FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival earns top award at tourism event

The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival received the Outstanding Event award during the 2022 RedBud Awards, hosted by the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. For the past 25 years, the RedBud Awards have recognized Oklahoma’s top tourism attractions, events, programs and organizations for their outstanding efforts to serve and promote Oklahoma’s tourism industry, according to the OTIA website.

Activities abound for youngest Tribal members

The youngest Citizen Potawatomi tribal members will have numerous activities to choose from as the 2022 Family Reunion Festival gets underway in Shawnee, Oklahoma. CPN Child Development Center Director Donnette Littlehead outlines the variety of activities offered.

Competitions open for every skill set

When people visit the Citizen Potawatomi Nation headquarters for the 2022 Annual Family Reunion Festival, friendly competition is part of the tradition. All contests are open to Tribal members and their spouses, and whether they compete in modern games like softball or traditional handgames, opportunities are everywhere.

Powwow etiquette refresher

With Tribal enrollment expanding, some will honor their ancestry and relatives at the powwow for the first time. Now is a good opportunity for a refresher on powwow etiquette. Rules regarding clothing, personal space and dancing make participating comfortable and fun.

Hownikan Podcast: Powwow etiquette

Experienced dancers and Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal members Tesia Zientek and Randy Schlachtun joined Hownikan Podcast for a refresher on powwow etiquette ahead of the 2022 Family Reunion Festival.

Hownikan Podcast: April 2022

This episode visits the CPN professional basketball team’s first home game, discusses Sexual Assault Awareness Month with a victim’s advocate and talks with an apparel designer and CPN employee about Native fashion.

Hownikan Podcast: March 2022

This episode explores Potawatomi spring traditions, visits the Potato Dance World Championship and shines a light on Epilepsy Awareness Day.

Training highlights stalking awareness

January is designated as National Stalking Awareness Month. This January, House of Hope will be hosting a free event for the public that will focus on the dynamics of stalking and how to work with those affected by this crime. The event will be held on January 18 at 1 p.m. and located at CPN’s North Reunion Hall.