FireLake Wellness Center celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Its doors opened on Oct. 3, 2003, with the mission to “provide professionally designed and responsibly supervised physical fitness activities for Native Americans.” The center continues to provide high-quality health and wellness services to the community, and the staff hopes to for years to come.
CPN Human Resources Director Richard Brown outlines workplace trends throughout the U.S. and within CPN, and the diversity of age groups employed by the Tribe.
CPN member Lauren Hardin and her husband, Matthew Hardin, decided to start their own business in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, with the goal of working for themselves and having flexibility. With support from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Community Development Corporation, they are optimistic about the future.
To highlight some of the Cultural Heritage Center archive holdings, the Hownikan is featuring photographs and family history of every founding Citizen Potawatomi family. The Tescier family ancestors were front row witnesses to history and the birth of what would become Oklahoma. They lived through the Land Run, endured the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, and have served as elected officials of the CPN government and holders of cultural teachings over many generations.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation led a training session about the HPV vaccination July 19 in the Cultural Heritage Center Long Room. CPN Public Health Coordinator Laney Shutler said the morning talk about the HPV vaccine is just the first of a series, with more topics to follow on a quarterly basis.
There are many barriers to safety in an abusive relationship, including difficulties finding basic needs like housing and the financial stability to meet those needs. CPN House of Hope prevention specialist Kayla Woody outlines legal protections in Oklahoma that can help.
FireLake Golf is ready to welcome new golfers and show off its latest improvements, including a global positioning system. Additionally, several new catch basins allow the staff to more efficiently move water off the course, allowing play to resume more quickly after rain.
The September update from the CPN Language Department highlights the first-of-its-kind master apprentice program that took place during the summer of 2023, as well as fall semester offerings in schools and online.
The Hownikan spoke with four FireLodge employees to learn more about what they do and how FireLodge serves the CPN community. Cortney Newell is the Indian Child Welfare comprehensive case manager. Nancy Jasna works as an Indian Child Welfare case manager. Heather Calton serves FireLodge as the family preservation coordinator. Desiree Pickering, “the money lady,” is a program analyst who works with three different departments.
The September report from the CPN Veterans Organization highlights new mental health benefits available through the U.S. Air Force under the Brandon Act. This month’s Veterans Organization meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 26, 2023