There is another Seminole Nation that doesn’t involve hazing or harken back to Tallahassee. It’s the Nation with the motto “Father Daughter, Friends Always.” With roots here at home, the program consists of more than 500 family members from the North Broward area. Around for many years, the Indian Princess Program builds a unique bridge between genders and generations. Fathers and their girls get involved because they want to spend more time together….and Dads know; the years go by so fast.
A spin-off of the Indian Guides program started by the YMCA in the 1920’s, the Indian Princess Program offers an opportunity for fathers to bond with their daughters on many levels. Besides helping to develop a strong parental bond, the girls also learn how to have fun with their peers in good ways. The program helps girls to develop a strong sense of self worth and accomplishment through participating in community service efforts. Each tribe member, including Dad, chooses the “name” they’ll be known by as they grow together in the program. Public speaking, acting, crafting, camping and many more activities keep things exciting and grow girls into strong women with a variety of friends which they will have for their lifetime.
Pompano Beach father, Ryan Maker “Sky Horse,” has two daughters in the program; Tatiana “Star Pony” 12 and Samantha “Unicorn” 8, who have been in the program with their dad for more than seven years, with the youngest going on her first campout at just three years old. Both Ryan and his daughters have each gleaned a variety of blessings and lessons from their years in Indian Princesses, and the girls have grown to be very self-confident and capable young ladies. The girls have also developed a great group of friends. Ryan says, “My daughters have made a lot of friends over the years, most of whom they would have never met had it not been for the program. The older girls who have broken their arrows and phased out of the program still continue to be outstanding role models for the younger girls”. Many of the girls in the group are from different schools and neighborhoods; however, these girls will always have the bond of the Indian Princess Program.
Ryan recognized early on the benefits the program has to offer, so he stepped into a leadership role five years ago and is now the Chief of the Seminole Nation, which is made up of 12 “tribes”. Speaking as the Chief and the father of two young girls, he says from experience, “The time we spend together at the various campouts and activities throughout each year are truly precious moments, moments that have created memories which will last a lifetime for all of us. This program is unlike any other out there, due to the fact that a father chooses to participate for the sole purpose of spending more time with his daughter(s). We actively participate hand in hand with our girls through the entire process, and we learn a lot about each other along the way”.
All of the tribes take part in community service events including blood drives (fathers donate), beach clean ups, and fund raising endeavors for various charitable organizations. According to Ryan, “The community service aspect of the program is great; we get to show our daughters the importance of giving back to their community and teach them to always be humble and thankful for all they have.”
Open to girls 4-14 and their dads, for more info, Go to www.SeminoleNation.org
