HOWNIKAN Kchemkogises | January 2020

Top photo: Bbon (winter) makes its appearance across CPN. Citizen Nation A LOOK INSIDE Page 3 gives back for the holidays New Lease Purchase Program prepares Potawatomi for home As the largest employer in Pottawatomie ownership County, Citizen Potawatomi Nation recognizes the need to give back to Page 9 the community during the holidays. In November 2019, one of CPN’s biggest community partners, the Salvation Army, awarded Vice-Chairman Linda Capps and the Tribe with the Doing the Most Good award. They presented it at the kickoff of the Christmas season’s Angel Tree program for Pottawatomie, Tribal election notice for 2020 Lincoln and counties, hosted at CPN’s First National Bank Page 14 building in , . “Early on in my husband and I’s arrival here in Shawnee, we realized that CPN played a crucial role in the ministry of the Salvation Army here in Shawnee, through your generosity, through your in-kind donations, through so many other ways The Salvation Army and Citizen Potawatomi Nation Vice-Chairman Linda Capps that CPN blesses us,” said Salvation Army host the organization’s annual Angel Tree program kickoff at the First National Bank. Wadasé Zhabwé’s telemetry stuns Captain Stacey Connelly during her experts presentation. “I would hate to think of “We’ve always had the phrase that want us to help the community,” she how we could remain open without CPN.” we want to make a difference in our said. “They don’t want us to stop with Pages 17-23 community, and this is really the main just one project. It’s, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s Enterprises, employees and several way we do that is by giving back,” said see how many people we can help.’” Tribal Executive and departments across the Tribe collect FireLake Discount Foods Director Legislative updates and supply food and gifts through Richard Driskell. “And a lot of times, it’s Workforce collects donations other programs in addition to not giving back in the form of donations. largely from CPN employees, but the Salvation Army every fall. It’s giving back in the form of our time.” community organizations and Page 24 individuals provide groceries as well. Food Walking on The store encourages employees to Volunteers organize baskets with FireLake Discount Foods remains volunteer with charities and community everything for a feast, including meat, one of the Nation’s most charitable organizations, including CPN Workforce potatoes, milk, butter and more. & Social Services. The department enterprises. The staff and leadership Bundy feels a special connection to work with numerous local organizations coordinates its own Thanksgiving and the project. About a decade ago, she and donate to those otherwise Christmas program that provides 200 received a basket before working at the unable to afford a holiday meal. food baskets to families in the area on Nation. Now, she enjoys giving back. both holidays. Intensive and Social They have partnered closely with the Service Counselor Gina Bundy led the “I did really need some help. Single Salvation Army throughout the last drive for the seventh year in 2019. mom, kids at home. Holidays. You can decade, offering storefront space to ring do the math on that. You don’t want to

PR SRT STD PR SRT their signature bells as well as providing “Everybody that works here is so great US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 49 PERMIT admit it. I was working three jobs,” she STIGLER, OK 74462 between 300 and 600 bags of holiday because they support everything we do said. “And then I end up coming to work groceries each year during their drive. as far as community-wise goes. They here and find out what this is all about; I had no idea all this help was here.”

Presents In addition to the Salvation Army Angel Tree, FireLodge Children & Family Services and FireLake Discount Foods sponsored similar programs — a way for children and elders with limited funds to receive Christmas gifts from those with the ability to give. FireLodge connects CPN employees with wish lists for Potawatomi foster children in Oklahoma Department of Human Services or Tribal custody. This year’s 30 kids named specific items and toys they wanted, and the department distributed the wrapped packages across the larger Oklahoma City metro area in time for Christmas. Volunteers organize more than 200 Thanksgiving baskets as part of the CPN Workforce & Social Services’ annual food donations. Continued on page 5 2 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN May selected to lead Indian Child Welfare department Citizen Potawatomi Nation FireLodge the experience DHS provided, the large previous ICW director, really allowed Children & Family Services Director nature of the department and its service me to be such a huge part in rebuilding Ashlee May bases her career on area makes May appreciative of the the ICW team,” May said. “It gives me servant leadership. She held several Nation’s approach to assisting Native chills still to think about that. Being the roles across the Nation, including Americans in need. Having almost all director is actually my dream job, so positions at FireLake Discount Foods facilities and Tribal departments within being able to be a part of this and just and House of Hope, before accepting a small area shows CPN’s dedication see this department get to where it is her current role as director of CPN’s to aiding clients and helps remove today, sometimes all I can say is, ‘Wow.’” Indian Child Welfare department. some potential barriers to success. Since accepting the role, May “I’ve always known that I wanted to “What we can offer Tribal members is has recruited employees with a be a social worker, and I wanted to amazing. Being able to do everything vast array of skills and numerous help families and children,” May in-house here, that is a huge, huge years of on-the-job training. said. “Just having that knack and benefit,” May said. “It can really help urge that God put me on this earth families if they take advantage of “They all just bring this invaluable to be a social worker — I’ve never that, no matter if they are a victim of experience to the table that I think really wanted to be anything else.” domestic violence or if they’re having is so amazing,” May said. issues with child welfare — everything is May joined the CPN workforce as She strives to always be available to really a one-stop-shop because we have her staff, lending aid when and where a 16-year-old at FireLake Discount behavioral health, we have workforce, Caring for CPN families and children Foods. After graduating high school, needed while also continuing to the domestic violence program, the inspires Ashlee May and her staff to go represent CPN children in court, process she accepted two Tribal internships child welfare program and more.” above and beyond their call to service. within the domestic violence and casework, attend home visits and more. ICW departments during college. The close-knit environment at CPN and May and her team strive to keep “I never want to sit behind a desk all day, across all departments means May up-to-date on potential assistance so I still try to be involved,” May said. “I feel so privileged that I got to do both and her team can entrust clients will wherever CPN members reside. of those internships. A lot of fellow receive the highest level of care. In addition to her day-to-day work, May students didn’t have that opportunity, “We always try to find tribal resources regularly reminds her employees of how especially that first one that I did in “We have to remember that most of that are close to them so that they important their work and efforts are domestic violence,” May said. “I really the time, we’re meeting these people can go and maybe get free health care to Potawatomi children and families. feel like it helped me be more definite in on one of the worst days of their or something that can help take that my decision and be able to say. ‘Social lives; whether they’ve been a victim monetary burden off of them,” she said. “This is a really hard job — a very hard work is for me.’ I always lingered on of domestic violence or whether their job. We are making decisions for other that line of being a domestic violence children have been brought into care The ICW department recently began people — for other families, for our worker and being in child welfare. for some reason,” May explained. “We sending CPN foster care children children,” May said. “Sometimes it can Getting those two experiences before have to treat that with sensitivity, and boxes filled with information on their be a very stressful situation, but I always I was actually an employee somewhere being able to say, ‘I know this person Potawatomi heritage. The packets tell them and I tell myself, ‘We’re doing allowed me to weigh my options.” will take care of you. Let me refer you to provide foster families the opportunity the right thing, and that’s all we can do.’” them,’ is really nice for them to hear.” to teach CPN foster children about May accepted a full-time position with their culture with information While some days are difficult, the Nation as a domestic violence For some, sharing traumatic on Tribal history, programming, helping improve family dynamics advocate in 2013. She served the House experiences and stories multiple times language resources and more. and providing oversight and care of Hope — CPN’s domestic violence to multiple agencies causes extra for CPN foster children nationwide department — in several capacities until stress. The robust resources CPN “It just allows them to feel like they inspires each ICW staff member. December 2018 when she transferred provides decreases that number while matter,” May explained. “They want to ICW as an administrative officer. still offering individualized care. to read about it, you know, because “We want our clients to know that some of those out-of-state schools, the Tribe is here for you,” May “I still have a little bit of that advocacy “I’ve been with victims of domestic they’re not taught any Native American said. “You’re a member of this side of me now, even as a child welfare violence, and I’ve been with our history. So they literally know nothing. Tribe, and we care about you.” worker, even though they’re completely children when they’re going through We try to send them these boxes, and two different jobs. I am so grateful that these hard times, and just being we’ve gotten amazing feedback.” For more information about I had those opportunities,” she said. able to help them not relive it, that’s FireLodge Children & Family really nice to us,” May said. Departmental Services, call 405-878-4831 or visit Shortly after college, May worked for the achievements and goals potawatomi.org/firelodge. State of Oklahoma, serving children and However, serving CPN members and their families through the Department of children across the nation remains a key “I feel incredibly blessed and honored that Human Services. Although she enjoyed component of CPN’s ICW department, administration and Janet Draper, the HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 3 New Lease Purchase Program prepares Potawatomi for home ownership The Citizen Potawatomi Nation “This isn’t a fast track to buying a home Housing Department oversees a or even a guarantee that once they’re wide variety of responsibilities in its enrolled, the applicant is going to mission to provide Native Americans own the home. But if they follow the living in the Tribal jurisdiction with program and work on their financial decent, safe and sanitary housing. Staff literacy and reducing their income-to- under Director Scott George operate debt ratio, they will get to that home low-income housing properties while ownership goal faster than waiting for the also managing programs that provide chance to win the lottery,” Byers said. either down payment or closing cost assistance for eligible members. The Lease Purchase Program’s design helps teach the skills of owning a new In that spirit, the CPN Housing home by making the tenants meet a series Department recently rolled out a new of responsibilities over the course of the home ownership program aimed at three-year agreement. Income proof and putting eligible Citizen Potawatomi on ongoing financial education courses are the path to owning a new home. This two main program requirements, while strict three-year leasehold with the option residents will largely be responsible for to purchase will get the applicant into a the day-to-day upkeep of their properties. house sooner so they can experience all Waiting list to a manageable amount while of the accompanying responsibilities. “If it’s a large scale fix, like plumbing, doing their best not to incur any electrical, construction, the housing Once determined eligible and additional debt. The applicant will be “We want to prepare them for home department can help,” George said. creditworthy, the applicant will be placed in contact with the credit counselor ownership,” George said. “A lot of the “But it’s good to have the residents on a waiting list and assessed a point value and CPN Housing Department members we work with can’t go from understand they need to do their own based on several contributing factors: office to report their progress. situations where they have poor credit maintenance, whether that’s changing • Citizen Potawatomi or few monetary resources to putting air filters for HVAC or making small Nation tribal member Lease purchase money down on a new home. There fixes like any other homeowner.” occupancy agreement needs to be some transition time and • Member of another federally- support, and this new Lease Purchase Eligibility recognized tribe When the applicant is well on their Program can assist with that. • Highest-ranking credit score way to achieving their financial goals Program entrance will be determined by: and the eventuality of creditworthiness “We want to increase the applicant’s • Tribal citizenship Client Action Plan is within a few years of fulfillment, financial awareness and help families the applicant may qualify for CPN’s improve their chances of owning • Income eligibility When determined program eligible, the Leasehold Mortgage Program. This their own home,” he added. • Credit, bankruptcy and rental history applicant will enter into a Client Action may be possible before the original Plan that outlines the applicant’s financial • Provable employment security calendar is set if they are within the The homes will be new construction goals, identifies all debts and refers three years of qualifying for a loan and energy efficient, in hopes of Income and credit evaluation the applicant to a counselor who will and a home is available for purchase. lessening some of the cost burden for assist them to create a debt reduction the eventual tenants. The first round CPN Housing Department will plan and provide financial counseling. Homebuyers’ education of the program will produce five run a credit report to evaluate the Financial counselling After an applicant enters into the Lease homes that are three bedroom models applicant’s readiness to enter the Purchase Agreement with the housing created by the Anishinabe Design program. The applicant will be After the evaluation period and within department and is closer to their goals of firm out of Norman, Oklahoma. informed of their immediate status the Life Cents financial education becoming creditworthy, the applicant will and eligibility for the program. George has more than two decades of program, the applicant will receive a enroll in a homebuyer’s education class. prompt to contact a credit counselor with experience working in tribal housing Life Cents programs, witnessing the efficiency the Citizen Potawatomi Community Conventional loan and inefficiencies of different housing Life Cents is a personal financial Development Corporation who will assist the applicant with a plan to map At any time during this program, the programs over the years. One largely education program designed to applicant has the option to apply failed policy is providing housing for understand and improve the applicant’s out how the applicant will reduce their debt load and increase their credit score. and obtain a loan. Should all the someone not prepared to financially and financial health and well-being. Tribal factors align that would quality the materially care for their home. CPN housing will monitor the program and Credit repair and monitoring applicant for a mortgage, the applicant Housing Department Home Ownership ensure the applicant completes the may skip through the process. Manager Sherry Byers worked closely required components and are referred to Throughout this process, the applicant with George and other staffers to craft a a credit counselor. Failure to complete will be repairing their credit by To learn more, contact the CPN workable, useful program that adheres to this program could result in removing making the necessary life adjustments Housing Department at 800-880- federal and tribal housing requirements. the applicant from the waiting list. they need to pay down their debts 9880 or visit cpn.news/housing. 4 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN Stitches through time Once a month, Higbee family CPN language aid. “I was able to point members gather at a Citizen out my father and many other relatives Potawatomi Nation-owned restaurant on the quilt. That was so powerful to me.” to discuss their heritage, Potawatomi culture and build camaraderie. The quilt also serves as a reflection of the Higbee’s dedication to maintaining “We call the group ‘the cousins’ because relationships with one another. we’re all cousins,” said the head of the Higbee family, John Dragoo. “As for my family and I, we have always been very close. I actually live After the October 2019 Higbee on a farm with a large majority of cousins meeting, they gathered at the my family, all of them Higbees as Cultural Heritage Center where Dragoo well,” Marsee explained. “We all bring unveiled a quilt handed down through different talents and blessings to each the family for decades that features other, and every day I am reminded an in-depth Higbee family tree. of how proud I am to be a Higbee.”

