Application forms and information
Discussion on Indian Citizenship
Application for Oklevueha Colony Membership
Membership in the Oklevueha Band Indian Colony does not grant citizenship to, benefits, or services of the Oklevueha Band of Yamasee Seminoles. The Oklevueha Band Indian Colony is a comunity of Oklevueha and other tribes under the leadership of the Oklevueha Band of Yamasee Seminole, and owing allegiance to the same. For citizenship criteria of the Oklevueha Band of Yamasee Seminoles, please contact the "Old Florida Indian Reservation," at the following address:
Oklevueha Band of Yamasee Seminoles
Tribal Administration
Cox-Osceola Indian Reservation
PO Box 521
Orange Springs, FL 32182
Membership Provisions are as follows:
Provable descendants of the Core Families and those affiliated with the Oklevueha Band of Yamasee Seminoles of not less than 3 generations, and/or, American Indian decent of one of the tribes affiliated with the body of, and under the leadership of the Yamasee in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and the Carribian & Mexico prior to 1850; or, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Missisippi, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, North & South Carolina after 1850, and who have attained tribal citizenship with the Oklevueha Band of Yamasee Seminoles; or, married to; or, adopted by a Citizen or Member of the Oklevueha Band of Yamasee Seinoles, and/or Oklevueha Band Indian Colony; or, persons of American Indian descent who petition with proof on ancestory of at least 1/16 blood quantum and/or who are enrolled in another tribe (Federal, State, Local [includes City or County], Treaty, Tribal, or Court Recognized), but who wish to affiliate under the leadership and laws of the Oklevueha Band of Yamasee Seminoles, while on a designated Colony Site and designated Service Areas, will be granted membership of affiliation.
Membership of affiliation is similar to that of being a "resident" of a state. Members are eligible to vote, to run for political office as a Committee Member or Council Member, and are eligible for any services or benefits developed for Colony Members.
The Oklevueha Band of Seminole (Yamasee) is a Historical Indian Tribe, separate from the "Seminoles," who were once enslaved by both the Seminole and Creek Nations. Swanton (Indians of North America)identified the Oklevueha Band of Seminole as a mixed band of refugees from various tribes who were under the leadership of the Yamasee, and located on the banks of the Oklawaha River in Florida. While there are many members of the Oklevueha Band of Seminole incorporated into the "Federal Recognized" Seminole of Florida, The Oklevueha Band of Seminole (Yamasee) aka (Yamasee Seminole) is comprised of those who were forced north into Georgia during the Seminole Wars, and who have remained distant to the southern Seminole. The legitimacy of the Oklevueha Band of Seminole is based upon a chain of Oral History of which support their position that they eminated from the Oklawaha River area prior to the Seminole Wars. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has acknowledged that its records regarding the Seminole, as well as other tribes, is incomplete at best. Further, through a review of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Records, there is insufficient demonstration of the accountability of from where a particular "Seminole" came from (town/village/community). This lack of accountability of peoples from a specific town provides support for the historical references to the Oklevueha Band, and the probability that they exist separate from the current Federal Recognized Seminole Tribes. The Oklevueha Band of Seminole has been recognized on a number of occasions as remaining "a sovereign nation" by Florida's Governor. It is also Case Law recognized as an Indian Tribe equal in jurisprudence to any other Federal or State Recognized Tribe. Its educational system is recognized in Florida and other states within the same degree as any other "Private Educational Institution." The Oklevueha Band of Seminoles is a recognized Not-For-Profit Corporation in Florida. The Oklevueha Band Indian Colony is recognized by the State of Wisconsin as a Not-For-Profit Corporation created by members of the Oklevueha Band Community in Wisconsin who are citizens of the Oklevueha Band of Seminole.
All members are granted a campsite within Colony lands which are non-transferable, cannot be sold, and of which a member cannot be denied entry for usage as a campsite, except by due process of Oklevueha Tribal Law. Each campsite shall not exceed 16 feet by 40 feet. Every approved application for Colony Membership shall cause an assignment of a campsite to the member so approved. A roster of names shall be kept with the Colony Roll number, and campsite designation number. There will be an attempt to place family members within a contiguous area of campsites so that each site may be joined for the benefit of the family.
