The Miccosukee Tribe and the Battle to Save the Everglades (B): The Art of Coalition Building

Supplement to the (A) case, 324-002 Curtis Osceola, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, exercised leadership to mobilize allies, deal with opposition, and forge internal and external multi-sector coalitions to help preserve the Everglades. In December 2024, after 3 years of activity, federal authorization was secured for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP), a long-delayed multibillion-dollar infrastructure initiative aimed at restoring water flow and quality in an area adjoining tribal lands that was also the watershed for major urban areas. Representing a sovereign indigenous tribal nation of just over 600 people, Osceola and colleagues enlarged internal tribal capabilities and then looked externally to seek support from federal lawmakers and agencies, state and county officials, environmental NGOs, and private landowners. The case traces the specific relationship tactics employed—including calibrated messaging, data-backed advocacy, personal diplomacy, and coalition maintenance—to gain support for the project and reinforce the Miccosukee as central players in Everglades restoration.