welcome to our June newsletter. Since our last newsletter, so much has happened, and we can’t wait to fill you in, so please read below. We had a successful fundraiser in San Antonio, a very special event at the museum, had the pleasure of speaking at a nearby library, and honored our fallen soldiers. We are also preparing for our upcoming elections and Juneteenth. Thank you for reading. Enjoy!
San Antonio BBQ Fundraiser
On Saturday, April 6, a BBQ plate sale was held in San Antonio. It was organized by SISCA treasurer Corina Torralba-Harrington. This is the second year she’s put together this fundraiser. We are so thankful for her and her ability to get things done. she most certainly did not do this alone.

Corina (and SISCA) would like to thank Lee Torralba, Ana Gutierrez, Jerry Fay, John Fay, Frank Garcia, Irene Garcia, Murry Bruno, Marki Bruno, Nisha Johnson, Joe Louis Factor, Gloria Romo, Fracia Flores, Linda Wright, Jacqueline Gonzalez. Brian Harrington, LeeJay Krueger Sr., LeeJay Krueger Jr., David Stautzenburger, Juan Torralba, Miriam Auyon, Nancy Gutierrez, Cori Gutierrez. Also, the manager of O’Reilly’s. Unfortunately, we didn’t get his name, but we wanted to publicly thank him. Thank you to everyone who helped sell tickets, gave a cash donation, and volunteered their time.
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The Ferdinand Wedelich Plaque Dedication
On Saturday, May 4, a special event took place at the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts Museum that was years in the making. On this day, we gathered to pay homage to Ferdinand Wedelich and his descendants.

Mr. Wedelich was responsible for purchasing the land and constructing the building that now houses our museum. He was a German immigrant who traveled from Kansas City, Missouri to Brackettville. He was a very successful brewer. Unfortunately, his success made
others jealous enough to kill. He was murdered by two assailants. Following his untimely and senseless death, his family sold the building. It exchanged hands five times before it became the property of the Brackett Independent School District, which had purchased the school so the black students in town would have a place to learn.

Most buildings barely last fifty years, let alone 150. We were honored to dedicate a plaque in honor of Mr. Wedelich. During the ceremony, his descendants expressed how the event gave them closure. They’d spent four decades researching their beloved ancestors and were happy to see that his building was being put to good use.

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El Progreso Library Speech
On Thursday, May 16, SISCA president Augusta Pines and SISCA secretary Windy Goodloe spoke at the El Progreso Library on behalf of SISCA. Each lady spoke about her experience of learning about her heritage and how she had used that knowledge to help fuel her interest in the heritage. Following the speeches, a very lively Q&A took place. The questions from the audience were extremely thought-provoking and intriguing.
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Miss Charles Emily Wilson
Also, on May 16, we acknowledged and honored the birthday of Miss Charles Emily Wilson, our founder. She was born in 1909 and passed away in 2006.
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Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a sacred time. With all of our busy schedules and hectic lives, it is always so powerful when we are able to take a moment and honor our fallen soldiers. On the Saturday before Memorial Day, several members of SISCA places flags on the graves of our brave dearly departed. This is a very simple act but each year it is done with reverence and respect.
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Election 2019
This year is an election year. If you are interested in running for an officer position or board member position, please click on the link below for more information.

If you are a descendant member who has been a member for, at least, one year and who is current on your dues, you are eligible to vote in the upcoming election.
Election 2019
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Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a special holiday for us. Because the 19th of June falls on a Wednesday this year, we will be celebrating on Saturday, June 15. Join us at the Carver School for our annual program and BBQ sale.
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Monthly Meeting - June 2019
Our next monthly meeting will take place on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 PM at the Carver School. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
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Membership
Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!
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Thank you!
Thank you so much for your continued support, care, and interest in our beloved association.

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2/24/2019

February/March Newsletter

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Hello, everyone! We hope your year been a great one so far. Of course, it feels as though February has flown by, and now March is here. We want to give you a quick update.
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We need your help! 
We are sure you are familiar with the situation that has taken place at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery. We are happy to say, "The ordeal is over." Mr. Young has removed the brick and mostly returned the entrance to the condition it was in before he altered it. It is in somewhat worse condition and there is some concrete sticking up above the dirt that will require attention, but Mr. Young has alerted SISCA by email that he regards the restoration complete, and SISCA wants to begin renovation, so we are accepting it the way it is.

While we have always had plans to renovate the entrance, because of Mr. Young's actions, it is now in desperate need of some extra TLC. The poles of the entrance need to be power-washed in order to remove the old paint and rust. Once that is done, a new coat of paint will need to be added. From there, new gates need to be purchased and added because the current gates are rusted and badly bent. The estimated cost for this project is $2,500. We will be hiring locally for this project. Our goal is to have this completed before our annual Juneteenth celebration (Saturday, June 15, 2019). 

