Column: Seminole Tribe plays vital role in 450th commemoration

Monday, August 1, 2011  

"Allan Marcil's letter ("Give Seminole Tribe a seat on 450th panel") appears to ask for what appears to have already been determined.

At the July 18 "inaugural meeting" of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission, only 13 members were identified. Title VII Subtitle E ß7404 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, the Commission's establishing statute, specifies the commission shall be composed of 14 members.

A representative of the Seminole Nation spoke on the problems experienced in their nominee's completion of the confidential financial disclosure forms and further stated that it was his hope that the paperwork could soon be completed and their nominee appointed. Without the valuable participation of such a key constituency of St. Augustine's history, I agree with Marcil; the Commission cannot fulfill its duties to "help ensure that the observances of the foundation of St. Augustine are inclusive and appropriately recognize the experiences and heritage of all individuals present when St. Augustine was founded." (para. (b)(3)(G)) of the statute."

Get the Story:
John Mountcastle: Seminole Tribe's seat on 450th panel is vital (The St. Augustine Record 7/31)