By day, she works at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Center as production assistant, but by night, she makes a name for herself in the fashion world. Native American apparel designer Leslie Deer has been building her fashion line for 20 years, applying traditional Muscogee designs in her contemporary womenswear collections. “My mother was Read More »
When longtime Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett discusses his tenure at the tribe, first as tribal administrator and then as tribal chairman, he often mentions the decrepit state of the Nation’s finances when he began working at the tribe in the 1980s. Appointed as tribal administrator in 1983, he came to work to find a Read More »
INSPIRE Pre-College Program is a part of the Native American Political Leadership Program held at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and originated as a digital campaign to promote graduation among Native high schoolers. Hundreds of students apply each year and approved enrollees are selected based on an essay, the student’s GPA and a letter Read More »
A Citizen Potawatomi was among those honored for his work in journalism at this year’s Oklahoma Press Association awards gala. Rodney Haltom is a sports editor for two publications based near his hometown of Eufaula, Oklahoma. When not writing poetry and songs, the Navarre family descendent writes, edits and photographs for Eufaula Indian Journal and Read More »
Dorothy Scarborough, a 17-year-old rising high school senior in New York City and a Citizen Potawatomi, recently attended College Horizons, a weeklong residential college access program. This program is dedicated to increasing the number of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students succeeding in college and graduate programs. In June, Dorothy attended the East Read More »
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s annual Family Reunion Festival provides an opportunity for members who may have recently gained tribal citizenship to get a firsthand experience at the tribe’s largest Citizen Potawatomi event. One such member was Michael Harmon, a professional photographer who was on hand to shoot and experience his very first Festival. Harmon is originally Read More »
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Aviary had several surprise visitors at the aviary since January; unfortunately, none of them were Wadasé Zhabwé. She continues to wear her telemetry and she has spent the majority of this year in an area southeast of Chickasha, Oklahoma, between Tabler and Alex in Grady County on the Washita River. Last month, Read More »
When it comes to describing Native American land, a common assumption might be to call it a reservation. However, depending on how land is divided and governed makes reality a bit more complicated. Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal historic preservation officer Kelli Mosteller, Ph.D., says there are many misconceptions around what is considered reservation land and Read More »
Given the nature of the world today, where governments, businesses and average consumers are under threat from cybertheft and hacking, Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s information technology department plays a vital role in security for the tribe, its people and its customers. One longtime department employee and tribal member, Christopher Abel, has climbed the ladder at CPN Read More »
Editor’s note: September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Hownikan spoke with Dr. Glenna Stumblingbear-Riddle about suicide, how it impacts our community, warning signs, prevention and how and where to find help. What do you do with Citizen Potawatomi Nation? What inspired you to become involved? “I am the director of behavioral health and outreach Read More »