The_AT Santa_NP1 Clara_NP1 Pueblo_NN1 is_VBZ among_II a_AT1 growing_JJ number_NN1 of_IO tribes_NN2 across_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 --_NN1 of_IO 564_MC recognized_VVD by_II the_AT Bureau_NN1 of_IO Indian_JJ Affairs_NN2 (_( BIA_NP1 )_) --_JJ making_NN1 moves_VVZ to_TO bring_VVI back_RP land_NN1 crushed_VVD over_RP generations_NN2 of_IO human_JJ use_NN1 ._. 
Native_JJ American_JJ reservations_NN2 cover_VV0 55_MC million_NNO acres_NNU2 of_IO land_NN1 (_( compared_VVN with_IW 84_MC million_NNO acres_NNU2 controlled_VVN by_II the_AT National_JJ Park_NN1 Service_NN1 )_) ,_, though_CS most_DAT of_IO these_DD2 acres_NNU2 are_VBR not_XX managed_VVN as_CSA wilderness_NN1 or_CC wildlife_NN1 preserves_VVZ ._. 
But_CCB something_PN1 remarkable_JJ is_VBZ emerging_VVG in_II Indian_JJ country_NN1 ._. 
Those_DD2 whose_DDQGE lands_NN2 were_VBDR once_RR taken_VVN from_II them_PPHO2 ,_, those_DD2 once_RR dominated_VVN ,_, often_RR brutally_RR ,_, by_II the_AT U.S._NP1 government_NN1 ,_, are_VBR setting_VVG an_AT1 example_NN1 for_IF how_RRQ to_TO steward_VVI the_AT environment_NN1 ._. 
In_II 1979_MC the_AT Confederated_JJ Salish_NN1 and_CC Kootenai_JJ Tribes_NN2 of_IO Montana_NP1 became_VVD the_AT first_MD in_II the_AT nation_NN1 to_TO set_VVI aside_RL tribal_JJ land_NN1 --_NN1 92,000_MC acres_NNU2 of_IO the_AT Flathead_NP1 Reservation_NN1 's_GE mountains_NN2 and_CC meadows_NN2 --_JJ as_CSA wilderness_NN1 ._. 
Since_II then_RT ,_, the_AT Nez_NP1 Perce_NP1 have_VH0 acquired_VVN 16,286_MC acres_NNU2 of_IO ancestral_JJ lands_NN2 in_II northeast_ND1 Oregon_NP1 that_CST they_PPHS2 will_VM manage_VVI solely_RR to_TO benefit_VVI fish_NN and_CC wildlife_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Assiniboine_NP1 and_CC Sioux_JJ tribes_NN2 in_II northeastern_JJ Montana_NP1 are_VBR working_VVG to_TO bring_VVI back_RP bison_NN on_II the_AT Fort_NP1 Peck_NP1 Reservation_NN1 ._. 
In_II Minnesota_NP1 the_AT Chippewa_NP1 ,_, or_CC Ojibwa_NP1 ,_, have_VH0 restored_VVN a_AT1 ravaged_JJ walleye_NN1 population_NN1 at_II Red_NP1 Lake_NNL1 ._. 
And_CC on_II the_AT Fort_NP1 Apache_NP1 Reservation_NN1 in_II Arizona_NP1 the_AT threatened_JJ Apache_JJ trout_NN is_VBZ finding_VVG a_AT1 new_JJ home_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT forest_NN1 is_VBZ now_RT managed_VVN with_IW ecology_NN1 ,_, not_XX just_RR lumber_VV0 ,_, in_II mind_NN1 ._. 
Santa_NP1 Clara_NP1 Pueblo_NN1 's_GE conservation_JJ program_NN1 had_VHD an_AT1 unlikely_JJ beginning_NN1 ._. 
Late_RR one_MC1 evening_NNT1 in_II May_NPM1 2000_MC a_AT1 controlled_JJ burn_NN1 to_TO remove_VVI underbrush_NN1 in_II nearby_JJ Bandelier_NP1 National_JJ Monument_NN1 went_VVD awry_RL ._. 