If you would like to help with our restoration efforts, you can send checks or money orders to PO Box 1797/Brackettville, Texas 78832 (please make checks payable to the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association) or to donate online,  please click the button below.
Donate
San Antonio Fundraiser Information
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Along with our online fundraising, a BBQ plate sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 in San Antonio. Our treasurer, Corina Torralba Harrington, is organizing this event. It' scheduled to take place at O'Riley on WW White Road at 11:30 AM. The BBQ plates (sausage, chicken, rice, and beans and a drink) are $10. We'll post more information about this event soon.
Black History Month Celebration
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We were honored and delighted to have the Fort Clark Historical Society visit the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts Museum on Saturday, February 23, as part of their Black History Month observance. SISCA president Augusta Pines welcomed them and led a tour of our museum. Following the tour, our special guests enjoyed refreshments. We would like to thank Mr. Russell Nowell for organizing this visit, and we look forward to seeing all of your lovely faces again soon.
Donations from Miss Charles's Home
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We are not sure how many of you know this, but in 2018, Miss Charles Emily Wilson's home was purchased. SISCA did not know about this until the person who purchased her home contacted SISCA and informed us that she had found several items within the home that she believed we would like to take a look. Shortly thereafter, Augusta Pines met Ms. Altagarcia Valles at Miss Charles's former residence.

​During this initial visit, Ms. Pines was awestruck by all of the precious items that lay in the home of our dear matriarch. During Seminole Days, she revealed the first few items. They were four portraits and a table and several chairs. The portraits hang in the Carver School. And the table and chairs can be found there also. We are greatly indebted to Ms. Valles for her generosity and kindness. We look forward to updating you all on the other items that we find on subsequent visits.

If any of you can identify the person in the portrait above, please let us know.

Oral History Project
Oral history was one of the first ways that our stories were told. Sitting at the foot of our elders and listening while they spoke was how we once learned about ourselves and the world around us. We believe that it is important to continue this sacred tradition. To do so, all you need is a mobile phone, someone to interview, and 5 minutes -- nothing complicated or fancy.

Invite an elder (in your family or someone else's) to talk about anything: a childhood memory, a story they heard from an elder, something about their family. Our goal is to capture memories from the everyday lives of the Descendants. 

Each month, we'll share some tips on how to get people talking and suggest some interview topics. Below are some interview clips recorded on an iPhone and submitted by text message.

Mrs. Mary Lou (Green) Johnson was asked about a childhood memory (a lesson she learned from Miss Charles and Ms. Dorothy Wilson), and she was asked to share some information about a picture of Mrs. Ellen Huffpower, her 2nd cousin.

If you have any questions or if you want to submit some interview clips, please email us at [email protected]. We're excited about this project and hope to hear from you soon!

Quick tips:
* Ask for permission before filming
* If you use your mobile phone, create clips that are no longer than 1 minutes 30 seconds. (If someone is telling you a long story, just stop and start the video recording to create a series of clips.)
* Ask the person you are interviewing to share their name and the name of the scouts they are related to
* If you want to ask about a specific topic or incident, tell the elder ahead of time and let them think about their response before recording.
* Have fun!

News Article about the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery
In November of last year, we received an email from Ms. Sarah Reveley. She found the article below and wanted to share it with us. We are so grateful for her generosity.
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Next Monthly Meeting - March 2019
Our next monthly meeting will take place on Saturday, March 9 at 1PM at the Carver School. We look forward to seeing you there.
Membership
Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!
MEMBERSHIP
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We would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped us get 2019 off to a great start. Your time and dedication mean so much to us.

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1/10/2019

January Newsletter

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Hello, everyone! We sincerely hope that 2019 has gotten off to a healthy, happy, and prosperous start. We are so excited about this new year and all of its possibilities. We have big plans in store for SISCA, but before we discuss our plans for the future, we’d like to quickly bring you all up-to-date on what’s happened since our last newsletter.

If you haven’t had a chance to read our last newsletter, here is a link:
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Seminole Days Newsletter
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September 2018
September was a busy month for us. Along with planning for and celebrating Seminole Days, we also had a membership vote that we were completing.

As many of you know, in June of 2018, we made an agreement with Lee Young and the Absentee Seminole Tribe of Texas to have our active members vote on what they wanted to happen to the entrance of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery.

The vote consisted of three proposals. Two were designs submitted by Lee Young, and the third design was SISCA's proposal.

​Originally, the vote was supposed to be counted by September 28, 2018, but because of several unforeseen circumstances and because of Seminole Days, we didn't tally the vote until October 5, 2018.
October 2018
On October 5, 2018, the votes were tallied by the Kinney County Judge's secretary Yvette Garcia. Of the 41 votes that were received before the September 28 deadline, all the votes were unanimous for SISCA's proposal, which was to return the entrance to its original design. Of the 14 votes received after the deadline, 13 voted for the original entrance as well. SISCA informed the Conoly family and Lee Young about the results via email on October 5.
November 2018
 On November 12, 2018, SISCA was cc'd on a letter that David Conoly wrote to Lee Young stating that the Conoly family feels that SISCA has fulfilled our side of the agreement made on June 4 and that the community has spoken with a vote that clearly indicates that most active SISCA members are in favor of the entrance being returned to its original design.

On November 13, 2018, Lee Young responded to David Conoly's letter. In this letter, he accepts the outcome of the vote and agrees to restore the entrance to its former appearance. In addition, he states that the Absentee Seminole Tribe had discontinue its plans regarding further improvements and modifications to the cemetery. He also mentions that the article in the ASTT's constitution which stated their jurisdiction was the Carver School Grounds and the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery was removed on September 14, 2018.