“We have a history of togetherness Festival 2020 with the Tribe through common culture and history, and I don’t The Higbees will display the quilt mind reliving it and restoring it and during Family Reunion Festival 2020. taking care of it,” Dragoo said. As an honored family, they will also Decades after its creation, the Higbee quilt offers a unique look into the family’s past. have a meeting during Festival to Although the Higbees once met around build connections and fellowship. the Noble, Oklahoma, area for family Patching history it with new people as they came in and reunions, it has become harder over tried to fill in and update what they “We plan to show the quilt as well as the years to organize annual gatherings. CPN member Gladys Moeller’s had. That was back in the mid-‘70s.” some of the other things that we’ve been After receiving the title as head of the lifetime of research helped the Higbees working on. The family bought me a Higbees, Dragoo began looking for ways develop their family tree, which To raise funds for get-togethers, the new walking stick, and we’ve got several to get everyone together on a regular Elwanda Higbee Moyer used to create Higbees auctioned the quilt and other family members that are working on basis. Since several Higbees reside in the quilt more than 40 years ago. hand-crafted items every year. Organizing shawls and different things,” Dragoo said. the Tribe’s Father Joe Murphey housing, the annual family reunion became too “We want to see what people have done.” meeting near CPN headquarters makes “They worked on it several years at difficult, and the quilt’s whereabouts were it easier for elders to participate. family reunions when we were holding unknown until recently. Today, they are Organizers plan to post specifics on them down at Purcell Lake,” Dragoo able to use it as a reference once again. the Higbee meeting during Festival to “It’s something that we’ve enjoyed a great explained. “There’s a community their family Facebook group at cpn. deal. And for me, it just put me on a building down there that we had a lot “Seeing a physical piece of my family news/higbee. For more information course of learning, or trying to learn, of family reunions. Elwanda would history was absolutely breathtaking,” said on Family Reunion Festival 2020, more about our family history,” he added. come down, and they would work on Ragan Marsee, Higbee descendant and visit cpn.news/festival.

High schooler gains courtroom experience at Harvard In mid-November, Peltier descendant taking an Advanced Placement course Tyler Brassfield attended the Harvard on the subject. He now believes Mock Trial High School Seminar in the importance of studying and Program in Massachusetts. Mock trial understanding the rampant changes is one of his favorites of the many clubs in the earth’s atmosphere and ecology and organizations he participates in over the last 200 years. Brassfield plans at Ada High School in Oklahoma. to become an environmental lawyer. “It’s definitely not an easy task going in “I am super passionate about protecting and arguing a side of a case and proving the environment and also learning how what exactly you’d like to do,” he said. the environment changes and evolves over “And it’s also the procedure. A courtroom time,” he said. “But on the law side of it, is very formal, and learning how to I’d like to do my best to prevent the dete- navigate it is not the easiest thing.” rioration, obviously, of our planet and the climate changing. … I’d like to figure out One of less than 20 students from his school attending, Brassfield received how to live without purging on (animals’) a scholarship from the Citizen environment and degrading their life.” Potawatomi Nation Department of He hopes to complete his bachelor’s Education to help with the registration degree in environmental science at the and travel costs. His parents, in University of Oklahoma and continue particular, appreciated the support. into law school. Part of mock trial’s “They were really, really excited that appeal comes from presenting the facts in I had the opportunity to go there front of practicing attorneys and judges. because they know I’m really passionate Tribal member Tyler Brassfield (bottom, far right) and his classmates explore the “They give us a lot of tips on how to about mock trial and law,” Brassfield greater Boston area to practice their skills in the courtroom and see history. actually prepare the case and build said. “So, I think they’re more excited and make arguments,” Brassfield said. almost than me that I get to go.” or whoever committed a crime, just school career, like The Crucible, it’s really “So, I believe it has helped me get an making sure that they understand the just like a cultural shock,” Brassfield said. He began mock trial as a freshman, extra step on where I would be by the consequences. … I want to try to make which uncovered his niche in roles as time I got to college and law school.” the most difference I can,” Brassfield said. As part of the first mock trial class both prosecutor and defense attorney. from Ada making the trip to Harvard, One of his main career goals revolves The trip included the chance to he thanks CPN for the opportunity “I’ve always had like an attraction to around using that practice to change explore the East Coast and visit new to attend. For more information on proving the rights out of a case, doing others’ mindsets about their impact on places, such as Salem, Massachusetts, the CPN Department of Education, things like that, and thinking quickly on the environment, including companies, where the Salem Witch Trials took visit cpn.news/education. my feet in a courtroom,” Brassfield said. organizations and individuals. place — combining law and history. He also enjoys environmental science, “I really just like finding out whether “Getting to see historical sites that I’ve which he picked up last year while in proving my side, the defendant gotten to learn about over my high Get the Hownikan via email! If you would like your newspaper via email, please send your name and address to [email protected] and let us know. HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 5 Foster Feet helps others walk easier Children in the foster care system could pick out any shoes she wanted. to help others. They enjoy seeing often arrive at their new foster home She picked out these light-up tennis Foster Feet grow into a community with everything they own in one shoes and just spent an hour running effort and are proud of their trash bag, usually just a few pieces around the store because she was so granddaughter for taking on such a of clothing. During the winter, they excited to have a pair of her own.” large project at such a young age. sometimes receive donated coats, but shoes are often not as easily secured. As Anderson wondered if this commonly Her paternal grandmother passed children outgrow them at an extremely occurred among foster kids, and she away at the end of 2016. rapid pace, many foster children visited the Oklahoma Department only own shoes too small for them. of Human Services office of Garfield “She really had a heart for service and County to find out. She quickly noticed encouraged me to make Foster Feet what Tribal member and Oklahoma State a shortage of shoes and clothing. it is today,” Anderson said. “She was one University student Lauren Anderson of my biggest supporters throughout took matters into her own hands to “There’s really no inventory for when a kid it all, and everywhere she went, she help others in worn out or ill-fitting comes into the system for them to be able would tell her friends all about it.” shoes and started the nonprofit Foster to have their own bag of items,” Anderson Feet. Anderson’s maternal grandmother said. “They showed me their storage, and Instead of flowers at her funeral, and Tribal member donated the first there was probably about four or five Anderson’s grandfather asked for Foster Feet Founder and President pair of shoes to Foster Feet. Based out pairs of shoes for 250 children in the donations to Foster Feet, which Lauren Anderson works alongside of Enid, Oklahoma, the organization foster care system for Garfield County.” expanded its stock. Their church, Central family and friends to provide new shoes collects and distributes new pairs of shoes Christian Church, donated space for for children across Garfield County. That Christmas, Anderson organized to children across Garfield County the charity’s inventory and now serves a shoe drive as a competition at as its home base. It runs the annual to happen, it has to be you.’ I think Foster Feet gained nonprofit status school for grades six through 12. Each back-to-school drive each August. that’s probably given me the most in 2015 when she was a high school grade brought different sizes, and the confidence to go on,” Anderson said. sophomore at Oklahoma Bible administration bought an off-campus “We get to honor my grandmother in Academy. To date, the institution meal for the middle school and the high this way and watch Foster Feet grow,” Full circle school class that collected the most. The Anderson said. “Honestly, good comes has handed out more than 3,000 Word of mouth remains the most pairs of shoes and has grown from students donated around 250 pairs — from something bad, like when you lose one for every child in the foster system. a loved one; but something like this that impactful way people learn about serving kids in the foster system to the organization, either to reach out anyone in need, mostly through its for help or to donate. Besides the annual back-to-school shoe drive. church, school counselors let others “It’s really crazy,” Anderson said. “I forget know about its services the most. sometimes that Foster Feet has not been “They can refer students to us that may around very long. The organization only have flip-flops, preventing them has been such a huge part of my life.” from participating in P.E. So, we are The Ford family descendant serves able to provide them with some tennis as the founder and president of the shoes so that they can participate in P.E. organization. When she started college, with their classmates,” Anderson said. others throughout her community During the most recent back- became board members and volunteered to-school drive in August 2019, to fill requests and plan events. Foster Feet distributed its entire “I feel really humbled by being able stock to children in the Enid area, to say that I started this, but it is approximately 960 pairs of shoes. honestly not just my work,” she “I think it really shows that people said. “It’s the board members and want to help, and they want to care the community that really took it on, An event hall filled with over 1,000 pairs of shoes empties out during Foster Feet’s back-to-school drive. about other people,” she said. “It has and I myself could not do it alone.” really been inspiring to me to see Foster Feet receives requests every “After that, churches started contacting has helped so many other people is really how many people want to give their week via social media or email. me, asking if they could do a similar incredible to say that my grandmother time, make a donation, or volunteer.” Christmas project for Foster Feet. Ever had such a big impact on it.” Pink boots The same month as the back-to-school since, it’s really just become something event, Anderson’s efforts came full that the whole community has grabbed a Anderson organized Foster Feet’s board At the end of Anderson’s freshman year of directors who help run it while she circle. She received a photo of the foster hold of and supported,” Anderson said. child who sparked the idea, showing in high school, one of her teachers attends college. It consists of Central off her new pair of pink boots that fit. became a foster parent. Anderson She did not anticipate the Christian Church members and other met the 5-year-old girl, who arrived program’s expansion. community members from Enid. “Stories like this foster child, who is at her new foster home with few Anderson said people immediately possessions and only one pair of shoes. “I definitely did not think that in my junior now adopted, are very meaningful stepped forward to serve. The memory year of college I would still be doing Foster because I know that kids who need “What surprised me most was that she Feet. I thought, maybe one Christmas of her grandmother and the board’s shoes can get them, and it is impacting wore these bright pink, nice pair of project, and then that’s it,” she said. support make her feel capable of someone’s life,” she said. “It’s not just boots, but they were two sizes too small. “And here I am, but it’s really amazing making a difference, despite her age. a shoe closet. It really is something I believe it was June, and they were that Foster Feet has grown so much.” that is much, much more.” thick winter boots,” Anderson said. “I think that’s the scariest part; being Grandmother’s love young and having this idea that could Visit Foster Feet on Facebook at cpn. “(My teacher) told me the story about help others, but feeling that only adults news/fosterfeet for more information. how she took her foster child to Payless Anderson’s grandparents are proud could probably make it happen. Adults (ShoeSource), and she told her she of Lauren and her compassion encouraged me and said, ‘If it’s going