The_AT so-called_JJ Cerro_NN1 Grande_FW fire_NN1 wound_VVD up_RP devouring_VVG 235_MC buildings_NN2 in_II the_AT towns_NN2 of_IO Los_NP1 Alamos_NP1 and_CC White_JJ Rock_NN1 and_CC eating_VVG more_DAR than_CSN 47,000_MC acres_NNU2 ,_, including_II the_AT upper_JJ part_NN1 of_IO Santa_NP1 Clara_NP1 Canyon_NP1 ._. 
The_AT fire_NN1 even_RR spread_VVN to_II the_AT Los_NP1 Alamos_NP1 National_JJ Laboratory_NN1 ,_, though_CS no_AT radiation_NN1 was_VBDZ reported_VVN to_TO have_VHI been_VBN released_VVN from_II its_APPGE nuclear_JJ facilities_NN2 ._. 
When_CS the_AT smoke_NN1 cleared_VVD ,_, the_AT Santa_NP1 Clara_NP1 Pueblo_NN1 closed_VVD the_AT canyon_NN1 ,_, long_RR a_AT1 tourist_NN1 attraction_NN1 ,_, and_CC announced_VVD that_CST it_PPH1 would_VM take_VVI over_II management_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE land_NN1 from_II the_AT BIA_NN1 ._. 
Today_RT the_AT scent_NN1 of_IO pine_NN1 and_CC juniper_NN1 floats_NN2 in_II the_AT morning_NNT1 air_NN1 under_II a_AT1 blue_JJ sky_NN1 ._. 
The_AT valley_NN1 rolls_VVZ out_RP a_AT1 green_JJ tongue_NN1 of_IO trees_NN2 in_II the_AT slot_NN1 canyon_NN1 ,_, tracing_VVG a_AT1 path_NN1 toward_II the_AT Valles_NP2 Caldera_NP1 ._. 
The_AT tribe_NN1 has_VHZ removed_VVN the_AT invasive_JJ ,_, exotic_JJ tamarisk_NN1 and_CC Siberian_JJ elm_NN1 and_CC Russian_JJ olive_NN1 from_II 650_MC acres_NNU2 along_II the_AT Rio_NP1 Grande_NP1 and_CC restored_VVD 75_MC acres_NNU2 of_IO wetland_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT burn_NN1 area_NN1 above_II the_AT canyon_NN1 1.7_MC million_NNO seedlings_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN planted_VVN ,_, including_II ponderosa_NN1 pine_NN1 ,_, Douglas_NP1 fir_NN1 ,_, blue_JJ spruce_NN1 ,_, Engelmann_NP1 spruce_NN1 ,_, and_CC white_JJ fir_NN1 ._. 
Where_CS Turkey_NP1 Creek_NN1 joins_VVZ the_AT main_JJ stream_NN1 ,_, the_AT signs_NN2 of_IO elk_NN1 are_VBR everywhere_RL --_NN1 gnawed_VVD bark_NN1 on_II wind-felled_JJ aspen_NN1 ,_, droppings_NN2 in_II the_AT snow_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC ancient_JJ beaver_NN1 dams_NN2 molder_VV0 under_RG recent_JJ growth_NN1 ._. 
Fifteen_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA the_AT last_MD beaver_NN1 left_VVD this_DD1 canyon_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT the_AT tribe_NN1 hopes_VVZ that_CST with_IW the_AT restoration_NN1 of_IO streamside_NN1 growth_NN1 ,_, the_AT beaver_NN1 will_VM return_VVI and_CC once_RR21 again_RR22 start_VVI the_AT cycle_NN1 of_IO dams_NN2 ,_, ponds_NN2 ,_, and_CC eventually_RR ,_, as_CSA silt_NN1 fills_VVZ the_AT impoundments_NN2 ,_, meadows_NN2 --_NN1 a_AT1 rhythm_NN1 as_RG old_JJ as_CSA the_AT mountains_NN2 ._. 
The_AT pueblo_NN1 's_GE recreation_NN1 director_NN1 ,_, Stanley_NP1 Tafoya_NP1 ,_, says_VVZ simply_RR ,_, "_" What_DDQ we_PPIS2 are_VBR trying_VVG to_TO do_VDI is_VBZ restore_VVI our_APPGE resources_NN2 ._. 
The_AT older_JJR people_NN want_VV0 their_APPGE grandkids_NN2 to_TO enjoy_VVI the_AT canyon_NN1 we_PPIS2 once_RR knew_VVD ._. "_" 
That_DD1 said_VVD ,_, there_EX is_VBZ no_AT Eden_NP1 to_TO restore_VVI ._. 
