LIVING HISTORY
African-American men. Shamy
believes that is because of the relative
isolation in which the Tommies lived.
There was one other family in western
St. Lucie County, the Joneses, but most
Seminoles lived at the Brighton
Reservation west of Okeechobee.
In some ways, Shamy believes that
the taunts he received as a kid being a
“half breed’’ made him more receptive
to learning about the Seminole culture
from his elders.
“I got picked on by both sides, the
black side and the Indian side,’’ he
said. “When I look back on it, some
full-blooded Seminoles can’t speak
Creek. I’m the one you think wouldn’t
have learned it. ‘’
In addition to running the ranch,
Shamy also helps his wife, the former
Wanda Ghent, who is pastor of World
Harvest Ministries church in the
Orange Blossom Business Center in
Fort Pierce. Shamy seeks to pass the
Indian ways — the ways he learned as
a child — to his son, Shamy Jr., and daughter Tammy Yvette,
and three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Wanda, who is African-American, is fully supportive. “He
82
These street signs in Chupco’s Landing honor the Seminole heritage with
names of key historical figures.
>>
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