JOHN “ROCKY” BARRETT
TRIBAL CHAIRMAN
Bozho nikan, (Hello, my friend,)
I hope you all had time to celebrate the holidays, gather with families, and to pass on your family stories and the stories of our people. As we embark into a new year, I am looking forward to what we will achieve and reflecting on all I am grateful for.
In November, I had the honor of being one of eight inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. It was a great night, and a privilege to be surrounded by so many fine Oklahomans who were also honored for their accomplishments.
I would like to extend a thank you to Vice-Chairman Capps, CPN legislators, and so many others who have worked alongside me and helped bring our visions and goals to fruition. Having a dedicated group of people who care deeply about the future of our people has been a vital part of my journey as Chairman. Thank you, also, to you, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal members who have elected me to this position 10 times over the past several decades and entrusted me with this role.
CPN has come a long way through the years, from the small trailer in the 1970s that served as Tribal headquarters to a jurisdiction of more than 900 square miles today. CPN now comprises more than 38,000 Tribal members, 2,200 employees, an economic impact of more than $700 million, and enterprises that vary from FireLake Discount Foods, to the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort, to Iron Horse Industrial Park and so many more. We have seen many positive changes in job creation, expansion of services and the revitalization of our culture. Last year was a year of growth and fresh opportunities, with new construction and new enterprises breaking ground. This year, we will see the completion of many of those projects.
The future of our Tribe is a bright one.
With last year behind us and a new one ahead, take peace of mind from knowing that your Tribal government and Nation are thriving. We will continue to grow our enterprises and services so that we can better support our communities and Tribal members. Thank you for the honor of serving as your Tribal Chairman.
Megwetch (Thank you),
John “Rocky” Barrett | Geweoge (He Leads Them Home) | Tribal Chairman
LINDA CAPPS
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Bozho (Hello),
I wish all our Tribal members the very best for the 2024 New Year. There is often excitement regarding a new year, along with lots of questions about what the year will bring. One big question is what is expected to happen with the U.S. economy in 2024? Of course, even the best predictions have a margin of error, but professional predictions have the economy still growing in 2024 … even if it is at a slower rate.
One main reason for slower growth in the early part of 2024 is consumer spending will experience a decline. Consumers have relied on savings accumulated during the pandemic and credit card balances they paid down to combat inflations. Pandemic savings are mostly gone, and credit card spending has risen sharply. The capacity to add more debt will be limited in 2024.
How does the growth for CPN look during 2024? The Nation is in a growth mode in many areas. We have a lot to look forward to during 2024. I have been telling our employees that it will be a great year. Our unemployment numbers are finally down. We struggled during and after the pandemic with employees leaving for various reasons, some because they wanted to continue working from home. We have a limited number of employees who can work off location; therefore, it makes it difficult to offer those types of positions.
Due to an inflow of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Tribe is in a building mode. The ARPA funds were allocated to entities to help them recover from the pandemic. They have been a blessing to our Tribe and to our members (the $1,400 payments). Incidentally, the $1,400 payment is still open to those that have not applied. Please do not apply again if you know you have received the $1,400. Our staff keeps excellent records to show all individuals that have applied for and received payments.
CPN is the largest employer in Pottawatomie County with wages that are commendable. We have outstanding employees and departments. I want our employees to be productive and experience a good working environment. When you like your job, it is so much more enjoyable to work throughout the day. In addition, time flies by and it is day’s end before you know it. CPN has invested in resources to help with retention and job security.
The new Employee Engagement & Advocacy Program under the leadership of CPN professional staff member Kelley Francen began in the fall of 2022. Still in its infancy, the program has made a difference in the workplace. The program has given our employees a morale lift as Ms. Francen develops strategies to show appreciation and support to employees from senior management to entry level. I believe that CPN will see more job satisfaction in 2024, plus we will be on our journey to experience an all-time high in job retention.
If you have not been to the headquarters area for a while, you will be surprised to see a huge amount of construction fencing on the north side of Hardesty Road and the same type of fencing stretched around the softball fields. The area enclosed by fencing is where Crossland Construction Co. is building the new casino, hotel and expansion of the softball fields. This is a good reason why CPN will grow to look different at the headquarters area in 2024. Although the construction will not be completed until 2025, buildings will be in the air and the ballfields will take on new dimensions in the new year. During the spring/summer of 2025, the casino will open first, followed by the hotel.
