The annual Family Reunion Festival of Citizen Potawatomi Nation is a celebration of Native culture for the Potawatomi. Activities include Grand Entry, cultural classes, a dance contest and General Council. Tribal elections are decided during the Family Reunion Festival.
Make a full-fledged trip out of visiting the Tribe, and stay a few extra days. Tourist attractions in downtown Oklahoma City, the surrounding suburbs and Pottawatomie County make Oklahoma a top tier destination.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s annual Family Reunion Festival runs June 29-July 1 across Raymond Peltier Park and Tribal enterprises near Shawnee, Oklahoma. Native culture and heritage are often shared through art, and this year, the Tribe celebrates creative expression with youth and adult contests. Children’s contest Youths age 15 and younger can enter up to three Read More »
Harris hawk. Family Reunion Festival brings together families from across the world to reflect and learn about Potawatomi history at the Tribal headquarters in Oklahoma. Aside from studying the Tribal archives and practices, another way to share Potawatomi culture is by connecting with wildlife. During the summer, Oklahoma is home to more than 120 Read More »
Coby Lehman photographed by Sharon Hoogstraten. The man waving the white towel is how many Festival-goers know Arena Director Coby Lehman. Positioned ahead of the CPN Veterans Color Guard, Lehman’s signal is what begins Grand Entry at the annual CPN Family Festival Powwow. Lehman has served as the arena director following several years of winning Read More »
Tribal members and their families are given the opportunity to work on regalia and share techniques with fellow Potawatomi at Festival each year. During Friday and Saturday of the annual event, theCultural Heritage Center hosts regalia making classes where items such as shawls, moccasins, medallions and bandoliers are crafted. “We’ve really tried to make our Read More »
One of the staples of the Family Reunion Festival is open to visiting Tribal members again, with CPN Cultural Heritage Center Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Jeremy Arnette conducting half day tours at Sacred Heart Mission. The Roman Catholic Mission once served the needs of Citizen Potawatomi people upon the Tribe’s formative years in what was Read More »
It was the flood no one saw coming. Surveillance video from inside the Long Room at the Cultural Heritage Center shows the floor rising in a dome shape.Within an hour, several inches of water came seeping through the concrete base and out the opened doors. Several months have passed since the eerie day that left Read More »
Individual health and well being can be an important concern for individuals to ensure they maintain a healthy lifestyle. The annual Family Reunion Festival is the perfect time to do this. The event gives attendees the opportunity to receive important health information, check-ups and learn about what the newest services CPN has to offer. Read More »
The busiest time for Citizen Potawatomi Nation is the last weekend in the month of June. Families from all over come to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation for the event that brings the Potawatomi families together. With all the preparations and energy spent to make sure everything will be a smooth and enjoyable time, it’s Read More »