The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Department of Education provides several opportunities for Tribal members and those pursuing academic goals, including a six-week paid internship with the Tribe. To apply for an internship, visit portal.potawatomi.org. This summer, CPN hosted 19 interns. Each of them brought a variety of unique skills, experiences and goals and made valuable contributions during their internships. Here are profiles for some of CPN’s 2024 summer interns.
Abigail Hurst
Majoring in Biology/Pre-med at Oklahoma State University
Abigail, a member of the Choctaw Nation, is a freshmen at OSU who interned with CPN Health Services. She hoped to gain knowledge and experience, as well as to build skills in communication and working with a team. She has an interest in becoming a pediatrician. She also enjoys golf and spending time with family and friends.
Ashlynn Berry
Majoring in Anthropology with a BS in Human Health and Biology at University of Oklahoma
Ashlynn, a sophomore at OU, interned with CPN’s Wellness Center. In addition to getting hands on, clinical experience with physicians and patients, she hoped to gain a better understanding of a different culture than her own. She said she hoped to develop skills in communicating, forming relationships with different types of people, and providing care. Her hobbies and interests include shopping, soccer, baking, gardening and pediatrics.
Brooklyn Moody
Senior at Shawnee High School
Brooklyn, a Cherokee Nation citizen, interned with the Chiropractic department. She hoped to learn more about what it takes to be a chiropractor and how to take care of patients. Brooklyn also enjoys cheering, babysitting and spending time with people she loves.
Titus Wright
Majoring in Biology, Pre-dental at the University of Oklahoma
Titus, a Cherokee tribal member, is a sophomore at OU and interned with Dental. He thought the internship would be an opportunity for himself and to help secure scholarships. He hoped to learn more of the field’s terminology, as well as a better understanding of how dentists determine the correct procedures for their patients. His hobbies include running, playing intramural sports and being outside.
Oona Grace B’geshmode Riley Swartz
Senior at Geffen Academy
Oona, a CPN Tribal member, is a senior at Geffen Academy who interned with Community Development. She hoped to connect with her Native roots, gain valuable life experience, and learn more about the inner workings of the community. Some of her other interests include soccer, tennis, listening to music and spending time with friends.
Lilly Brown
Majoring in Mass Communications Media Production at East Central University
Lilly, a senior, interned with KGFF in hopes of becoming more knowledgeable about the career field she’s considering. She’s worked for CPN since she was 16 and was confident it would be a good place to gain experience and to learn more about radio and to grow more confident talking on air. Lilly is also on her school’s dance team and enjoys drawing graphics and creating music pieces.
Avah Rose Winsakeekago Riley Swartz
Majoring in Ethnicity, Race and Migration at Yale University
Avah, a member of the Pettifer family, is a sophomore and interned with Community Development. She hoped to gain skills in leadership, organization and responsibility. Some of her interests include going to the gym, listening to music, going on walks, traveling and learning languages.
Mio Dykstra
Majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communications and minoring in Japanese at University of Missouri – Columbia
Mio, a member of the Pambogo and Peltier families, is in her senior year and interned with the Public Information Department. She applied for the internship in hopes of getting hands-on experience with her major as well as to give back to her Tribe and community. Mio wanted to develop skills in interviewing, communicating, posting on social media platforms and understanding how the Tribe’s magazine is published. Her interests include being a foodie, working out and playing golf.
Simon Harriet
Graduated in 2024 from Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Simon, a member of the Kaw Nation, is a Wellston High School and Gordon Cooper graduate who interned with the IT department. He hoped to be able to apply the skills he’d learned in the classroom on the field. After his internship, he stayed on with the department as a full-time employee and said he learned a lot about troubleshooting techniques and network configurations and applications. His hobbies include working on his house, hanging out with friends, and playing basketball and video games.
Coalton Reece
Majoring in Cybersecurity at Rose State College
Coalton, a graduate of Tecumseh High School in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, is a college freshman who interned with IT Support. By applying for an internship with CPN, he hoped to gain more experience in the real world and to learn more about fixing unfamiliar devices. His hobbies include playing the guitar and piano, boxing, and playing games.
Other interns include:
Kash Maynard interned with the golf course and is majoring in physics at Fort Lewis College.
Ricardo Salinas interned with the IT Department and graduated from Gordon Cooper Technology Center with a degree in computer networking and telecommunications.
Jared Cheatwood interned with Economic Development and is majoring in international business at Oklahoma Baptist University.
Jocelyn Phelps interned with the Realty Department and is majoring in animal science at Northern Oklahoma College.
Juleah Bauer worked security for CPN and took a six-week break to intern at the Grand Casino, working under the executive chef.
Nicholas Brennan interned with Economic Development and is majoring in Native American studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Olivia Vazquez is a current employee with an interest in marketing, and she interned at FireLake Discount Foods with Nicole Sanchez.
Kyler Aultman interned with the golf course and is majoring in business administration and management at Haskell Indian Nations University.
Learn more about CPN internships at cpn.news/education and apply online at portal.potawatomi.org. Resume and cover letter are required.