Thank you for the opportunity to share good news with you about CPN. I cherish my years as the Vice-Chairman of our great nation.
Migwetch (Thank you),
Linda Capps | Segenakwe (Black Bird Woman) | Vice-Chairman | Work: 405-275-3121 | Cell: 405-650-1238 | lcapps@potawatomi.org
EVA MARIE CARNEY
DISTRICT 2
Bozho, nikanek (Hello, friends),
Upcoming District 2 Meeting in Arkansas. CPN citizen and pastor Alan Johnson (Wilmet/Spencer families) of Rogers, Arkansas, has kindly offered to host District 2 in the Church Hall of Rogers First Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, April 20, 2024. More details will be provided in my February column, on my website, and in a postcard that will be mailed out next month. Please remember that you do not need to receive a postcard invitation to attend, but please do RSVP.
District 2 Fall Feast. We had a terrific Fall Feast. Migwetch/thank you to everyone who attended, brought delicious food (if you were able) and a generous spirit, and spent time with our extended family. Congratulations to our wisest, farthest travelled and youngest attendees — Patsy Vawter (95 years old), Sherree Collier (visiting from Texas), and Wyatt Oliver Nowaten B. (6 months old). Congratulations also to the winners of our first-ever art contest – Brent K. (professional); Ella P. (over 16) and Nathan G. (youth). (Photos of Mrs. Vawter and the artists were part of my December 2023 column.)
Special thanks to Bob/Shaweno and Karen Richey for teaching the dreamcatcher craft and for helping to set up and clean up; to Pitchikwe for sharing her dreamcatcher teachings ahead of the meeting; to Alan and Marshall Cohen for set up and food delivery and service; to George Korzeniewski for sharing about his experiences in the Mdamen program; and to Amanda Funk for sharing about the nonprofit she operates, Widoktadwen Center for Native Knowledge. More special thanks go to Kim Pratt for bringing her lovely pottery to add to our giveaways table, and to Ron Bazhaw for gifting District 2 the beautiful cedar boxes he crafted and for offering to provide more as needed. A photo of our youngest attendee accepting his gift blanket is part of this column. If you are on Facebook, you can find more photos posted to my page.
White House Tribal Nations Summit 2023. I expected to attend the White House Tribal Nations Summit 2023, representing CPN, but did not get a timely clearance. I am sorry I can’t provide a personal take on the discussions; you can follow these links for media coverage of the summit, the Justice Department’s readout of its participation, and the White House’s written report to the Tribal Nations on “2023 Progress.”
Interesting law review articles. I do not typically recommend law review articles but two came to my attention recently that weave together Native history, law, and policy that I do recommend. The first is “We the (Native) People?: How Indigenous Peoples Debated the U.S. Constitution,” published in the Columbia Law Review. You can read a Q&A with the authors here. The second is “The Capitalization of ‘Tribal Nations’ and the Decolonization of Citation, Nomenclature, and Terminology in the United States,” published in the Mitchell Hamline Law Review. I hope you also find these worthwhile.
Thank you to our Public Information and IT departments. I recently learned that a CPN citizen who relocated to Ireland did not have access to the CPN website from her (new) home computer. After a few exchanges of relevant information with our Public Information and IT departments, she now can view the site and stay informed. If you are outside the country and are not able to view potawatomi.org, please contact me and I will direct you to folks who can troubleshoot the issue.
Condolences to the Slavin family and to her many friends. Julia Slavin walked on late in 2023. She was a vibrant woman and a good friend. I send condolences to her children, Verna Slavin Brooks and Rod Slavin, and to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My husband Alan and I have many great memories of spending time with Julia and her late husband, Legislator Roy Slavin. I have included a photo of us all together, in memory of them.
