Saturday, October 18, 2003 was a beautiful day for some 35 Northwest Florida children who have lost close loved ones during the past year. Sponsored by Covenant Hospice, Camp Monarch, a day-long grief support camp was held at Sacred Heart Children's Miracle Camp in Pensacola. This day of fun and sharing included many activities from hayrides to face painting.  PBT’s Selina Todd who is a counselor with Covenant Hospice, brought some of the beauty of her American Indian heritage to the day’s activities with help from fellow tribe members, John Hartley and Chief Bearheart.

Throughout the day, working with small groups, Selina and John assisted each child in making a dream catcher in memory of their loved one. Dream Catchers are one of the most beautiful and beloved of Native American arts. Made of vine hoops with webs woven of sinew and decorated with colorful beads and feathers, dream catchers have traditionally been hung over a child’s bed to help them deal with bad dreams and childhood fears. As the story goes, the web of the dream catcher traps and holds bad dreams while allowing good dreams to pass on through. At Camp Monarch, the children were encouraged to use their own personal creativity to decorate their dream catcher as a lasting memorial to a lost family member.  Another of Selina’s roles at Camp Monarch was to hold a parent group counseling session.

Toward the end of the day, Chief Bearheart offered a special blessing and spoke with the children about their courage in time of loss. The soft beat of Bearheart’s drum and sweet sounds of John Hartley’s Native American flute created a beautiful atmosphere as the children participated in a final farewell ceremony. As in all that we do, PBT is pleased to have had the opportunity to be a part of this community activity and share some of the wealth and beauty of our Indian heritage in such a meaningful way.

Oct. 5 - 8 Representing Perdido Bay Tribe, Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart was invited to attend a meeting sponsored by the Southeastern Regional office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service on the Mississippi Choctaw Reservation at Philadelphia, MS.  This gathering of top USDA/NRCS officials and leaders from both federated and non-federated, state-recognized tribes was held for the purpose of learning ways the NRCS can better serve southeastern Native American people. Chief Bearheart was appointed to serve on the Council of Elders in an ongoing capacity. His message of peace, cooperation and unity for the benefit of all American Indian people was warmly received by many at the conference. 

 Chief Bearheart Honors Regional Conservationist

Ervin Ricks, NRCS News Release

 NRCS Regional Conservationist Charles R. Adams has been called a lot of names, including some of which he is not so proud. From the childhood nickname, “Biggun,” given to him by his father, to casual references to his initials, “C.R.A.,” by members of his staff, the names are inspired by various aspects of his personality. One such name was recently bestowed upon him during a visit to an Indian tribe.

 Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart, leader of the Perdido Bay Tribe of Southeastern Lower Muscogee Creek Indians in western Florida, gave Adams the name “Big Warrior” at a ceremony on October 9^th, in recognition of his outreach efforts through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to American Indian Tribes in the southeast.

“I chose the name ‘Big Warrior’ because I was impressed with Mr. Adams’ warrior attitude,” Chief Bearheart explained. “He had the courage to reach out and help American Indians and the ability to take control and provide leadership.”

After demonstrating how he had once used blowguns to hunt birds, Chief Bearheart, the first Creek Indian to win the coveted Florida Folklife Heritage Award,  presented a handmade blowgun to Adams. The blowgun is being displayed at the Southeast Region Partnership Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. According to Bearheart, the gifts were given to Adams as a token of brotherhood and respect.

Photo: Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart, Charles Adams 'Big Warrior,' Vice-Chief Robert Johns

Charles Adams serves as Southeast Regional Conservationist for NRCS and is credited with establishing one of the first USDA offices on an Indian Reservation. While serving as State Conservationist in Arizona, he established four Tribal field offices on the Navajo Nation Reservation. To date, there are four USDA offices located on tribal lands in the Southeast Region under his leadership – one in Mississippi, another in North Carolina, and two in Florida. He is also credited with the development of the Agency’s Tribal Program Delivery Initiative, an annual conference linking USDA officials with American Indian leaders to promote tribal participation in USDA programs and services.

Accompanying Adams on his visit to the Perdido Bay Tribe was Annabelle Romero, USDA Director of Native American Programs, Jose Acevedo, NRCS Deputy Chief of Programs, along with several members of Adams’ staff. The group visited tribes in Florida and Mississippi to gain a better understanding of how American Indians could best benefit from USDA assistance.

Delegation from USDA/NRCS Learns of Perdido Bay Tribe Activities

Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart and members of Perdido Bay Tribe, along with working partners from Three Rivers RC&D and the Pensacola Historical Museum, welcomed visitors from USDA/NRCS to Pensacola on October 9, 2003.  A delegation of officials from Washington, Atlanta and Gainesville came to see a presentation illustrating the ongoing educational and environmental work being done in west Florida, largely through support from NRCS.  Chief Bearheart also had the opportunity to explain his vision for Perdido Bay Tribe. He spoke of his dream of reaching out to the community in a positive and meaningful way using the wisdom and insights of our Muscogee Creek ancestors' way of life as a model for a better future.

