Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Since May 18, 1999 we have quietly waged a battle in Micanopy, Florida, a battle likely to become a war for protection of Florida's heritage and a war for expression of Native American cultural rights.

Support is needed. Join the support of local Micanopy residents, Native Americans, cultural and historical societies, local merchants, and adjoining property owners to guarantee protection of Florida's and Micanopy's cultural, historical and archaeological resources and heritage.

Meeting after meeting we have argued for proper representation. Native American's and local citizen's opinions about a rare 15.7 acre archaeological site near Micanopy, shall be heard and respected! Perhaps our voice has not been loud and forceful enough to hear. So, now we must shout! To protect Florida's heritage, we must shout louder and prod harder than the developer has our governing boards.

Near Micanopy, two potential National Register sites, which are an established archaeological resource and contain portions of a potential mound/village complex of the Alachua People's tradition referenced by William Bartram in the 1770's and dating back to 800 A.D., is being considered for an 18 home development. While the mound will be owned perhaps by the future lot owner, one member of the corporation developing the property has expressed their desire to build their home on a lot across from the mound. Before further recommended study is done to determine National Register eligibility, the remaining potential Village area and potential National Register site, except for three lots representing 1/10th of the entire area, will be developed.

There are those in our local government, who would belittle the significance of the artifacts reported and minimize the value of the ancient culture they represent. They refuse to even acknowledge the facts testified to and reported by the developer's archaeologist. In all of these heartless discussions about the potential archaeological significance of the area, there has been no serious local consideration of Micanopy's heritage and especially no consideration of Native American cultural opinions. The majority of our local government has done their best to prevent, as some of them have said, "a pow-wow in their chambers."

Ancient remains of a way of life covered by the seasons of the past deserve the same protection and respect as the above ground buildings that serve as our present day historic monuments. During meetings we have listened while local merchants are challenged on trivial details of outdoor lights, signs, and parking spaces in our historic district and yet a majority of our local government supports a process allowing our pre-historic heritage to be destroyed. The developer fears formally presenting the development to our Historic Preservation Board. When the Historic Preservation Board did act, the Board was legally challenged by the developer and admonished by our Commission.

To most Micanopy citizens, these Native American sacred sites represent our sense of place and identity in the community. Many great Native Americans stress these places, the places of their ancestors and our ancients, are their churches. These places are where they ceremonially honor the way of life gone before them. If indigenous people did not exist today, there would not be any Native American ancestors. The past would have no connection to today. Their ancestors would have no voice. Or would they? Would we not carry forth that voice together? Before the development entombs the evidence of the ancients' existence, now is the time to speak!

Protection and proper respect for Florida's heritage should not be equated with an 18 home development on the parcel around the mound! What would be the lasting impacts on the heritage bound to the earth below if 18 new homes, septic tanks, drain fields, fertilizers, other household chemicals and associated roadbeds, waterlines, power lines and cable-tv lines are allowed? This is Unacceptable!

We must change the attitudes that would allow this to happen. I have been told that we should not use tools such as archaeology to prevent development. On the contrary, I say that we should not use tools such as archaeology and the perverse idea of "preservation through development" as shields for a development that would forever seal the fate of Florida's and Micanopy's heritage and Native American's cultural past.