In Review

May 16, 2006 - After many weeks of meetings with officials, proposal presentations and negotiations, the Escambia County Commission voted unanimously to give Perdido Bay Tribe the opportunity to construct a major Creek Indian Cultural Center as an integral part of long-term plans for the future Bill Dickson Eco Park on Bayou Grande.

Phase One of PBT’s plan in this cooperative effort will be to design, fund and build a comprehensive center for learning which will serve all citizens and visitors to the greater Pensacola Bay area. This long-sought-after opportunity will enable Pensacola’s Indian peoples to make a positive, highly visible contribution to the artistic, cultural and environmental well being of our community.

PBT’s Board of Directors and Project Advisory Board is prepared, dedicated and vigorously moving forward with all phases of planning and seeking funding opportunities for this important and greatly needed center for learning and community service.

Pictured Above: Kevin Briski, Director, Escambia Co. Parks and Recreation and PBT Chief, Bobby Johns Bearheart

Left: Kevin Briski, Phil Kittell, John Hartley, Selina Todd, Brunie Emmanuel, Maribeth Lewis and Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart

PBT Wins Grant from the Florida Humanities Council

to Complete Traveling Museum & Outreach Vehicle

July 2006 - After years of work toward this goal, PBT and Co-Sponsors, Three Rivers Rural Conservation & Development Council and The Pensacola Historical Society look forward with great anticipation as work begins on bringing our mobile museum/community outreach vehicle to its fullest potential. With funding from the Florida Humanities Council, the 'bus' is currently in the hands of the designers and fabricators at Creative Productions in Pensacola.

This project is a continuation of the long-standing vision of Perdido Bay Tribe to bring a sharper

focus on the history and cultures of Southeastern Native Peoples. As Creek descendants, we are keenly aware that general knowledge and understanding of Creek history and way of life is sorely lacking.

Photo: With TLC, Tribe Members give the 'bus' a bath in preparation for its make over.

The lessons our children are taught in school about the first people of the Southeast relate primarily to the conflicts in America’s history as they struggled to hold their own against overwhelming odds.

We think it is time – and believe that modern Americans are eager – to acknowledge these people as human beings who had a rich and viable way of life, and to honor their many contributions to the rich tapestry of our collective southeastern arts, history and culture.

The Pensacola Historical Society will conduct a Docent Training Class for tribal and community volunteers who will help staff the 'Bearheart Native Paths Museum' when it is ready for service in the spring of 2007. These volunteers will also be prepared to share information on PBT services with visitors and host a variety of community outreach activities throughout the Escambia - Santa Rosa County service area.

When the conversion work is completed, two major programs are planned to introduce the Traveling Museum to the community and will feature speakers and artisans from within the ranks of Perdido Bay Tribe.

The first event will be hosted by Three Rivers RC&D will feature speaker: Mr. Richard Thornton, Architect & City Planner, to present : “Indigenous Town Planning and Architecture in the Southeastern USA."

A second program to be hosted by the Pensacola Historical Society will be held in the Spring of 2007 in conjunction with the Historical Museum's planned Muscogee Creek Culture Day. Speaker for that event will be Mr. Buck Woodard, PhD student in Historical Anthropology, College of William and Mary. Topic for the event will be “Daily Life in an Early Creek Community."

The support and input of scholars in the areas of history, anthropology and archaeology are essential to learning all we can about the ancient history and material culture of our ancestors. But more important to the mission of the Perdido Bay Tribe is to listen to the voices of our own scholars, elders and artisans who carry within their very being the knowledge of who we were and are still as a people.

The mobile museum will place strong emphasis on the events of history following European contact that profoundly impacted the way of life of the diverse peoples of the Southeast who came to be known collectively as the Creeks – from the time of the mound-builders - to the time of removal - to present day.

All that we include in the museum will serve to illustrate the strength of a People and how they constantly adapted to the forces of change; the wisdom of a People who built a well ordered way of life; the skill and ingenuity of a People who lived well from the abundant natural resources around them and the creative talents of a People who made useful things beautifully. This positive approach to presenting the Creek People as worthy human beings will foster a fresh, informed attitude toward their memory and their place in history.

As long envisioned, “Bearheart Native Paths Museum” will continue to reach out to audiences in a wide variety of venues from schools to festivals to community events for years to come.