Holiday giving continued... FireLake Discount Foods provided Elder Elves sends the presents to those in “There’s absolutely no stopping us when space for an Elders Elves tree and retirement homes and care facilities across it comes to who we’re going to help. It collection site as well. FDF Cash the greater Oklahoma City metro. Many doesn’t matter who you are,” Workforce’s Foster care and adoption manager Kendra Office Manager Melanie Wren worked of the participants ask for basic, household Bundy said. “Nobody is going to say, ‘Oh, Lowden says the gifts show those in the with the organization to include more goods such as laundry detergent, socks, de- we can’t help you because of whatever system the Tribe cares and remembers than 300 names and wish lists from odorant, stamps, sandwich bags and more. reason.’ It’s, ‘Yeah, we’re going to help them. It also supports foster families elders in central Oklahoma. This is you because you need it.’ It’s that simple.” who took the children into their homes. FDF’s fourth year participating. “Just everyday necessities that we take for granted — that’s what Visit FireLake Discount Foods online “Plus, it’s fun,” she said. “It’s fun to “I’m very excited about getting to help they’re needing. And that’s all they at firelakefoods.com and on Facebook see them open gifts and see them with dispersal this year, especially ask for at Christmas,” Wren said. at FireLake Discount Foods. Find smile and be happy because all the incorporating the CPN elders,” Wren more information about Workforce kids we work with have been through said. “Getting to give back to them, Many customers and employees come Development & Social Services’ traumatic situations. So, to see them because they let us do this in the into the store and grab a cart as soon as programs at cpn.news/workforce and be able to just be a kid and be in that first place; they let us go with this the tree goes up. They shop immediately FireLodge Children & Family Services moment, it’s really rewarding for us.” idea, and it keeps getting bigger.” and quickly fill the boxes in the lobby. at potawatomi.org/firelodge. 6 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN Thyroid: the body’s activation center By Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Statistical data on the incidence of hypothyroidism among American Like many Natives, Kristie White Indians is scant. However, diabetes has an endocrine system that is and autoimmune diseases, which not quite firing on all cylinders. disproportionately impact Indigenous communities, are risk factors for Spoiler alert: her pancreas is fine. developing hypothyroidism. Additionally, A Choctaw and resident of if left unchecked, hypothyroidism can City, Oklahoma, White started increase the risk of developing diabetes. noticing an internal shaking feeling, With a family history of thyroid cancer, coupled with an almost non-existent White was specifically diagnosed libido and her heart constantly pounding. with Hashimoto’s disease. A form of As a new single mother working full hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is an time, she initially chalked it up to the autoimmune condition where the thyroid stresses associated with parenthood. is chronically inflamed, thus impairing Originally screened for panic its ability to produce hormones and attacks and depression, White a decline in overall functions. received her underactive thyroid There is not a cure for hyperthyroidism, diagnosis in March 2013. but it can be treated with daily The thyroid is a brownish-red, butterfly- medication. However, as Dr. Choe shaped gland found below the Adam’s coffee is like having hyperthyroidism, exacerbated by regular commercial noted, it needs to be taken by apple in the front of the throat. It and going through caffeine withdrawal tobacco use due to its negative itself at the same time every day produces multiple hormones that is like having hypothyroidism.” impact on the immune system. in order to be truly effective. act throughout the body, influencing “That medication is very sensitive to trace growth, development, metabolism and Hyperthyroidism results in an “The biggest thing someone can do minerals in other pills or in food,” he said. the ability to regulate temperature. overactive thyroid producing excess to help themselves if diagnosed with hormones. Frequent symptoms include Graves’ disease is to stop smoking or just Meanwhile, White is keeping close With many of the symptoms of nervousness, irritability, increased not start altogether,” Dr. Choe said. tabs on not only her thyroid health but improper thyroid function mimicking sweating, heart racing, hand tremors, that of her children as well. After an those of other conditions, blood tests Conversely, hypothyroidism is when anxiety, difficulty sleeping and weight extended period of taking Synthroid, are needed to confirm whether the the thyroid does not produce enough loss due to an accelerated metabolism. or levothyroxine, with other pills, she body is producing the right amount hormones, slowing down the body’s regularly takes her medication by itself of T3, T4 or thyroid stimulating The most common form is Graves’ processes. That leads to some of the in the morning. She has also joined hormone, also known as TSH. disease, an autoimmune disorder when more common symptoms, including naturally occurring antibodies bind weight gain due to a sluggish metabolism, a gym in an effort to lose the weight Dr. James Choe is an endocrinologist to receptors on the thyroid’s surface fatigue, memory issues and depression. put on while her metabolism was off- based out of Del City. A graduate and force it into hormone production kilter, but it has been slow going. of Yale and the University of An estimated 4.6 percent of Americans overdrive. If left untreated, it can “I have to force myself to take my Oklahoma, he regularly receives age 12 and older have hypothyroidism. cause pregnancy issues among women, medication daily,” she said. “I discovered contract health referrals from Citizen It is more common in women, osteoporosis or heart disorders. According I was taking my medication wrong. Potawatomi Nation Health Services. to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, especially those 60 and older. The wide range of causes includes family After separating it out and making an estimated 1 in 200 people across sure I don’t eat for at least 30 minutes, “The thyroid impacts the body the way the have Graves’ disease. history, autoimmune disease, radiation caffeine does,” he said. “Having one treatments for other conditions, or at it has helped my energy levels.” cup of coffee is like having a regularly Although the condition can run in least outside of the United States, having working thyroid. Drinking a full pot of families, Graves’ disease can be further consistently inappropriate iodine levels. Online Potawatomi language courses: the thread that holds us together By Marisa Mohi The online dictionary, at But language can also be a tool for potawatomidictionary.com, is a great determining tribal sovereignty. One The following is part of a series by place to start learning more about the of the questions that the federal CPN tribal member Marisa Mohi Potawatomi language. There is a word of government used to determine who is learning about the various the day on the front page, and users can whether a tribe should be recognized ways Citizen Potawatomi can learn peruse the dictionary in either Potawatomi was if the tribe had a unique, spoken and connect with the Nation. or English, translating between the language. Neely said, “In some ways, two. And the best part? There are our very sovereignty as a nation is As an adult, it’s hard to imagine not audio recordings of the pronunciations dependent on us having a language.” being able to communicate. I can read. of the Potawatomi words so you can I can write. I can speak a language actually hear the correct way to say it. It can be hard to create a cultural that those around me speak. This connection with your heritage when language is the key to my understanding But, as a writer, I believe language you don’t feel like you have access to of the world around me, and this is nothing without story, and it. Traditions are shaped by the way language fundamentally informs my luckily, there is a link to cultural stories are told, and being able to use understanding of western culture. teachings on potawatomi.org/ the language to tell those stories is key. language. There are videos about But a problem I often run into when Potawatomi folklore, traditional stories, To Neely, “The language is like a it comes to researching my heritage is learning how to bead, Potawatomi window into the past. It shows what that there’s a linguistic disconnect. cosmology and so much more. was important to our ancestors, shows our values and beliefs today, and it I’m sure this is something that a lot of Justin Neely is the director of language shows what will be important to us Citizen Potawatomi feel. The language with the Tribe. According to Neely, as Potawatomi people in the future.” isn’t something that a lot of us hear each things like stories, song, dance day, and for many, we’ve only ever read and recipes make us Potawatomi, Marisa Mohi is a member of the Nadeau some of the words in the Hownikan but “but the language is the thread Photo by Kathryn Trattner family and is a writer and writing aren’t sure of pronunciations. Distance which holds it all together.” instructor at the University of Oklahoma. from the Cultural Heritage Center can can mean following the genealogical You can follow her on Facebook or seem like an immense barrier that prevents For me, creating the connection is all lines and understanding the different Twitter @themarisamohi. Her writing access to Tribal knowledge and heritage. about becoming the next generation names of the people that came can be found at marisamohi.com. of ancestors. I want to be able to before me. It also means learning But that doesn’t have to be the case. research more effectively, and this the stories and how to tell them. HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 7 Videographer Jonathan LeClair recognized for work with Choctaw Nation Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal member His work at the Choctaw Nation matches Jonathan LeClair won two Native his interests; short-form storytelling American Journalists Association awards captures his love of quick turnarounds for his work as a multimedia content and making a polished product from producer at the Choctaw Nation of a mostly unstructured environment. It Oklahoma. The Mann family descendant also reminds LeClair of his grandfather. received two television category awards — second place in best feature story “He would always have fish tales. ... for Why We Ride and third place in He was never a stranger. He knew general excellence for Code Talkers. everybody in his small town. And he always had a good story to share with “It was a great honor by such a me and my family,” LeClair said. “And prestigious and unique organization; that’s what kind of inspired me to kind and it makes me proud not only of go out and make my own stories.” as a Tribal member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation but as an associate LeClair learned about multimedia of the Choctaw Nation to continue to production and the rest of his skills share those bits of culture and history with on-the-job training and no formal and tell those stories,” LeClair said. education. After nearly eight years in the industry, he knows he made the Why We Ride documents the Choctaw correct career choice. Receiving his first Bike Team as they follow the Trail CPN member Jonathan LeClair tells stories of the Choctaw Nation as a national award makes his family proud. of Tears from Tupelo, Mississippi, to multimedia content producer for the tribe. (Photo by Deidre Elrod) Durant, Oklahoma — more than “From my very humble beginnings and 600 miles over one week. The group Code Talkers highlights the history of he said. “You got to do something to a lot of hard work, I feel proud to be took off between 4 and 5 a.m. every the Choctaw code talkers who served make it special, and that is challenging working for a tribal government and morning, covering between 50 and 100 as special communications units yourself in order to grow. And that was giving back to my own heritage in miles a day. LeClair enjoys a challenge, during World War I. They used the definitely the case with these two videos.” some way by the stories that I share,” a fast pace and has a keen ability to to send and receive LeClair said. “And to be recognized keep up with consistent changes. battlefield messages that the opposing LeClair began working for the Choctaw by NAJA just confirms that I’m doing forces never deciphered. LeClair used Nation in December 2016. While the right thing. I’m in the right place. “It was an experience of retracing their his animation and graphic design producing media and interviewing others, And I’m with the right people.” path and seeing them revisit their he learns about the tribe’s culture as well skills from previous jobs to highlight Watch Why We Ride at cpn.news/ families’ journeys, and everything was as witnesses its strengths and growth. photos and other documentation of whyweride and Code Talkers really inspiring; one of the quotes in WWI to tell the code talkers’ story. the video is, ‘It’s only one thing to hear “It feels good to be in such a unique place at cpn.news/codetalkers. stories. It’s another thing to go out there “With every project I take on, it’s an that values faith, family and culture,” and walk the same trail, to see the same opportunity to do something better. LeClair said. “I don’t think you can get trees, to breathe the same air,’” he said. Anybody can just cut, edit, make a video,” that at any corporate-type environment.” Language update

