William J. “Popeye” Osceola is a visual artist and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians’ Secretary. He taught language, culture, and digital arts at the Miccosukee Indian School before he was elected to serve the Tribe in 2021. Just in his early thirties, he is the Council’s youngest member, balancing tradition, and modernity with a creative flair.

Over the past few months, he’s been involved in an art project in Jacksonville where contemporary indigenous artists have been reimagining the work of European visitors from the 1500s. Popeye also did some acting in the television adaptation of the Florida literary classic, A Land Remembered. Last year, he worked closely with curator Dianne Brás Feliciano for the exhibit “Entangled in the Mangroves” at The Baker Museum in Naples, FL.

On October 9, he’s presenting the Miccosukee Indigenous Film Festival at UM’s Cosford Cinema. Before that, he’s schedule to be a part of the Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium at the Miccosukee Resort and Casino, scheduled for Friday, October 2, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Attendance is free with RSVP to MASS2026.eventbrite.com.

Popeye hopped on the Jitney recently to answer 10 questions:

What is your earliest memory of the Everglades?

William J. “Popeye” Osceola: My earliest memory of the Everglades is witnessing the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew and its impact on the land.

What inspired you to pursue the arts?

Probably seeing my dad draw, and watching so many cartoons when I was a toddler.

As an educator, what were the biggest lessons you learned from your students?

That we are what they grow beyond, if we did our jobs right, and that’s ok. I also learned that I have to remember to afford the dignity and respect I usually reserve for only children to adults as well, but it’s difficult, because kids are willing to learn, while adults think they know everything already.

What do you hope to achieve as Secretary for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians?

The establishment of new educational facilities and community spaces, as well as a more solid pipeline to further educate and involve our youth in Tribal government.

Who is your current favorite visual artist?

The animator Don Hertzfeldt is probably the most current visual artist I’m most in awe of, and have been for a very long time. The complexity of ideas and emotions he’s able to convey with such simplicity really gets across the wonder and stupidity of life.

What was your biggest takeaway from life off the reservation?

That culture matters, and that most citizens learn American mythology, not real history.

How did you get involved with the MASS 2026?

Houston Cypress reached out to collaborate, and it’s my firm belief that if you’re in government, you should be trying to help your citizens.

In your view, how can the arts and sciences help preserve The River of Grass?

We need others to help us preserve this fragile ecosystem. Art can help show the beauty of the Everglades so others are drawn to it and inspired to help fight for it. Science provides concrete data to help give us a fighting chance at regaining and sustaining that beauty. To love something, you have to see it and know it for yourself, and art can show, while science can help you know.

Which acting role would you most like to play on the big screen?

Whatever role that allows me to act with Bugs Bunny.

Which piece are you most looking forward to screening at the October 9 Miccosukee Indigenous Film Festival?

There were quite a few great selections to choose from, and I’m possibly showing my bias a bit here with my animation background, but I’m looking forward to screening Syppyt Suruktar. There was some impressive craft on display, and the sense of atmosphere the artists created really stood out to me.