Georgia Branch of Perdido Bay Tribe

Hosts Tribal Gathering at Uchee Campground

Fort Benning, GA July 2006

Perdido Bay Tribe Members Complete

Florida Folklife Master Artist-Apprentice Program

June 2006, Working under the auspices of the Florida Folklife Master - Artist Apprentice Program, PBT member, John Hartley, Standing Bear, has completed an apprenticeship in traditional Creek woodcarving under the guidance of Master Artisan, Bobby Johns Bearheart, chief of Perdido Bay Tribe.

In 1989, Bobby Johns was designated Master Folk Artist by the Florida Folk Life Division of Cultural Affairs. He was winner of an Individual Artist Fellowship in 1990 and served as Artist in Residence for all Escambia County middle and high schools in 1991. In 1993, he became the first Creek to be honored with the Florida Folk Life Heritage Award.

John Hartley’s assignment included studying and reproducing classical Creek cultural symbols from sketches and photos of identifiable historical pieces. For his final creation, a traditional style mask of his own design, John has elected to work with cedar wood because of its endurance and the spiritual significance it holds in Creek tradition.

Speaking of his apprentice experience, John said the program helped him to become more in touch with his Creek culture. He enjoyed the research, primarily from the classic work by Fundaburk and Foreman, "Sun Circles and Human Hands." He especially appreciates the craftsmanship skills he learned from Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart.

The Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program provides an opportunity for master folk artists to share technical skills and cultural knowledge with apprentices to maintain traditional art as a vital part of their heritage. Master artists should be among the finest practitioners of the tradition in their communities. Apprentices must have some experience in the tradition they wish to study and must make a commitment to learn it thoroughly.

The Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program Guidelines include the traditional nature and quality of the master's work, relevance of the tradition to the cultural history of Florida, and the apprentice's commitment to the tradition and involvement in the community that supports the tradition. For more information on the Master Artist – Apprentice Program visit:

http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/preservation/folklife/apprenticeship/ . E.P. Dixon 2006

Words for Earth Day 2006

Micco Bobby Johns Bearheart

It is great to see so many that care. We have come together once again, drawn by the understanding of how our Earth Mother needs our love and care. It is good that we carry this message in our minds and hearts.

Major catastrophes are realities of life and we must be prepared to meet the challenges. Some come without much warning. . .if it was so devastating that we needed to survive by our wits and from a pure environment, only then would we realize how important our efforts now would be.

The treasures of life gifted by the Creator to our care could mean whether any would survive. The Master of Breath has challenged his children to use our abilities of mind and muscle to assure we've stood to the task.

Unified and motivated, we can prepare now and for future generations that which our past generations have failed in many ways to assure. Our grandchildren look to us for life as we know it, and expect from us all possible effort to protect what we leave for them. Let us meet this challenge with all the strength we can muster.

We must stay the known path so all can walk in beauty with the Creator. Communicate with each other, with our government, with our children, and be strong in our voice. These gifts are our natural resources. . . why would we destroy our own life source?

Mvto (thank you)

Micco Bobby Johns Bearheart

Pensacola, Florida April, 2006

PBT Extension Council Named in Georgia

Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart is pleased to announce the appointment of Vice-Chief Stan Cartwright to establish a branch of PBT in the State of Georgia. As in the old days, this new group will operate with the same cooperative and integrated relationship as a new 'Town' to the 'Mother Town.'

Stan resides in Warm Springs, GA where he serves as The Director of Related Vocational Instruction & Transition with the Meriwether County Board of Education. Stan is supported and encouraged by wife, Lynn, their two children, three grandchildren and many friends and family.

Perdido Bay Tribe has a strong membership base in Georgia. This new organization will better serve and involve those members under Stan's leadership, but will remain an integral part of PBT as we seek to expand and enhance our education and service activities. Stan, known to his friends as Yahola Quiet Dog, has served on the Board of Directors for many years and has contributed immensely to the overall progress of PBT. He has appointed a council to assist with initial planning. The first council meeting was held on January 8, 2006 in Warm Springs.

Top: Tim Hayes, L to R Laurie Ann Cartwright, Lynn Cartwright

Stan Cartwright, Rocky Cartwright. Not shown: Robert Johns

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