James Billie, 1944-

James Billie was twice chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (1979-2001; 2011-incumbent). In the 1970s and 1980s, he led an effort to make the Seminole Tribe self-sufficient through business investments, including hotels, bingo, and gambling operations. He also initiated a cultural heritage and enrichment program designed to educate young Seminoles about the traditional language and practices of their tribe. James Billie himself is a guitarist and songwriter, whose songs often combine Native American themes with the style and instrumentation of folk music.