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The summer program was begun in 1994 at the Brighton Reservation in Glades County to provide reading and math summer tutorials for elementary Native American children and to develop remedial skills important to success in local public schools. The program offers low teacher to student ratios and works effectively with the public school system. The program was originally established and maintained by Sr. Mary Elizabeth Lagoy, a Roman Catholic nun.

Since the inception of the program, along with tutoring by Sr. Elizabeth during the school year, the average grade for all elementary school Indian students increased. Sr. Elizabeth and other nuns taught without compensation as part of their ministry to the Roman Catholic Church. In 1998, the church transferred Sr. Lagoy out of state and did not replace her. Following her departure, the Director of Seminole Education and the Parent Advisory Committee approached Dr. Susan Stans at FGCU to organize the program.

The revised program is named Emahakv Vpelofu. It continues the basic work of improving math and reading skills for all elementary students from second to sixth grades. The program includes all Indian students at the Brighton reservation, not just those needing extra help.

The project fulfills important goals from the FGCU mission statement to collaborate with culturally diverse people in projects and to participate in projects in the communities it serves. It meets the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. education philosophy "to provide educational programs that strengthen the Tribal identity of the individual while at the same time strengthen their living in the greater U.S. society." The Tribe also encourages self-sufficiency in its members by helping tribal members attain quality education. This program meets the educational needs of a culturally distinct community by offering learning "beyond the walls." It represents an unique collaboration between FGCU education programs, Seminole Tribe Education, and the Parent Advisory Committee of the Brighton Reservation.

Top of Page	The summer program was begun in 1994 at the Brighton Reservation in Glades County to provide reading and math summer tutorials for elementary Native American children and to develop remedial skills important to success in local public schools. The program offers low teacher to student ratios and works effectively with the public school system. The program was originally established and maintained by Sr. Mary Elizabeth Lagoy, a Roman Catholic nun. Since the inception of the program, along with tutoring by Sr. Elizabeth during the school year, the average grade for all elementary school Indian students increased. Sr. Elizabeth and other nuns taught without compensation as part of their ministry to the Roman Catholic Church. In 1998, the church transferred Sr. Lagoy out of state and did not replace her. Following her departure, the Director of Seminole Education and the Parent Advisory Committee approached Dr. Susan Stans at FGCU to organize the program. The revised program is named Emahakv Vpelofu. It continues the basic work of improving math and reading skills for all elementary students from second to sixth grades. The program includes all Indian students at the Brighton reservation, not just those needing extra help. The project fulfills important goals from the FGCU mission statement to collaborate with culturally diverse people in projects and to participate in projects in the communities it serves. It meets the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. education philosophy "to provide educational programs that strengthen the Tribal identity of the individual while at the same time strengthen their living in the greater U.S. society." The Tribe also encourages self-sufficiency in its members by helping tribal members attain quality education. This program meets the educational needs of a culturally distinct community by offering learning "beyond the walls." It represents an unique collaboration between FGCU education programs, Seminole Tribe Education, and the Parent Advisory Committee of the Brighton Reservation.