Smith descendant named finalist for 2022 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year

With almost two decades of experience, Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal member and Smith family descendant, Kortni Torralba was named one of 12 finalists for 2022 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She brings a unique skill set and outlook to her position as a therapeutic educator at Moore Alternative School and Treatment.

Connections between Potawatomi and Kickapoo endure

Once neighbors in the Great Lakes region prior to colonial contact, the Potawatomi and Kickapoo people have a great deal in common. These connections have been seen in food, housing and other customs, extending even to ancestors.

District 7 Election: Candidate Q&A

District 7 candidates respond to the questions “what kind of future do you envision for Citizen Potawatomi Nation?” and “What makes you qualified to be a CPN legislator?”

Language Update: April 2022

The April language update recaps the Winter Storytelling Event held in March, and tells about maple syruping, a process traditionally undertaken in April.

More Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners needed to meet critical community need

There is currently an emergency shortage of SANE nurses to adequately support our state’s prevalence of sexual assault. CPN’s House of Hope, which supports domestic violence victims, is partnering with local colleges to provide information about this vital care. Pottawatomie County nurses and nursing students are invited to take part in a series of training sessions to learn the role of a SANE nurse and steps to SANE certification.

CPN’s House of Hope recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This April marks the 21st nationally recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month, building on many years of advocacy that has impacted community awareness, support services for assault survivors, and state and federal policy. Kayla Woody, prevention and education specialist at CPN’s House of Hope, sat down with the Hownikan to talk about the importance of SAAM, ongoing advocacy and education.

Language update: March 2022

This month’s update from CPN Language Department Director Justin Neely discusses the winter storytelling event held in March and tells the story of Wiske mine Zisbakwet (Wiske and Maple Syrup).

Epilepsy Awareness Day provides education for seizure prevention, safety

March 26, 2022, is Epilepsy Awareness Day, and more than 51,000 Indigenous people live with the disorder in the United States, according to the Epilepsy Foundation of America. Epilepsy affects more than 3.4 million Americans, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making it the fourth most common neurological disorder. Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services Primary Care Physician Dr. Patrick Kennedye treats and guides patients as part of their team of doctors, and sat down with the Hownikan to talk about epilepsy diagnosis, safety and treatment.

Nadeau family history

The Nadeau family, from its beginnings in France, to its early years in Michigan, overcame unfathomable challenges in Kansas and Oklahoma. From these foundations, they have built a rich legacy for their descendants and generations yet to come.