Like so many Americans, my heritage comes from many sources, many peoples and cultures. Part of that heritage comes from places like Ireland, England, and Norway.
But another extremely important part comes from the indigenous people of North America. Some comes from the Tsalgi or Cherokee, but the other comes from the people known as the Calusa. The term Calusa means "fierce people."
The ancient Calusa nation once covered most of Southwest Florida from the keys northward close to Tampa. Their actual political domain also extended across the state to the Atlantic.
Their society was complex, rich in culture and art and lasted for centuries.
Because they had no written language, factual information is hard to find and is scattered in dozens of places. As a historian, it is frustrating for me as well because you can not verify much of the information that is available.
I have ran accross many sites who refer to the Calusa as an extinct people. That isn't quite the truth. Many Calusa fled to Cuba and returned eventually to Florida.
That is how my Calusa heritage came about. An elderly aunt recounted to me how her grandfather had gone to Cuba, and return with a wife who was indeed Calusa. I only wish that before their passing, that my older generation would have valued passing on our ancestral heritage.
Out of ancestral respect, I thought it would be valuable to try and gather as much history as possible in one location.
I will use articles from many sources and I make the following committment:
1.) I will in no manner change, alter or amend any article.
2.) I will in no manner take credit as author for any article
3.) I will always provide links back to the sites from which the information is gathered.
Pat O'Connor
February 17, 2007
Approximate Calusa core area (red) and political domain (blue)