The_AT North_NP1 American_JJ landscape_NN1 encountered_VVN by_II European_JJ invaders_NN2 was_VBDZ hardly_RR a_AT1 pristine_JJ wilderness_NN1 ._. 
Early_RR human_JJ hunters_NN2 may_VM have_VHI helped_VVN wipe_VVI out_RP mammoths_NN2 and_CC other_JJ megafauna_NN1 at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT Ice_NN1 Age_NN1 ._. 
For_IF thousands_NNO2 of_IO years_NNT2 after_II that_DD1 ,_, Native_JJ Americans_NN2 manipulated_VVD the_AT land_NN1 for_IF their_APPGE own_DA needs_NN2 with_IW dams_NN2 ,_, canals_NN2 ,_, and_CC fields_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 regularly_RR cut_VVD and_CC burned_VVD the_AT forests_NN2 to_TO clear_VVI land_NN1 for_IF farming_NN1 and_CC hunting_NN1 ._. 
In_II modern_JJ times_NNT2 ,_, some_DD tribal_JJ lands_NN2 became_VVD littered_VVN with_IW junk_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 few_DA2 tribes_NN2 opened_VVD solid-waste_JJ dumps_NN2 to_TO bolster_VVI their_APPGE income_NN1 ._. 
In_II Santa_NP1 Clara_NP1 Canyon_NP1 the_AT disappearance_NN1 of_IO the_AT beaver_NN1 was_VBDZ almost_RR certainly_RR hastened_VVN by_II tribal_JJ members_NN2 ._. 
Even_RR today_RT ,_, the_AT land_NN1 is_VBZ grazed_VVN by_II the_AT tribe_NN1 's_GE cattle_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB in_II the_AT hope_NN1 of_IO restoring_VVG the_AT streamside_NN1 vegetation_NN1 and_CC the_AT beaver_NN1 ,_, the_AT tribe_NN1 has_VHZ begun_VVN fencing_NN1 livestock_NN out_II21 of_II22 wetland_NN1 areas_NN2 and_CC adopted_VVD a_AT1 grazing_JJ management_NN1 plan_NN1 ._. 
Where_CS conservation_JJ efforts_NN2 are_VBR gaining_VVG ground_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 're_VBR often_RR funded_VVN by_II cash_NN1 from_II gambling_NN1 and_CC other_JJ enterprises_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Santa_NP1 Clara_NP1 Pueblo_NN1 ,_, for_REX21 instance_REX22 ,_, owns_VVZ and_CC operates_VVZ a_AT1 hotel-casino_NN1 ,_, the_AT Black_JJ Mesa_NN1 Golf_NN1 Club_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT Dreamcatcher_NN1 Cinema_NN1 in_II nearby_JJ Espanola_NN1 ._. 
And_CC of_RR21 course_RR22 some_DD native_JJ people_NN are_VBR as_CSA disconnected_VVN from_II the_AT land_NN1 as_II the_AT typical_JJ American_JJ suburbanite_NN1 ,_, driving_VVG giant_JJ pickup_NN1 trucks_NN2 and_CC killing_VVG the_AT dark_JJ hours_NNT2 watching_VVG DVDs_NP1 ._. 
Yet_RR this_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 culture_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ lived_VVN close_RR to_II the_AT land_NN1 for_IF centuries_NNT2 and_CC whose_DDQGE elders_NN2 tell_VV0 stories_NN2 that_CST reach_VV0 into_II a_AT1 time_NNT1 beyond_II the_AT imagination_NN1 of_IO industrial_JJ civilization_NN1 ._. 
There_EX remains_VVZ a_AT1 faith_NN1 among_II Native_JJ Americans_NN2 that_CST they_PPHS2 can_VM rediscover_VVI the_AT ground_NN1 where_CS their_APPGE ancestors_NN2 knew_VVD how_RRQ to_TO talk_VVI to_II gods_NN2 ._. 
On_II a_AT1 stretch_NN1 of_IO foggy_JJ coast_NN1 200_MC miles_NNU2 north_ND1 of_IO San_NP1 Francisco_NP1 ,_, less_DAR than_CSN 2_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT original_JJ old-growth_JJ redwoods_NN2 survived_VVD the_AT relentless_JJ logging_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 few_DA2 decades_NNT2 ago_RA ._. 
