Citizen Potawatomi Nation helped give back to the community during the holidays as employees hosted a variety of food drives and fundraisers.
The Hownikan spoke with four FireLodge employees to learn more about what they do and how FireLodge serves the CPN community. Cortney Newell is the Indian Child Welfare comprehensive case manager. Nancy Jasna works as an Indian Child Welfare case manager. Heather Calton serves FireLodge as the family preservation coordinator. Desiree Pickering, “the money lady,” is a program analyst who works with three different departments.
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.
In September 2022, Adalynn Grace Climer’s adoption was finalized after her time as a foster child through FireLodge Children & Family Services. Now, she’s reaching new milestones and the Climers are creating new traditions.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s FireLodge Children & Family Services welcomed DeAnna Voeks as its new foster care and adoption specialist in June 2022.
This episode explores the Brackeen v. Haaland U.S. Supreme Court case as well as the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
When it comes to caring for area foster children, one Shawnee, Oklahoma, family makes community the priority. Brit and Amber Hembree provide guidance and support for children in their greatest time of need as foster parents through Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s FireLodge Children and Family Services.
CPN tribal member Sara Winsett and her husband Michael decided to expand their family in late 2019. They reached out to FireLodge and began their journey to parenthood, and this year, they adopted three children.
Before they even started dating, Reide and Robert Johnson each knew they wanted to become foster parents. They found their shared desire stemmed from their tribal heritage and became an approved foster home with Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s FireLodge Children & Family Service in September 2020.
CPN’s FireLodge Children and Family Services constantly searches for new Native American families to welcome a child into their home. Norman, Oklahoma, residents Jimmie and Greg Hodgkins began fostering through FireLodge in April 2020.