BRIGHTON – Seminole traditions were highlighted at the Brighton Fields Days, Feb. 13-16 at Brighton Seminole Reservation in Glades County.

On Feb. 15, Seminole women were busy cooking fry bread, pumpkin bread and sofkee (a porridge) over a fire in the native village area of the festival grounds. While her mother was busy cooking, Jolietta Osceola, age 10, offered food samples to festival goers.

In a nearby chickee, Martha Jones made dolls from Palmetto fiber. She said she learned to make dolls as a child and has made them her whole life.

At another table in the crafts area, Nancy Shore worked on an intricately patterned bracelet. She said it doesn’t take her long to make a bracelet – “about a day.”

Jolietta stopped by the craft area to ask the ladies if they would like some refreshments. They chatted for a few minutes in the Creek language.

Jolietta, whose Seminole name is Hvse-Heev, explained she is in the immersion program at Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School. PECS students are immersed in the Creek language throughout the school day. Parents are also required to be involved and take a class to learn Creek.

Hvse-Heev said she speaks Creek most of the school day, speaking English only two hours per day.