Seminole Indians Look For Gator Grapplers
SCHAFFLER: Indian traditions in Florida are a bit more violent than in New Mexico, at least the ones that draw tourists to the reservations of the Seminole Indians. The Seminoles have lived in what's now the American Southeast for more than 12,000 years. And as CNN's John Zarrella tells us, that is a long time to keep a dangerous tradition alive.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Treat it just like the jaws are open. Cover its eyes. Nope, nope, nope, you were bit right there.</s>JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You're looking at a job training program. And Lance Holmquist is one of the few takers. He's training for the day that Scratch the alligator won't have his jaws taped shut.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See, you mess up, and he's going to come right to life on you and let you know that you messed up.</s>ZARRELLA: So who in his right mind wants to wrestle alligators? Well, not too many people. And that's a problem for the Seminole Indian tribe of Florida. The art of gator grappling was handed down -- as long as you didn't lose your hands -- from generation to generation. Gator wrestling shows are a mainstay at Seminole tourist attractions. But the new generation of Seminole wants more out of life.</s>ALEXANDRA FRANK, SEMINOLE SPOKESWOMAN: A lot of us want to be news reporters. A lot of us want to be auto mechanics, truck drivers. And you can't find that on the reservation.</s>ZARRELLA: To keep the shows going, the Seminoles are looking off the reservation, taking out a want ad for gator wrestlers. Holmquist was one of the few to apply for the $8-an-hour job.</s>LANCE HOLMQUIST, JOB APPLICANT: The pay is not that good. But the benefits are pretty good. I'd like to find out what the benefits are. Maybe I'd get a Caddy (ph) or something.</s>ZARRELLA: Maybe a hearse if you're not careful. Last winter, Seminole Chief James Billie lost a finger while performing a gator show.</s>CHIEF JAMES BILLIE, SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA: This one here actually lifting me up, opened his jaws, and grabbed half of my finger right in here. And that's when I knew I was in trouble.</s>ZARRELLA: The chief hasn't gotten up close and personal with a gator since. But the Seminoles say they will find and train people to carry on their tradition because the show must go on.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See you later, alligator.</s>ZARRELLA: John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.</s>SCHAFFLER: Just ahead, if you teach a man to fish, you will help him for a lifetime. But if you give a man a fish, can he help you make a movie? We find out next.