Although I am among many who believe Black History Month should be celebrated all year and not just for 28 days in February, when it rolls around each year, I inevitably find myself thinking longer, deeper and harder about black history and heritage.

What is most intriguing is sifting through history and uncovering individuals who made huge contributions to the African American and American experience, yet many people today never heard of them. It is like going on an archeological dig.

A colorful individual I discovered several years ago on one of my digs was the Black Seminole fighter/leader known as John Horse. What did he fight against? Slavery. John Horse, whose story, for the most part, has been historically ignored, has been called the greatest freedom fighter in U.S. history, as well as a leader of the nation’s largest slave rebellion.

Also known as Juan Cavallo, John Cowaya and Gopher John, John Horse was born in Florida in 1812 to a Black mother and Indian father. Described as courageous, cunning and cool, he was also said to be over six feet tall, powerfully built, and handsome.

This striking individual was more outstanding because of his colorful clothing; he dressed as a Seminole Indian wearing a colorful turban over his long hair; a hunting shirt with a gathered waist and sash; and leggings with colorful ribbons.

John Horse was both an expert marksman and tracker, and a skilled warrior who would eventually become the leader of his people.

There were three Seminole wars; the first of the two major wars took place in 1817-1818, and the second between 1835-1842. It was in the second Seminole war that John Horse rose to prominence. At the time, John was married, reportedly to the daughter of an Indian Chief, had a child and a homestead with cattle.

The alliance between Africans (called Maroons), and Indians began in the 1600’s when free Africans and runaway slaves escaped into the Florida wilderness from coastal South Carolina and Georgia and joined with Native Americans to form a multi-ethnic tribe of Seminoles. By 1822 an estimated 800 Africans were living among the Seminoles.

The Africans were considered slaves to the Indians, however their relationship bore little resemblance to the slavery of Southern plantations. The arrangement between them was more feudal in nature with the Africans living in their own communities, electing their own leaders and even having the right to bear arms to defend themselves. According to all accounts they prospered and attained moderate wealth that included large fields, large houses, abundant crops and cattle. An annual portion of their crops and livestock went to the Indians.