The_AT trees_NN2 did_VDD better_RRR than_CSN the_AT native_JJ people_NN ,_, who_PNQS were_VBDR hunted_VVN and_CC slaughtered_VVN in_II the_AT exuberance_NN1 following_VVG the_AT mid-19th-century_JJ gold_NN1 rush_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE land_NN1 was_VBDZ eventually_RR claimed_VVN by_II timber_NN1 companies_NN2 ._. 
Now_RT the_AT tribes_NN2 that_CST formed_VVD a_AT1 consortium_NN1 to_TO protect_VVI the_AT land_NN1 are_VBR working_VVG together_RL to_TO steward_VVI and_CC restore_VVI 3,900_MC acres_NNU2 of_IO the_AT Sinkyone_NN1 wilderness_NN1 along_II the_AT Lost_JJ Coast_NN1 --_NN1 lost_VVN because_CS Highway_NN1 1_MC1 is_VBZ forced_VVN inland_RL here_RL by_II the_AT rugged_JJ terrain_NN1 ._. 
At_II Sinkyone_NN1 they_PPHS2 have_VH0 established_VVN a_AT1 precedent_NN1 --_NN1 an_AT1 intertribal_JJ wilderness_NN1 area_NN1 where_RRQ trees_NN2 will_VM never_RR be_VBI commercially_RR harvested_VVN again_RT ._. 
The_AT ground_NN1 underfoot_RL is_VBZ brown_JJ litter_NN1 ._. 
The_AT trees_NN2 tower_NN1 ,_, and_CC everything_PN1 is_VBZ shadow_NN1 ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 the_AT Lost_JJ Coast_NN1 was_VBDZ lost_VVN to_II Europeans_NN2 ._. 
Early_JJ Spaniards_NN2 could_VM n't_XX find_VVI a_AT1 decent_JJ harbor_NN1 and_CC were_VBDR beaten_VVN back_RP by_II storms_NN2 ._. 
Sally_NP1 Bell_NP1 was_VBDZ ten_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ on_II the_AT morning_NNT1 150_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA when_CS white_JJ men_NN2 came_VVD to_II her_APPGE home_NN1 near_II Needle_NN1 Rock_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 wiped_VVD out_RP her_APPGE family_NN1 and_CC cut_VV0 out_RP her_APPGE baby_NN1 sister_NN1 's_GE heart_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ they_PPHS2 tossed_VVD into_II the_AT brush_NN1 where_CS Sally_NP1 hid_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ so_RG scared_JJ that_CST I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 I_PPIS1 just_RR hid_VVD there_RL a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 with_IW my_APPGE little_JJ sister_NN1 's_GE heart_NN1 in_II my_APPGE hands_NN2 ._. "_" 
When_CS Sally_NP1 's_GE words_NN2 were_VBDR finally_RR taken_VVN down_RP in_II the_AT late_JJ 1920s_MC2 ,_, the_AT visiting_JJ anthropologist_NN1 described_VVD her_PPHO1 as_II "_" blind_JJ ,_, senile_JJ ,_, sees_VVZ spirits_NN2 in_II rafters_NN2 ._. "_" 
Sally_NP1 Bell_NP1 's_GE name_NN1 became_VVD a_AT1 rallying_NN1 cry_NN1 in_II the_AT 1980s_MC2 ,_, when_CS the_AT Georgia-Pacific_NP1 lumber_NN1 company_NN1 sought_VVD to_TO topple_VVI some_DD of_IO the_AT last_MD surviving_JJ old_JJ redwoods_NN2 in_II a_AT1 90-acre_NNU1 grove_NN1 that_CST now_RT memorializes_VVZ her_PPHO1 ._. 
Environmentalists_NN2 chained_VVD themselves_PPX2 to_II trees_NN2 ,_, the_AT cutting_NN1 stopped_VVD ,_, and_CC then_RT something_PN1 like_II change_NN1 came_VVD to_II the_AT Lost_JJ Coast_NN1 ._. 
In_II 1985_MC a_AT1 court_NN1 ruling_NN1 put_VVD an_AT1 end_NN1 to_II clear-cutting_JJ on_II 7,100_MC acres_NNU2 of_IO timberland_NN1 ,_, about_RG half_DB of_IO which_DDQ was_VBDZ added_VVN to_II Sinkyone_NP1 Wilderness_NN1 State_NN1 Park_NN1 ._. 
