From lush coastal mangrove forests to vibrant marine life and estuaries, the Everglades have it all. An integral component to the Floridian community, the ecosystem provides abundant resources and water control mechanisms to neighboring areas. However, the Everglades are in grave danger. Human encroachment has altered the natural flow of water, leading to an ecosystem in collapse. These consequences have only been exacerbated by climate change. Today, less that half of the original ecosystem remains intact. If there is any chance to save this ecosystem from dissolution, change needs to occur now. But unfortunately, that change is not happening fast enough. While the United Stated Government commissioned the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) in 2000, little has physically been done to alter the previous damage. So where does that leave us?

There's an essential part to the story that has been left out: The Seminoles. This neglect is not an uncommon occurrence when describing the Everglades situation. After being forced to leave their native land and persecuted to move west of the Mississippi, the Seminole tribe found solace in the Everglades when most others would have deemed it uninhabitable. They have a close connection with the ecosystem and have intimate knowledge about what precisely needs to be done to conserve it. But their voices largely bellow out unheard. Not only in their conservation efforts, but in the stories that shape their home.

This collection was primarily made by pieces of art from the Smithsonian Affiliate, The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, Florida. Located near the Everglades, the museum has an extensive selection of pieces related to this unique ecosystem. 

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Keywords: indigenous people, Seminole, Everglades, conservation, climate change, racism, culture, art, history