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Spanish Seminole presentation coming to refuge

By REFUGE/DDWS 2 min read
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REFUGE/DDWS Author David Rahahę·tih Webb will speak about his family and the local Spanish Seminole heritage on Jan. 22 at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel.
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REFUGE/DDWS “The Spanish Seminole,” by David Rahahę·tih Webb

As a descendant of the Spanish Seminoles who once populated Sanibel and an eighth-generation island native, David Rahahę·tih Webb will speak about his book, “The Spanish Seminole: The Untold History of the Spanish Indians as Told by a Descendant,” at a special presentation on Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

In the 1700s, as Florida’s Indigenous tribes were displaced, the forebears of the Miccosukee and Seminole descended along the southwestern Gulf coast. They soon began working with Hispanic-Latino and Indigenous fishermen from various Spanish colonies, who had seasonal operations along the barrier islands, including Sanibel.

Eventually, the seasonal operations became prolific year-round fisheries and communities, incorporating the fishing practices handed down from the 6,000-year-old Calusa culture. Their productive estuarine fisheries were called ranchos.

Author and artist Webb will add to the understanding of the ranchos from the perspective of a descendant. His direct ancestors, Juan and Mary Montes de Oca and family, belonged to the Sanibel Island Spanish Seminole rancho community. His family included the first documented births on the island and in southern Florida.

Webb’s Sanibel pedigree dates to pioneer families including the Stokes, Bucks and Gibsons. His involvement with the refuge goes back four generations to his great-grandfather, Jake Stokes, its first employee. He lived part-time with his grandmother, Edythe Stokes, who worked at the refuge for 33 years before retiring and was honored by the naming of the administrative building for her. Webb’s mother worked at the refuge and for the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, and David Rahahę·tih Webb then worked at the refuge 1996-97 with Americorps, helping with wildlife monitoring and giving talks on various topics.

Webb’s “The Spanish Seminole” presents a detailed account of the Spanish Indians of Sanibel and beyond — their history, culture, and legacy — using newly uncovered documents, primary sources, and oral histories. His presentation will include images, artifacts, and his own artwork.

Seats for the presentation will be available on a first-come basis.

Beginning at noon, the Mound House of Fort Myers Beach and Florida Public Archaeology Network will be on hand with information about their offerings for attendees who want a closer look at Indigenous culture.

The refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.