February 6 through 10 is Pride in Food Service Week, and the Hownikan talked to chefs, servers, kitchen staff and others who enjoy serving the public and find passion in food across the Nation’s programs and enterprises.
CPN’s Kelley Francen has accepted a new leadership role focusing on increasing engagement among the Nation’s more than 2,100 employees. As director of employee advocacy, Francen will be empowering CPN staff members to succeed, regardless of length of employment or position.
For the 33rd consecutive year, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Accounting Department received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2020.
As Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s new professional basketball team, the Potawatomi Fire, plays its debut season with The Basketball League, three dance teams packed with local talent perform by their sides. Tribal member and Toupin family descendant Piper Whitecotton is a member of the Heat, the Fire’s high school aged hip-hop dance team.
Employees from Citizen Potawatomi Nation enterprises heard from an Indigenous motivational speaker and comedian about managing stress in their lives. Oklahoma native Mitch Factor (Seminole/Menominee) spoke to CPN employees about the importance of self-care, maintaining a positive outlook and clear communication.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Director of Self-Governance Kasie Nichols recently passed the credentialing exam to become a Certified Grants Management Specialist through the National Grants Management Association. The credential and council position are high honors, designating Nichols as one of the top experts in her field. She believes they bring distinctions for the Tribe as well.
Native American tribes in Oklahoma had a nearly $15.6 billion impact on the state in 2019, according to a new study released in March. The study highlighted tribal health care, gaming and employment as key economic drivers in rural Oklahoma.
In November, the Warrior Diamond National Showcase All-Star team selected Citizen Potawatomi Nation member Chase Peltier to participate in a weekend-long lacrosse tournament in Baltimore, Maryland, to exhibit his skills for college recruiters from across the country. The 16-year-old Peltier descendant recently spoke with the Hownikan about his experience with the game and time in Baltimore.
CPN’s new portal is a single access point for members to submit or update their personal information and research family connections.
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.