By Justin Neely, Director of the getting your child involved, it’s never too The language department also in their high school, let your school CPN Language Department late. We also plan on taking them to the participated in the Angel Tree event administration know it’s available, Oklahoma Native American Language Fair at First National Bank, singing several and there is no cost to the district. It has been a busy buys season for the at the University of Oklahoma in April. Christmas songs with Dewegen Kwek, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Language Potawatomi ladies hand drum group. We have a number of projects we Department. Our new online dictionary, We just wrapped up a three month are currently working on, including at potawatomidictionary.com, has been Potawatomi Beginner Class. We had a Our men’s drum group — Sengo some books in Potawatomi and getting over 100 unique views daily. The great turnout, topping out at about 30 Zibiwes — made our first public English, the transcription and analysis dictionary is downloadable in the Google folks. We will try and offer our next performance, drumming the Flag of Joseph N. Bourassa’s medicinal App store. We are also working on beginner class on-site at the Cultural Song and Veteran’s Song to lead our journal as a cooperative effort with developing a PDF downloadable version. Heritage Center around March. This veterans in for posting the colors. This Kaya DeerInWater, and then with the February, we will be hosting our annual was a very historic and awesome assistance for a museum exhibit with We recently started a Potawatomi Youth Winter Storytelling event where we moment. We have been working hard the Tribal archive department and Blake Choir. We have currently about 12 share several stories that we can only tell on a number of songs and hope to Norton. Our dictionary is growing kids participating. They have been in the wintertime. We haven’t picked be able to do some at this upcoming daily in the number of audio files, learning different Christmas songs in a date but are leaning toward Feb. 24 Family Reunion Festival. If you are example sentences, cultural information, the language. They have been working or 25. Watch the CPN Facebook page interested in drumming, we have been images, and words themselves. When on Silver Bells, Frosty the Snowman, We and event calendar at potawatomi.org/ working on Mondays and Wednesdays we first launched it, we had about Wish You a Merry Christmas and Let It events for the event announcement. from 4 to 5 p.m. at the CHC. Snow. We shared some of the songs on our 8,400 words. It has grown to more Potawatomi Language Facebook group The children in the Child Development The Shawnee Board of Education than 9,000 and changes weekly. around Christmas. By the time this comes Center did an excellent job with their approved the offering of our Potawatomi Christmas program. The 3-year-olds I just want to acknowledge and say out, the kids will have performed at the language high school course in the sang Frosty the Snowman, the 4-year- migwetch (thank you) to my awesome staff Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner, the Shawnee school district. It is currently olds sang Silver Bells, the afterschool who makes our many projects possible. Oklahoma Indian Education Conference available in Wanette and Tecumseh, and participants sang Let it Snow, and for Robert Collins (Delonais family), Shelby hosted at the Grand Casino Hotel & the first time, the 2-year-olds sang we have had interest from Maud as well Hobia (Curley family), Ragan Marsee Resort as well as Christmas caroling with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. as the University of Oklahoma. If we (Higbee family), and Michael Kelehar, our adult language class at elders housing can get it offered at OU, it would give our awesome part-time video guy. and Citizen Place North. As part of our Another exciting project we wrapped us a new collegiate partner since the caroling, we also collected canned goods to up was Rudolph the Red Nosed closing of St. Gregory’s University. We Look for our upcoming Winter be added to the Tribe’s annual Christmas Reindeer in Potawatomi. The movie currently have the ability to offer the Storytelling event in February; it’s boxes for those less fortunate. Later in is in public domain, so we were able course anywhere in Oklahoma. It will always a good time had by all. the year, we are going to teach the kids to put the entire 50 minute movie count toward a world language credit, different traditional songs and modern into Potawatomi. View it on our which is needed for graduation. So, if Migwetch jayék hits in Potawatomi. If you are interested in Facebook page: cpn.news/langfb. your child would like to see it offered (Thanks everyone)

