Annual Loxahatchee Battlefield Commemoration Memorializes Black Seminole Activist

[XXPANTHAXX]

The Annual Commemoration of the Loxahatchee Battlefield in northern Palm Beach County, on Sunday, January 13, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., will be even more special than in past years because it will also include a memorial service for the event's founder, Black Seminole Maroon activist and spokesperson Isa Hamm Bryant, who succumbed to a heart attack in San Francisco in December. A native of West Palm Beach, Mr. Bryant was a longtime cultural activist and one of the major players in establishing the city's highly successful Afro Arts Festival in the mid 1970s, which flourished for more than a decade. In more recent times, he became an avid spokesperson for the Black Seminoles and for getting their story, which has a long history of being denied and/or distorted, to be better known in schools, libraries and in the community in general.

A significant impetus for his efforts was the rediscovery, by archaeologists Robert Carr and Steve Carr (no relation) and others, of the actual location of the Loxahatchee Battlefield, west of Jupiter, where Seminoles fiercely defended their freedom with a victory in Powell's Battle on January 15, 1838. In a second battle, at the site on January 24, the survivors of the 300 Seminoles who confronted 1500 U.S. were captured under a flag of truce, and marched, on the Trail of Tears, across the state to Tampa, shipped to Texas, and marched into Oklahoma Territory, where the descendants of those survivors remain today.

Isa Bryant was highly instrumental in re-establishing links with the Oklahoma Black Seminoles, who comprise two of the fourteen bands which make up the Great Seminole Nation. In 1998, he organized a "160-Year Family Reunion," which brought representatives from Oklahoma back to their Ancestral Homeland of Florida, where they eagerly shared information about their history and heritage, and informed many community members of their own previously unknown Seminole connections and rights, based on surnames and other data. The story was enthusiastically covered by the news media, and County, School and Library officials all took an active interest in learning more and making more information available.

Mr. Bryant's founded the Florida Black Historical Research Project and produced a pamphlet entitled "We R Florida," which documents the history of the Black Seminoles, called Estelusti, and such notable figures as Abraham, Juan Cavallo (John Horse), and Wild Cat. (It is also known that the most famous of the Seminole chiefs, Osceola, was married to a Black Seminole.) In addition, the story of the Battlefield is told in Richard Procyk's book "Guns across the Loxahatchee." The "Family Reunion" became the foundation for a number of subsequent cultural and business exchange programs between the Estelusti communities of the two states, in which Mr. Bryant played a key organizing role.

Although Mr. Bryant, a relentless learner and informal educator, traveled widely and lived in numerous other locations, including a long stint in California where he hosted a radio program, he remains a popular and much beloved figure in his hometown of West Palm Beach. A smaller memorial service for family and friends will be held there on Saturday, January 12, at Coleman Park at 3:00 p.m. The memorial on Sunday at Riverbend Park (site of the Loxahatchee Battlefield), 9060 Indiantown Road, approximately 1.25 miles west of I-95 and the Turnpike, will bring together the much larger, multiethnic and multicultural family that became established as a result of his cooperative efforts with Native American leaders, archaeologists, historians, educators and people in general who have come to appreciate the profound significance of the Battlefield site and the story that it has to tell.

The Annual Commemoration, now in its 12th year, also includes historic presentations and displays, battle re-enactors, and personal tours of the Battlefield, a sacred site within the 684-acre natural wildlife sanctuary that comprises Riverbend Park.

For further information, all Riverbend Park at (561) 748-2028.

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Online guest book
http://www.legacy.com/PalmBeachPost/...sonId=99836744

Obituary: Donald 'Isa' Bryant, 64, helped preserve black Seminole history

By DEANA POOLE
Staff Writer
Palm Beach Post
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Donald "Isa" Hamm Bryant, local historian, author and community activist, died in San Francisco recently after a heart attack. He was 64.

Mr. Bryant, a former West Palm Beach resident, founded the Florida Black Historical Research Project and dedicated himself to preserving the history of black Seminoles.

Mr. Bryant was born Jan. 8, 1943, to Florence and Charlie Long Bryant in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa. He was raised by his aunt, Othella Hamm, who lived in West Palm Beach.

