内容摘要：But first, thousands of Putricians attempted to get as close as they could to their hero of a week.

But first, thousands of Putricians attempted to get as close as they could to their hero of a week.

Hector Tigertail, a young member of the Miccosukee Tribe, listens to Tribal elder Michael Frank speak about the environmental degradation he has witnessed over his lifetime, and the importance of the Everglades homeland to Miccosukee history and identity, on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in the Florida Everglades, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)On a windy afternoon, Frank, the tribal elder, and Hector Tigertail, 18, sat under a chickee, or stilt house, on the tribe’s reservation. A wooden swing swayed near garden beds where flowers, chilies and other plants sprung from the soil. A plastic deer with antlers lay on the grass nearby, used to teach Indigenous youth how to hunt.

Frank, 67, shared stories of growing up on tree islands. He remembered when the water was so clean he could drink it, and the deer that emerged to play when a softball game was underway.He spoke of the tribe’s history and a time when wildlife in the Everglades was abundant. Of his distrust of government agencies and the tribe’s connection to the land. And he spoke often of his grandfather’s words, uttered to him decades ago that still resound.“We were told to never, ever leave the Everglades,” said Frank. “The only way to prolong your life, your culture, your identity is to stay here in the Everglades... as long as you’re here, your maker’s hand is upon you.”

Miccosukee Tribal elder Michael Frank walks past chickees, stilt homes, used for community activities, on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in the Florida Everglades, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Miccosukee Tribal elder Michael Frank walks past chickees, stilt homes, used for community activities, on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in the Florida Everglades, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Tigertail heard similar stories from his uncles and grandfather growing up. They helped him feel connected to the Everglades and to his culture. Their stories remind him of the importance of being stewards of the lands that have cared for him and his ancestors.

Tribal elders are teaching youth what Cypress called “the modern” way to protect the Everglades – with policy, understanding government practices and integrating traditional and Western science.Changes to Social Security phone services, pitched as a way to eliminate opportunities for fraud, were walked back after an outcry from lawmakers and beneficiaries. But the agency could still shed 7,000 workers while closing some of its offices.

Musk’s popularity cratered even though Americans often agreed with his premise that the federal government is bloated and wasteful,from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Just 33% of U.S. adults had a favorable view of Musk in April, down from 41% in December. In addition, 65% said Musk had too much influence over the federal government.Elon Musk flashes his t-shirt that reads “DOGE” to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)