Sharing in the presentation were two classes of children from the Creative Learning Academy  who participated in the educational activities of the Pensacola Historical Museum’s Creek Classroom. With some of the children dressed as the Creeks might have dressed long ago, friendship dances were enjoyed by all.   After in-depth discussions of future goals and opportunities, this most positive and productive meeting ended with an exchange of gifts and a delicious meal.  

     Photo: Chief Bearheart, Robin Kimmerer, Stan Cartwright

For many of the scientists and teachers attending, this was a first-time visit to the Southeast. It was a special honor for PBT to play a role in introducing these visitors to our part of the country. Accompanying Chief Bearheart were PBT members, Marian Johns, Stan Cartwright and Lynn Cartwright. Through Bearheart's message which was echoed by some of Stan Cartwright’s own reflections on his life experiences along Georgia’s Rivers, it is our hope that many have gained valuable insights into the unique human history and character of the Southeast as well as its ecological history and character.

PBT Member Named to Virginia Council on Indians

July 1, 2003, Richmond, VA - It is with great pride that PBT announces the appointment of Buck Woodard as 'Indian at Large' to the Virginia Council on Indians. Buck is an artist and teacher in the Henrico County Public Schools. Buck writes that he is looking forward to continuing our goals of education and outreach while representing Virginia's 'other' Indian population (those not indigenous to Virginia, but who live within the Commonwealth).

May 8, 2003 - The Beacon Building in historic Pensacola, FL was filled with activity as eleven tribe members gathered with friends and associates for the filming of a documentary video highlighting various activities of PBT. The filming was directed by Bob Stobaugh, State Public Affairs Director, USDA/NRCS who will present it at an NRCS conference in San Antonio, TX later this year. 

A beautiful opening ceremony offered by Dr. Michael DeMaria set the tone for the day’s activities.  Associates representing Three Rivers RC&D, Yellow River Soil & Water Conservation District, The Pensacola Historical Museum and the Archaeology Institute, University of West Florida as well as friends from PBT’s VISIONS  program were on hand to represent their organizations as we highlighted the various activities of PBT. The three focus areas include: Preservation of Muscogee Creek history and culture through art and education, Service to Native Americans in the local community and Promotion of environmental  awareness and preservation. 

Our thanks to Sandra Johnson, Director of the Pensacola Historical Museum and Trudy Laird , Director of Development, PR and Student Services at the Creative Learning Academy for their tremendous help in making all the necessary arrangements for the filming. Special appreciation goes to the children of Wendy McGown’s second grade class at the Creative Learning Academy who came to help with the filming, for they represented the heart and soul of PBT’s outreach. The students participated in a variety of activities as they learned about Creek Indian culture and heritage, and as in all our programs, we hope they took with them an experience  and new understanding they will always remember.

In the Pensacola Historical Museum’s Creek Classroom, which PBT helped to establish, the children joined in a  lively interactive presentation on Southeastern Indian history and culture with teacher, Nina Winkler.  Dressed in traditional Creek-style clothing from the classroom, the children danced the ‘friendship dance’ with PBT members and enjoyed a story told by Chief Bearheart with musical accompaniment by John Hartley, Selena Todd, Robert Johns, Marian Johns and Edna Dixon.

John Harper and Stacie Ueberroth of Three Rivers RC&D were on hand demonstrating their continuing support for PBT.  At midday, a delicious lunch was provided for all participants by Three Rivers RC&D.  They were happy also to see in action another project they supported: the Pensacola Historical Museum's Creek Classroom. Darryl Williams of the Yellow River Soil and Water District, Crestview, FL, hosted a display of activities of the NRCS Volunteer Program, Earth Team, which PBT actively supports. Jeff Norville from the Crestview office, USDA/NRCS who is working with us on arrangements for the future Mobile Museum also came to lend his support.

Another display depicting the history of the indigenous people of west Florida was presented by John Phillips of the Archaeology Institute, UWF. John has been active in field studies in the region for many years and PBT is pleased to have his expertise in helping tell the story of our Native ancestors. Other Perdido Bay Tribe members and special friends who came to support or participate in the video filming activities include: Diane Lee, Donna Beth Waltrip, Maribeth Lewis, Deana Godwin, Mary Tomlin and Angie Tomlin.

PBT Members Serve on EARTH TEAM

T. Niles Glasgow, State Conservationist has named Chief Bearheart and Vice-Chief John Hartley (Standing Bear) as members of EARTH TEAM, a volunteer grass-roots branch of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

EARTH TEAM volunteers donate time and talents to help conserve and promote the wise use of our precious natural resources.  Darryl Williams of Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District, Crestview, FL, serves as State Volunteer Coordinator for EARTH TEAM.  Mr. Williams has assigned our PBT representatives to serve under John Harper, RC&D Coordinator.