Hownikan Podcast: March 2022

This episode explores Potawatomi spring traditions, visits the Potato Dance World Championship and shines a light on Epilepsy Awareness Day.

CPCDC staff help clients raise credit scores, meet goals

March is National Credit Education Month. The Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation guides CPN tribal members and employees at no cost as they build their credit, helping them to reduce interest rates, qualify for home loans and accomplish their financial goals.

Mnokme (spring) months named for bountiful changes

Potawatomi recognize mnokme, or spring, as the beginning of our new year when the snow began to melt after the harsh winter around the Great Lakes. After sub-freezing temperatures forced communities into smaller groups to survive, they returned to communal life. Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Center Director Dr. Kelli Mosteller believes spring showed hope after difficult cold months.

Maintaining fitness goals in 2022 despite challenges

Many people start a new year with self-improvement and fitness goals in mind. However, the cold weather often puts a chill on motivation. There are still several ways to maintain your fitness momentum into 2022.

New online genealogy tool provides information, builds family trees

Ancestors, a platform to research family history, allows Tribal members to learn about and share information on their ancestral family. Tribal member Dennis Johnson began working on his family history 25 years ago. While looking through the “Family Manuscripts” section of his family’s records, Johnson found something interesting about his relative Joshua E. Clardy, born in 1835, who took an allotment in Indian Territory after the Treaty of 1861. He was issued the first land certificate from the federal government.

Veterans report March 2022

This month’s veterans report discusses CPN Veterans Organization meetings, as well as issues of harassment faced by active-duty military personnel and veterans. Resources for anyone experiencing harassment are listed in the report.

Students learn about, influence Tribe through PLP

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Potawatomi Leadership Program brings together a cohort of eight to 10 young Tribal members for a six-week summer internship designed to help students discover meaningful connections with their family and history. This year’s PLP is scheduled for Friday, June 10, 2022, to Saturday, July 23, 2022. Applications are open through April 1, 2022, at plp.potawatomi.org.

Lewis family history

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Center provides resources to keep the Tribe’s history safe and accessible for generations to come. One key way the Nation does this is through the CHC’s archives and video interviews. The Hownikan features histories of founding families each month. This article traces Wesley Lewis through freight hauling and service in the U.S. Army to his family’s impact on the establishment of present-day Wanette, Oklahoma.