What secrets lie buried beneath our feet? Right here, where the bustling city of Miami now stands, once stood the Tequesta Mound. This silent giant bore witness to centuries of indigenous life, a testament to the Tequesta people who called this land home long before the arrival of European explorers. The Tequesta Mound wasn’t just a mound of earth. It was a beacon, a symbol of power, and a sacred burial ground. Imagine this place teeming with life, the air thick with the aroma of roasting fish and the rhythmic chants of the Tequesta people. They were a resilient people, skilled hunters and gatherers who lived in harmony with the natural world. Sadly, the mound we see today is but a shadow of its former self. In 1896, Henry Flagler, a prominent figure in Miami’s development, ordered the leveling of the Tequesta Mound. His vision? An unobstructed view of the bay for the guests of his luxurious Royal Palm Hotel. The very earth that held the stories of generations of the Tequesta people was repurposed, used as fill for the hotel’s seawall. The disrespect shown to the Tequesta and their legacy is a stark reminder of the cost of progress. The Tequesta Mound may be gone, but its story serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of the first people who called Miami home. Let their story be a call to remember, to respect, and to honor the past.
Mindy Solomon Gallery
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words “visual conversations”? Here at the Mindy Solomon