According to the World Bank, there are an estimated 2.5 billion adults across the globe who are excluded from formal financial institutions. Roughly three quarters of those have no access due to poverty, costs and the burdensome requirements in opening an account or accessing capital.  One remedy to these obstacles came about in Bangladesh in the Read More »

Each year, tribal members from across the country travel to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s tribal home near Shawnee, Oklahoma to celebrate the Family Reunion Festival. The Festival, held annually during the last weekend in June, is a closed celebration, open only to CPN members and their immediate families. Its first incarnation occurred in 1999, when the old Citizen Potawatomi Intertribal Powwow was discontinued so only CPN Read More »

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Department of Education strives to help tribal members identify and achieve their educational goals, no matter their age or location. We encourage students by meeting them where they are in their educational journey and supporting them in whatever ways they need. These include, but are not limited to, comparing college options, finding available scholarships, reviewing application essays and identifying internship opportunities. Starting with the Read More »

Lakota Pochedley, a Slavin family descendent, Potawatomi Leadership alumna and an employee of the CPN Cultural Heritage Center, has recently been recognized by UNITY Inc. in the organization’s ’25 Under 25’ awards. The national organization aims to foster the spiritual, mental, physical and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth. Pochedley is one of only 25 Native American youth to be recognized with this award. Read More »

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Indian Child Welfare Department knows first-hand that circumstances sometimes require a child be temporarily or permanently removed from a situation. When the unthinkable happens, the CPN ICW staff looks to find the most caring and safe solution for these children. Currently, 33 CPN children from the area are in the custody of CPN’s Indian Child Welfare department. To ensure these children are Read More »

By the time this edition of the newspaper arrives, it should be Apte nibne gises – July. This literally means “halfway through summer months.” At the end of July the tribe will be hosting the annual Potawatomi Gathering. This is a gathering of the seven groups of Potawatomi in the U.S. and two from Canada. Here in the language department, it is our responsibility to host Read More »

Although it ranks fourth highest in population of Native Americans, Native American cultures and art isn’t quite as noticeable in Oklahoma City as places like Albuquerque and Phoenix. Local artist Steven Grounds is hoping to change that and he’s starting with a mural in the heart of downtown. Steven Grounds, a Muscogee (Creek) tribal citizen from El Reno, Oklahoma, chose several portraits of CPN tribal members Read More »

Ten tribal members have moved into the Sharp House near the CPN powwow grounds to begin the Potawatomi Leadership Program. PLP is a six-week leadership and education opportunity for a group of promising college students. PLP learn about CPN government, culture, economic development and more. This year, more than 30 students applied for the program and the Read More »

Drivers heading down one of Pottawatomie County’s major thoroughfares will no longer have to worry about pothole and construction slowdowns after a successful tribal-state-local partnership to widen South Gordon Cooper Drive on the northern side of Tecumseh.  Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett, Tecumseh Mayor Eddy Parker, Pottawatomie County commissioners and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Dan Overland joined with members of the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce to cut the Read More »

Medicare A, B, C, D, what does it mean? Medicare A is given to you at no cost if you or your spouse paid sufficient Medicare payroll taxes while working, typically measured by 40 credits, or approximately 10 years work. It is recommended that even if you delay your Part B, you should still start your Medicare A if you are eligible. Medicare A Read More »