Every year at the CPN Family Reunion Festival, the Nation honors a group of families that moved to Oklahoma and eventually formed the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. The 2024 Honored Families are Darling, Hardin, Higbee, Levier, Lewis, Nadeau, Negahnquet, Pambogo and Smith.
The 2023 Family Reunion Festival saw many entries for its art contests, with pieces ranging from beading to woodwork and sketches to sculptures. Laura Hewuse took first place in the professional category of the adult art competition for her “Two Brothers, One Nation” hand-beaded bandolier bags.
This year’s Family Reunion Festival at the end of June brought activities back in-person for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. One of the major attractions for the weekend was the craft classes held in the Cultural Heritage Center. Tribal members gathered around tables to learn how to make hand drums, moccasins, sew applique, fashion corn husk dolls, do loom beading, fashion beaded bandoliers and so much more.
In this very special episode, we’re celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the opening of Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Eagle Aviary this June, which allowed visitors in for the first time Family Reunion Festival weekend in 2012.
Experienced dancers and Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal members Tesia Zientek and Randy Schlachtun joined Hownikan Podcast for a refresher on powwow etiquette ahead of the 2022 Family Reunion Festival.
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s 2020 Tribal elections will continue as scheduled through in-person and absentee ballots, despite the cancelation of Family Reunion Festival.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation holds annual elections for Tribal government positions. The 2020 ballot includes two legislative seats and the annual Tribal budget.
During this episode, we’ll learn the basics of handgames played every year at Family Reunion Festival, practice with CPN’s women’s drum group, and meet the 2019 Potawatomi Leadership Program class.
During Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Potawatomi Leadership Program, the 10 college students chosen to experience the Tribe in a six-week, crash course internship learn a substantial amount about Potawatomi culture and businesses.
The annual powwow is the main event of Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s summertime Family Reunion Festival. Several powwow rules regarding clothing, personal space and dancing exist. Knowing these expectations makes participating more comfortable and fun.