Special Spanish Seminole Presentation Comes to ‘Ding’ Darling Jan. 22

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

As a descendant of the Spanish Seminoles who once populated Sanibel Island and an eighth-generation Sanibel native, David Rahahę·tih Webb will speak about his book The Spanish Seminole: The Untold History of the Spanish Indians as Told by a Descendant at a special presentation at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island Monday, Jan. 22.

In the 1700s, as Florida’s Indigenous tribes were displaced, the forebears of the Miccosukee and Seminole descended along the southwestern gulf coast. They soon began working with Hispanic-Latino and Indigenous fishermen from various Spanish colonies, who had seasonal operations along the barrier islands, including Sanibel.

Eventually, the seasonal operations became prolific year-round fisheries and communities, incorporating the fishing practices handed down from the 6,000-year-old Calusa culture. Their productive estuarine fisheries were called ranchos.

Author and artist Webb adds to our understanding of the ranchos from the perspective of a descendant. His direct ancestors, Juan and Mary Montes de Oca and family, belonged to the Sanibel Island Spanish Seminole rancho community. His family included the first documented births on the island and in southern Florida.

Webb’s Sanibel pedigree dates to pioneer families including the Stokes, Bucks, and Gibsons. His involvement with “Ding” Darling goes back four generations to his great-grandfather, Jake Stokes, the refuge’s first employee. He lived part-time with his grandmother, Edythe Stokes, who worked at the refuge for 33 years before retiring and was honored by the naming of the administrative building for her. Webb’s mother worked at the refuge and for the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, and David then worked at the refuge 1996-1997 with Americorps, helping with wildlife monitoring and giving talks on various topics.

Webb’s The Spanish Seminole presents a detailed account of the Spanish Indians of Sanibel and beyond — their history, culture, and legacy — using newly uncovered documents, primary sources, and oral histories. Webb’s presentation will include images, artifacts, and his own artwork.

ABOUT DDWS
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or wildman@dingdarlingsociety.org.