Currently, the ASTT has removed the rock from the poles but has not yet reattached the gate or addressed the issue of the cement pad the rocks were on, which sticks up above ground level and is dangerous. SISCA is looking forward to the completion of the restoration so that we can begin our own plans to renovate the entrance by cleaning and painting and giving it some TLC.
This photo was taken on November 20, 2018, and it shows that the brick has been removed.
This photo was taken on November 20, 2018, and it shows that the brick has been removed.
This photo was taken on June 2, 2018. Three days after the unauthorized construction began.
This photo was taken on June 2, 2018. Three days after the unauthorized construction began.
Also on November 9, several SISCA members traveled to Castroville, Texas (just outside of San Antonio) to attend Field Trip Day. Check out some of the photo from the event below
December 2018
December proved to be a very fun and productive month for SISCA. We had a very special meeting on December 1st.

This meeting served as our Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration. Several members arrived with special dishes they had prepared, and many were delighted by the Christmas tree and decorations that greeted them. (Special thank you to Mary and Al Nofi for decorating the school.)

And a few days later, we had the opportunity to visit with a curator from the Smithsonian and a writer who is completing her book about John Horse.

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A Special Message From
​Augusta Pines, President of SISCA
The Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association would like to say “thank you” for another successful year. As you all know we had some tough things that occurred in this past year — the lawsuit (that was dropped) and the cemetery entrance project (which is being restored). Now , we’re in the healing process, and going forward, there is so much we’d like to accomplish. We are looking forward to Juneteenth (Saturday, June 15, 2019) and Seminole Days (Friday, September 20 - Sunday, September 22, 2019). As many of you may recall, our Seminole Days 2018 flourished in spite of the bad weather because of the hard work of so many who stepped up and volunteered to assist. And even though the weather was bad, we managed to work around it, thanks to everyone who came forward and helped wherever help was needed.

I hope this willingness to help continues as we find new opportunities and challenges in the next year. As as an all volunteer organization, SISCA relies on the support of our family and friends to keep the organization moving forward. We need to continue to pull together. If we stay focused on this association, we will accomplish so much.
Next Monthly Meeting - January 2019
Our next monthly meeting will take place on Saturday, January 19 at 1PM at the Carver School. We look forward to seeing you there.
Membership
Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!
MEMBERSHIP
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We would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped us in 2018 and those who are on board to help in 2019. Your time and dedication mean so much to us.

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9/18/2018

Seminole Days Newsletter 

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This year’s Seminole Days will go down as one of the rainiest celebrations ever. Despite the wet conditions, our annual celebration went off without a hitch. In the text below, we give a play-by-play of the weekend. We are looking forward to seeing you all next year.
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Seminole Canyon Trip
The first event for Seminole Days 2018 was our annual trip to Seminole Canyon. The group set out a little after 7:30 AM. This year, we were happy to see three youngsters among the group. All of them were eager to make the trip. As they drove away from Carver School, we couldn’t help but wonder how their trip would go because of the rain.
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When they returned, they reported that, while they were able to hike, they weren’t able to complete the whole tour because several areas were flooded. Everyone who went, however, enjoyed themselves.
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Photo Courtesy of Sarah Nicole Johnson.
Friday Lecture Series
Our Friday Lecture Series was our first sign that a little rain couldn’t stop people from coming out and celebrating Seminole Days. We love rain in Brackettville because we are always in need of it, so the rain was not an inconvenience. It was almost its own character throughout the weekend, an added layer that made the festivities more interesting.

As the time for the lecture to begin neared, many worried about attendance levels, parking in (and getting stuck in) the mud, and several of the other concerns that come with rainy days. While we did start a little late, by the time Augusta “Gigi” Pines stood to welcome everyone, there was a full house.

Billie Jean Frierson delivered an engaging presentation. She recounted several historical facts and heartwarming stories about Black Seminole Scouts and their descendants, She, also, urged all in attendance to research their genealogy.

Mary Cleve shared a beautiful personal story with the audience about a dream she’d had. She ended her talk by encouraging everyone and letting everyone know that she prays for all of us.

Finally, Windy Goodloe spoke briefly about the conflict that has plagued SISCA for the past year. The good news is a resolution is in sight. Current members of SISCA are voting on the fate of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery entrance. We will report the results by September 28, 2018.
Parade
At eight in the morning on Saturday, we were pretty sure that there would not be a parade. There was a slight drizzle, but a downpour seemed imminent. At 9:30, a few calls came in. The callers stated that they would be ready for the parade, rain or shine. A parade is many things to many people, but on this day, the word that could best sum up everyone’s feelings was pride. The people who walked and rode in the parade reminded us that small numbers can still get things done. We want to thank the Border Patrol for leading the procession, and we want thank Sterling Goodloe for bringing up the rear.
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Our Annual Program
Our annual program took place after our parade. This year’s guest speaker was Brother Y.J. Jimenez. He gave a rousing speech. It seemed almost like an incantation as he repeated the phase “follow the dust.” This phrase was meant to remind listeners of the journey that the Black Seminoles took as they sought freedom and where life ends for all of us.
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Photo courtesy of Corina Torralba Harrington.
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Photo courtesy of Sarah Nicole Johnson.
BBQ
The BBQ plate sale is our largest annual fundraiser. Along with this, it is also a chance for friends and family to sit down and catch up. This year’s BBQ plate was comprised of brisket, chicken, beans, and rice. Thank you to Louis Basquez for all of his hard work. Thank you to Mary D. Jaso for making the beans. Thank you to Lucille Wilson for making the rice.
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Saturday Afternoon Lectures
This year, we added afternoon lectures to our list of events. We were honored to have two esteemed professors who agreed to present before our attendees, and an award-winning documentary closed out the event.
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Photo courtesy of Corina Torralba Harrington.
Dr. Rosalyn Howard - Black Seminole Presence in South Florida and the Bahamas.
Dr. Rosalyn Howard’s presentation was an engaging overview of the field she is an expert in. As a cultural anthropologist, Dr. Howard has studied the Black Seminoles, who found refuge in the Bahamas, and their descendants. The attendees of this seminar learned that the Bahamian Black Seminoles are a proud group who live tough but resourceful lives. , Matt Griffin contributed invaluable information during her presentation. Following her presentation, she showed a twenty-minute video entitled Black Seminoles in the Bahamas. It was directed by Marvin Dunn.


