Micanopy, Florida was historically inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Timucua and the Seminole. Like many Native American communities throughout the Southeastern United States, the people of Micanopy and the surrounding area were subjected to forced removal and displacement by European colonizers in the 19th century.

The Timucua were one of the indigenous peoples who inhabited the area around what is now Micanopy, Florida, prior to European colonization. The Timucua were a diverse group of people who spoke several related languages and lived in villages throughout present-day Florida and Georgia.

The Timucua are believed to have lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European explorers in the 16th century. They were skilled farmers, hunters, and fishers, and their society was organized into chiefdoms or small kingdoms, each with its own leader and political structure.

When Spanish explorers arrived in Florida in the 16th century, they encountered the Timucua and established missions throughout the region in an attempt to convert them to Christianity. The Timucua were heavily impacted by European diseases and violence, and their population declined dramatically in the centuries following European contact.

In 1832, the Treaty of Payne’s Landing was signed between the United States government and a group of Seminole leaders, including the famous leader Osceola. The treaty stipulated that the Seminole would move west of the Mississippi River in exchange for land in Oklahoma and other considerations. However, many Seminole leaders and members of the community opposed the treaty, and some even fought against the government in a series of conflicts known as the Seminole Wars.

In 1835, the Second Seminole War broke out, which resulted in the forced removal of many Seminole people from their ancestral lands. Many Seminole were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), while others were allowed to remain in Florida but were forced onto reservations.

Today, there are no living descendants of the Timucua people, and their culture and traditions are primarily preserved through archaeological evidence and historical records. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is a federally recognized tribe with more than 4,000 enrolled members. The tribe has worked to preserve its cultural heritage and maintain its connection to its ancestral lands, including the area around Micanopy. The Seminole Tribe operates several businesses in the area, including the popular tourist attraction Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in nearby Tampa.