Language with Justin: January 2016

Weather Terms: Traditionally when a storm approaches, we take a pinch of tobacco in our left hand and say a prayer asking the Creator to watch over us. We then place that tobacco on the north side of a tree, or, if we are near water, we might place it in the water. They say Read More »

Language department adds French native and Linguistic Ph.D. Ivan Ozbolt

Preserving the Potawatomi language is essential in the Tribe’s effort to maintain its identity as a distinct and sovereign people. On the front lines of the battle to maintain that distinct Potawatomi identity is the staff of the CPN Language Department, who in their everyday work keeps the Tribe’s native language alive. A recent graduate Read More »

Incorporating Potawatomi culture into every day

  As the Citizen Potawatomi Nation has grown in recent years, concerns about Potawatomi traditions and practices have come to the forefront in many conversations amongst Tribal members. Though many traditions are passed down from family elders, those living twenty first century lifestyles may feel like it’s a difficult task to adhere to practices developed Read More »

Language with Justin: January 2015

It’s been a busy year for the language department. Our three year  grant that helps fund our development of self-paced language classes is coming along nicely. The classes will have four units with 10 topics in each unit. Each topic will be taught in five to eight lessons, depending on the subject. The classes are Read More »

Top 5 Resolutions for 2015

  Millions of Americans ring in the New Year with resolutions to improve their lives. According to statistics from www.usa.gov, some of the more common resolutions include saving money, finding a better job, losing weight and even making an effort to stop smoking. The Hownikan sampled Tribal employees on their resolutions for the next year. Read More »

Language with Justin: December 2014

Bozho Jayek (Hello everyone) There are a lot of exciting things happening in the language department. We recently received an ANA grant to develop a self-paced online class. We are using the Moodle format, an open-source learning platform that is the next generation of blackboard. We are making beginner, intermediate and advanced courses, each with Read More »

Language with Justin, June 2014

Festival is right around the corner and by the time you receive this edition it will be here. First I would like to share some of the exciting accomplishments of the CPN Child Development Center children who are taught by the Language Instructor Randy Schlachtun. We are very proud of Randy and the kids’ accomplishments Read More »

Potawatomi language classes beginning

Bozho Jayek (Hello everyone), As of the week of March 10, 2014, we will begin offering two language tracks, with a beginner class and an intermediate/ conversational class.  The Beginner class will be Tuesday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. CST and Thursdays 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CST. To join this class, go to www.instantpresenter.com/potawatomi4 a few minutes before Read More »

Language, with Justin Neely

Will you tell them you stood idly by while our language and way of life disappeared? There are less than 10 first language speakers of Potawatomi anywhere in the world with an average age of 79. We have little time to change the future. What are you going to do? We have onsite classes in Read More »