Maintaining Sovereignty vs. Embracing Citizenship
In the first half of the 20th century, many Florida Natives utilized their expanding political relationship with the United States to achieve their own goals, such as maintaining land rights and promoting tourism and other economic pursuits. Seminole tourist camps around the Tamiami Trail—which portrayed the Florida Natives as “unconquered” people—attracted outside visitors. This expression of independence characterized, to some degree, their attitude toward the attempts of businesses, land speculators, and the National Park Service to move them from lands that they had traditionally occupied. The reservation Indians, particularly at Brighton, pushed for assistance in improving their cattle industry.
The ultimate goal of the federal government was for Native Americans to become U.S. citizens. The Florida Indians, however, did not view their expanding ties with the state and federal governments to mean that they must relinquish community independence, as a result. This was particularly a challenge for Indians who began relocating onto the three federal reservations in Florida. Ultimately, the Indians were not beyond using the government's desire for them to become citizens as a tool for leverage in matters that impacted tribal economics and politics.
