The force of the storms that tore through central Oklahoma in the last week has been exceeded by the response from locals and out-of-staters alike. In the aftermath of the tornado that struck the Little Axe and Shawnee Twin Lakes area, Pottawatomie County residents and those from surrounding areas began to flood local aid Read More »
Many Native American tribes recognize the significance of the medicine wheel, the colors and directions that are associated with them. For the Potawatomi, the East is the direction of new beginnings and life, and signifies springtime. It is associated with the color yellow and the Potawatomi medicine of sema (tobacco). As an elder once said, Read More »
After centuries of mismanagement and abuse at the hands of the federal government, the 1978 passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act was a significant step in the right direction. Congress’ passage of the law sought to curb the high percentage of Native American children being removed from their homes under dubious circumstances. According to Read More »
Firelake Designs will be donating proceeds from this “Oklahoma Strong” t-shirt to the tragedy relief funds in Pottawatomie County. The shirts are $16 and will be printed on white or grey t-shirts. There will be a CPN Seal printed as a back tag. When placing your orders please direct your phone calls and emails to Read More »
Citizen Potawatomi Nation and Cherokee Nation have partnered to monitor the air quality near CPN headquarters in Shawnee. The data collected will help determine if pollutant levels in the air around Shawnee are a cause for concern. “Ground-level ozone, or smog, is a potentially harmful air pollutant,” said Cody Braun, Environmental Coordinator, CPN. “Because the Read More »
Citizen Potawatomi Nation contributed $5,000 to the American Red Cross in Pottawatomie County to assist with the disaster relief efforts after an E F-4 tornado damaged hundreds of homes and left residents without a place to live. “This donation is greatly appreciated and will go so far to meet the needs in the Shawnee and Read More »
Citizen Potawatomi Nation staff worked Sunday afternoon, evening and through the night helping victims of a tornado that ripped through Pottawatomie County. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Police Department had officers assisting other agencies in rescue efforts. “We called in extra units, it was all-hands on deck,” said Jim Collard, CPN police chief. “We’re doing anything Read More »
As the Family Reunion Festival approaches, CPN members from across the country will descend on the old tribal grounds south of Shawnee, Okla. to see family and participate in the festivities. But more than a decade ago, the participation of Potawatomi at the event wasn’t a guarantee. CPN hosted one of the region’s more popular Read More »
One time, long ago, the Creator Mamogosnan flooded the Earth. Original man, known as Wiske, was floating in the water along with all the Earth’s other animals. To stay afloat, they each climbed onto a large log that had been carried by the current. Wiske, tired of hanging onto the log in the cold Read More »