Seminole Indians

They are not native to Florida. Below are links to google earth photos of Brighton Reservations town. Ojibway Soldiers and their families were sent far south to Florida to combat invading Italians and Spaniards. This possibly happened during 17th century or during a war named Beaver Wars. 1832's Edinburgh Encyclopedia details a forced migration of Ojibway People (they were named Lenni Lenape) from western locations. Their south migration towards their northeast is our curiosity. They reached North America's Atlantic Coastline. They eventually migrated south and became Seminole Indians. We know a name of one of these Ojibway leaders. His name was Sa-gi-ma or chief Sa-gi-ma. Translated his name means "an Ojibway not belonging to their Grand Medicine Society or Totem yet knows medicines well." Chief Sagima was a "Conjuror" or a "Witch Doctor." He lived during time when whites first invaded. It's known he kept in contact with Ojibway's further west, between Montana and Kansas. From an island in either Lake Huron or Lake Superior (probably Manitoulin Island) chief Sagima led Ojibway's to invade Michigan's Lower Peninsula. He then led more Ojibway's to invade Ottawa River Valley and St. Lawrence River Valley. This chief Sagima, may have sent some of his Ojibway Soldiers far south. It needs further investigating. In late 18th century and early 19th century, whites commenced to name these southern Ojibway's "Yuchi." They did so because they spoke Shawnee Language which is Ojibway. Ojibway's were already in Florida by those times. During War of 1812 and First Seminole War between 1816 and 1819, Ojibway's and their Indian and black allies, were forced to retreat to central and south Florida. In September 1823, Treaty of Moultrie Creek was signed that created a vast Reservation (around 4 million acres or 6,250 sq. mi. or near 16,000 sq. km.) for Ojibway's and their Indian and black allies, in central Florida, north of Lake Okeechobee. At that time, American's were not very interested in Florida. They knew it was almost all flats or flat land with an abundance of wetlands. What actually transpired was a ruse. Per treaty agreements, Ojibway leaders allowed Americans to build roads and forts within their Reservation. Within 12 years, American leaders had established forts and roads within this vast Ojibway Reservation in central Florida and then broke treaty which led to a Second Seminole War. It was fought between 1835 and 1842.

Ojibway leaders were shrewd and led many Ojibway's to Andros Island, Cuba, other Caribbean Islands and South America. They retreated further south to extreme south Florida during 1835-1842's Second Seminole War. Most had fled to South America. Those that remained in Florida numbered a few hundred. They lived in an unofficial Reservation in southwest Florida. Probably where Everglades National Park is. American's were not at all eager to colonize south Florida. In 1855, American leaders again broke treaty and 1855-1858's Third Seminole War was fought. Those Seminoles that surrendered agreed to relocate to a Reservation created for them in Michigan in 1855. Many also relocated to Oklahoma. Only a couple hundred Ojibway's stayed in Florida after 1855-1858's Third Seminole War. They continued to live within their unofficial Reservation in southwest Florida. In 1896, American's forced 1,000's of Ojibway's in Montana to relocate elsewhere. One location was south Florida. It was an ideal location for an Ojibway Reservation. Chief Rocky Boy sent President Roosevelt a letter on January 14, 1902 telling him he was leader of Chippewa Indians in Montana and other States (Florida is one of them) and were without Reservations. He requested for new Ojibway Reservations yet was denied. He then requested that his Ojibway Subjects be allowed to settle on land not surveyed. They accepted his proposal. In 1907, new Reservations were set aside in Florida. First was Dania Reservation. By 1913, there were 18 Reservations in Florida. However, many Ojibway's favored what is now Everglades National Park. They had quite a few villages located within that area before it became a National Park. They were enraged when it became a National Park in 1947. Today there are 6 Seminole Reservations in Florida. Their population in Florida has increased yet is low. Oklahoma has more Seminoles. Seminoles live at a Kickapoo Ojibway Reservation in northeast Mexico. They also live at Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin. Their known as Oklevueha Seminoles. Their colony maintains 40 acres at BRR. Somehow they lost their Michigan Reservation created for them in 1857. It's located east of Ludington, Michigan and around 25 miles west of Osceola County, Michigan. It was established with July 31, 1855's Treaty. Around 1,700 Ojibway's migrated north to their Michigan Reservation in 1857 and 1858. They were set aside a compact form Reservation in Eden and Custer Townships in Mason County, Michigan and Crystal and Elbridge Townships in Oceana County Michigan. It covered nearly 150 sq. mi. In 1874, American's were forcing Ojibway's to accept land allotments they could sell. That's how their Reservation was lost. Their population in Mason and Oceana Counties, Michigan in 1890 was 606. Obviously they were continuing to live within their Reservation.

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

Brighton Road View

The Seminole Population

Florida - 3,100
Oklahoma - 9,000
Mexico - 1,000 including their black allies.
The Bahamas - ?