When Florida State University (FSU) became a coeducational institution in 1947, its student body voted in favor of becoming known as the “Florida State Seminoles,” calling their first homecoming a “Pow Wow.” FSU had not consulted with the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STF), nor obtained authorization before using the name. At that time, FSU used several symbols and iconography that marginally resembled STF’s culture and were mainly stereotypical (e.g. wearing feathers, tomahawks, arrows).

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is a tribal nation characterized by its tribal sovereignty.^[3] Since the government of the United States recognized the STF in 1957, it has on a number of occasions asserted its independence. Having its own constitution and elected government ultimately allows the tribe autonomy to negotiate with the Florida and United States governments regarding matters that affect the STF.^[4]

Throughout the process and changes highlighted below, FSU retained the Seminoles as a symbol. Relationships between the campus and the STF deepened, enriching the students’ experience. The STF valued the relationships and benefitted from a portion of the profit generated.

Timeline:

• Early 1960s: The first consultations between FSU and the STF began. FSU decided to change the way it portrayed Seminoles due to several student protests and began to invite the Seminoles to attend events on campus.
• 1969: “Chief Fullabull” emerged as a mascot during basketball games. Like “Sammy Seminole,” he donned cartoonish Native American-themed outfits and performed clownish stunts. The Seminoles objected to this depiction which led to the eventual retirement of the mascots in the 1970s.
• 1972: For the first time the STF officially attended the homecoming festivities, represented by Miss Florida Seminole as the official spokeswoman for the STF.
• 1975: The positive impact of the STF officials attending FSU’s homecoming led to the STF Chairman Howard Tommie serving as an honorary member of the Homecoming Steering Committee.
• 1976: Tribal members requested that FSU opt for the Seminole turban instead of the headdresses for the homecoming headwear. Since then, tribe members have made these turbans and offered them to the FSU homecoming chief and princess.
• 1978: FSU and the STF met and, in the presence of Chairman Howard Tommie, decided to begin the Osceola and Renegade tradition.^[5] FSU, with the approval of the STF, paid tribute to Osceola by making him a symbol of the university. Osceola was a Seminole  warrior during the second Seminole War (1835-1842), defending his people before being imprisoned by the United States. Osceola was part of the clan that traveled to St. Augustine to discuss a possible end to the war and died in prison shortly after. Osceola’s disease made him a martyr to the Seminoles.
• 1982: STF Chairman James E. Billie put an end to FSU’s doubts regarding their representation of the Seminoles. The national debate regarding the use of Native American names would therefore not affect FSU as the STF “speaks for itself” and would determine if any portrayal of their culture and history was offensive to them.
• 1990s: Despite protestors attending FSU’s gamedays, the STF did not change their supportive stance.
• 1991: STF Chairman James E. Billie sent a letter to the FSU Alumni Association reinforcing their approval of FSU’s use of the “Seminoles” name.
• 2003:  FSU unveiled the Unconquered Statue on campus.^[6]
• 2005: The National Collegiate Athletic Association banned the use of American Indian mascots during the NCAA championship games. The STF issued a resolution in response to the NCAA’s ban by supporting FSU’s use of its name and reinstating its sovereignty and right to speak for itself.^[7]
• 2006: FSU constructed chickee buildings on campus grounds. “Chickee” is the word Seminoles use for “house”. The first Seminoles to live in North Florida are known to have constructed log cabin-type homes, with open walls.
• 2006: A statue titled “The Seminole Family” was unveiled on campus.^[8]

In subsequent years, FSU remained connected with the STF. They modified FSU athletic uniforms to conform more closely to the patterns used by the Seminoles.

In 2013,  the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma’s governing body issued a resolution condemning “the use of all American Indian sports team mascots in the public school system, by college and university level and by professional sports teams.”^[9] The resolution sparked reactions amongst writers and students whose views were not aligned with the STF’s approach and acceptance of FSU’s portrayal of their culture.^[10]

Rather than directly addressing the new resolution and ensuing debate, Florida State University (FSU) and the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STF) continued to expand their collaborative initiatives. While the Seminole people are not a monolith and many do not endorse the STF’s decision to pursue visibility and cultural understanding through this partnership, the relationship between FSU and the STF has fostered opportunities for dialogue and processes that incorporate the perspectives of some Seminole voices.

FSU reaffirmed its alliance with the STF by renaming its cultural graduation ceremony “‘V-rak-ke-che-tv’ Cultural Graduation Ceremony” in 2013.^[11] In 2014, FSU honored Seminole Tribal member Louise Gopher with an honorary PhD, a testament to her lifelong commitment to Tribal education. A couple years later, the student body of FSU changed the name “Pow Wow” to “Homecoming Live” and more recently changed a campus park’s name from the FSU Reservation “the Rez” to Lakefront Park (2021). A year later, FSU revealed the Macomb Street Mural, a 135-feet long mural on Macomb Street to honor Seminole history and culture, created by Seminole artists Wilson Bowers and Samuel Tommie.

Recent actions by Florida State University (FSU) include the establishment of a Native American and Indigenous Studies Center on campus, the creation of a curriculum focused on Seminole history and culture, and awarding an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to STF member and General Counsel Jim Shore. FSU also adopted the term “Cimarron” for its Kid’s Club teams—a word that signifies those who are not under control, reflecting the wild and independent spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STF). Additionally, the university designates certain home sports events as Seminole Heritage Games, incorporating turquoise as a symbol of its collaboration with the STF.

The partnership extends beyond these initiatives, with the STF fostering deeper engagement by inviting FSU representatives to attend Tribal events and ensuring regular interaction between the STF Chairman and FSU’s president. The collaboration has also led to the creation of a Seminole Scholarship Fund, providing financial support for students connected to the Tribe and advancing educational opportunities.

However, this partnership has drawn criticism from other Seminole people, who argue that it institutionalizes cultural appropriation and perpetuates a tokenized version of their history. While FSU’s relationship with the STF is often framed as a model for navigating these conflicts, it remains a deeply contested arrangement that highlights the complexities of balancing visibility, cultural understanding, and differing perspectives within the broader Seminole community.