Mae’anna Osceola-Hart lives in Everglades National Park, where the constant noise of passing dump trucks has replaced the peaceful sounds of birds. As a 21-year-old photographer of Miccosukee and Seminole heritage, she is deeply connected to the land that surrounds the controversial detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Her great-grandfather, Wild Bill Osceola, fought against the development of an airport at the same site where the ICE facility now stands. Back in 1968, Dade County officials began construction on the Big Cypress Jetport, encroaching on land used by the Miccosukee for ceremonial purposes. Despite opposition from tribal and environmental leaders, the airport project was eventually halted by Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr., leaving behind a lone runway.
Osceola-Hart is proud of her great-grandfather’s efforts to protect the Everglades but laments the loss of sacred lands for her people. The struggles for tribal rights and land preservation have been ongoing for both the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes in Florida. The tribes have faced displacement and challenges due to developments like the Tamiami Trail, disrupting the natural flow of water in the Everglades.
Despite their tireless advocacy, tribal leaders like William “Popeye” Osceola and Betty Osceola continue to fight for the preservation of the park’s wildlife and vegetation. For Betty, the Everglades is a place of healing and prayer, where she maintains a chickee village near the detention site.
The detention center, located on Miami-Dade County land, was seized by Governor Ron DeSantis under an emergency order, raising concerns for the tribes about the future of the land they have called home for generations.
Approval from the county commission is required. In a letter to Tallahassee, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed various concerns about the immigrant detention center. Governor DeSantis has previously stated that the facility supports President Trump’s goals and will not affect the nearby Everglades area. William Osceola advises young tribal members to remain involved in defending their rights, noting that the challenges may vary but the core struggle remains the same. Osceola-Hart concurs, stating, “This situation echoes events from the past.”