Migwetch (thank you),
Eva Marie Carney | Ojindiskwe (Bluebird woman) | ecarney@potawatomi.org | evamariecarney.com | evamariecarney@gmail.com | 5877 Washington Blvd. PO Box 5591 | Arlington, VA 22205 | Toll Free: 866-961-6988
BOB WHISTLER
DISTRICT 3
Bozho ginwa (Hello everyone),
With the combining of the October and November Hownikan, my planned November article that is in the December Hownikan advised of a continuation. So here is my supplement.
PTOD (9/18-9/23) CONTINUED
As mentioned in last months’ article, we started our trip in Indiana and thereafter traveled through Illinois, Missouri and ended the trip in Kansas. There were 79 locations visited.
As we drove through Indiana and Illinois, we were in some very beautiful, forested areas. Our ancestors’ trip tended to stay close to both water and forest where possible. This allowed for the needed hydration and provided the opportunity to do some hunting for meals along with firewood for cooking and heat as needed.
We also ventured past many farmland fields of corn and soybeans in Illinois and Missouri.
Some of my memorable events were a stop at the Tippecanoe County Historical Association in Lafayette, Indiana. There, we were treated to viewing original works in the George Winter collection. His artwork is published in the book Indians and a Changing Frontier: The Art of George Winter. A very worthwhile stop!
Another museum we visited was the Illinois State Museum where we were briefed on the Potawatomi Settlement in the Kankakee River Valley. They had many artifacts that we were able to view. As a side note, they had a huge Aztec basket measuring over 4 feet high and about 3 feet in diameter that was over 100 years old. They advised it had held grain, possibly corn. The basket had been held by a local family through many generations, and they chose to give it to the museum since that would allow others to see it.
The next major thing that comes to mind was our stop in Quincy, Illinois, where we arrived in the very late afternoon. On the western edge of the city, we drove across what most likely at one time was a railroad bridge to a small island. Once there, the locals had some entertainment and provided our evening meal. We were treated to another nation’s ceremonial dance, and the leader of the dancers presented each of us with a gift. The gift was a handcrafted necklace, and we were briefed on the significance of each of the elements of the necklace. The shell represents water. The small dark colored item on the necklace cord inside the shell is clay and represents mother earth. The cord is made of braided sinew and the knot is sealed with a flame representing fire. And finally, the cord being circular in nature represents the circle of life. I have included a photo of the necklace.
As we approached Moberly, Missouri, our stop was at a site that our leader, George Godfrey, advised that it had no marker or plaque. I had packed tobacco, sage and my eagle fan for the trip. I suggested to George that we bless this site for the future and he agreed. I was able to light the sage and used the smoke to bless each member of our group. While doing this each member of our group took a small portion of tobacco in their left hand. Then the tobacco was offered in prayer to the Creator and George said a prayer for the blessing and ceremony. I’ve included a photo of George and me at the site.
I have many more memories and urge you to consider making the trip when it is held again in 2028. It will certainly offer you good memories and an understanding of what our ancestors encountered on their fateful trip.
Nagech (Later),
Bob Whistler | Bmashi (He Soars) | rwhistler@potawatomi.org | cpn3legislator@yahoo.com | 1516 Wimberly Ct. | Bedford, TX 76021 | 817-229-6271 | cpndistrict3.com
JON BOURSAW
DISTRICT 4
Happy New Year
Peggy and I hope each of you had a joyful and safe holiday season.
Teaching and Learning About American Indians in Kansas Schools
Previously I mentioned that I had been asked to serve on the Kansas Academic Council for Indigenous Education (KACIE). The KACIE has joined with the Kansas Department of Education to work toward expanding the teaching and learning about American Indians in Kansas schools. KACIE met frequently over the past several months with the Kansas tribes. However, in December KACIE met in Oklahoma with tribes that had a historical presence in Kansas prior to being relocated to Oklahoma but have tribal members with children attending Kansas public schools. Obviously, that includes those CPN members living in Kansas. The goal of the KACIE is to have Native American studies included in the curriculum for all Kansas public schools grades 1 through 12 within a few years. Proposed topics for this Native American curriculum include tribal histories and geographies; governance, sovereignty, and citizenship; and language, art and literature. A few states have Indigenous Education Programs in their schools, but unfortunately most states have none, including Kansas.
