CPN child care providers look toward the future

After two years of battling the coronavirus, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Child Development professionals now are optimistically looking toward the future. West Child Care Center Manager Courtney Garza said the past two years challenged employees like never before, but their dedication made the difference.

Language update: October 2022

This month’s update from Language Director Justin Neely provides an update on the children’s book project, online class offerings, and highlights his participation in the 54th annual Algonquian Conference.

Photographer releases legacy project highlighting Tribal members, history

Photographer Sharon Hoogstraten spent twelve years photographing members of the Potawatomi nations across North America dancing in their regalia to create an heirloom book, Dancing for Our Tribe. The book documents Potawatomi regalia as a “current art” while also telling Potawatomi stories of the past and present. She hopes it will inspire tribal members to create their own regalia.

Supreme Court Justice named one of Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Supreme Court Associate Justice Jennifer Lamirand was nominated for the prestigious Oklahoma Magazine 40 Under 40 annual awards. The publication chose her as one of the 2022 honorees in April. Lamirand focuses on tribal and Indigenous law at her employer, Crowe & Dunlevy, and is particularly interested in international law and tribal sovereignty.

Meet the duo helping families heat and cool their homes

CPN Workforce Development and Social Services’ Andrea Smiley and Stephanie McElfresh work together to bring CPN’s LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) benefits to local families. The program served 250 households during the 2022 cooling season.

Veterans report: October 2022

The October 2022 veterans report highlights a new preparatory course pilot program to elevate Army recruits’ fitness and academic standings, and reminds members that this month’s meeting will be held a week earlier than usual, on October 18.

Barrett recognized for leadership at state, national levels

Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett received three awards in 2022 at the state and national level in recognition of his career in public service, belief in servant leadership and decades-long devotion to the expansion of tribal sovereignty across the United States.

CPN offers exciting options for National Field Trip Month

October is National Field Trip Month. Citizen Potawatomi Nation offers area schools and youth groups two options for an exciting experience outside of the classroom at the Cultural Heritage Center and Eagle Aviary.

Celebrate National Taco Day with CPN

Not a traditional Native American food, fry bread originated out of necessity. In the mid-to late-1860s, the United States forcibly removed the Diné people from their ancestral homelands in what is now Arizona to present-day New Mexico. Travelers began making fry bread from the limited rations handed out by the government. Fry bread tacos were reportedly first served in a restaurant in 1964, and have since permeated Indian Country.