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Photo courtesy of Kato Wittich.
Dr. Paulina Del Moral - Bride Theft among the Negros Mascogos
Dr. Paulina Del Moral’s presentation was very interesting. She spoke about bride theft among the Negros Mascogos. We learned that there is an informal tradition among the group that allows for young couples to marry without having to incur a large expense. Dr. Moral provided interviews from different generations to show how much the ideas of marriage have changed and how much they have stayed the same. The question and answer period following her presentation was also quite engaging as audience members compared and contrasted their own or their family’s ideas about marriage.
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Black Border Warriors Screening
Link to Black Border Warriors
Following the presentations by Drs. Howard and Del Moral, Joseph Hill’s award-winning documentary Black Border Warriors was screened by attendees. Cynthia Ventura Atchico was entrusted by Joseph Hill to present the documentary.

Last year, the unfinished film was screened at Brackettville’s high school auditorium. Following the event, Mr. Hill stated that it was his goal to return to Brackett during Seminole Days and allow the descendants of the Scouts to be the first to view the finished product. Thank you to Mr. Hill and Ms. Atchico for making this happen.
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Spaghetti Dinner
Our spaghetti dinner has become a favorite tradition. We don’t know if it’s because folks plan to shake, shimmy, and twist the calories away once the dance starts or because it’s just so darn good. No matter the reason, we appreciate how much everyone loved the spaghetti and how it is another chance for all of us to come together and talk.

This year, we had a special guest. Gina Ortiz Jones, who is a democrat running for the 23rd Congressional District, stopped by the Carver School after a busy day in Uvalde. While enjoying her dinner, she readily and confidently answered questions from those who were there. She was very thankful that we were so welcoming and willing to listen to what her plans are for our district if she gets elected.
Dance
Our annual dance was held inside the Carver School this year. The normal location was changed because of the rain. Nonetheless, as was the theme for the whole weekend, regardless of the weather, everyone had a great time.
Sunday Ceremony
Because of the rain, the cemetery grounds had become oversaturated. Unfortunately, even though there were several brave souls who had trekked out there to see if the ceremony could happen, we felt it was best and safest to bring the ceremony indoors, especially for our elders.

We would like to thank the Warrior clan from Tucson, Arizona, the Johnson family from Providence, Rhode Island, Bennie and Jerry McRae, Paulina Del Moral, Kato Wittich, Charles Carroll , and Mr. William Warrior and Mrs. Ethel Warrior for inviting us and allowing our Sunday ceremony to be held in the home they had rented for the weekend. This location was the perfect space for the culmination of Seminole Days. Just being indoors and within the comfort of a warm environment provided intimacy and warmth that those in attendance felt immediately, even with there being close to fifty people in the house. We, especially, want to thank Miles Warrior for cooking up a delicious feast for so many people with only a one-hour notice.

After Kato and Gigi welcomed everyone, Billie Jean Frierson asked the elders for permission to speak. Once she was given permission, she acknowledged our loved ones who had passed away since last Seminole Days. The act of calling their names is sacred. She spoke of the importance of doing this often. Following a moment of silence, Billie Jean led everyone in singing “This Little Light of Mine,” which started out a bit melancholy but was quickly transformed into the rousing and uplifting song it is meant to be.

Following the ceremony, everyone was invited to eat, and while eating, many interesting discussions could be heard. This last event gave everyone a chance to relax and talk about history and family and our hope and dreams for the future.
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Save the Date:
Seminole Days will take place from
Friday, September 20 - Sunday, September 22, 2019.

The Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association
is a democratic organization that was founded in 1967.

In order to stay neutral and to be a voice for the community, we feel
it is important to publicly state that we do not endorse any other organization or tribe. While individual members may do so,
​SISCA has not and will not join another organization or tribe.

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9/5/2018

Special Seminole Days 2018 Newsletter

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Friday, September 14, 2018
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM (return time is approximate)
Our first event is our annual trip to Seminole Canyon. This will be our sixth year hiking to this breath-taking land. The trip is organized by Mrs. Cynthia Ventura Atchico, a Seminole Indian Scout descendant. Each year, we are led by our special tour guide, Tanya, to the area where several of the Black Seminole Indian Scouts camped while they were scouting. We encourage you to join us on this special, sacred walk.

