Nishnabé referred to June as the Dé’men Gises (Strawberry Moon). Potawatomi hold strawberries in high regard, and Bodéwadmimwen (Potawatomi language) expresses it. Dé’men translates to “heart berry.” Strawberries also contribute to heart health, studies show.
This episode focuses on Behavioral Health Awareness Month and the societal stigma of having behavioral health issues. We also meet the only Citizen Potawatomi Nation member serving in the Oklahoma legislature and hear about a study on tribal economic impact in Oklahoma.
The May 2022 language update highlights the Department’s preparations for Family Reunion Festival, work on children’s books, and a variety of class offerings at local schools and online.
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.
The April language update recaps the Winter Storytelling Event held in March, and tells about maple syruping, a process traditionally undertaken in April.
This month’s update from CPN Language Department Director Justin Neely discusses the winter storytelling event held in March and tells the story of Wiske mine Zisbakwet (Wiske and Maple Syrup).
In 2021, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Language Department once again began offering in-person classes after more than a year of virtual learning due to the pandemic. Since many Tribal members live across the country, they continue to use online platforms during every session. Tribal members find connection through in-person and online offerings, and pass on what they learn to their families.
CPN Language Department Director Justin Neely gives a language update for February 2022 which discusses course work at Shawnee Middle School and teaching at the CPN Child development center.
During this episode, we visit with an author about her new book that tells stories from a Tribal elder’s childhood, a domestic violence prevention specialist about National Stalking Awareness Month and a historian about the 155th anniversary of the last treaty CPN signed with the federal government.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Language Department began offering Potawatomi classes to public school systems in 2017 after the curriculum met Oklahoma state standards for a world language credit. The department expanded to Shawnee Middle School in 2021. At the beginning of the academic year, it presented sixth graders the option to take Potawatomi as a 9-week elective course.