After a stint in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Bryant settled in California and became an activist in the black community. He was married twice and had four sons.

He returned to West Palm Beach in the 1990s to take care of his father, who taught him about their heritage. Mr. Bryant's great-great-grandfather, who was said to have fought in the second Seminole War, was among the roughly 7,000 Seminoles who once lived in Florida.

Through the Florida Black Historical Research Project, Mr. Bryant helped start an exchange program that gave high school students from Wewoka, Okla., and from Palm Beach County the chance to trace their roots.

He also led annual ceremonies commemorating the Battle of the Loxahatchee at the Riverbend Regional Park in Jupiter, where Florida's Trail of Tears began after the battle between 500 to 700 Seminoles and more than 1,700 U.S. soldiers. He helped write a book called We R Florida about Seminole life in Palm Beach County.

Riviera Beach City Councilman Shelby Lowe met Mr. Bryant about 10 years ago while working with The Palm Beach Post's Newspapers in Education program.

Lowe described Mr. Bryant as a very spiritual, simple and wise man who lived off the earth. He said he was always amazed at the wealth of information Mr. Bryant knew.

"I learned a lot from him," Lowe said. "I feel like a part of me is gone. He was just true. You could just count on him in terms of that."


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/yourtow...yant_1219.html

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Freedom Fighters

If we can't protest this spot, we can't protect Florida, says Isa Hamm Bryant of the site near West Palm Beach where the Second Seminole War was waged against U.S. forces.

By JEFF KLINKENBERG
St. Petersburg Times
February 23, 1999

http://www.sptimes.com/News/22399/Al..._Fighters.html

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Loxahatchee Battlefield
2/23/2004

Photo: http://www.jupiterfarmer.com/images/JF-Feb-16.gif

A special ceremony honoring those who fought on the battlefield site during the Second Seminole War of 1838 was held at Riverbend Park on January 15. This ceremony is held each year on the anniversary of the war; about 80 people attended this year.

Isa Bryant, a Seminole descendent and founder of the Florida Black Historical Research Project, spoke of the battles and hardships of the Seminoles. He concluded the ceremony by sprinkling water from the Loxahatchee River over parts of the battlefield. "This is in remembrance and symbolic of tears and blood that was spilled from those who fought and died on this sacred land. We are part of this land and it must be preserved."

Richard Procyk, author of Guns Across The Loxahatchee, and archeologist Steve Carr conducted tours of the battlefield for those in attendance and recounted many of the stories of the wars.

One hundred and sixty-six years ago the Battle of the Loxahatchee, "The Forgotten War," was fought at Riverbend Park. In the first of the two skirmishes, Lt. Levin Powell with a force of Marine and Naval personnel encountered the Seminoles and their black allies. Although Powell had to beat a hasty retreat, he had discovered the main encampment of the Seminole Indians. Nine days later, 1,500 men under the command of General Thomas Jessup, met the Seminoles in a fierce battle that left many dead. Jessup captured approximately 500 of the Seminoles who were ultimately forced to leave Florida and were marched west to Oklahoma, a piece of history known as the "Trail of Tears".

Plans for Riverbend Park have been presented to the County Commissioners and will be opened to the public with an interpretive center, preservation of the battlefield, displays depicting the history of the park dating back to several thousand years BC, and passive activities for the public to enjoy.

Source: http://www.jupiterfarmer.com/past.asp?ad=2

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The War Continues Over Old Battle Sites

Commentary by Managing Editor Kevin Hemstock The Jupiter Courier Sunday, July 16, 2000

http://www.jupiter.fl.us/HistoryWeb/...ttle-Sites.cfm

(Excerpt)

Even Gen. Thomas Jessup, the military commander in Florida, had doubts, on moral grounds, about pursuing the war, which he once referred to as "an unholy cause." He wrote to the secretary of war: "In regard to the Seminoles, we have committed the error of attempting to remove them when their lands were not required for agricultural purposes; when they were not in the way of white inhabitants; when the greater portion of their country was an unexplored wilderness, of the interior of which we were as ignorant as the interior of China."

