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The Florida Everglades are on “life support”. That’s the assessment of Miccosukee environmental advocate Betty Osceola, who says the famed wetlands are under relentless threat from urban encroachment, pollution, and poor management. Osceola is a dedicated defender of her homelands that are also home to at least 39 endangered or threatened species including the Florida panther and the American crocodile. She is sounding the alarm over historically high water levels that are destroying habitat and drowning culturally important sites. We’ll talk with Osceola about her connection to the Everglades and her passion to preserve them. She joins us as this month’s Native in the Spotlight.
Break 1 Music: Lay Your Burden Down (song) Lee Tiger & the Tiger Tiger Band (artist) Southern Exposure (album)
Break 2 Music: Brown Fool Eyes (song) Hataałii (artist) Waiting for a Sign (album)
We have known the waters were coming for a long time – what has the tribe done to help this situation?
I have heard in the early days that the Indigenous People lived above the water – seems they maybe knew what to do.
We have also seen the population come closer, and closer and a number of us have filed challenges to protect the natural areas and natural systems and wildlife and holding consultations with Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park to ensure Sacred Sites were protected. I have always found an open door for discussion – maybe you should try sitting down with them and hear from them their side of the dark picture that you continually paint of them. We must be truthful if we are ever going to allow the healing of the Mother Earth. It cannot be done based on ill-informed information. As I have heard from Indigenous Elders: Do not lie, do not cheat, do not steal, and do not kill.
Good episode Andi.