Upcoming CPN Elders’ Potlucks
The dates for the next two Elder Potlucks held in Rossville at noon are:
January 12 | Variety of Soups | RSVP by the 9th
February 9 | Baked Crack Chicken and rolls | RSVP by the 6th
Please RSVP to Tracy at 785-584-6171.
KEEP Funding for K-12 Students in Kansas
The Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP) is for students/families that reside in Kansas. It provides financial assistance to eligible students with $1,000 for approved educational resources. This includes such items as school supplies, laptops or tablets, tutoring, instrument and vocal lessons, instrument purchase or rental and language classes. Tuition, school, and sports related fees are not eligible under this program.
Parents and guardians who earn 300% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for the program.
The student must be a resident of Kansas, currently enrolled in a Kansas school (public, private or home school) and at least 5 years old as of Aug. 13, 2023, or 18 years or younger as of May 31, 2024. (Students may be above 18 with proof of enrollment.)
Students are qualified for the program if their family is enrolled in or qualifies for SNAP or FDRIP food programs.
If you are not familiar with this program, I strongly encourage you to contact your child’s school for particulars on how to make purchases, pay any fees, etc. Do not make any expenditures without assurance that it qualifies under this program. (keep.ks.gov)
Presentation of Three Quilts of Valor
At the October District meeting held in Rossville three Citizen Potawatomi veterans were recognized for their military service and each was presented with a Quilt of Valor.
The honored veterans were:
Steven Rhodd: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army (Retired) | Dates of Service: Jan. 2000 to Sept. 2022
Primary Duty: Intelligence and Sniper | Overseas Service: Afghanistan
Mark Mulanax: Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force & Kansas Air National Guard | Dates of Service: Sept. 1986 to May 2018
Primary Duty: Avionics | Overseas Service: Saudi Arabia, Europe, Japan, Qatar,
Matthew Hogan: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserve & Kansas Air National Guard
Dates of Service: Nov. 1999 to April 2015 | Primary Duty: Military Police
Overseas Service: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Afghanistan, Iraq
These Quilts of Valor were made by a quilting group based in Linwood, Kansas, led by Peggy Pistora, a Navarre family descendant.
Megwetch (Thank you),
Jon Boursaw | Wetase Mkoh (Brave Bear) | jon.boursaw@potawatomi.org | 2007 SW Gage Blvd. | Topeka, KS 66604 | 785-608-1982 | Office Hours: Tuesday 9-11 a.m. | Thursdays 3-5 p.m. | Other times as requested
GENE LAMBERT
DISTRICT 5
Bozho (Hello),
What a wonderful turnout and group of CPN members in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Nov. 4, 2023.
We have had meetings there before, but this was by far the best attended and most active as we look forward to the future.
We had great Indian fry bread, for starters, and a table fit for the “Chief.” In my opinion, that in itself is worth the meeting.
The Pueblo people were very entertaining and hospitable as they have been in the past, exceeded only by the guided museum tour sharing likenesses and differences in culture.
Our meeting began with the spreading of cedar and a beautiful opening prayer by Bob Hoy.
On Nov. 4, we also had a naming for two of our distinguished members: Robert and Dennis Hoy.
As usual, Justin Neely and Robert Collins from the Language Department are always there for backup when you need language assistance. Fortunately, we have the greatest department support with CPN of any nation.
Following tradition, we gifted our wisest, who was Dennis Hoy, and the youngest, Susanna Basappa.
When you start to see some of these pictures, it may seem a little confusing as the youngest was also a sponsor in the naming for Robert and Dennis Hoy.
During the naming, we went through the normal proceedings of a naming and why we continue the process, as did our ancestors. Many had never attended the ceremony.
I feel like I need to say thank you to our Creator for 2023 and the many gifts it has brought us. Yes, there were challenges, but we are here to do more and better in 2024 with the help and assistance of the Creator.
As you make your New Year’s resolutions, remember to put the Creator first, family and loved ones next, then your work or profession that calls you. Remember it all manifests through you.
Time will pass you, each day will challenge you, but Lord willing, your loved ones will be there to help you through or celebrate your successes.
Let’s let go of the past and know it is “A NEW DAY.” Celebrate the ability to love another day. Here comes 2024, your year.