Native_JJ people_NN ,_, loggers_NN2 ,_, and_CC environmentalists_NN2 sat_VVD down_RP to_TO help_VVI thrash_VVI out_RP a_AT1 plan_NN1 for_IF the_AT other_JJ half_NN1 ._. 
The_AT original_JJ agreement_NN1 set_VVD aside_RL some_DD areas_NN2 as_CSA reserves_NN2 ,_, with_IW the_AT remainder_NN1 to_TO be_VBI harvested_VVN after_II a_AT1 few_DA2 decades_NNT2 of_IO rest_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT tribes_NN2 held_VVN out_RP for_IF a_AT1 different_JJ plan_NN1 ._. 
Priscilla_NP1 Hunter_NP1 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT founders_NN2 of_IO the_AT InterTribal_JJ Sinkyone_NN1 Wilderness_NN1 Council_NN1 ,_, put_VVD her_APPGE foot_NN1 down_RP and_CC insisted_VVD that_CST the_AT land_NN1 simply_RR not_XX be_VBI exploited_VVN again_RT --_JJ a_AT1 stance_NN1 that_CST almost_RR destroyed_VVD the_AT agreement_NN1 and_CC led_VVN to_II ill_JJ feeling_NN1 ._. 
After_CS years_NNT2 of_IO meetings_NN2 and_CC with_IW a_AT1 heavy_JJ dose_NN1 of_IO obstinacy_NN1 ,_, the_AT council_NN1 became_VVD the_AT leading_JJ force_NN1 in_II the_AT efforts_NN2 of_IO various_JJ state_NN1 parks_NN2 and_CC nonprofits_VVZ to_TO retire_VVI patches_NN2 of_IO woodland_NN1 so_CS21 that_CS22 the_AT historic_JJ forests_NN2 could_VM return_VVI ._. 
In_II 1997_MC ,_, after_CS more_DAR than_CSN a_AT1 century_NNT1 of_IO dispossession_NN1 ,_, the_AT council_NN1 acquired_VVD the_AT 3,900_MC acres_NNU2 of_IO Sinkyone_NP1 land_NN1 and_CC turned_VVD it_PPH1 into_II the_AT country_NN1 's_GE first_MD intertribal_JJ wilderness_NN1 area_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 was_VBDZ time_NNT1 for_IF our_APPGE people_NN to_TO get_VVI land_NN1 back_RP so_CS21 that_CS22 we_PPIS2 could_VM protect_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, "_" Hunter_NP1 says_VVZ ._. 
"_" The_AT coastline_NN1 and_CC the_AT redwood_NN1 forests_NN2 are_VBR sacred_JJ to_II the_AT tribes_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ where_RRQ our_APPGE people_NN gather_VV0 food_NN1 and_CC medicines_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT mountains_NN2 are_VBR a_AT1 place_NN1 of_IO ceremony_NN1 where_CS we_PPIS2 can_VM go_VVI and_CC feel_VVI the_AT power_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE Mother_NNB Earth_NP1 ._. 
The_AT elder_JJR redwood_NN1 trees_NN2 are_VBR very_RG powerful_JJ to_II us_PPIO2 in_II a_AT1 spiritual_JJ way_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II31 cooperation_II32 with_II33 California_NP1 State_NN1 Parks_NN2 ,_, the_AT council_NN1 is_VBZ restoring_VVG a_AT1 stream_NN1 known_VVN as_II Wolf_NN1 Creek_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ runs_VVZ through_II nearby_JJ Wheeler_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 abandoned_JJ logging_NN1 town_NN1 ,_, in_II hopes_NN2 of_IO beckoning_VVG back_RP a_AT1 salmon_NN run_VV0 ._. 
Old_JJ logging_NN1 roads_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN removed_VVN by_II the_AT council_NN1 and_CC the_AT state_NN1 parks_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT land_NN1 is_VBZ beginning_VVG to_TO heal_VVI ._. 
