Osceola

Not many people in this world truly go out “kicking and screaming”. How often have you heard of people talking a stand for what they believe in? How many times have you heard of a minority sticking up for themselves against the majority? How many times have you actually heard tell of it working? Osceola, the son of a Creek-Indian and speculated offspring of white trader, William Powell, was a cocky, spit-fire of a young man.

Osceola was born in 1804 on the outskirts of Alabama, Georgia in a small cabin; despite being birthed with the conviences of “modern society” him and his mother made their way back to their roots; however, it was short lived. After being pushed out of his Alabama homeland early on in his adolescence (circa 1814), him and his mother made haste, along with many other Creek-Indians, towards Florida. Once there they, along with their fellow tribesman, became cozy with the neighboring tribe of Creek-Indians. Within seemingly no time, Osceola had matured into an adult, as far as the tribe was concerned. After becoming a man, he received his real name, Osceola; the name itself was derived from two different words. First, from the ceremonial assi, or yaupon holly, otherwise known as ‘black drink’, and secondly after Yaholi, the god intoned when serving the tea.

As Osceola grew, so did his ego, his determination and his drive. He was too young to fight during early battles, such as the Creek War and the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, which both served as the setting for crushing defeats for the Creek-Indians at the hands of Andrew Jackson and his men. Out of fear, due to the defeats and risk of ambush, his mother decided to move north, avoiding the conflict; Osceola accompanied her. They had no desire, however, to go it alone. The followed close behind their relative, Peter McQueen, another mixed blood Indian, they, as well as many red-stick Indians. Whilst following, they had many encounters with the troops; however, on in particular ended with Osceola, as well as many others, being captured. This all occurred during the first Seminole war, which took place between 1817 and 1818. The young man was good with English, Osceola had much experience at trading with white man; also, he was known to be very persuasive; he and his followers eventually negotiated their way out.

In 1832, a few Seminole Chiefs were summoned to sign a treaty, the Treaty of Payne’s Landing, agreed to give up their hold on the land in Florida; in exchange for land west of the Mississippi. Many Seminole were outraged by the very proposal of this, however, Osceola was among the first to speak out. He thrust his knife into the treaty, and proclaimed, “This is the only treaty I will sign for the White Man!” His name spread like wildfire, but people knew him for his actions. He