Welcome to the Apache Tribe - Seminole Nation
The Indian Princess program is different from scouting, sports
teams, and many other activities because it is specifically intended
to be a parent AND child organization. Our members join the program
specifically because father and daughter want to spend more time
together. This program provides a wealth of opportunities and
settings you are unlikely to find otherwise.
From a parent's perspective this program gives you, as a father,
the chance to bond with your child on many levels. The idea is
to "form bonds that last a lifetime" -- so that when your children
enter the turbulent middle school and high school years you have
built a strong relationship and many positive memories. They have
also learned how to have fun with their peers, in good ways. And,
particularly important for the girls, they have developed a strong
sense of accomplishment and self worth, and are able and willing
to speak up for themselves.
From a daughter's perspective there is an opportunity to have
a wide circle of friends, to get a sense of identity and belonging
that is rare in today's world of small families. It is like having
a dozen sisters and uncles to trust and rely on. The older girls
take on leadership roles, helping and teaching the younger ones.
In addition to forming strong parent/child relationships, the
program also provides opportunities:
- To see things and do things you otherwise might not: camping
in the Everglades, Canoeing a wild and scenic river, Horseback
riding around Sunset Lake, sifting for fossil teeth of giant whale
sharks.....
- To meet other parents and children and make lasting friendships.
To join in a large circle of friends you have much in common with
and will enjoy sharing with (parents as much as kids)
- To learn more about where you live -- to see the big and little
places that make Florida special, from Lake Wales to Arcadia,
Yumatilla, Fruitland Park, Fish Eating Creek, and many more.
and finally,
- To learn about Native American culture and the environment around
us, up-close and personal, in ways that no book or film could
ever match. After you have joined with your children in the spiral
dance at the State Pow-Wow, or lain on your back on the dock of
the Swamp Safari at midnight while the stars wheel overhead and
the alligators glide below, you will have a personal appreciation
for what that means.
The program includes a variety father and daughter activities,
Tribal activities, and Nation activities. The Seminole Nation follows
a fairly regular schedule, and include some local, and some overnight
activities:
- The two key events of the year are the Spring and Fall Nation
Camp-outs in April and October of each year. These are father
and daughter only events packed with activities, held at full-featured
camps with cabins, lakes, dining and activity areas. The Fall
Camp-out includes horseback riding; the spring camp-out includes
our version of the Pinewood derby.
- The Sunshine State Pow-Wow is held in March of each year; entire
families are invited to gather with Tribes from Guide and Princess
programs across the state and join in war games, storytelling,
dancing, and other contests.
- In November, families are invited to join the annual camping,
canoeing and fossil hunting expedition to Peace River.
- In May, families are invited to John Pennicamp State Park in
Key Largo to sail and snorkel and see the underwater world around
us.
- In September we have a Mystery Bus Ride. To Where? Don't know.
That's why its a mystery.
- In December we have a Dad and Daughter Dance to end the year.
- Other Nation activities have included the Davie Rodeo, the Museum
of Science and Discovery, the Miami Metrozoo, Glass-Bottom boat
excursions along the coast,overnight camping at Billie Swamp Safari
on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, trips to Orlando, local
Beaches and Sporting events.
- House Meetings, which generally include a craft activity, and
may also include planning for Tribal Events, Nation Events or
community activities.
- Out Meetings, such as trips to local or state parks, an expedition to the Everglades, a canoe trip on the Loxahatchee River, a trip to Jupiter Lighthouse and Blowing Rocks Preserve, overnight stays at Spanish River Park or The Miami Seaquarium, behind-the scenes tour at local fire and police stations or local businesses, participation in community service activities....
Commitment
The success of the program hinges on the continued commitment of fathers to expend time and effort. Once again this is a parent AND child activity. It is an ongoing commitment to set aside time for Tribe and Nation events, as well as projects you and your daughter have together.
As with any group or program, the more more you put in to it as a participant, the more you get out of it. For those willing to make a bigger commitment, volunteer positions as a Tribal Chief or Medicine Man, a Nation Longhouse Chief, or Nation Officer can be very rewarding.