Love you all,
Gene Lambert (Eunice Imogene Lambert) | Butterfly Woman | lambert@potawatomi.org | 270 E Hunt Highway Ste 229 | San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 | Cell: 480-228-6569 | Office: 480-668-0509
Rande Payne
District 6
Bozho Nikanek (Hello friends),
I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season and your New Year is off to a great start. It seems a little strange to be talking about October in January, but I want to make sure I cover our District 6 and 7 Fall Festival. This year’s event had a good mix of first-time attenders and folks that have attended more than once.
There is never a shortage of things to share as there are so many good things happening at CPN. The list covered at the gathering is too long to recap in this column. Because the FY 2024 budget had recently been finalized, it was included in the agenda, and I’ll use it as an overview. Hopefully, folks gained a better understanding of the variety of revenue streams and how those resources are utilized to keep our Tribe moving forward. One of our most vital sources of revenue are our enterprises or Tribally-owned businesses. A breakdown of how our enterprises are performing was included in the discussion. We can all be proud of our Nation’s results and the people who work hard every day to make it happen.
Out of the budget discussion came the question of why we don’t provide per capita payments to our Tribal members as many of the California tribes do. For perspective, if you used our casino profits for per capita payments to only Tribal members in District 6, you might be able to give about $1,000 a month. But what about the other 38,000 Tribal members across the country? And you would most likely have to end scholarships and other benefits and services CPN provides its citizens. Even if those over the age of 18 received per capita payments, it would still not be feasible. The best thing that came out of the discussion was creating the awareness of the benefits and services CPN does have available. Many were unaware and now have the knowledge of what’s available and how to gain access.
In our attempt to better understand what attendees would like to see at future events, Representative Johnson and I asked for feedback from those in attendance. There was a wide range of interests, and we will do our best to organize future meetings that include what our constituents are most interested in.
As is tradition, special recognition was given to our wisest (oldest) Tribal member, the youngest (future of our Tribe), and farthest traveled. All three were presented with a special gift from the Tribe.
Our wisest in attendance was Mary Boland. Mary is a Melott descendant from Visalia in District 6. Mary and her daughter Valerie McKee have attended nearly all our joint District 6 and 7 events. Mary said she knew that if she hung around long enough, she would eventually get a blanket! Mary and Valerie are such sweet spirits, and we enjoy seeing them every year.
Our youngest was Everly Ann Abbott, from Napa in District 7. Her parents are Caymus and Shauna Abbott. Caymus is a Rhodd descendant.
Our farthest traveled was Danna Barron from Spring Valley in District 6. Danna is also a Melott descendant. Ironically, Danna discovered that she was related to Mary Boland and Valerie McKee at one of our previous gatherings. They have gotten to know each other quite well and Danna now stays with Mary and Valerie when she comes up for the gathering. Good stuff!
Well, that about does it for this time around.
Wisdom from the Word: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Nagetch (Later),
Rande K. Payne | Mnedo Gabo | rande.payne@potawatomi.org | 31150 Road 180 | Visalia, CA 93292-9585 | 559-999-5411
Mark Johnson
District 7
Bozho nikanek (Hello friends),
On October 21, District 7 held a joint meeting with District 6. The future of the Tribe blanket was given to Everly Abbott from District 7. Her parents are Caymus and Shauna Abbott. Everly is a Rhodd descendant.
Hope and eternal optimism are two things that should be found in every new year. I know that I have held onto those throughout my 60 something trips around the sun and will continue to. But I also recognize that for many, those thoughts are out of reach at the moment. I’m not sure what happened to the world I was fortunate enough to grow up in; if you are over the age of 30, you kind of maybe know what I mean. If you are over the age of 60, you definitely know what I mean. We ain’t in Mayberry anymore. Feel free to look that up on Wikipedia. You know, that internet page that took the place of the encyclopedia books we could read when we were growing up. I figured it out pretty late in life, I really don’t need to know anything, I can just Google nowadays and it will tell me everything I didn’t need to know, and it’s on the internet so it has to be true. Right? Satire can be good for the soul. It helps in a world where it seems that everyone is offended by everything and hate seems to be the guiding principle that a good number of people seem to live by. I spent all of my professional career in the fire service, dealing with people, many on the worst day of their life. It didn’t matter to me what color they were, nor how much money they had, if they wore nice clothes, what side of the tracks they lived on, or anything else that you could choose to characterize somebody with. If you are injured, we all bleed the same, we all breathe the same air, and they were just glad that Roy and Johnny showed up to give them the help they deserved (you might need to Google that).
