Research Symposium

BIO

David Aguilar is a pre-law student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. His on and off-campus involvement include being a member of the World Affair Program's Model United Nations team and working for a boutique law firm that specializes in prisoner abuse and prison reform. David resides in South Florida, and hopes to one day pursue a career in civil rights law.

The Seminoles and Miccosukees and the Transformation of the Florida Everglades – The Role of Rev. James Lafayette Glenn

Abstract

The connection between the indigenous people of Florida and the Everglades is a long and complex one that is characterized by several conflicting interests and factors. This research focuses on the relationship between James Lafayette Glenn, who was appointed as Special Commissioner (informally known as an “Indian” agent) to the Seminole Tribe of Florida in 1931 until his removal in 1935, and the Seminoles in the context of their connection to the Everglades. The research seeks to clarify the lack of nuance and scholarly analysis of the relationship between individuals such as James Glenn and their role within the transformation of Everglades in relation to the Seminoles and/or Miccosukees. This research will expectantly show how James Glenn served as a complex figure in the transformation of the Everglades. Using this research, I will highlight the importance of the Everglades to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and attempt to clarify the history of how their relationship with the Everglades changed through the efforts of the federal and state government.

Keywords: Seminoles, Glenn, Everglades