Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is a resort and casino on the western outskirts of Miami, Florida, off 500 Southwest 177th Avenue on the edge of the Everglades. Located in a 9-story building, it has a colored statue of a young Miccosukee boy outside the front entrance. It has been cited as "one of the most unusual resort destinations in Florida" due to the contrast between the Native American village surroundings and the casino. Established in 1999 at a reported cost of $45 million, it is operated by about 400 members of the Miccosukee Tribe.
History of the Tribe
The proud Miccosukee tribe's history predates Columbus. Before Florida became part of the United States, the Miccosukee tribe migrated to there. They separated from the Creek Nation by doing so. In the 1800s, about 100 Mikasuki-speaking Creeks hid in the Everglades during the Indian Wars. Since then, the Tribe has expanded to more than 600 members and it continues to grow. In order to live in the Everglades, the Miccosukees had to adapt to living in small groups in temporary "hammock style" camps. The Miccosukees stayed to themselves in the Everglades for about 100 years, resisting efforts to become assimilated until Tamiami Trail was built in 1928. In 1959, Buffalo Tiger led a group to Cuba to speak to Fidel Castro and obtain international recognition as a sovereign country within the United States. On January 11, 1962, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior approved the Miccosukee Constitution and the Tribe was officially recognized as the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. This legally established the Miccosukees' tribal existence and their sovereign, domestic dependant nation status with the United States Government. On March 6, 1971, the Miccosukee Corporation was formed to receive and administer funds from private foundations as well as county, state and federal agencies for a variety of educational, employment, housing and social programs for members of the Miccosukee community. The officers of the Corporation consist of a President, Secretary and a Treasurer. The Chairman of the General Council is also the President and the principal executive of the Corporation.
Facilities
The resort has 256 deluxe guest rooms, 56 suites and conference and banquet facilities. 2009 estimates claim the Miccosukee Resort to earn an estimated $75 million a year. The gaming centre includes slot machines and a poker section. The venue regularly hosts poker tournaments. The resort has a contemporary pool and fitness facility available to its guests. Sauna, jacuzzi, and access to equipment are located on the first floor of the resort.
Dining
There are six places to eat inside of Miccosukee's resort and gaming casino. Empeek-Cheke provides upscale dining through Miccosukee's signature restaurant. Empeeke Aaweeke offers first class dining at affordable prices, the restaurant's hallmark. The popular International Buffet offers an assortment of food ranging from meats to pastas. The buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with menu items changing for each. The Empeek Aya provides for a treat at any time of day. The deli is open 24-hours a day and offers snacks and sandwiches and burgers. Miccosukee also offers dining through its Café Hammock. The informal restaurant serves Florida Lobster and Steak, and is open 24-hours a day. It offers other types of seafood and meat. The Bingo Snack Bar is a convenience stand that offers snacks and meals such as hot dogs. It is located next to the Bingo Hall. Hot entrées and cool salads are prepared daily. On Sunday the resort and gaming casino has its Sunday Brunch.
Other
Nearby is the Miccosukee Golf and Country Club. On September 29, 2011, Miccosukee Resort, along with Romance 106.7FM, Budweiser, 411 pain and Walgreens, organized a Latin music concert in Miami named "Una Copa con Romance", attended by some 1500 people and artists such as Charlie Zaa. The resort is a setting in the 2010 Jonathan King novel Acts of Nature.