Get the Hownikan via email! If you would like your newspaper via email, please send your name and address to [email protected] and let us know. 8 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN Women build community through drumming When people think of Native American “When the veterans do their Christmas drumming, a picture of men sitting party, they always ask us to sing. around a large drum 2 to 3 feet in And now, we feel like a part of their diameter often comes to mind. Tradition family,” she said. “And they’ll feed us allows only men to play these drums, and they include us and everything. whether it’s at a powwow, ceremony or Very honored to be a part of that.” social gathering. However, tradition encourages women to play smaller hand The women play both social and drums, roughly a foot in diameter or ceremonial songs at events, whichever less, either on their own or with the men. is appropriate. As a new member, Every week, several Citizen Potawatomi Vrooman already looks forward to Nation women gather to practice. passing on what she learns at practice. Nishnabé people considered drumming “The other day, I was sitting in a the heartbeat of Segmekwé, or Mother restaurant with my granddaughter who’s Earth. As one of the founders of the Tribal 4. And I’ve been playing a lot of the drum women’s drum group, De’wegen Kwek, songs in my car as we travel and exposing Jayne Fleischfresser senses that connection them to her. And she was singing the through the music and language. Humble Song. And I loved that, it just did crazy things to my heart,” Vrooman “When you’re drumming, you can said. “I love the idea that that’s going feel that heartbeat. And it just kind to be part of who she is growing up.” of — I don’t know if transcend would be the right word — but it just puts Fleischfresser learned about Potawatomi you in a good state,” she said. The women of De’wegen Kwek meet weekly and talk about their culture as an adult. However, she lives while practicing both ceremonial and social songs. wishes she could have been connected Nearly a decade ago, the group started “Women are very connected, and I Many of the women made their own as during her youth. She appreciates as a talking circle, a safe space where think we bring that connection into they became more comfortable playing. the bond the women have now and participants speak for themselves, the drumming. It’s a different sort of said they laugh and cry together. uninterrupted as turns move clockwise drumming than the men do,” she said. Bernard creates one-of-a-kind drums from person to person. Some of the “And I like the fellowship; I like the at different events such as the annual “We’re just like a little family. And members felt hesitant about speaking learning. There are stories swapped, and Potawatomi Gathering, including one sometimes we don’t always see each other the language and learning traditional little nuances of things that you didn’t with a turtle. Native Americans often refer but once a week. So, we’ll practice, but songs when they decided to add know before that you are suddenly a part to North America as Turtle Island, named a lot of times, sometimes we’ll see what another activity to their time. of. And that’s a pretty incredible feeling.” so in the Nishnabé people’s flood story. everybody’s been up to for the week and Above the picture, she painted “Bodewad- then get caught up on that,” she said. “It was kind of a little intimidating Donna Bernard began attending mi,” the traditional spelling of Potawatomi. “We take ourselves serious, but no so because it’s stuff you don’t know practice five years ago after she serious that we can’t have a good time.” about, and then you’re not sure about happened to see a Facebook post “I have three (hand drums) now. Since I pronouncing some of the words. But about it. She thinks De’wegen Kwek’s am an artist, I enjoy painting them also,” Bernard finds practice fun as then just over time, we got past that,” existence makes it unique. Bernard said. “So, we decorate them with well. She describes herself as “not Fleischfresser said. “But my sister Native designs. I painted two with eagles a musician” but continues playing. Czarina, she’ll find songs for us to “There are a lot of tribes that don’t have on them, more of a silhouette. And then I She doesn’t think apprehensions do, and then we’ll work on them for a women’s drum group, and if you go painted some feathers on a couple more.” should stop anyone else either. a while until we get them down. And to any powwows or events, a lot of then if we’re lucky enough to perform times you’ll see the big drum, and you Music with others “It’s not so difficult that you can’t learn a them, then we’ll perform them.” don’t always know that there might be song in even the first session. Try it out, some drummers that drum on the small Over the years, many institutions and and you’ll probably like it,” she said. During a recent practice, the drums,” Bernard said. “I can tell that all organizations have asked De’wegen Kwek members ranged from founders like the people in our group really enjoy what to perform at functions and ceremonies. De’wegen Kwek meets Thursdays at 5 Fleischfresser to those who started they’re doing, and it gives us a real sense That includes the Hard Rock Hotel and p.m. at the CPN Cultural Heritage drumming less than two weeks of pride in our Potawatomi heritage.” Casino in Tulsa and several educational Center. They invite anyone who before. Tribal member Pam Vrooman facilities. However, Fleischfresser holds wishes to drum or sit in on a session already felt a sense of community As the women sat in a circle at practice, time with the CPN Veterans Organization to attend. Extra drums and rattles are despite it being her second practice. they talked about their drums and rattles. in particular close to her heart. available to borrow for practice. Citizen Potawatomi Nation member John V. Anderson recognized by Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame The Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame Upon his return, he attended night Bank in El Reno as well as senior vice inducted its 2019 class — its second ever school at Oklahoma City University president and president of United — on Dec. 5, 2019, at the Oklahoma and began working at Liberty National Bank Advisory Services for United History Center in Oklahoma City. Bank & Trust in Oklahoma City Oklahoma Bank in Oklahoma City. John V. Anderson, with F&M Bank; as a messenger and bookkeeper. the late Clark and Wanda Bass, with Under his leadership, F&M Bank grew First National Bank & Trust Co., in He worked with Liberty in various roles from $5 million in assets in one location McAlester; Oklahoma State Banking for the next 26 years. After a position to $480 million and nine locations in Commissioner Mick Thompson; and in the teller line, he spent 16 years in nearly five decades. He continues to the late Morrison Tucker, a longtime auditing and became assistant vice work at the main location in Crescent, prominent Oklahoma City-area banker, president in 1969 followed by senior Oklahoma, as chairman, emeritus made up the 2019 inaugural group. vice president in charge of Liberty and director of F&M Bancshares. Operations by 1973. During his One 2019 inductee, John V. time there, fellow inductee Morrison He served on numerous banking, Anderson, is a Citizen Potawatomi Tucker became a valued mentor. administrative and philanthropic Nation tribal member. boards during his career, including the He eventually purchased what was then Oklahoma Bankers Association’s board He has been chairman emeritus and Farmers & Merchants bank in Crescent of directors in 1981-82 and a term as a director at F&M bank in central in 1972, not taking over as president and president of the Central Oklahoma Oklahoma since 2011, and has served CEO until 1980 in order for the bank Chapter of the Bank Administration in various capacities with the financial John Anderson to retain his salary. Anderson instead Institution. Anderson is also a deacon institution since purchasing it in 1972. worked in leadership positions at other at First Baptist Church in Crescent. the U.S. Navy for a year at 17 years banks in the larger Oklahoma City metro. Born in 1927, Anderson grew up old. His father signed the papers that In 2017, he received recognition for his during the Great Depression. After allowed him to enlist. He served as Besides Liberty National Bank and F&M service during WWII as the honored graduating from Choctaw High School a seaman on the USS Siboney from Bank, he has also served as the organizer, veteran at the Family Reunion Festival. in 1945, he enlisted and served in June 1945 until August 1946. president and CEO of American Heritage He is a member of the Anderson family. HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 9 Citizen Potawatomi Nation completes two bridge rehabilitation projects

Tribal officials and employees gathered place along with hundreds of tons at the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort of concrete. The steel infrastructure to open a new steel truss bridge at the will last well into the future, covered Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Vice- with a thin film of rust made to Chairman Linda Capps was joined weather out potential imperfections. by Tribal Legislator David Barrett and employees from the Grand Casino “It’s a newer kind of finishing that Hotel & Resort, Grand Travel Plaza, allows you to save on maintenance housekeeping, cement batch plant, and down the line,” Muller said. “There’s roads and construction departments. no need to paint it, sand blast it or anything. It’s basically self-repairing.” The opening completed a huge infrastructure undertaking for the Opened during the ribbon cutting Nation, which stemmed from the on Dec. 6, the new bridge received a 2019 spring storm season that saw rating for up to 100 tons, providing record rainfall in Oklahoma. stability to one of the Nation’s busiest enterprises. A fully loaded semi- The Oklahoma Climatological Survey truck typically weighs 40 tons. noted, “Tornadoes and flooding battled it out for Oklahoma’s top weather headline “There would have to be about 3 feet of during May 2019, with both combatants standing water in the fields and parking lot by the bridge as it now stands for bringing mayhem and misery to the state.” Citizen Potawatomi Nation Vice Chairman Linda Capps, other tribal officials and employees cut the ribbon on the new Grand it to be flooded again,” Muller said. Pottawatomie County had its share of Casino Hotel Resort and Grand Travel Plaza bridge. Just a few hundred feet upstream, such weather; Governor the Nation completed another declared all of the state’s 77 counties in a a call about the washout, and he sought down until you reach a point where it bridge crossing Deer Creek near the state of emergency at some point during a quick solution to reopen the creek becomes too difficult to go any further. Pottawatomie County Rural Water the month. At CPN, the impact was crossing before the end of the year. Then you set the foundation,” Muller said. District 3 pumping station, giving most evident along the waterways that cars numerous options to enter border and bisect Tribal jurisdiction. This bridge is based on a design Construction continued throughout like others that are planned for the summer. Crews cleared the old and egress the Grand complex. high-water crossing bridge debris away Deer Creek, which drains from Wes Hardesty and Harrison roads near As for the bridge planned for Harrison before stabilizing and adjusting the creek Watkins Reservoir located west of McLoud, the CPN’s FireLake complex. and Hardesty roads near Iron Horse channel. Concrete and foundational runs by the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort Industrial Park, Muller noted its complex. The creek borders the Grand’s A few days after the May 22 washout, materials were sourced largely from the construction work began on the new instillation will begin soon. Travelers north parking and hems in the Travel CPN-owned batch plant, providing along Hardesty will notice the bridge’s bridge. First, workers drove foundation Plaza, but the swollen reservoir resulted some cost savings for the Tribe. steel infrastructure is currently pillars at least 40 feet into the ground, as in high, swift moving water downstream, sitting on the side of the road. which washed out the existing low- measured from the water line, to ensure Four cranes from U.S. Steel set the water crossing behind some of the only something as extreme as a thousand- prefabricated truss bridge superstructure “We’ve been given the directions from Nation’s most frequented enterprises. year flood could result in another washout. into place in the fall before the crew Tribal leadership to help improve our continued on to the curbs, street and community’s roads, and that’s what we Tribal Environmental and Roads “We don’t have bedrock right under the bridge surface finishing work. More are always looking to do,” Muller said. Department Director Art Muller received surface here in Oklahoma, so you drill than 1,200 pieces of rebar hold it into Tribal election notice for 2020 Tribal election season will soon be underway as Citizen Potawatomi Nation voters prepare to elect candidates for two Oklahoma legislative seats — Districts 9 and 12. CPN members will cast their ballots during the election on June 27, 2020, that takes place during the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Family Reunion Festival near Shawnee, Oklahoma. Candidates must be 18 years old prior to Election Day. Legislative Districts 9 and 12 are located in Oklahoma but have no geographic boundaries within the state. When applying, candidates must select one specific seat they wish to run for on their filing form. They must also have lived in that selected district for at least six months prior to Election Day. Declarations of candidacy must be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service and in the CPN Election Committee’s hands no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. Request filing forms via email at [email protected] or by calling 405-275-3121 and requesting the CPN Election Committee. Current incumbents are District 9’s Paul Wesselhöft and District 12’s Paul Schmidlkofer. trust earnings. No principal from the CPN members who are at least 18 years individual candidate for legislative seats fund is spent, but the budget pays old on Election Day will be eligible 9 and 12 as well as the Tribal budget. Tribal members will also vote on the for national service projects and the to vote. All eligible Tribal citizens CPN members around the country can budget that manages the Nation’s executive branch of the Tribe. living in Oklahoma can vote for each cast ballots for the Tribal budget. 10 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN January is Stalking Awareness Month

