Members of the Pambogo family were among the Potawatomi leaders who insisted the U.S. government recognize the rights of Potawatomi women to control their land holdings. This action would help create a foundation for future generations of Potawatomi.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Center provides resources to keep the Tribe’s history safe and accessible for generations to come. To highlight some of the archive’s holdings, the Hownikan is featuring photographs and family history of every founding Citizen Potawatomi family. Read the Negahnquet family history here.
The Nadeau family helped establish St. Marys mission and later were among the first Citizen Potawatomi to settle in Indian Territory.
Guest columnist Minisa Crumbo Halsey writes about the Anishnabé Creation Story which tells us many stories of our relations, the Star Beings, and the Star Being Constellation, Mno Mko, visible in the summer sky.
Whether Tribal members attending the Family Reunion Festival want to learn how to research family history, work on creating items for their regalia or even take a tour of the CPN Eagle Aviary, there are plenty of opportunities to explore Potawatomi culture.
Each year at the Family Reunion Festival, the Cultural Heritage Center hopes to add to its collection of heritage interviews with Tribal members. This year, staff at the CHC is also implementing a new tech incentive program for members to conduct interviews online.
Under the direction of interdepartmental Potawatomi language lead Robert Collins, Citizen Potawatomi Nation students from the Tribe’s Child Development Center performed at the 21st annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair in the spoken poetry category, receiving first place.
Intertwined with the Bergeron family history, the Lewis family history is one of endurance and leadership in the face of removal. Wesley Lewis worked to establish the first schoolhouse, post office and cemetery near present-day Wanette, Oklahoma, and his descendants continued to develop infrastructure in the area, serve as community leaders and preserve Potawatomi history.
Come and go sewing class at the CPN Cultural Heritage Center! This class is for all levels. Join us to share your knowledge and learn from others.
Bead and Tea: a come and go beading class at the CPN Cultural Heritage Center! This is a class for all levels. Join us to drink tea and share your knowledge or learn from others.