The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida’s has reopened its Indian Village after an extended closure due to COVID-19. A grand reopening, including festivities, will take place on October 15, 2022. The Miccosukee Indian Village is designed to showcase tribal arts and culture with crafts, airboat rides, and alligator demonstrations. Visitors can observe Miccosukee Indians as they engage in the art of doll making, beadwork, patchwork, and basket weaving. It’s also an opportunity to learn about the culture, lifestyle, and history of the Tribe, explore the gift shop and taste local cuisine at the Little Shack.
As part of the Village, the Village Museum showcases Miccosukee history and culture preserved through historical documents, archival photographs, and original artifacts. Opened in 1983, the museum offers visitors a glimpse into the Tribe’s unique way of life, featuring exhibits showcasing the early life of the Tribe as they adapted to the Everglades. The museum hosts rotating exhibits highlighting historical and contemporary Native American, First Nations, and Aboriginal life.
Miccosukee Airboats are the best way to glide the Everglades and experience the magnificent “River of Grass.” The expert guides show visitors a side of the beautiful Everglades that can’t be seen anywhere else. The airboats offer a glimpse into the traditional Miccosukee habitat, including a visit to a typical hammock-style camp that the same family has owned for over 100 years.
The Miccosukee Tribe doesn’t wrestle its alligators; they love them and hope visitors learn about them through their presentations. Watch brave demonstrators explain centuries-old traditions and rituals handed down by generations of Miccosukee with their bare hands. The Miccosukee knew early on how to capture alligators for trade with commodities like their tough skin and sometimes food for survival. However, times have changed, and the Tribe’s relationship has moved towards conservation and education about their role in this unique sanctuary environment.
The Miccosukee Indian Village, founded in 1972 and operated by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, is home to the Tribe’s history and traditions, providing an authentic cultural experience for its visitors, featuring an interactive museum, arts and crafts demonstrations, airboat rides through the Everglades, a gift shop, and world-renown alligator wrestling shows. It’s located 30 minutes west of the Florida Turnpike, in the heart of the Florida Everglades, on Mile Marker 35 on U.S. Highway 41. For information, call 305-552-8365. Discover our world at Miccosukee.com/village.