By Kayla Woody, House of Hope Prevention Specialist It is the beginning of a brand new year, the big 20, and if you haven’t caught the new second season of You on Netflix, which was released the day after Christmas, most will say you are probably missing out. This is Netflix’s latest psychological drama that follows a charming bookstore manager, Joe Goldberg, who falls for one of his customers, Guinevere Beck. He becomes obsessed with her and begins stalking her. The show was one of the most successful offerings to date for the streaming giant and was viewed by over 40 million households in its very first month on air. However, the big controversy that most find in the show is that it sensationalizes stalking, making it feel like a normal part of dating. The show even includes a romantic twist with Joe’s actions toward Beck. It calls the viewer to be sympathetic of Joe with the constant depiction of his childhood throwbacks. It teaches young women and girls that this type of behavior is acceptable and attractive — that this is what real “true love” looks like. Some girls posted comments on social media hacked into her social media accounts, year period of prior conviction, is classified • Stalking is annoying after the first season aired, saying they and he even tracked her whereabouts as a felony punishable by imprisonment but not dangerous fantasized about Joe “kidnapping them” by GPS. These are very common forms in a state penitentiary for a term that does • You can’t be stalked by someone and expressed their love for the character. of stalking, but other forms include: not exceed five years and/or by a fine of you are still dating not more than $2,500. Unfortunately, This is not how stalking • Sending persistent unwanted gifts stalking is a highly underreported crime • If you confront the stalker, victims feel in reality. • Seeking information about because it is difficult to prove when they will go away a person through public someone is being stalked, and victims are The month of January is focused on records or online searches House of Hope can help those who stalking awareness, and our main objective often not taken seriously because of the • Damaging property may be dealing with a stalker in their here at the House of Hope is to educate current misconceptions from society. life. We assist anyone seeking safety by the public about the reality of stalking • Sending unwanted texts and emails locating emergency shelters along with and how it effects victims. Stalking is Victims are deeply impacted by the • Posting personal information safety planning for the future. We have defined as “any person who, willfully, effects of stalking. They not only lose about the victim and resources to put into place a victim’s maliciously and repeatedly follows or peace of mind, but often they deal with spreading harmful rumors protective order as well as court advocacy harasses another person in a manner physical ailments like fatigue, fluctuations to follow through with placement of the that would cause a reasonable person to • Creating or manipulating situations in weight and dizziness. Many times, feel frightened, intimidated, threatened, to make contact with the victim victims lose sleep and begin to deal with VPO. Our advocates are trained in address harassed or molested.” According to depression, anxiety and even suicidal confidentiality to help protect the location • Putting the victim in a challenging or of the person affected by stalking. We can the Bureau of Justice, more than 7.5 harmful situation to play the hero thoughts. It can also put a victim at million people are stalked each year in financial risk. A survey conducted by the also provide many tips to help with the the United States, and over half of those • Waiting outside the victim’s home, Bureau of Justice stated that “more than situation and to help get it under control. victims indicated that they were stalked school or place of employment half of stalking victims lost 5 or more days If you or someone you know is before the age of 25. This puts teens and • Persistently asking for a date from work,” and in many cases, the stalker experiencing stalking, intimate college-age students at a much higher risk. vandalizes the victim’s property or assets. Stalking is considered a crime in all 50 partner violence, and/or sexual assault So, what does a stalker look like? In the states. Oklahoma classifies a first stalking Some stalking myths include: and would like more information, first season of You, Joe often followed offense as a misdemeanor punishable please contact House of Hope at Beck without her knowledge. He broke by either one year in jail and/or a fine of • Only celebrities are stalked 405-275-3176 or visit us online at into her apartment and stole items. He $1,000. The second offense, within a 10- • If you ignore stalking, it will go away facebook.com/cpnhouseofhope. HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 11 Potawatomi heritage fuels Kate Anderson’s calling Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla and communications, and accepted her school curriculum that meets state Indians Public Relations Director job several years ago as the Agua Caliente educational standards and has now been Kate Anderson relies on her ancestral, Band of Cahuilla Indian’s public relations implemented in the schools,” she said. Citizen Potawatomi Nation traditions director in Palm Springs, California. to educate the public on the Agua Last year, a pilot program tested the Caliente people past and present. “What my position does is focus on third grade curriculum, and this year, truly educating the community and teachers will expose more than 1,800 “We come from people who have always the greater community about the tribe third graders to the Agua Caliente people. been storytellers, and we pass our stories and the tribe’s history — the tribe’s down from generation to generation,” heritage and culture and its existence “It’s 10 different lessons in the Anderson said during a phone interview in the modern day,” she said. classroom, and it’s mandated by the with the Hownikan. “To pursue that school administration,” she said. “So as a career path, it’s already in there in During the American Indian every single third grade class teacher is your heart. You just have to find it.” Native Tourism Association Conference required to teach that curriculum.” in September 2019 held at the Hard Early inspiration Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa in After piloting the eighth and 11th grade curriculum, Anderson said the Although Anderson lives in Oklahoma, researchers revealed 1 in 3 international tourists want to experience project will lead to incorporating California, she stays connected to lessons within nearly every grade level. her Potawatomi roots by attending authentic Native American culture. Family Reunion Festival and regional “We know that there are so many “It plays into our museum as well meetings in California as well as people traveling the world for those because the museum will be a successful reading the Hownikan. Her CPN very specific experiences,” Anderson educational venue — particularly ties as a child helped motivate said. “So, part of my job is focusing on Kate Anderson’s lifework revolves for the local schools,” she said. her career in communications. that and opening up the opportunities around helping the public build a Anderson’s staff and tribal leaders also for that kind of tourism.” greater understanding about Indian “We’d get the Hownikan, and as Country. (Photo provided) attend teacher trainings to ensure a kid, I would read it and was The Agua Caliente Tribe seeks every students receive well-rounded lessons like, ‘I want to work for this paper here in Palm Springs but has been opportunity to build connections with and that the teachers are comfortable someday,’” Anderson said. on display in Washington D.C.” Palm Spring visitors while uplifting instructing their students. Indian Country as a whole. Because of She began attending regional meetings The partnership with the Smithsonian “And that has been really important the tribe’s dedication to this mission, the first year they began and has offered the new Agua Caliente museum because two of my tribal council they began building an Agua Caliente fond memories of her experiences. the opportunity to incorporate temporary members here at Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza set to open later this year. exhibits. Trips to D.C. on behalf literally go to the training and have “I can remember talking to Chairman of the tribe provided Anderson the and Vice-Chairman, and even as “It is a beautiful, 14-acre site, and a very important role in the training chance to experience the Potawatomi itself,” Anderson said. “We are face- I was growing up, I was having we’re building a 48,000-square-foot Trail of Death gallery at the NMAI. conversations with them and learning museum as well as a 45,000-square- to-face with many of the teachers who from them,” she explained. foot spa,” Anderson said. “I’m just so proud that it’s our Tribe being are going to be taking this curriculum represented there,” Anderson said. “It’s and putting it into their classrooms.” Anderson is the youngest of five, and The museum serves as a foundation to clearly a very traumatic time in our her father’s military career moved the celebrate the history, traditions, culture She is thankful for her career and history as a Tribe, but to be able to share the opportunity it affords her to family around, mostly on the West Coast and modern-day Agua Caliente people. that story and present that story in the inform the public on the vast and during her youth. Her heritage as an Nation’s capital I think is so important.” Anderson descendant helped provide “It will also have the opportunity to varied history of Native America as a sense of grounding, and she became share other Native American stories Education well as her ties to the greater Native the first in her immediate family to as well, or even Indigenous stories community as a Citizen Potawatomi. attend and graduate from college. from around the world,” she said. As an extension of Anderson and the Agua Caliente’s desire to bridge “Staying connected to your culture “I have always loved journalism, writing Part of the tribe’s history is on display connections between Natives and and passing it along to our children and taking photos; so in college, I earned at the Smithsonian Institution’s non-Natives, the tribe and the is a meaningful part of life, especially a degree in communications and a minor National Museum of the American Palm Springs Public School District when you’re Native American, in political science,” she said. “After Indian in Washington D.C. worked together to create third, there’s just so much in your heart college, I became a journalist for about eighth and 11th grade curriculum. that allows you to celebrate that 12 years. Then after I started my family, I “It’s a story of the original reservation part of your ancestry,” she said. decided to change career paths a little bit.” boundary and some of the trials “It’s the only partnership that we and tribulations that occurred on know of where the school district To learn more about Agua Anderson switched focuses from that property over time,” Anderson and a federally recognized tribe Caliente’s upcoming projects, visit journalism to public relations, marketing said. “That exhibit was actually created have come together to co-create a visionaguacaliente.com.

Mia Acker Robert H. Denton - Nimkiins Family: Clapp Family: Mars/Peltier Maitland, FL Lapeer, MI University of Florida University of BS in Botany/Botanical Research Master’s in American Culture

Deanna Kay Pahmahmie Anderegg Madison Rezac Family: Pahmahmie Amanda L Chappell Zachary Taylor Huff Family: Bertrand Tecumseh, KS Family: Bertrand Family: Burnett Topeka, KS Haskell Indian Nations University Georgetown, TX Purcell, OK Washburn University BA in Indigenous and Texas Tech University East Central University BS in Elementary Education American Indian Studies MS in Nursing BS in Environmental Health Science Victoria Marie Schroepfer Tara Marie “Wabnokee” Bell Michael Ross DuPree Melody Alaine Lester Family: Schroepfer Family: Bourassa/Curley Family: Ogee Family: Savory Cabot, AR City, MO Bayfield, CO Hutto, TX University of Central Arkansas Graceland University Fort Lewis College Texas State University BS in Psychology BSN BS in Business Administration Bachelor of General Studies Carl Leslie Ziegler, Jr John Robert Carmichael Elaine Rose Gomez Matthew Garton Morris, Jr. Family: Mtegmesh Family: Nadeau Family: Evans Family: Edwards Chattanooga, TN Bixby, OK Punta Gorda, FL Jacksonville, FL Trevecca Nazarene University University of Oklahoma Charlotte High School University of North Florida Ed. D. in Leadership MBA Diploma BS in Biology

Brenton Scott Cooke Peyton Elizabeth Gould Kaylee Anne Morrison Family: Slavin Family: Emmett Family: Anderson/Whitehead Hutchinson, KS Easton, KS Canyon, TX Pratt Community College Emporia State University University of Northern Colorado Associate of Applied Science BS in Business Accounting MA in Dance Education 12 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN FireLake Casino’s Megan Cobb named “Most Valuable Performer” One day in late October, FireLake Casino The casino’s cage manager, Chris Revenue Audit Manager Megan Cobb Campbell nominated Cobb for her entered through the building’s double- resilience throughout the last year, doors to the sounds of people cheering. which included balancing numerous With a confused look on her face, she family health issues. He said she comes watched as her co-workers and others to work with a positive attitude and chanted “MVP” as she approached them. accomplishes whatever falls in front of her. Most importantly, she still prioritizes KFOR-TV and Oklahoma City-based helping others. However, if you ask Express Employment Professionals Cobb, the strength comes naturally. recognizing her as their “Most Valuable Performer” for November 2019 “(The award) means a lot. I mean, I’m just came as a complete surprise. She had doing what I think everybody should do: never heard of the program before. going to work, doing their job. They keep telling me that I’m so strong,” she said. “I saw all those people, and I was like, ‘Wait a minute. What?’ … So, “Of course, there’s days when I can’t it was a shock,” Cobb said. “They control it. But for the majority, I still kept chanting ‘MVP,’ and I had come to work and act like nothing’s no idea what they were doing.” happened at home, even when life is throwing tons of curveballs.” OKC’s NBC affiliate station and KFOR-TV and Express Employment Professionals gift FireLake Casino’s Megan the staffing agency teamed up in Cobb with a check and a plaque as well as the title of “Most Valuable Performer.” Her favorite thing about working for early 2019 to recognize some of the CPN is the people. Cobb says it feels best employees in the metro. Each “They wanted to follow me around, watch labeled “Most Valuable Performer,” which like small, close-knit family. While the month, they select one outstanding what I do. And I kept staring at the now marks Cobb’s spot inside her garage. award recognizes her accomplishments, employee from a pool of nominations. camera. They’re like, ‘Don’t look at the she remains grateful for those around her camera.’ It’s kind of hard, but it’s right The day went by quickly but every day who show their compassion The day they named Cobb “MVP,” a fel- here in my face,” she said and laughed. ended with fond memories. and helped her through tough times. low employee tricked her into leaving the “But they were all super nice people, and lobby. They set up the area for the news I love that they do that for people.” “When I went home and kind of sat “Just thank you for everything,” Cobb said. cameras and festivities. The news team there and thought about it, I really stayed with her for about half an hour to The award includes a $5,000 check from teared up a lot,” she said. “Just thinking To see the KFOR segment featuring film a segment. She had never been on the Express Employment Professionals, a of how much I mean to someone Megan Cobb accepting the award, news or recognized for this kind of award. personalized plaque and a parking sign else or more than one person.” visit cpn.news/cobbmvp. Legislative update CHECK YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH

