the miccosukee tribe of florida became unlikely public leaders in restoring the ecosystems of the florida everglades, and protecting one of the state’s largest sources of clean drinking water.

curtis osceola, the first miccosukee to earn a law degree, repositioned the tribe to act as a sovereign government in practice. he was outgoing, able to build real relationships with city, county, state, and federal leaders, and bring the tribe into rooms where decisions were being made.

he advocated for the western everglades restoration project (werp), a plan developed with the army corps of engineers to restore freshwater flow, reduce pollution, and push for a hard stop on oil drilling in big cypress national preserve.

florida leaders, across political lines, were receptive, and respected the scale of the effort.

what’s been especially compelling is watching indigenous leadership extend beyond the reservation and into broader public life, not as stakeholders, but as decision-makers shaping outcomes.

miccosukee high school graduates attend college, and are encouraged to stay connected to the tribe, building a next generation of leaders in both modern and traditional worlds.

they're in the market for renewable airboats.