Note: The Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association does not charge a fee for the trip, but there is a fee to enter Seminole Canyon. The entrance fee is $5.
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Link to Seminole Canyon Website
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Friday Lecture Series
Friday 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
​at the Carver School

For this year's Friday Lecture Series, we would like to focus on bringing everyone up-to-date on all that has been happening this past year and answering any questions you might have. We look forward to having an honest, open dialogue about the lawsuit that was filed one year ago, about the events that led up to it, the illegal construction that began at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery, and the vote that is taking place. We hope you all will bring your insight and ideas as we talk as a community.

We are honored to have Mrs. Billie Jean Frierson and Ms. Mary Cleve join us this evening. Both ladies will be discussing topics that are important them and, therefore, important to all in attendance. 
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Also, we have light refreshments (finger foods and desserts) and drinks. 
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Saturday, September 15, 2018
Robert "Bobby" Kibbetts Marker Dedication
8:30 AM at Fort Clark Springs
(Unfortunately, this event is tentatively cancelled because of the weather.)

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We have been looking forward to this dedication since last year. It is an honor to dedicate this marker to Robert "Bobby" Kibbetts and his descendants. Thank you to Fort Clark Historical Society. Without them, this annual event would not take place. Here is some information about Robert Kibbetts:

Robert “Bobby” Kibbetts was born in 1846 in Arkansas. He was the son of John and Nancy Kibbetts. John Kibbetts, who lived from 1810-1878, was a Seminole Negro Indian Scout. He served as a first sergeant. He was also a subchief of the Black Seminoles. He served as scout from 1870 until his death on September 7, 1878. In addition to their son Robert, John and his wife Nancy also had a daughter named Rosella (1850-1885).

Robert Kibbetts followed in his father’s footsteps. He joined the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts and became a sergeant. His service began in 1870, the same year his father joined.

Robert was married to Phyllis Wilson Kibbetts. She was born in Mexico. Her parents were John Wilson and Laura Naco. They were both from Mexico. Phyllis lived until May 13, 1939. She was 96 when she died. She and Robert had two children. Their names were Washington and Maria.
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After over thirty years of service, Robert Kibbetts died on April 29,1905. He was buried at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery.


Parade
10:00 AM (Begins on Ann Streets, Ends at Carver School Grounds)
Who doesn't love a parade? We certainly do. Our annual Seminole Days parade is one of the highlights of our celebration. Each year, we look forward to gathering and walking or riding down Ann Street on our way to the Carver School. The parade is our chance to celebrate and show our pride. If you would like to participate in our parade, please print out the parade form below. There are trophies awarded to the top three floats.
Parade Entry Form
Program
10:00 AM
​Carver School Grounds
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This year's program guest speaker is Pastor YJ Jimenez (He is pictured in the above photo with his lovely wife Lisa). Brother YJ has been the pastor at the First Baptist Church here in Brackettville since 2013. He was our speaker last year and gave such an uplifting and inspiring message that we just had to invite him back again. Come out and listen to Brother YJ. You will not be disappointed. 
BBQ Plate Sale
11:00 AM - until we sell out
Carver School Grounds
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Who is ready for some barbecue? Our barbecue plate sale will feature brisket, chicken, and goat. The sides are beans, rice, and potato salad. The price for the two meats is $12. The price for one is $10.
Bingo
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Carver School Grounds
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What is more fun than yelling "BINGO"? Come on down and try your luck. The fun will begin at two.
Saturday Lecture Series
This year, we are pleased to announce our Saturday Afternoon Lecture Series. We are excited to have Dr. Paulina de Moral and Dr. Rosalyn Howard to be our inaugural speakers. Following their presentations, we will screen Black Border Warriors​. 
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Paulina Rocío del Moral González was born in Torreón, Coahuila, in Northeast México. She received a bachelor’s degree in Social Communication at Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco (1986) in México City. Years later, she received a Master’s Degree in Social Anthropology (2006) at Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social, in Chihuahua City, with a dissertation on the mestizo pilgrimage to Señor de Mapimí Sanctuary in Cuencamé, Durango. In 2013, she wrote a thesis on ethno-meteorology and a regional ritual system in North Central México to achieve her Ph.D. in Anthropological Sciences (2013) at Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, in México City.
 
Part of her life has been dedicated to independent research, alongside editorial works, advising to non-governmental organizations, and freelancing. In the summer of 1991, she visited the Mascogo community of El Nacimiento, Coahuila for the first time and started a modest cultural fieldwork in 1992, which culminated in the publication of the book Tribus olvidadas de Coahuila (Forgotten Tribes of Coahuila, 1999), the first monography on the black Seminole of Coahuila and Texas. It was edited in México. She is also co-author of Recetario Mascogo de Coahuila (Mascogo Cookbook, 2000, reprinted 2004 and 2014).

In 2014 and 2015, with the support of Conacyt (The National Council of Science and Technology in México), she did research about body, ethnicity, and ritual in the communities of El Nacimiento and Cuarterones y Morelos, both in the Múzquiz municipality, Coahuila.

Presently, Dr. Del Moral is working as a coordinator of traditional cooking and morteros workshops as part of the Colectivo Comunitario Mascogo, an initiative sponsored by Mexico’s federal Ministry of Culture for revitalization of Mascogo’s cultural heritage.

Invited by SISCA, Dr. del Moral will offer the conference “Bride Theft among the Coahuila Mascogos” for Seminole Days, edition 2018, afternoon session at Carver School, Saturday September 15, in Brackettville, Texas.