On Dec. 4, 2019, Citizen Potawatomi Development Corporation’s application Nation representatives convened the to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s final meeting of the Tribal legislature Community Development Financial for the calendar year. All officials were Institution Fund. The second was to the present except District 6’s Rande Tribe’s application to the U.S. Bureau of Payne and District 7’s Mark Johnson. Indian Affairs Invasive Species Program. Legislators voted to authorize a Representatives then voted to update request for fund disbursements from CPN’s Long Range Transportation the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the Plan, requesting the BIA implement Nation before passing a resolution the changes. A following resolution A doctor can fix what ails your body, and help you plan authorizing the chairman, vice-chairman updating the Tribal Transportation for long-term health. Let us do the same for your bank and secretary-treasurer as appointed Program Transportation Improvement account. Come in for a financial checkup. representatives of the Tribe with regards Program with the U.S. Highway Our goal? Leaving you healthy and wealthy. to business with the U.S. Department Administration also passed. of Interior’s Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. They Conditional relinquishment of citizenship then approved the Tribe’s request for requests were granted to Aidan Tobias TALK TO US. FIRST. funding under the U.S. Department Bearshead, Anastasia Coyle, of Health and Human Services Title Ariel Mariah Coyle and Tracy Ann V, Part A and Part C programs. Tripp. Voluntary relinquishments for Bobbie Nicole Jordan and Onis Franklin 405.275.8830 Two grant-funding resolutions were McHenry were also approved, while FNBOKLA.BANK approved by unanimous votes, the first legislators enrolled 357 applicants into for the Citizen Potawatomi Community the Nation by a unanimous vote. HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 13 Veterans report special presentations recognizing Vice- years. We have a new year ahead of Migwetch Chairman Linda Capps and Richard us that promises to be exciting with (Thank you), Driskel from FireLake Discount Foods growing interest in the nation and for their continued friendship and tribes of our active duty and veterans’ Daryl Talbot, Commander support of the Citizen Potawatomi welfare. We will continue to work to [email protected] Nation Veterans Organization. They keep the spirit of a free nation and a 405-275-1054 have had a positive influence on proud military alive. God bless us all. CPN VA Representative: our color guard and honor guard in Bozho Andrew Whitham (Hello), representing the Tribe throughout the Remember, the CPN Veterans state of Oklahoma and the United States. Organization meets every month on CPN Office Hours: 1st and First things first, the CPN Veterans Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett the fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. (or as 3rd Wednesday each month Organization had one of the best supported us by providing a meeting soon as you can get there) in the North 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas/Thanksgiving dinners that place and recognizing our efforts to Reunion Hall on the Potawatomi we have had in several years. We had 52 keep the CPN Veterans Organization powwow grounds. All CPN and 918-397-2566 people attend; the food was great, and growing. We had the largest attendance spouse veterans and their families the fellowship was the best. We had two of seniors that we have had in many are welcome. A meal is provided.

