About Eckerd

Seminole Chickees

Gift from the Seminole Tribe of Florida in 1999

The Seminole Tribe of Florida under the leadership of Chief James Billie built four authentic chickees on our campus in early 1999, and donated them to the College.

The construction of the thatched-roof, open-sided shelters, made from cypress and sabal palm fronds, was part of a free, two-day festival sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and hosted at Eckerd.

The festival, called Discover Native America, was organized by the Tribe, Professor of American Studies and History Carolyn Johnston and Professor Emeritus of American Studies Catherine Griggs. It featured representatives from more than 200 tribes across the Americas, including Canada and Peru; a powwow of dancers; famous Native singers such as Buffy Saint-Marie; Rita Coolidge and other musicians; comedians; Native vendors; and a “children’s village.” Participants shared their heritage in dance, song, costume, arts, crafts and food. 

Professors Johnston and Griggs worked with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to bring Discover Native America to campus again for two days in 2000 and sponsored an 18-month series of art, music and film. A grant from the Florida Endowment for the Humanities sponsored a lecture series on Seminole and other Southeastern Nations.

Chickees create spaces for reflection, learning

To create the chickees on our campus, Seminole Tribe members cut 3,600 fronds at Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation near Lake Okeechobee and hauled them to campus to install.

“Chickee” is the word that the Seminoles use for an elevated house constructed of palmetto leaves and cypress-log stilts. During the early 19th century wars with the U.S. government, the Seminoles built chickees as temporary shelters. Many Seminoles were forcibly removed to Indian Territory, but a large number fled to the Everglades and formed the basis of the contemporary tribe. The Seminoles are the Unconquered People. After the wars, they adopted modern housing, but they have never forgotten their ancestors’ courage, fortitude and struggle to survive. They proudly continue the traditional construction of chickees.

Today, chickees still stand along Fox Pond, in the heart of campus next to Hough Quad. The four built in 1999 were refurbished in 2010 and must be refurbished about every eight years.. Faculty teach outdoor classes under or alongside the chickees, and students often use the open-air spaces for quiet reading, meditation and relaxation.