The 2023 Family Reunion Festival saw many entries for its art contests, with pieces ranging from beading to woodwork and sketches to sculptures. Laura Hewuse took first place in the professional category of the adult art competition for her “Two Brothers, One Nation” hand-beaded bandolier bags.
CPN was one of four Native Voices Endowment grant recipients in 2022, which the language department used to fund a summer master apprentice project in 2023. The grant helped pay for three students to study Bodéwadmimwen for eight hours, five days a week for eight weeks. One language department staff member also joined the group as well as a graduate student and two Tribal members eager to audit the class, making a total of seven students.
Rachel Watson, CPN Department of Education Senior College Advisor, offers advice to students applying to The Gates Scholarship. Watson encourages students to start their application early, be themselves, display their passions and achievements, and to ask for help from mentors, teachers or the Department of Education.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in a 7-2 vote, June 15, 2023. Citizen Potawatomi Nation staff recently weighed in on the decision and how it affects the Tribe.
The August 2023 Language Department update from Director Justin Neely reflects on the first Master Apprentice program and the admirable work students of Bodéwadmimwen to learn and carry on the language.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation is offering used Pecan Harvesting Equipment that is no longer being utilized by the Nation. The equipment is being offered by sealed bid only. All sealed bids are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma will receive sealed bids for Citizen’s Place North Phase II Expansion of New Construction of Duplexes, to an Existing Preplanned Site at 10:00 AM CST the 25th day of September 2023, at the Housing Department, 44007 Hardesty Road, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Department’s conference room.
For National Water Quality Month, the Hownikan speaks to the CPN Department of Environmental Protection about their water quality testing processes and the importance of data sovereignty to the Tribe.
The Young family was among the many Potawatomi who decided to become U.S. citizens and receive plots of allotted land in Indian Territory through the Treaty of 1867. They moved to Indian Territory in 1871 and settled in the community of Pleasant Prairie, which was established 5 miles northwest of present-day Wanette. Later, the Youngs would move to their allotment near Oberlin.
CPN Behavioral Health Services anticipates the opening of a new facility this winter. The building will incorporate Potawatomi language and cultural items, and will offer expanded space for services. New staff will also join the team.