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Parkland Dad, Realtor Elected Florida State Chief of Native Sons & Daughters Organization 6

Stephen Engasser, with his daughters, has been elected Florida State Chief of Native Sons & Daughters. {courtesy}

Parkland resident Stephen Engasser has been elected Florida State Chief of Native Sons & Daughters, overseeing father-son and father-daughter chapters across the state while promoting camping, outdoor adventures, and family bonding.

Engasser, a Realtor with United Realty Group, Inc., was recently elected Florida State Chief for the Native Sons & Daughters program, formerly known as the Indian Princess Program. In the role, he will oversee and advise Native Sons & Daughters chapters throughout Florida.

Engasser tells Parkland Talk that the organization’s focus is on bringing fathers together with their sons and daughters through year-round activities, including camping trips, community events, and educational experiences.

“Native Sons & Daughters is a Father/Son and Father/Daughter camping program,” Engasser told Parkland Talk. “We have a full calendar of events with something happening every month.”

The camping season runs from October through April, while summer months feature activities such as visits to Great Wolf Lodge and overnight programs at Kennedy Space Center.

Engasser shares that Broward County’s Seminole Nation and Teton Nation have grown into the largest Native Sons & Daughters organization in the country, largely thanks to energetic families who share their experiences.

“What helps is very simple – word of mouth,” Engasser said. “We do not advertise this program. It is so much fun for the kids and dads that they just tell their friends. Once one kid attends a campout and they have so much fun, they tell their friends, and the organization grows organically.”

He first discovered the program in 2011 after a chance conversation during a real estate closing. An attorney involved in the transaction invited him to attend a meeting with the Mohawk Tribe.

“After a few monthly meetings and our first campout in April of 2011 at Camp Clover Leaf in Lake Placid, we were hooked,” Engasser said.

Over the years, Engasser served as the Mohawk Tribe Chief in 2014, the Seminole Nation Chief in 2019, and the State Pow Wow Chief in 2022. His two daughters, Haley and Maddy, both participated in the program.

He boasts that the Broward County chapter’s influence extends beyond the state level. Coral Springs resident Jason Taibl, owner of CoralAire Mechanical A/C, currently serves as National Assistant Chief, an elected position that places him among the organization’s top leaders nationwide.

Parkland Dad, Realtor Elected Florida State Chief of Native Sons & Daughters Organization 7

Coral Springs resident Jason Taibl currently serves as National Assistant Chief. {Courtesy}

“It’s a source of great pride for Broward County to have representation at both the state and national levels of Native Sons & Daughters,” Engasser told Parkland Talk. “It speaks to the commitment of our local families and volunteers, and it gives our community a voice in helping guide the future of this outstanding organization.”

For families unfamiliar with the program, Engasser said the focus remains simple: creating memories between parents and their children.

“Native Sons & Daughters is about creating lifelong memories between parents and their children,” he said. “We offer fun family activities, outdoor adventures, community service opportunities, and friendships that often last a lifetime. If you’re looking for a way to spend more quality time with your child and connect with other families, we’d love to welcome you into the program.”

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Author Profile

Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.