Upon_II a_AT1 low_JJ ridge_NN1 ,_, redwoods_NN2 twist_VV0 and_CC writhe_NN1 ,_, their_APPGE limbs_NN2 shaped_VVN by_II winds_NN2 off_II the_AT sea_NN1 ,_, almost_RR a_AT1 chorus_NN1 of_IO wood_NN1 singing_VVG songs_NN2 that_CST modern_JJ humans_NN2 are_VBR only_RR slowly_RR learning_VVG to_TO hear_VVI ._. 
Across_II the_AT continent_NN1 in_II southern_JJ Florida_NP1 ,_, another_DD1 tribe_NN1 once_RR pegged_VVN for_IF extermination_NN1 is_VBZ trying_VVG something_PN1 similar_JJ ._. 
During_II the_AT 20th_MD century_NNT1 about_RG half_DB of_IO the_AT Big_JJ Cypress_NP1 Swamp_NN1 and_CC the_AT neighboring_JJ Everglades_NP2 was_VBDZ destroyed_VVN for_IF cities_NN2 and_CC farms_NN2 ._. 
Invasive_JJ trees_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 the_AT melaleuca_NN1 and_CC the_AT Brazilian_JJ pepper_NN1 threaten_VV0 what_DDQ remains_VVZ ._. 
A_AT1 federal_JJ and_CC state_VV0 plan_NN1 signed_VVN into_II law_NN1 in_II 2000_MC promised_VVD a_AT1 massive_JJ effort_NN1 to_TO revive_VVI the_AT wetlands_NN2 by_II restoring_VVG more_RGR natural_JJ water_NN1 patterns_NN2 ,_, but_CCB until_II recently_RR the_AT plan_NN1 remained_VVD stalled_JJ for_IF lack_NN1 of_IO funding_NN1 ._. 
So_RR the_AT Seminole_NN1 Indians_NN2 developed_VVD their_APPGE own_DA Everglades_NN2 initiative_NN1 ,_, electing_VVG to_TO take_VVI 2,100_MC acres_NNU2 of_IO Big_JJ Cypress_NP1 Reservation_NN1 land_NN1 ,_, systematically_RR remove_VV0 the_AT invaders_NN2 ,_, flood_VV0 it_PPH1 to_TO approximate_VVI what_DDQ were_VBDR once_RR normal_JJ flows_NN2 ,_, and_CC bring_VV0 back_RP some_DD of_IO the_AT wild_JJ ground_NN1 ._. 
For_IF tribal_JJ members_NN2 ,_, the_AT Big_JJ Cypress_NP1 Swamp_NN1 and_CC the_AT Everglades_NP2 are_VBR rare_JJ relics_NN2 of_IO the_AT very_JJ earth_NN1 that_CST once_RR saved_VVD them_PPHO2 from_II genocide_NN1 ._. 
When_CS the_AT Spanish_JJ first_MD landed_VVN in_II Florida_NP1 during_II the_AT expedition_NN1 of_IO Juan_NP1 Ponce_NN1 de_NP1 Leon_NP1 in_II 1513_MC ,_, the_AT area_NN1 was_VBDZ home_NN1 to_II 250,000_MC natives_NN2 ,_, whom_PNQO the_AT Spanish_NN1 came_VVD to_TO call_VVI cimarrones_NN2 ,_, meaning_VVG "_" wild_JJ ones_NN2 ._. "_" 
By_II the_AT 18th_MD century_NNT1 the_AT Indians_NN2 were_VBDR known_VVN as_II the_AT Seminole_NN1 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 stuck_VVD like_II a_AT1 fish_NN bone_NN1 in_II the_AT throat_NN1 of_IO American_JJ might_NN1 ._. 
In_II 1819_MC the_AT U.S._NP1 acquired_VVD Florida_NP1 from_II Spain_NP1 for_IF five_MC million_NNO dollars_NNU2 ,_, then_RT dropped_VVD more_DAR than_CSN $30_NNU million_NNO on_II the_AT Seminole_NN1 Wars_NN2 ._. 
When_CS the_AT gore_NN1 ended_VVD ,_, about_RG 4,000_MC had_VHD been_VBN exiled_VVN to_II what_DDQ is_VBZ now_RT Oklahoma_NP1 ,_, and_CC maybe_RR 300_MC remained_VVD hiding_VVG in_II the_AT swamp_NN1 ._. 