So I hope that one of your New Year’s resolutions involves tolerance of those that are different than ourselves, that kindness will fill your heart in place of hate, and that you will not charge your smartphone at least one day a week. I know it will be touch and go, but I promise you will live after not seeing that cute dog video the same second it was posted on your favorite unsocial media platform.
But if the need to charge your phone becomes too strong, at least do something useful with it and start planning your trip to attend the Family Reunion Festival in Shawnee from June 28 to June 30, 2024. You can also use it to connect with your family and talk, that lost art form, and you might just learn something about your family heritage that Google doesn’t know.
Once again, I would like to say what an honor it is to serve you as your District 7 Legislator. As always give me a call and I will be happy to work with you on any questions you may have or provide you with additional information you may need to access Tribal benefits that are available. Please also take the time to give me a call or send me an email with your contact information so that I can keep you informed of the happenings within the Nation and District.
Migwetch (Thank you),
Mark Johnson | Wisk Mtek (Strong as a Tree) | 559-351-0078 | mark.johnson@potawatomi.org
DAVE CARNEY
DISTRICT 8
Bozho, nikan (Hello, friend),
It’s hard to believe that we are turning the calendar page to January 2024!
I can remember preparing my business and my personal finances for the Y2K projected shutdown. For those reading this who are not “elders,” Y2K was when, on Jan. 1, 2000 (midnight to be exact), major systems such as power, telecommunication and the grid, as it existed then, were supposed to shut down due to computer codes not being able to continue to work properly after 1999. This was also known as the millennium bug — many computer programs only allowed two digits (e.g., 99 instead of 1999). As a result, there was immense panic that computers would be unable to operate at the turn of the millennium when the date descended from “99” to “00.”
Even looking in the rear-view mirror, it is hard to determine how much catastrophe was averted by the many hours and dollars spent addressing this issue or if there really wasn’t much there. This is not dissimilar to building a bomb shelter in the 1950s.
I can clearly remember hosting a New Year’s Eve gathering at my home for neighbors as we nervously awaited the calendar change — and here we all are 24 years later. I am hoping for an even less eventful transition this year.
If you haven’t taken a tour around potawatomiheritage.com in a while, I’d highly recommend it. Click on the Resources tab to access Ancestors. Under the Resources tab, there is a wealth of information about YOUR founding family. Some parts are more developed than in the past and it’s definitely worth a look. The possible place to go from the Resources tab include: Allotments, Ancestors, Archives, Family Banners and Family Manuscripts, to name a few. The Allotments tab, for example, can lead you to your family’s historic land holdings from the 1872 and 1887 process. Additionally, using the little Google maps avatar, you can place yourself at the location and take a look around (through Google Earth technology) and see where your family lived and worked the land. Imagine what your ancestors would think of this being possible! Other ancestry treasures found here are family manuscripts and family banners. I am sharing mine (Juneau/Vieux) here as examples.
With a nominal interest in genealogy, I really like having the Nation as the holders of this information. From doing a bit of work on other branches of my family tree, I can attest to the difficulty of painting an accurate picture sometimes. It seems pretty common to write family members out of obituaries and family trees. It’s less common, but not unusual, to see non-biological family members listed as offspring.
In 2024, I plan on a summer event in the general area of the Idaho panhandle in an effort to bring together Citizen Potawatomi from Eastern Washington, Idaho and parts of Montana. I will be sending out more details through e-mail and the closed District 8 Facebook page as details firm up.
If you are a member of District 8 in the Dakotas, Minnesota or Iowa I would especially like to hear from you and get your contact information. Tribal Rolls does not and will not share your information with the legislators. Please reach out to me!
As always, it is my honor to serve as your legislator,
Dave Carney | Kagashgi (Raven) | dcarney@potawatomi.org | 520 Lilly Road, Building 1 | Olympia, WA 98506 | 360-259-4027