The Everglades matter: Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium takes place October 2
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Free interactive event includes presentations, workshops, field trips, film festival, and more, including Spanish-language programming at the Miccosukee Casino and Resort
The Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium (MASS) is a biennial collaborative event between the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the South-Florida based arts and conservation organization, Love The Everglades Movement (LTEM), bringing communities together to articulate eco concerns by using four ways of understanding the world: Science, Art, Community
MASS is a series of talks, workshops, field trips, and creative shenanigans. Indigenous voices, scientists, artists, policymakers, and other community members will converge at the Miccosukee Casino & Resort (500 Southwest 177th Avenue, Miami, FL 33194) on Friday, October 2, 2026, beginning at 9 a.m. MASS focuses on environmental issues facing the River of Grass and includes a variety of revitalizing events, integrating a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. Attendance is free with RSVP to MASS2026.eventbrite.com.
“I am very excited that MASS will feature interactive Everglades science sessions that will highlight the important collaborative partnership between the Miccosukee Tribe and Florida International University (FIU),” said Kevin Cunniff, Chief Sustainability Officer for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. “These interactive sessions will be structured to give MASS attendees opportunities to directly work in smaller groups with presenters, provide input, and bring forth products that will enhance the learning experience for all.”
The Miccosukee Tribe and FIU are organizing the Science tracks, and LTEM has created a committee of advisors to organize the Art and Community tracks. MASS prioritizes community interactions and featured activities will include:
- Artist talks with traditional and contemporary artists from the Miccosukee Tribe and the Seminole Tribe about their art practices
- Lightning talks on Sharing Ideas, Building Science, and Creating Trust from FIU’s Everglades scientists
- Workshops from arts organizations like the Miami Artist Census
- Discussions about Alternative Economies with local and international arts organizations
- Small group field trips include a nature hike with Miccosukee conservationists, and an art exhibit walk-thru with artist Christina Pettersson
- Film screening of documentary Edge of Hope, followed by a discussion between Director Dudley Alexis and Miccosukee Educator Betty Osceola
- Dance party
- Fashion show
- Poster sessions with researchers
John Kominoski, FIU Professor from the Institute of Environment & Department of Biological Sciences offered: “this meeting will introduce you to a whole community of artists, scientists, and advocates that represent different backgrounds, but whom all share a commitment to better understanding, protecting, and celebrating our Everglades. Don’t miss this opportunity.”
“MASS26 is the kind of event where it’s even better if you bring some friends along. It’s because we have multiple sessions going on at the same time,” said Houston R. Cypress, Otter Clan, co-founder of LTEM. “So, you split up, take notes, and come back and share with each other during the breaks. There’s going to be lots of that going on.
“That’s why our theme is Everglades Polyphony. Polyphony means ‘many voices’ and it shows up sometimes in music as multiple melodies at the same time. There’s going to be sessions completely in Spanish and live translation available for folks who want to go outside their comfort zone.”
With MASS as an interactive platform for community engagement, the focus is on fostering stronger relations between those who care about the Everglades with those who are new to getting involved. The goal is to bolster effective dialogue as well as hands on support for projects, groups, and individuals who are working to protect the Everglades and the natural resources. MASS recognizes that certain situations and conditions are dire and need immediate attention, so unity with camaraderie is essential. By mixing the arts and science with positive messaging, MASS uplifts the changemakers who embrace our plant and planet partners.
The attendees will engage with FIU research, data from the Miami Artist Census, and other art and science projects to identify trends and how this information can be used to help community planning efforts. Both LTEM and The Tribe have been involved in a broad composting program that features public collection of food materials and their eventual return to the land as soil for the Miccosukee Community Garden. One of the actionable outcomes of MASS 2026 is to identify items for the community to address, synthesize them, and integrate everything into a final report.
The public shaped the agenda by submitting requests or proposals through an online form, and event welcomes community support through sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and spiritual action. All fundraising at this event will benefit the Miccosukee Education Fund, which supports school supplies, equipment purchases, and tuition costs for Miccosukee students.
There will be dedicated sessions offering presentations and activities in Spanish, and all other sessions will offer interpretation. Language interpretation services to be provided by MARB Language Services.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, volunteering, and spiritual actions, please visit MASS2026.eventbrite.com.
ABOUT LOVE THE EVERGLADES MOVEMENT
Love The Everglades Movement is a multi-disciplinary, volunteer, nonprofit organization comprised of artists, activists, teachers, clergy, businesses, and media members. In addition to hosting events, LTEM organizes Everglades art projects, cleanups, concerts, fundraisers, workshops, prayer walks, and excursions.
ABOUT THE MICCOSUKEE TRIBE OF INDIANS OF FLORIDA
The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida (Tribe) is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian Tribe that provides a full suite of governmental and support services to the Tribal Community.
Among the government services is the Miccosukee Environmental Protection Agency that conducts scientific research, monitoring, and assessment across nearly 1.3 million acres of Tribal Lands.
The Tribe is a primary stakeholder and leader in Everglades management and restoration, bringing knowledge and expertise in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, to ensure protection of resources critical to Tribal vitality and culture.