For_IF most_DAT of_IO the_AT 20th_MD century_NNT1 their_APPGE descendants_NN2 eked_VVD out_RP a_AT1 living_JJ as_CSA tourist_NN1 attractions_NN2 around_II Miami_NP1 or_CC in_II the_AT Everglades_NP2 ,_, wrestling_NN1 alligators_NN2 ,_, performing_VVG dances_NN2 ,_, and_CC making_VVG trinkets_NN2 for_IF visitors_NN2 ._. 
The_AT big_JJ turnaround_NN1 came_VVD in_II 1988_MC ,_, when_RRQ Indian_JJ gambling_NN1 was_VBDZ sanctioned_VVN ._. 
Today_RT every_AT1 man_NN1 ,_, woman_NN1 ,_, and_CC child_NN1 in_II the_AT tribe_NN1 of_IO 3,500_MC members_NN2 receives_VVZ a_AT1 healthy_JJ percentage_NN1 of_IO casino_NN1 profits_NN2 ._. 
In_II December_NPM1 2006_MC the_AT tribe_NN1 cut_VVN a_AT1 $965-million_NNU deal_VV0 that_CST bought_VVD up_RP almost_RR all_DB of_IO the_AT Hard_JJ Rock_NN1 Cafes_NN2 and_CC casinos_NN2 in_II the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 prosperity_NN1 is_VBZ allowing_VVG them_PPHO2 to_TO save_VVI a_AT1 fragment_NN1 of_IO the_AT Big_JJ Cypress_NP1 that_DD1 was_VBDZ never_RR developed_VVN because_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ unsuitable_JJ for_IF agriculture_NN1 ;_; citrus_NN1 groves_NN2 ,_, cattle_NN2 farms_NN2 ,_, and_CC vegetable_NN1 fields_NN2 cover_VV0 the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT reservation_NN1 ._. 
"_" That_DD1 means_VVZ bringing_VVG back_RP more_DAR of_IO the_AT animals_NN2 ,_, giving_VVG it_PPH1 the_AT traditional_JJ look_NN1 of_IO the_AT land_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Brian_NP1 Zepeda_NP1 ,_, director_NN1 of_IO Florida_NP1 Seminole_NP1 Tourism_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT cypress_NN1 trees_NN2 were_VBDR once_RR so_RG large_JJ and_CC dense_JJ they_PPHS2 formed_VVD like_II a_AT1 fort_NN1 created_VVN by_II nature_NN1 ._. "_" 
Zepeda_NN1 leads_VVZ the_AT way_NN1 through_II the_AT swamp_NN1 ,_, carrying_VVG a_AT1 machete_NN1 to_TO help_VVI clear_RR a_AT1 path_NN1 ._. 
Sabal_JJ palms_NN2 ,_, pop_VV0 ashes_NN2 ,_, and_CC willows_NN2 share_VV0 the_AT space_NN1 with_IW the_AT cypresses_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ early_JJ in_II the_AT dry_JJ season_NNT1 ,_, and_CC the_AT ground_NN1 underfoot_RL feels_VVZ firm_NN1 ,_, though_CS it_PPH1 buckles_VVZ in_II the_AT low_JJ ,_, wet_JJ spots_NN2 ._. 
Deer_NN dart_VV0 on_II the_AT edge_NN1 of_IO the_AT forest_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 remnant_NN1 of_IO the_AT endangered_JJ Florida_NP1 panthers_NN2 --_NN1 maybe_RR 20_MC of_IO a_AT1 possible_JJ state_NN1 population_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 hundred_NNO --_NN1 holds_VVZ out_RP on_II the_AT Big_JJ Cypress_NP1 Reservation_NN1 ._. 
Wild_JJ sour_JJ oranges_NN2 ,_, introduced_VVN by_II the_AT Spaniards_NN2 ,_, persist_VV0 as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
The_AT Seminoles_NN2 roast_VV0 them_PPHO2 to_TO bring_VVI out_RP their_APPGE sweetness_NN1 ._. 
In_II one_MC1 part_NN1 of_IO the_AT reservation_NN1 that_CST 's_VBZ under_II restoration_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 raised_JJ spot_NN1 in_II the_AT marsh_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 former_DA settlement_NN1 where_RRQ natives_NN2 hid_VVD from_II soldiers_NN2 in_II the_AT safety_NN1 of_IO trees_NN2 at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT last_MD Seminole_NN1 War_NN1 ._. 
