North Miami-Dade News

Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) have introduced a bipartisan bill called the Tigertail Historical Tree Island Repatriation Act of 2023. The purpose of this act is to improve housing options for the Miccosukee Tribe, who have long been the stewards of the Everglades in Florida.

"The Miccosukee Tribe are an integral part of the South Florida Community," said Rep. Salazar. "This bill will ensure the Miccosukee can use their resources as they need to while protecting our environment and preserving the health of the Everglades."

Rep. Wasserman Schultz also expressed her support for the bill, stating, "Our friends in the Miccosukee Tribe are good stewards and protectors of America's Everglades, an American jewel that helps supply drinking water to millions of Floridians. I'm proud to partner with the Tribe and my Florida colleague on this bill so they can continue to flourish in South Florida."

The Miccosukee Tribe has a long history in the Florida Everglades, having sought refuge there from colonizing forces in the 1800s. Over time, they have developed a deep connection with the land and water of the Everglades. The Tribe's cultural traditions are closely tied to the health of the Everglades ecosystem, which relies on a network of canals and levels built by the Army Corps of Engineers to manage water flow.

The Tigertail Historical Tree Island Repatriation Act aims to authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to realign a portion of the levee located within the Tigertail Camp. This realignment would provide the Miccosukee Tribe with more housing options for members of the Tigertail Camp family.

This bipartisan bill recognizes the importance of the Miccosukee Tribe's contributions to the South Florida community and aims to support their continued flourishing while ensuring the protection and preservation of the Everglades. By expanding housing opportunities for the Tribe, the bill seeks to honor their history and cultural traditions while maintaining the delicate balance of the Everglades ecosystem.

To learn more about the Tigertail Historical Tree Island Repatriation Act, you can read the full bill by clicking here.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/salazar-and-wasserman-schultz-introduce-bill-expand-miccosukee-tribal-housing