Bozho
(Hello),
Peggy and I hope each of you had a joyful and safe holiday season.
2018 objectives
Unfortunately, my primary objectives remain basically unfulfilled. These include the return of the 1862 Potawatomi census book to the Nation, which I also wrote about a year ago in my January 2017 column and have advocated for its return for many years. It remains in St. Mary’s Historical Society Museum’s possession. I continue to hear that the historical society’s position has not changed.
With the assistance of a few tribal members and Tracy and Pam of the Senior Support Network, we have started to include the Potawatomi culture and history as part of the monthly Elders’ Potluck in the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Community Center in Rossville, Kansas.
Finally, I have had telephone conversations with the director of the Shawnee County, Kansas, Parks and Recreation Department regarding the feasibility of an exhibit on the top of Burnett’s Mound, which would tell our story when we here on the Potawatomi Reservation, which was mostly in Shawnee County.
CPN elders potluck
There were 46 attendees at the December luncheon, which is the most we have ever hosted.
There were several first-time guests, a few who hadn’t been in a while and of course those who attend regularly. If you haven’t ever attended or haven’t been in a while, please consider joining us. The next luncheon is noon Jan. 12 in the Rossville Community Center.
Looking ahead
Put these dates on your 2018 Calendar:
- June 28-July 1: CPN
Family Reunion Festival
in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
This year’s honored
families are Anderson,
Beaubein, Bertrand,
Bourbonnais, Ogee,
Pettifer, Toupin,
Wano and Yott. - Aug. 3-5: Gathering
of Potawatomi Nations in
Mayetta, Kansas.
Veterans Day parade in Topeka
We participated once again in the Veterans Day parade down Kansas Avenue in Topeka. Four “old” CPN veterans rode in the back of a restored 1969 GMC pickup driven by its owner Joan Atkins, Bourassa/Ogee.
Honored to serve you
It is an honor to serve you as your District Representative. Thank you to those members who have shared their thoughts and opinions on the issues of the Nation. I appreciate hearing from CPN members in Kansas, whether by letter, email or a phone call.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance to you.
If you are not receiving emails from me, it is because I do not have your current email address. All you need to do is send me your email address, and I will enter you into my District 4 information file.
You can contact me by email, mail, phone or stop by the office. My contact information is listed below.
Migwetch
(Thank you),
Jon Boursaw,
Wetase Mkoh (Brave Bear)
Representative, District 4
785-861-7272 office
785-608-1982 cell
2007 SW Gage Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66604
jon.boursaw@potawatomi.org
Office hours:
9-11 a.m. Tuesdays
3-5 p.m. Thursdays
Other times: please call