Earlier this year, Citizen Potawatomi Nation District 12 Legislator Paul Schmidlkofer spent several weeks working on the set of the Peabody Awards-winning show Reservation Dogs as they filmed season two. The comedy-drama created by Seminole Nation citizen Sterlin Harjo tells the story of four Indigenous teenagers growing up in rural Oklahoma and their efforts to determine their futures.
On June 17, 2022, Citizen Potawatomi Nation and the Dunbar Heights Community of Shawnee, Oklahoma, held a VIP reception in honor of Juneteenth. The partnership works to acknowledge the historical ties between Native tribes and slavery, repair the historical divides between Native American and Black communities, and pave the way toward a more just and equitable future.
The 2022 Potawatomi Leadership Program class traveled from across the country to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation this summer to live on property owned by the Tribe for six weeks and learn about CPN, its culture, government and services. This year’s class consists of 10 members — meet them now!
The August 2022 Language Department update highlights important moments from the 2022 Family Reunion Festival and an exciting new partnership with Google.
The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival received the Outstanding Event award during the 2022 RedBud Awards, hosted by the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. For the past 25 years, the RedBud Awards have recognized Oklahoma’s top tourism attractions, events, programs and organizations for their outstanding efforts to serve and promote Oklahoma’s tourism industry, according to the OTIA website.
CPN District Legislators’ August 2022 columns.
Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett and Tribal Vice-Chairman Linda Capps’ August 2022 columns.
In the fall of 2021, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Department of Education announced the launch of a new leadership program open to any Tribal member over the age of 18 residing anywhere in the United States. Through virtual sessions held once a week, the 29 members of the inaugural class learned about the government, culture and economic development of the Tribe and participated in talking circles with other CPN members to foster community and belonging.
Lakisha Meade, CPCDC Grants and Finance Coordinator, writes about the success Tribal member Michelle Whitson and husband Trent have experienced with their Stroud, Oklahoma, business called The Treasure Box through the CPDCDC’s assistance.
This month’s language update highlights the Language Department’s work with summer interns, efforts towards creating several children’s books and upcoming course developments.