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On January 15, 1838, a few weeks after the Battle of Okeechobee, another battle would rage on the banks of the Loxahatchee River, in what is now the Town of Jupiter. Taylor’s battle had forced the Seminoles to retreat and move southeast into the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River. Mikasuki chief Arpeika, known as Sam Jones by the soldiers, moved his people into the villages along the banks of the river. General Jesup had sent Lt. Levin M. Powell of the U. S. Navy and his sailors into the same area using the southwest fork of the Loxahatchee River. When Powell’s sailors stumbled into the Seminole camp they were soon overwhelmed by the experienced Indian guerrilla fighters that could have ended as the “Powell Massacre.” A rear guard action by army regulars with Powell prevented a complete collapse and returned the sailors to their boats.
On January 24, 1838, nine days after the Powell defeat, General Jessup, accompanied by 1500 troops, stormed the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River where he met 300 Seminoles in the last standing battle of the Second Seminole War. When Jessup's army came into Jupiter in 1838 it was the largest army assembled during the seven year war and would by known as the Battle of the Loxahatchee River. Both Powell’s and Jessup's battles are in the same location and were discovered in Jupiter only 12 years ago by vocational historians/archeologists. The Loxahatchee River Historical Society has had exhibits of this arti-factual material. See photo’s of the Loxahatchee Battlefield (Riverbend Park). Contact the Loxahatchee River Museum for tours of the battlefield. (561-747-6639).

Source:
http://www.jupiter.fl.us/HistoryWeb/...Indian-War.cfm

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River Bend Park - Palm Beach County
http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks.../riverbend.htm

Video: Loxahatchee Battlefield Tour, Dec.30, 2006 (10 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJY5EBtA-8Q

Photos: Annual Commemoration of the Loxahatchee Battlefield, 2007
http://postpix.palmbeachpost.com/pag...gallery=311765

Location maps

[Asani Jengo]

Thanks for the info. The struggles of the african seminoles is a topic of particular interest for me.

One love, Asani Jengo

[1VOICE]

Aho Brother. I am almost in tears after reading your story on Isa Bryant. good to know that His work is being shared. His struggle was indeed, and His mark seems to be spread broadly on many levels and in many circles of liberation. His organization, The Florida Black Historical Research Project, is still up and running in West Palm Beach. One of His sons is continuing along the Lions trail. He's gonna need the Elders to help him continue with strength brother. The ceremony is gonna be held in the same place on January 11, 2009. I'm gonna be there to see whats going on with the young Black Seminole. How did you hear about the warrior, Isa Bryant.. the "Ion Lion"?

[Sourakhata]

Asante Sana Warrior. Gotta dedicate more time for researching Black Seminoles on which I only know a little.

[1VOICE]

AHO WARRIOR....The reason I sent out that message is in hopes of connecting with other Black seminoles. I am a Black Seminole who is well aware of the theft of my Ancestor's land and the murders to our Tribesmen. I am in Florida to raise the youth's courage in themselves against the atttacks against their self-identity and the strength of the Ancestors who, hands-down, won against worst than 3 to 1 odds(Seminole Wars). The siding with whites by those who parade around Florida today calling themselves Seminole and shun their Black Brothers are nothing short of ungreatful. It was the alliance with Blacks that gave them the name Seminole in the first place. Those free Blacks and runaway slaves they disowned are the same people who gave strength enough to withstand U.S. soldiers for so long. They didn't know how to grow crops or herd cattle until they teamed up with Blacks. The Estilusti, Freedmen, Micasuki, Tallahassees, and other bands were the reason the seminoles today aren't confined to the poverty of reservations. Look it up. We hold an annual celebration at the Loxahatchee battlefield where the Second Seminole War took place every year in January, this year they are trying to stop it, and are building over sacred land right now. January 11,2009 at 10:00am in River Bend Park we will hopefully once again honor the ancestors and keep their memory alive, Spread the word if you know others who are willing to come. I am working on a post to put up when I can. Sad thing is many people don't know it , but many of us in Florida(especially if your Black and your family is from Florida) are Black Seminoles...The Southern Underground Railroad existed because of the Black Seminole. Many slaves knew that if you could get to Florida you had a better chance of getting to freedom by crossing the ocean to Bahamas , Jamaica, or Haiti, than to risk going north through the search parties and slave states. Now you know one Black Seminole at least. Asante Sana WARRIOR