Many people view owning a strong, fruitful business as the epitome of success. December is National Write a Business Plan Month, and Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation staff look forward to helping Native Americans begin the journey of becoming business owners through resources and assessments – including tips on how to write a strong business plan.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation received a $60,000 Tribal Heritage Grant to pursue research and restoration at the historic and sacred site of Uniontown Cemetery near Rossville, Kansas. The funds will be used to repair crumbling stone walls and gravestones at the cemetery and to conduct ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys of the area to confirm the location of a mass burial site where several Potawatomi ancestors are believed to have been buried following a cholera outbreak at Uniontown in 1849.
This month’s Executive and Legislative columns discuss the stakes of the on-going U.S. Supreme Court case, Brackeen v. Haaland; the Nation’s impact in the local community; recent District meetings; and thoughts and well wishes for the new year.
The Tribe’s partnership with the county on critical area infrastructure recently brought phase one of an improvement project on Hardesty Road to completion.
The December 2022 Veterans Report highlights a growing CPN Veterans Organization membership and the December 6 Christmas Dinner.
Following a career of activism leading to the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Opal Lee’s next project is a National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, TX. Keen to tell the story of emancipation from every perspective, Lee visited Tribal headquarters in August to discuss the unique history of slavery and emancipation in Indian Territory.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation House of Hope received a $200,000 federal grant to help raise community awareness about domestic violence. It was one of only five programs in Oklahoma to receive the U.S. Indian Health Service funds.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s FireLodge Children & Family Services welcomed DeAnna Voeks as its new foster care and adoption specialist in June 2022.
The CPN House of Hope held their very first Color Fun Run last month to kick off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The 1K race provided information to participants about what domestic violence is, who is affected, and what services can be offered to provide safety and prevent future abuse.
The November 2022 Language Department update highlights a recent seven-week beginner language class taught by Department staff, new partnerships with colleges to teach the Potawatomi language and the numerous resources available online for those who wish to study Bodéwadmimwen.