Sunday, the nonprofit organization, Pensacola Bay Area Impact 100, announced the ten $102,500 winners of its 2014 grants, including Santa Rosa County Creek Indian Tribe, Inc. for plans to develop infrastructure of tribal grounds. According to the project summary provided by Holly Jurnovoy, Impact 100 past president, “The proposed project includes the necessary infrastructure for immediate use of the Tribal Ground for the annual Pow Wow, camping, nature studies, and ceremonial activities.” The summary also said the infrastructure will support a future cultural center, educational facilities, artifacts museum and library, and a replica Creek Village.
Jurnavoy said Impact 100 has had applications from cultural groups like the African American Heritage Society, but the Arts & Culture grants typically go to art preservation applicants. Jurnavoy said she was impressed to find an Arts & Culture grant going to preserve American Indian heritage. “This is the second year they were a finalist. Previous winners included the Pensacola Little Theater and Pensacola Opera.”
Creek Indian Chief Tom Nichols said, “There will be no casinos.” He said the tribe will teach the kinds of medicine the Creek Indians used from the woods and swamp. The grounds will also serve to protect the land and animals on the 92 acres the tribe owns on Willard Norris Road. The tribe, Nichols said, will still need more money for the school grounds and boardwalk the tribe plans to build.
Nichols said the Creek Indians hid from the government and the infamous Trail of Tears in the 1800s by blending in to the local population. He said his tribe will be able to teach children what his family was afraid to openly teach for generations. Nichols said, “I want to thank the Impact 100 ladies for blessing us with a grant to open doors and open eyes. We have a very pleasant relationship with them. They’ve been helpful and kind.” Nichols said the tribe will be able to break ground in about a year.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: SRC Creek Indian Tribe wins Impact 100 grant