Outsiders tend to refer to all of Florida's Native Americans as Seminoles, but there are actually two federally recognized self-governing tribes — although members of both are descended from the same people.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida became sovereign in 1957. In 1962, the Mikasuki-speaking people formed the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Beyond the language, the distinctions are largely political.

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IF YOU GO Getting there • By air: AirTran Airways and Delta Air Lines fly nonstop to Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale for less than $200 round trip. Delta has just begun flying direct to Naples, but the cost is significantly higher. • By car: Travel I-75 south to Naples, where the interstate is known as Alligator Alley as it heads east across the Everglades. It's about a 10-hour drive to Naples and another two hours to cross the state. Where to stay • Ivey House, Everglades City: Accommodations are in the 11-room lodge, a 1920s boardinghouse, and an 18-unit poolside inn. Complimentary breakfast in the Ghost Orchid Grill. Lodge rates, $70-$75; inn rates $140 (through April 10); higher during the Everglades Seafood Festival, Feb. 4-5 (two-night minimum). 239-695-3299, www.iveyhouse.com. • Miccosukee Resort and Gaming, Miami: Rooms, $109; suites, $135-$335 (plus tribal tax of 8.75 percent). 500 S.W. 177th Ave., Miami. 1-877-242-6464, www.miccosukee.com. • Big Cypress Indian Reservation: In addition to the chickees at Billie Swamp Safari ($35 a night, $65 for dorm sleeping up to 12; 1-800-949-6101), the Big Cypress Campground offers RV sites, tent sites and air-conditioned cabins (1-800-437-4102). Upcoming events • Afachkeke Festival: Saturday. John Anderson and the Bellamy Brothers headline a free country music concert at Big Cypress Rodeo Grounds. 1-800-683-7800, www.seminoletribe.com. • Seventh annual Kissimmee Slough Shootout & Rendezvous: Feb. 4-6 at Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation. Seminole War battle re-enactments, arts and crafts, dancing, traditional food and demonstrations. 863-902-1113, www.seminoletribe.com. • 34th annual Seminole Tribal Fair and Rodeo: Feb. 10-13 at Hollywood reservation, U.S. 441 and Stirling Road. Drumming, dancing and singing competition, plus sports tournaments. 1-800-683-7800, www.seminole tribe.com. Information • Everglades City: 1-800-688-3600, www.classicflorida .com; www.florida-everglades.com. • Miccosukee tribe: Information Center at Indian Village, 305-223-8380, www.miccosukee.com. • Seminole tribe: 1-800-683-7800, www.seminole tribe.com.
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Both tribes are offshoots of the Creeks in Georgia who pushed deeper and deeper into Florida beginning in the 18th century. The Seminoles later incorporated the Yamasee of South Carolina as well as runaway slaves.

The determined Seminoles battled the U.S. government's efforts to remove them to reservations through three Seminole Wars from 1817 to 1858. The Seminoles remain the only Native American tribe never to have signed a peace treaty with the U.S. government.

Most of the more than 3,000 Seminoles — who are associated with one of eight clans, Panther, Bear, Deer, Wind, Bigtown, Bird, Snake and Otter — live on six reservations.

The tribal headquarters is in Hollywood, location of the tribe's new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Another Hard Rock operation is in Tampa, and both Immokalee and Brighton (also home to a citrus operation, Seminole Tribe Groves) have casinos. Established in 1995, Fort Pierce is the newest and smallest reservation. Big Cypress is the cultural hub, home to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the Billie Swamp Safari, Big Cypress Campground, Big Cypress Hunting Adventures and Big Cypress Groves.

The 350-member Miccosukee tribe have three reservation areas: Tamiami Trail (tribal headquarters and the Miccosukee Indian Village), Alligator Alley (site of a tribal-operated service station plaza, a police substation and 13,000 acres of land leased for cattle grazing) and Krome Avenue, site of Miccosukee Gaming and Resort. In 2001, the tribe purchased the 27-hole Miami National Golf Club, off S.W. 147th Street in Miami. It is home to the Miccosukee Championship Nationwide Tour event.

The Miccosukee Service Area along the Tamiami Trail from Miami to Naples includes a population of about 550, including tribal members and their families, independent Miccosukee, Seminoles and other Indian families.

— Paula Crouch Thrasher