 

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In addition to Dr. Moral, Dr. Rosalyn Howard will join our lecture series. The title of her presentation is "The African Presence in Spanish Florida and the Bahamas."

Dr. Rosalyn Howard is a Cultural Anthropologist. She was an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of the North American Indian Studies Program at the University of Central Florida until her retirement in 2015. Her primary area of teaching and research was the African Diaspora with a focus on the interrelationships formed by African and Native American peoples in the Americas and the Caribbean.

Dr. Howard has conducted extensive research among mixed Native American and African populations in Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda. She also has conducted research in the following countries: Guadeloupe, Jamaica, China, South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Senegal, and Ghana.

Among Dr. Howard's publications are three books: 
First, Black Seminoles in the Bahamas is an ethnographic research study of the Black Seminole descendant community of Red Bays, Andros Island, Bahamas. Today's presentation is based on that research.
Second, Recollection and Reconnection: Voices of the St. David's Islanders and their Native American Relatives concerns her research on a community with mixed Native, African, and European ethnicity in Bermuda.
Third, Newtown Alive: Courage, Dignity and Determination is an ethnohistorical study of an African-American community in Sarasota, Florida at its 100 year anniversary.

Although retired, Dr. Howard continues to be an active scholar, lecturer, writer, and consultant for various projects.
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Following the presentations by Drs. de Moral and Howard, there will be a special screening of Black Border Warriors, the documentary directed by Joseph Hill. This is scheduled start at about 4PM and will be presented by Cyntha Ventura Atchico.
Black Border Warriors Sneak Peak
Spaghetti Supper
​6PM-8PM 

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Our spaghetti dinner has become an annual favorite. For the second year, we are honored to have Dr. Al Nofi preparing this special meal. The dinner will begin at 6PM. Each meal is $5.
Dance
​8PM - 1AM

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Come and dance under the stars at the Carver School Grounds. Our annual dance will begin at 8PM. Deejaying the event is DJ Musicman Trevino. The dance, as always, is free.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
The final event of Seminole Days takes place at the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery.
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The ceremony at the cemetery is scheduled to begin at 10AM. During this ceremony, we will honor those who have passed away this year. Mrs. Billie Jean Frierson will serve as the mistress of ceremonies for this event.

Following the ceremony, we hope you will return to the Carver School, where we will have some potluck and say our "until next year" to each other. 

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8/18/2018

To Our SISCA Members

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To our SISCA members,

As you all probably know by now, this has been a challenging year for SISCA. We are glad that Seminole Days is approaching, so we will get to see you all in person to answer any of your questions about the events that have happened and the growth they have stimulated for SISCA.

We would, however, like to be ready to move forward at Seminole Days with all conflicts behind us, so we have some urgent business to complete with you in the next month!

As you have probably read in our previous newsletters, in June, Mr. Lee Young and the ASTT began to take down the original historic entrance to the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery and replace it with an unapproved design that the SISCA board had clearly communicated to them was unacceptable. The original gate and entrance are SISCA property, and the ASTT had no right to alter them in any way without SISCA’s permission. 

Unfortunately, because the land that the cemetery is on is owned by a local family, not by SISCA, we were unable to stop the construction. However, after three days, Mr. Stan Conoly, one of the brothers who own the land, was able to broker an agreement, whereby the ASTT stopped construction until SISCA members could vote on what they want done with the entrance. 

We are very grateful to Mr. Conoly for stopping the construction just before the original entrance was completely destroyed. It is still possible to restore it and renovate it, so it can continue to represent the history of our community and Miss Charles and all the other founders of SISCA.

We would like to complete that vote before Seminole Days, which is why we are writing you all now.

Although the SISCA board strongly objects to 
the new construction, which we feel will take away the historical and emotional value of the original entrance by replacing it with something new and without any connection to our past, we are acting in good faith and will give you, the community, the option to vote to determine what happens with the entrance. 

Here is a version of the letter that we will send out with the ballots, explaining the situation and offering to you the two proposals that the ASTT has now submitted, following the agreement made at the cemetery:

To all voting members of SISCA,

As most of you probably know by now, Mr. Lee Young and the board of the proposed Absentee Seminole Tribe of Texas have attempted to alter the historic entrance to our cemetery, and we are in the process of resolving this issue and need your vote on it.

Mr. Young and the ASTT began to raise money for what he called a “cemetery renovation project” during his Seminole Days banquet in 2016, without presenting any sort of design to SISCA or asking for our approval.

When he did eventually approach SISCA, the board repeatedly made it clear to him that we had to see a design in order to approve it, and that we would not approve of a design that did not include the original sign. 


The ASTT never submitted any plans to us for the project, so eventually, we withdrew from it, as we could not back something that we had no information on. 

Mr. Young and the ASTT then sued SISCA for breach of contract, although there had never been a contract. The lawsuit also alleged that SISCA did not care for the cemetery properly, and asked the court to give the ASTT all real property belonging to SISCA, including the cemetery ( which does not belong to SISCA, but to the Conoly family), the school grounds and museum and masonic building. Upon legal advice that this lawsuit was frivolous and would never hold up in court, SISCA board members cooperated with all legal requirements and waited for the court proceedings to resolve the matter.

Then suddenly, in June, Mr. Lee Young and the ASTT began to take down the original historic entrance to our cemetery and replace it with an unapproved design, despite SISCA’s request that they cease and desist. The original gate and entrance are SISCA property, and the ASTT had no right to alter them in any way without SISCA permission. 

