Hownikan Podcast: December 2021

During this episode, we visit Bodéwadmimwen classes that are in-person again. We also talk to a Tribal member with experience in the Oklahoma film industry as a costumer and hear from the Oklahoma Gaming Industry Association Chairman about its recent history and future.

New lesson plans fill gap on Potawatomi history

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Department of Education began composing lesson plans about Potawatomi history in 2021. The first one tells the story of the Potawatomi Trail of Death.

Meet new District 1 legislator

Alan Melot became Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s District 1 legislator in September 2021. He lives in Joplin, Missouri, with his wife Stephanie and works as a licensed clinical psychologist.

Three tribal veterans celebrate 50th wedding anniversaries

By coincidence in casual conversation at a fall CPN Veterans meeting here in Shawnee, Oklahoma, three couples found out that they had all been married in the same month 50 years ago. Their wedding dates were within 17 days of each other that very month.

Hownikan staff recognized

The team behind the Hownikan consists of Tribal members and non-Citizen Potawatomi — some former journalists, others from different professional backgrounds. In recent years, CPN’s newspaper and its ancillary content have won numerous awards at state and national competitions.

Grand Casino Hotel & Resort turns 15

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation opened its flagship enterprise in 2006, welcoming visitors to the FireLake Grand Casino with 125,000 square feet of gaming. It turned 15 in 2021, and the last decade and a half brought many changes, including a renaming in 2012. The Grand Casino Hotel & Resort is now a one-stop-shop for fun off I-40.

Image-Based Abuse

Apps like TikTok and Instagram allow users to capture every moment of their day, sharing those with the world. This does not come without a price. Once uploaded, these images are irreversible and can be used as a form of power and control against a person.

Tribal member brings diversity to book donation

The Pioneer Library System of central Oklahoma donates books to Women, Infants, and Children programs, including Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services. Tribal member Britt Muirhead leads the initiative as the programming specialist for PLS.

2021 Year in Review

2021 brought productivity and uplifting news from CPN. Big developments ranged from new ways for Tribal members to connect digitally to an impactful agreement between local governments to improve the community’s future.