Sho-na-bish!

Yesterday while at the little gas station on the reservation, I overhead two men speaking Miccosukee (Mikasuki).  This is one of two languages of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.  The second is Creek, which is spoken by Seminoles on the Brighton Reservation.  Miccosukee is more commonly spoken by the elders in the tribe. 

It sounded so beautiful and I guess the anthropologist in me got a little sad knowing that the younger generations do not speak their language as often.  Miccosukee is also closely related to the Hitchiti language, which is no longer spoken.

Miccosukee is not only a language but a tribe.  They are closely related to the Seminole Tribe, both descending from the Creek Nation who inhabited the area that is now Georgia and Alabama.  One of the largest Miccosukee reservations is right next to the Seminole Big Cypress Reservation.  Everyday we drive through the Miccosukee Reservation to get to work.

There is a big sign when you enter the Big Cypress Reservation, welcoming visitors.  As you leave, the reverse side of the sign says "Sho-na-bish!" which means "Thank You" in Miccosukee.  For now, this is the only phrase I know in Miccosukee!