Display-Safe Title The Black Seminoles

Florida's Seminole Wars

Called cimmarones (or 'runaways') by the Spanish, the Seminole tribe was a mixture of different Indigenous peoples that settled deep in the Florida wilderness.

Many of the men, women, and children that we now call "Black Seminoles" freed themselves by fleeing European or American enslavement. However, some of them were enslaved by the Seminoles, who had their own system of slavery. Whether free or enslaved, Black people in the Seminole tribes were valued for their knowledge and skills, often being assigned as cultural interpreters and soldiers. This had been a common station for Black people in the 'New World' for centuries.

Throughout the 1800s, three wars were fought between the Seminole and American forces. These conflicts basically amounted to land-grab and slave-catching missions, with all sides suffering major losses.

In the face of relentless pressure and forced removals, Black Seminoles, alongside their Seminole counterparts (now friends, family members, and enslavers), resisted relocation to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in the early 1800s. 

Their story is a testament to the strength of communities forged in adversity and their enduring contribution to Florida's history.

Dr. Anthony Dixon's Black Seminole Project

The Black Seminole Project is an exercise in Public History concerning the African Diaspora. The final products will include both a documentary and a full feature-length film dedicated to the Black Seminoles and slave resistance. 

The film will depict and demonstrate the underlying theme of Black unity. It will include an overview of Black Seminole history and culture. It will also examine the current state of the Black Seminole nation all from a regional approach. “Freedom Seekers: Black Seminoles of the Past and Present” documentary examines their origins (Gullah people) as the creators of the first underground railroad which resulted in the largest slave rebellion in United States’ history. The film “Ghost in the Grass” is based on the book Florida’s Negro War by Dr. Anthony E. Dixon, which provides a historical account of the Black Seminole involvement and leadership during the Second Seminole War. 

Explore the Black Seminole Project Website.