The Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine in 1565, the first permanent settlement in Florida after at least 60 years of sporadic Spanish visitation, he discovered complex indigenous cultures whose people lived by hunting, fishing, farming and raising stock.

Tribes from three different basic language groups: the Timuquan, Calusan and Muskhogean, occupied Florida and lived in small and well-organized villages.

[2] The Spanish first recognized the speakers of the "core language" Mvskoke, and called them cimarrones, or "free people" (Seminole).

[3] Translated through several languages to English, this term came to apply to all of Florida's 18th-century inhabitants, and their neighbors who later fled to join them under pressure of European encroachment into their territories.

The Oconee were the original "Seminole," who later included the Hecete, Eufaula, Mikasuki, Horrewahle, Tallahassee, Chiaha, and Apalachicola.

Fugitive runaway slaves and those freed under Spanish rule set up neighboring maroon communities and were close allies of the Indians.

[6] In 1823 the US forced most of the Seminole from northern areas of the territory to a reservation in central Florida under the Treaty of Moultrie Creek.

While the Seminole maintained political independence from the Creek, the two peoples became closer through the 19th and early 20th centuries, as they shared strong cultural traditions and began to intermarry.

Numerous interests wanted to extinguish the communal tribal lands to gain admission of Oklahoma (including Indian Territory) as a state.

Tribal government departments include administrative, executive, fiscal affairs, treasury, domestic violence, Indian Child Welfare, family and social services, enrollment, gaming, housing, education, language, communications, elder services, environmental, law enforcement, dialysis, youth, child care, roads, and Head start.

Their case was dismissed from federal district court, which said the Freedmen could not bring suit without the Seminole Nation's joining.

The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma operates three gaming casinos, three tribal smoke shops, three gasoline stations, and a truck stop,[1] which generate revenues for welfare, education, housing and economic development.

[27] In addition, the tribe administers their share of the judgment trust from the 1990 land claim settlement, from which members can draw for educational and other benefits.

The Nation provides free concerts, carnivals, and cultural events with the featured performer on Saturday evening.

Also at the Mission are softball fields and a gymnasium, where tribal members hold athletic and cultural events year round.

Invited attendees must adhere to the strict cultural guidelines and refrain from taking any photographs, videos and sound recordings.

A monthly newspaper the Cokv Tvlvme, publishes and distributes 10,000 copies directly to tribal citizens and as supplements in local papers.

Originally the individual town bands or atilwa (etvlwv in Creek) would physically organize in groups around the ceremonial ring.

The rituals were associated with major seasons and cycles of the year - related to planting and harvest, especially, and renewal of fertility.

During Green Corn, as well as the other ceremonies, the participating members commit to dancing, fasting, medicine taking, work and other ritual activities.

Generally administered to the arms and legs, but not limited to these areas, "scratching" is performed to alleviate spiritual and medical ailments by strengthening the individual.

Green Corn can be likened to the combined equivalent of the European-American holidays of Thanksgiving, New Year's and Easter.

During Green Corn, strained relationships among the tribe are to be reconciled and members are expected to forgive the wrongs that occurred during the year.

The nighttime songs refer to acknowledgement of tribal ancestors, spiritual entities, historical events, thanksgiving and well wishing or prayers for the coming year.

Daybreak on Sunday marks the completion of the Green Corn ceremony and the beginning of the new year for the ground members.

Today one, Ceyahv (Gar Creek), has a full ceremonial cycle observed with complete rituals by participants.

Clan law and kinship are highly revered by the Seminole people, and are integral to their spiritual and ceremonial world.

Clan law traditionally governs every aspect of tribal life, from the spiritual, to the governmental, to the social, including marriage rules.

In modern times in Oklahoma, the deceased are often buried in family cemeteries, where a small house is erected over the top of the grave.

In the house, the family and mourners place objects of meaning to the deceased, along with food set aside from the traditional meal prepared following the funeral services.