Perhaps the most iconic craft associated with the Miccosukee is patchwork clothing. Developed in the early 20th century, this art form emerged when sewing machines became available through trade and contact with non-Native communities. Miccosukee women transformed European-style sewing into a canvas for storytelling. Using strips of colorful clo

Living in the Everglades shaped the Miccosukee approach to craftsmanship. The wetlands provided raw materials but demanded resourcefulness. Palmetto fronds were woven into thatched roofing for chickees—open-sided, palm-roofed structures that became architectural symbols of the tribe. Cypress trees were hollowed into canoes, an essential mode of t

Introduction: A Legacy Woven into the Everglades Hidden within the vast wilderness of the Florida Everglades lies the Miccosukee Indian Village, a place where ancient traditions continue to thrive amidst the pulse of modernity. For centuries, the Miccosukee people have practiced intricate crafts that reflect their relationship with the land, their

Looking ahead, Lake Okeechobee’s future will be shaped by how Florida manages water, climate risk and ecological restoration. Rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, saltwater intrusion, agricultural runoff and changing rainfall patterns all pose challenges. The scenic route will continue to play a key role: As a vantage point for rest