Unfortunately, because the land that the cemetery is on is owned by a local family, not by SISCA, we were unable to use the law to stop the construction. However, after three days, Mr. Stan Conoly, one of the brothers who owns the land, was able to broker an agreement, whereby the ASTT stopped construction until SISCA members can vote on what they want done with the entrance. 

We are very grateful to Mr. Conoly because the construction was stopped just before the original entrance was completely destroyed. It is still possible to restore it and renovate it, so it can continue to represent the history of our community and Miss Charles and all other founders of SISCA.

The SISCA board strongly objects to the new construction, which we feel will take away the historical and emotional value of the original entrance by replacing it with something new and without any connection to our past.

Although Mr. Young calls it a “renovation project,” he has actually used only the frame of the original entrance as material for a new design. He has submitted two proposals, one of which is simply the new design, and the other adds in the original sign, to fulfill the requirement by SISCA that the design maintain some historical value. The SISCA board feels that incorporating two signs is awkward and looks like an afterthought. It is not a good design.

The original entrance represents the pride of the community in establishing the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association to preserve the heritage of the ancestors buried in the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery. It represents Miss Charles and every SISCA president and every member who paid for it, helped build it, maintained it throughout the years, and every one of us who has walked through it to bury loved ones. It is unique, and it represents a very special moment in history — when our community came together to proclaim its pride in our ancestors. 

SISCA is very proud of the history of the Scouts, and the history of SISCA itself, and we want descendants for years to come to be able to walk through the same entrance that their grandparents did. It could use a coat of paint and some tender loving care, but many of us do not want it altered or replaced by a new design. 


We prefer the historic entrance that represents the pride of our ancestors to something new that does not represent the melancholy beauty of the cemetery. But we believe in the democratic process, and if the majority of SISCA members prefer one of the new entrances in the ASTT design, we will accept your decision. 

On the ballot, there will be three choices. One will be to restore and renovate the original entrance, preserving it
s historic beauty. The other two will be the two proposals from the ASTT.

It is our hope that you will stand with us in preserving our continuing pride in SISCA and our community and vote to restore the original entrance and renovate it, but not to change it.
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​Here are Mr. Young’s proposals, with SISCA commentary attached.
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Proposal No. 1
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Proposal No. 2

 ​There is a big practical issue with Mr. Young’s design.

Our original entrance was created in such a way that it has a pedestrian entrance wide enough for wheelchair access that can be used even if the gates themselves are shut and locked to prevent cars from coming in.

This is important in case SISCA ever needed to lock the gate to prevent cars from entering. Having a  pedestrian entrance would still always allow access to everyone who has ancestors and loved ones buried there.

Mr. Young has eliminated the pedestrian entrance, thereby making it impossible to keep cars out but allow pedestrians in. With the addition of the stonework around the poles, there is no room for a pedestrian entrance.


Mr. Young has not provided us with photos of the new sign that he has designed, but we assume it is already made, since he was about to put it in place. It is clear that it is a modern sign, and for the SISCA board, it is just a sign that you can find anywhere, while the original sign is unique to our cemetery and represents our history. 

Proposal #2 was created in order to add the original sign into the design. The SISCA board feels that simply adding the historical sign, instead of making it a primary element in the design, looks like the afterthought that it is and is not graceful or elegant like the original design is. It is repetitive.

The SISCA board also objects to the brick stanchions that have been put around the pipes, as they are not harmonious with the rest of the cemetery and are simply new bricks, not actual stonework.

Mr. Young plans to paint the piping, which is white, black. SISCA doesn’t see the need to change the color of the piping and feels that the original white of the poles stands out more than black would. The silhouette of the poles against a sunset is beautiful when they are white but will be less visible if they are painted black. 


These are our objections to the proposals from Mr. Young and the ASTT.

We feel it would be easy to return the entrance to its original state. With the stonework removed and the gate replaced and a sandblasting and renovating coat of paint, our history can be restored for Seminole Days, so we can all walk through the same entrance our ancestors did!  However, it is up to you, our members, to tell us what you prefer!
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If you have any questions about anything you've read, feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or you can call 830.309.4663 to speak with Augusta "Gigi" Pines. Your vote is very important, so we want to make sure that you fully understand the voting process before you cast your vote.  

Best,

SISCA

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6/25/2018

June 25th, 2018

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To SISCA members and the scout descendant community,

SISCA would like to respond briefly to a letter that Mr. Lee Young publicly distributed on Wednesday, June 20. We do not feel that it is our place to enclose that letter, but he has sent it to many members of the community, and it is easy to access. In his letter, he inaccurately summarized a private teleconference that had been held for SISCA members only, which he had specifically been told was not open to the public and that he could not attend. Unless he listened in despite having been told the meeting was not open to him, he has published hearsay, and his letter is almost completely inaccurate about the purpose of the meeting, the content of the meeting, and about every accusation he's made against SISCA.

We will not go line by line to counter, refuting what he has said, but we invite anyone who has been confused by his statements to contact us directly at 830.309.4663, [email protected], leave a comment here, or private message us on Facebook at Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery Association.


SISCA had avoided making public many of the documents and much of the information we have that proves that Mr. Young’s claims are baseless, but now that he has made the argument fully public, we will post on our website all information we have and all legal documents, so that the community can make their own decisions about what is true and what is not. We have already posted an accurate timeline of what has occurred during the last year, and we will now provide documents, and summaries of whatever other important points were left out.