Goals and History of the Program
"An Indian Princess is a girl with a Dad like mine"
The Indian Princess program is designed for Dads and Daughters, growing together, spiritually and mentally. Sponsored by the YMCA, it is a spin-off of the Indian Guides program established in the 1920's for for Dads and Sons. The purpose of the Indian Princesses Program is to foster the understanding and companionship of father and daughter.
The program is open to girls, Kindergarten through 6th grade (and then some), and their Dads. The YMCA is dedicated to providing good opportunities for people to achieve their greatest and most satisfying potential as caring, responsible human beings. Y-Indian Guide Programs (Guides, Princesses, Maidens, and Braves) help fulfill this mission by:
- Fostering companionship and understanding between parent and child, and setting a foundation for positive, lifelong relationships
- Building a sense of self-esteem and personal worth.
- Expand awareness of spirit, mind and body.
- Provide the framework to meet a mutual need of spending enjoyable, constructive quality time together.
- Emphasize the vital role that parents play in the growth and development of their children.
- Offer an important and unique opportunity to develop and enjoy volunteer leadership skills.
The Pledge
We, father and daughter,
Through friendly service to each other,
To our family, to our tribe, to our community,
Seek a world pleasing to the eye of the Great
Spirit.
Slogans
- "Friends Always"
- "Pals Forever"
- "Forming Bonds to Last a Lifetime"
- To love the sacred circle of my family.
- To be clean in body and pure in heart.
- To share understanding with my father/daughter.
- To listen while others speak.
- To love my neighbor as myself.
- To seek and preserve the beauty of the Great Spirit's work in forest field and stream.
History of the Program
The Indian Guides program was established in 1926 as a way to ensure
that hard-working fathers stayed involved in their sons lives. The
program was developed by Harold Keltner of the Saint Louis, Missouri
YMCA, with the help of, and based on the example of his friend Joe
Friday, an Ojibway Indian. According to Joe Friday, "The Indian
father raises his son. He teaches his son to hunt, track, fish,
walk softly and silently in the forest, know the meaning and purpose
of life and all he must know."
Keltner designed the father and son program based upon the strong
qualities of American Indian culture and life--dignity, patience,
endurance, spirituality, feeling for the earth and concern for the
family. The Indian Maidens, a sister organization for mothers and
their daughters was established in South Bend, Indiana in 1951.
The Indian Princess organization for fathers and daughters got its
start at the Fresno, California YMCA in 1954. Finally, in 1980,
the US national YMCA recognized the need for an Indian Braves organization
for Mothers and Sons.
Use
of the Native American Theme
Participants in the Indian Princess program are encouraged to find positive and respectful ways of using the Native American theme in their activities. While a tribe may participate in a variety of events over the course of a year, the Native American theme has been an instrumental part of the program for three-quarters of a century.
That's saying quite a bit considering the changes that occurred in American society over that time. In 1926 when the Y programs began, the world was a very different place. Yet the program, which is entirely a volunteer organization, has continued to win the interest and involvement of parent and child alike, regardless of the world of distractions that surround us, and has remained largely true to its original intent to the present day.
In addition to selecting tribal and individual names, program activities often include Native American crafts, artwork and storytelling. Our semi-annual Nation Camp-outs include contests for Native American costume. Parents and child (and friends and grandparents) are often involved in researching and creating traditional costumes. The most recent winner wore a Lakota costume whose detail would have rivaled more than one museum display I have seen.
Once a year we attend the Sunshine State Pow-Wow (held at different locations each year). Included in the activities are visiting native American storytellers and dance groups, along with various classes and workshops on crafts, tribal languages, and other topics. A father and daughter activity, in this case, becomes a four-day long family expedition to join literally thousands of others from Guide and Princess Nations across the state.
In South Florida we are fortunate to be close to two tribes, including our namesake Seminole Tribe and the Miccosukee Tribe. Both hold annual Pow-Wows within easy easy travel distance (in Hollywood and on the Tamiami trail, respectively) and both tribes have a variety of cultural events at their respective museums, most notably at the A-Tha-Thi-Ki museum on the Seminole reservation.
We also annually attend, as a tribes or as a nation, overnight events on the Big Cypress Reservation, including reenactments from the Seminole wars, rodeos, and late night story telling.
Send an Email to chief@apache-tribe.org Please include your name, telephone number and the best time to call.