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RESOLUTION DECLARING OCTOBER 9, 2023, MICCOSUKEE DAY AND EVERY SECOND MONDAY OF EVERY OCTOBER THEREAFTER AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES� DAY IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

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WHEREAS, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida (the �Miccosukee�) have lived in Florida since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, at one point the Miccosukee people inhabited land as far north as the Appalachian Mountains and as far south as the Florida Keys; but many of the Miccosukee had to migrate to the southernmost extent of their historic lands, which were held by fierce resistance throughout a half century of guerrilla warfare, known as the Seminole Wars; and
WHEREAS, the Miccosukee people eventually found refuge and protection from the U.S. Cavalry in the tree islands of the Everglades, where the Miccosukee Tribe was able to heal and restore its population; and
WHEREAS, the Miccosukee people, like many others today, sought refuge in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, Miccosukee leaders of the last century, such as the Tribe�s first Chairman, Buffalo Tiger, welcomed new immigrants to the region from throughout the Caribbean, and established diplomatic ties with the Miami-Dade County, State of Florida, and United States governments; and
WHEREAS, President John F. Kennedy�s administration extended federal recognition to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida in 1962, in appreciation of the Tribe�s diplomatic efforts; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County encompasses the ancestral lands of the Miccosukee; and
WHEREAS, the Miccosukee people have made significant social, political, and economic contributions to Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the first modern European colonists to arrive on this continent, led by Christopher Columbus, made their arrival in the Caribbean over 530 years ago, which has been memorialized on the second Monday of every October; and
WHEREAS, the result of that expedition and subsequent colonization of the Americas resulted in great harm to Indigenous communities; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County is honored to still be home to the Miccosukee people, as it is likewise honored to be home to all Miami-Dade residents of Indigenous descent; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County now sees fit to recognize the endurance and strength of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida on the second Monday of every October,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
This Board declares October 9, 2023, Miccosukee Day, and every second Monday of every October thereafter as Indigenous Peoples� Day in Miami-Dade County.