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Please feel free to contact us for any additional information that we can provide, whether you are a SISCA member or not. Click on this link for an accurate timeline of events.
Special Newsletter

We would like to summarize for our members where things stand with the cemetery entrance. As we said in the timeline, which is posted on our website, after three days of construction, during which Mr. Young took down SISCA property, the original gate and sign, and began altering it, Mr. Stan Conoly, a member of the family that owns the cemetery, was able to negotiate an agreement whereby Mr. Young stopped construction, just before permanently damaging the original entrance.

The agreement, which SISCA has on video, was that Mr. Young would cease construction and drop his meritless lawsuit, and that he would provide SISCA with his plans for the entrance by
June 30th.

Ms. Pines, on behalf of SISCA, made a tentative agreement that SISCA, pending approval by the SISCA board, would review the plans once Mr. Young sent them, and follow due process for a democratic organization, culminating in allowing the membership to vote on how to proceed in reference to Mr. Young’s design.

SISCA has begun the process of informing the entire community of what has occurred, and is initiating discussions which will lead to democratic and binding votes by the entire community, which will be held in person and through the mail for all members who cannot be present.


This is a process that will take a while because the issues to be discussed are not just what to do about the changes Mr. Young has already made to the cemetery, and the ones he proposes to make, but also about how SISCA members would like to respond to the actions of Mr. Young and the ASTT board in the last year. Until Mr. Young dropped the lawsuit, SISCA did not want to engage the community, but now everyone needs to know every detail so that everyone can make up their own minds about how they want to proceed.

SISCA intends to hold a number of informative and discussion teleconferences and meetings for SISCA members only, in order to make sure that current SISCA members are able to discuss among themselves without distraction and interruption. Because SISCA represents all scout descendants, anyone in the community who is a scout descendant is welcome to join the discussions once they pay their dues.

SISCA wishes the ASTT well in its application for federal recognition. It is our perception that the ASTT membership was never given the opportunity to vote on the lawsuit or the design for the cemetery project before Mr. Young initiated these aggressive actions, so many ASTT members may not approve of the way their director and board have handled this process.

It is the understanding of SISCA that Native American tribes make all decisions by discussing and coming to agreement among the members, which is usually manifested in a vote on any significant actions. It is the job of the chief and the tribal council to inform members and guide discussion, not to make decisions for members without their input. We do not hold ASTT members responsible for actions that they knew nothing about, and we welcome all ASTT members to join SISCA and participate in all discussions that will form SISCA's responses to all current issues. According to recently updated SISCA bylaws, new members will have a one-year probation period before they can vote, but all voices are welcome in shaping the issues that we will be voting on.


Although SISCA can never apply for tribal recognition because it uses oral history as the basis for membership, rather than documentation that many descendants may not have, we intend to resolve these matters in a fully democratic manner, similar to that of a tribe. The SISCA board considers itself the representatives of the people, not power holders but equal to all members and responsible for making sure all members' voices are heard, and this is why we have instituted this new bylaw that prevents SISCA from being flooded by new members who may not have been part of any ongoing discussion. If brand new members have voting rights, current SISCA members could have their votes canceled out by an influx of members who are not fully integrated into SISCA. This way, everyone's voice will be heard but only those committed enough to SISCA to remain in for a year will vote.

We welcome all feedback to this letter. We only request that there will be no aggression and no name calling, or we will remove posts and ask you to repost in a manner that will help promote conversation and agreements.

We will begin posting information on the website immediately.

The following two photos are of documents that show Mr. Lee Young's true intentions for the properties that SISCA has been tasked with being the custodian and caretaker of.

The Prayer and Request For Relief is taken from the lawsuit that Mr. Young filed against SISCA. He asks for a declaratory judgment in his favor, granting him all real properties that belong to or are under the care of SISCA.
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When Mr. Young publicly states that the ASTT has no desire to take over SISCA and no desire to take the Carver School from SISCA, this lawsuit clearly contradicts that. Please click the button below if you want to read the entire lawsuit.
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ASTT vs SISCA Lawsuit

​The photo below is of Article II: Jurisdiction, taken from Mr. Young’s first constitution for the ASTT, in which he declares that the ASTT will maintain the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery and the George Washington Carver School. The placement of this statement in an article relating to jurisdiction implies that the ASTT desired to have power and authority over the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery, which belongs to the Conoly family, and the Carver School, which belongs to SISCA.
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In conclusion, here is a letter sent to SISCA, Mr. Young, and the community at large on June 6th by the Conoly family, who are the legal owners of the land that the cemetery is on. In it, they reaffirm that SISCA is the custodian of the cemetery and that, in order to safeguard the cemetery, they will not permit any construction on the cemetery grounds that is in dispute within the community. Therefore, if Mr. Young recommences construction without allowing the community to have a democratic say in the appearance of the cemetery entrance, then he is in direct defiance of the wishes of the owners of the land the cemetery is on.
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The above letter was written by David Conoly on behalf of the Conoly family and sent to SISCA and the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts community on June 6.

 ​We hope you will find the information we post useful in helping SISCA to make democratic decisions on how to go forward!

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    Augusta Pines

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Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association
PO Box 1797
Brackettville, TX
​78832

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