Michelle Abiri Wayne E. Cook Rolan J. Goyer Earl E. Lehman Thomas K. Pyeatt Benjamin T. Acre Jr. Roy L. Coon Dustin M. Gross George A. Lehman Timothy K. Pyeatt Hubert L. Adams Thomas E. Cooper David H. Guinn Jr. Leo F. Lehman Gregory L. Quinn James T. Anderson Albert W. Copeland Clenard O. Haas Leonard G. Lehman Stephen L. Quinn Ronald Anderson Michael S. Cory Marion L. Haas Harry Leonard Everett J. Rachels Cecil Baird Daniel Crumbo Mickey E. Haas Charles L. Lewis John A. Reynolds Walter L. Baker David A. Cryer James M. Hale Cli‘ ord E. Lewis Leonard P. Rhodd Robert W. Barrett Harvey J.L. Curtis John Hall Jr. Francis L. Lewis Stephen E. Rhodd Bruce I. Bazhaw Dan Dansenburg Larry E. Hammack Russell L. Lewis William J. Rhodd Ingram H. Bazhaw George Dansenburg Richard L. Hammack Benjamin Lucas Jr. Henry B. Richard Jr. Ralph H. Bazhaw/Bergeron Lloyd B. Denton Jack E. Hancock Jackie L. Lucy Raymond U. Roberts John T. Bergeron Lloyd C. Denton Leon L. Hancock Michael S. Maha‘ ey Thomas L. Roberts Thomas M. Bess Marvin Derryberry Michael S. Hardesty Philip R. Marquis Alexander Rhodd William B. Bivens Jr. Forrest J. Desmit Daniel L. Harvey Albert F. Mars William M. Roberts Jr. Charles D. Blair Charles E. Dewitt Gary L. Helberg Warren G. Mars William M. Roberts III Robert G. Bogle Gary E. Dewitt Henry P Hernandez Timothy Q. McCauley Cili‘ ord Robison Douglas E. Bourassa J.B. Dewitt Edward T. Hey Jr. Samuel H. McCollum Paul R. Rosewitz Freeman Bourassa Travis G. Dick Averett W. Higbee David C. McEvers Marvin E. Savory Jerry D. Bourassa Jimmy R. Dike Marvin L. Holeman Vernon W. Meade Larry K. Schoemann John A. Bourbonnais Richard G. Dike William H. Holeman Stephen C. Negahnquet James J. Schroepfer Joshua J. Bourbonnais Dennis D. Dockery Daniel L. Hollingsworth Stephen H. Negahnquet Homer C. Schwartz Edmund F. Bowles Beverly L. Dodd Tony P. Hollingsworth Adam A. Nocktonick Sr. John H. Seedorf Andrew E. Bradford Lawrence A. Dodd Morris L. Holloway Ralph E.B. Nocktonick Dennis M. Sexton Emery A. Bradford Willie O. Dodson Edwin A. Howard Ronald K. Nocktonick Jesse Slavin Lawrence R. Bressman Thomas N. Doyle Kevin M. Hubble Robert J. Nourie Dale E. Smith Charles R. Bromley John W. Edwards Arville L. Hull Albion L. Ogee Jesse A. Smith Sr. James F. Bromley Charles M. Ellis Johnny I. Hull Phillip S. Ogee Jr. Robert G. Smits Carolyn S. Brown John E. Feliciano Davina C. Hyers John B. Olsen Richard D. Soelter Andrea L. Broyles Sharold N. Ferris John Immenshuh Randall W. Olsen Michael D. Stone Everett D. Brunt James B. Fisher Je‘ rey D. Johnson Wilbur C. Osborne Brenda J. Tamashiro David A. Burnett Jerry L. Fitzgerald Larry S. Johnson Donnie R. Owens Jerry L. Tarter Leo Burnett Jr. Mary J. Foster (Spaulding) Frank Kennedy John R. Paine Elton B. Tinney Stephen R. Burnett Michael D. Fox Mark W. Ketterman Gary D. Pambogo Jack R. Tipton Joseph H. Burns Christina D. Franklin William G. Ketterman Cloyd D. Parrish Joshua Tipton Tilden J. Byler Murray S. Frapp Charles B. Kimes Richard L. Parrish Thomas Tomey Michael D. Cavender Russell W. Frizzell James T. Kirk David J. Parr Clarence J. Trousdale Mary-Ellen Clinton (Vieux) James M. Gardom Darrin D. Lambert Kenneth W. Paslay Joseph C. Trousdale Eugene Albert Coder Paul E. Gardom Charles E. Lamirand Vernon D. Peery Tommy Upton Adam B. Coe Horace D. Gillespie Charles G. LaReau Stephen C. Penniston Michael E. Conner Jr. John C. Gillmore Roger Lazelle Charles E. Pierce III Larry O. Cook Glen A. Goodwin Alfred LeClair Annabelle Pittman 14 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN Wadasé Zhabwé’s telemetry stuns experts By Bree Dunham, CPN Jennifer spotted a juvenile bald eagle as it Aviary Assistant Manager crossed above us from down river. When the juvenile was out of sight, I lowered my Winter is finally here, although looking binoculars and movement caught my eye at the forecast here in Oklahoma, you along the river. A large adult bald eagle might not know it. The first week of landed just ahead of us. A quick look winter brings a welcome warm spell with through both camera and spotting scope temperatures in the high 60s. That may couldn’t rule out the bird having a band. sound unusual, but it’s on par with the We moved to the tree line for cover and rest of the year. Spring gave us more than worked our way closer, looking with the our total yearly rainfall in one season; scope again but with no luck. It was windy summer’s green hung around well into and cold, and the bird sat with feet tucked fall; and fall seemed to just skip right under its feathers until it flew away just as into winter. Our winters here rarely bring we both looked down to find footing in us picture-worthy snow. But this time the muddy field. We continued to search of year does bring migratory birds of the area, and although we never spotted all kinds, and it signals breeding season another adult eagle, we did find a nest for raptors, including eagles. This year’s that was much too large to be a hawks. winter in particular is the winter we have Was that Wadasé? Could this be her nest? waited on since we started sharing Wadasé Zhabwé’s story six and a half years ago. While we still have so many questions, we have answered one of the most important Like a broken record, stuck on repeat, questions. We found nothing to indicate we kept saying, “One more season of Wadasé patiently waits during her GPS fitting prior to her 2013 release. Wadasé is doing anything but thriving in her telemetry data, and we will know the wild. Landowners we spoke to were check in. Since then, she has been down with the GPS, hoping he could share where she nests.” In fact, there’s a worn excited to learn about eagles around the along the Washita River just northeast of some insight about the lack of data. spot on the corner of our desk where we area, and we have recruited several of them Verden, Oklahoma. This area is just a few superstitiously knock on wood during to keep an eye out for eagles. We will miles of where we expected her to nest No eagles had been reported. The game tours when we talk about how long continue to monitor the nest site we found last year. In the early morning on Nov. warden reminded us about deer season, she’s worn her GPS telemetry backpack. and others in and around the area. Our 11, I went to the office to check telemetry. so there are more hunters out in areas According to all the raptor experts that best chance of locating her will be nesting When I downloaded the telemetry, it where she might be spotted if something write the books, eagles mature and had happened. Rob reminded us of season, and with all the data collected should begin breeding at 4 to 5 years of was incomplete. I told myself it was over the years, we can hopefully narrow just a glitch with the ARGOS satellite the unpleasant areas to check, such as age, so we were positive she would nest power lines and wind turbines in the down a search area. Six and a half years, last winter. However, Wadasé, like the or just too early and to give it a while. a total of 2,398 days, or just shy of 79 By late afternoon, it was clear Wadasé’s area, but he felt like the telemetry was true modern woman, is taking things most likely in the river, like Mko Kno’s, months does not sound all that long. But slow. This spring she will be 8. When telemetry had stopped transmitting. Her we’ve collected over 57,000 GPS points last point was in flight along the banks because the data had been consistent and eagles should have been laying eggs last then the next hour there was nothing. across a third of Oklahoma’s counties. of the Washita, midday on Nov. 9, and winter, she was off touring some of her At a certain depth in the water, the then there was nothing. We always knew favorite spots around the Washita and telemetry data could not be transmitted. As this year comes to an end, we look North Canadian Rivers. One thing that this day was part of our journey with back and count our blessings and hope we are absolutely sure of after all this her. We had about a thousand questions The next morning’s car ride to Verden was for those yet to come. We have been time is that eagle’s do not read the books. and fears all at once. What did that a very long hour and a half. Once we got incredibly fortunate to share Wadasé’s Every expert we consulted with when we mean for Wadasé? Did the backpack to the area of the river where she had been, journey with you all for so long, and we released her said she would most likely go battery wear out? Did it just fail? Did it it was pretty clear why she chose that hope to continue to do so with a little right back to Florida. They said we would fall off? Did the frayed antenna prevent particular place. The road disappeared at a luck this winter season. We encourage be lucky if she wore the GPS backpack it from transmitting data? With limited hairpin curve in the river that had flooded you to keep your eyes out for Wadasé six months to a year. They all reminded daylight hours, we planned to gather recently. We followed a trail through the if you are near any of the areas she us of the mortality rates of juvenile local landowner information and leave field to avoid getting stuck or ending frequents. For more information about eagles in the wild. But at each critical the following morning to get to her last up in the river. All around us was open CPN’s Eagle Aviary or to read previous juncture, she has proven them all wrong. transmitted GPS location. We called pasture and a sod farm. There were only a updates, visit potawatomiheritage. local game wardens and rehab facilities few houses in each mile section. Looking org. Share your encounters with Wadasé’s last visit to the aviary was the to be sure no eagles had been found toward the river in the direction of her last Wadasé, Mko Kno or any other eagles first week of September. True to her or reported injured. We also contacted GPS, there was just untouched wilderness. or migrating raptors in Oklahoma or pattern over the last few years, she visits Rob Domenech from Raptor View We gathered our camera and gear and wherever you may be with us at aviary@ late fall or early winter, briefly, as if to just Research in Montana, who fitted her headed off to search the area on foot. potawatomi.org. Migwetch (thanks). HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 15 News around Potawatomi country Take a look at happenings in other donations have supported hundreds of Potawatomi tribes across North America. local children’s charities. Learn more by visiting cpn.news/canalstreet. A Union City, Michigan, luncheon was a festive The Pokagon Band occasion for seven Michigan of Potawatomi recently veterans organizations this unveiled their own online year as the Nottawaseppi Huron Band language course on the of the Potawatomi donated $48,300. application. The The NHBP Veterans Committee first portions of the Bodwéwadmimwen 2019 Chief Moguago Veterans Golf Potawatomi language course are now Outing raised the funds for the seven available on both Apple and Android organizations who each received a check devices. According to Tribal Chairman for $6,900. The money was distributed Matthew Wesaw, users initially learn in November to help veterans and their conversational language, including phrases families pay wintertime utility bills, and sentence structures, to help them house those without shelter and buy communicate in real-life situations. Then food. Read more at cpn.news/nhvet. the application expose users to emphasis, sounds and tonal fluctuation. Read more The Prairie Band about the course at cpn.news/potmango. Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta, Kansas, Three Potawatomi tribes in received recognition in Dowagiac, Michigan, fire room, and a circular courtroom. Michigan are amongst six in the December for its efforts to help protect now has a new tribal justice Read more at cpn.news/pokagonjustice. state who are doing more to promote area youth at the Kansas Safe Kids center for the Pokagon healthy lifestyles and food access in Coalition. The tribe was recognized as the Band of Potawatomi. In The Potawatomi Hotel tribal communities. Two years after its Safe Kids Kansas Coalition of the Year for addition to housing the Pokagon Tribal & Casino in , creation, the Michigan Tribal Food outstanding contributions in reducing Court and a Peacemaking Center, the , kicked off Access Collaborative is making progress. unintentional injury to Kansas children. new facility will also serve as the new the holiday giving season The project enhances the nutrition The coalition of tribal departments, local Pokagon Tribal Police headquarters. with a massive donation to the Heart landscape in tribal communities, and schools and other entities raised awareness The new police facility can house up of Canal Street Charity drive in late the Hannahville Indian Community about healthy sleeping and heatstroke to 20 officers with dedicated space for October. The casino is an enterprise of joins the Pokagon Band and the prevention, along with providing car training, evidence storage, interview the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the seat check lanes throughout Jackson rooms, holding cells, conference space and this year raised $1.2 million through Potawatomi as main participants County. The coalition also sponsored and changing areas. The facility blends the campaign that supports children along with three other Native Nations. Learn more at cpn.news/michigan. a bike derby and provided free bike traditional elements including an outdoor in southeast Wisconsin. Since it began helmets. Read more at cpn.news/kssafe. peacemaking circle, an indoor healing in 1994, more than $19 million in 16 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN Nation extends road infrastructure in Pottawatomie County While material costs for paving continues to rise, historically low-taxed Oklahomans remain cautious about increasing taxes that might offset the funds associated with much needed road repairs. According to a recent survey from Consumer Affairs, the state ranks sixth in its list of the United States’ worst roads. Some of this is due in part to years of underinvestment, but Oklahoma’s wild weather can also play a part. Extreme heat in the summer and below-freezing temperatures in the winter and early spring can lead to asphalt buckling, potholes and erosion on the state’s roads and bridges. Tribal jurisdictions across Oklahoma — mostly in rural, lower trafficked areas of the state — often have been neglected by the state and counties. However, in the last two decades, tribal governments began playing a (L-R) Tribal Police Major Mike Hendrickson, Aidan Muller, Art Muller, Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett, more pronounced role at the local Vice-Chairman Linda Capps, Shawn Howard, Zach Davis, Jeff Tompkins, Lexi Freeman and Rob Potter. level. Using revenues derived from tribal gaming operations and other road, bridge and rail improvements U.S. Department of Transportation’s are the area’s only residents. However, enterprises, many Oklahoma Indian in its historic jurisdiction in Tribal Transportation Program at a cost the road’s completion connects it Nations meet federal cost share Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. of approximately $320,000, the new with a north-south road next to requirements to secure grant funding roadway will improve interconnectivity, Shawnee Outdoors, a local retailer. opportunities specifically designated Just before Christmas, Tribal officials alleviate local traffic and provide Future prospects for the area could for transportation infrastructure. and staff held a formal ribbon cutting to infrastructure for future development. include a housing development commemorate completion of the new or commercial enterprises. Citizen Potawatomi Nation has Ohio Street Extension project near the Currently, the offices for housekeeping successfully utilized this tool to develop FireLake complex. Funded through the and information technology departments HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 17 Tribal Chairman – John “Rocky” Barrett Creed Humphrey, who played or even the ability to stop it. TV can see he is misquoting in the playoff game against The compact was approved by the compact wording. Louisiana State University. the and Creed is an outstanding then voted in by the people. Whatever the outcome, we student and will graduate early. That is the way it would have to should not disturb our business He has been honored many be amended or supplemented, model. Even if Gov. Stitt times and will go high in the and that will not happen. Gov. is successful in raising the NFL draft, if he chooses. Stitt has also threatened to open rates, we still have satisfactory profit margins. We have a the state up for non-Indian contractual obligation to our In addition to being named a gaming. This will not happen. Walter Camp Foundation and lenders to operate and invest AP Second-Team All-American No large commercial gaming back into the casino. It is and Rimington Trophy finalist, operations will enter this just plain smart business to the 6-foot-5, 316-pounder market. Besides the flood of maintain our market share with earned Big 12 Co-Offensive tribal litigation they would facilities we can be proud of. Bozho nikan Lineman of the Year, first-team Creed Humphrey face, the Oklahoma market of All-Big 12 honors and was It is an honor to serve as (Hello, my friend), efforts to illegally renegotiate less than 4 million people is your Tribal Chairman. a first-team midseason All- saturated with more than 140 hope all of you had a joyful American by ESPN. Off the the Tribal gaming compact continues to go well. casinos. The publicity campaign Migwetch holiday season. It was fun to field, he’s an Academic All-Big for the tribes is working well, (Thank you), I 12 Second Team honoree. watch football these last two Here is basically how it is and the people of the state weeks, if for no other reason John “Rocky” Barrett We are proud of you, Creed. going: the compact negotiations support us. The statements by than to watch the Citizen are at an impasse until Jan. Gov. Stitt about our exclusivity Keweoge Potawatomi Nation member, For those of you who do not 1, 2020. At that time, the payment rates being the lowest (He Leads Them Home) Tribal Chairman Peltier family descendent, have access to Oklahoma compact automatically renews. in the Nation are simply untrue. and starting center for the news, our dispute with the The governor has no basis for As for the terms of the compact, Oklahoma Sooners this year, over his denying the automatic renewal everyone who has seen him on

Vice-Chairman – Linda Capps least one present. Big Brothers like playing sports or attending Big Sisters is an excellent sports activities, studying and community-based mentoring cooking. Their time together program for youth ages 6-18 usually lasts three to four hours, from predominantly low-income, depending on the activity. single-parent households that are matched with mentors. These This is a wonderful program volunteers are typically young for both the youth and for the and well-educated adults. volunteers. CPN has helped sponsor the Bowl for Kids’ Sake The youth’s parent/guardian annual fundraiser for many applies for his or her child to be years. The fundraiser is the matched with a mentor through uppermost source of funding for a written application and a the program. Many community child/parent interview. Potential leaders and volunteers attended mentors are screened by a Big the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bozho Brothers Big Sisters caseworker Christmas, and I had the honor (Hello), through a personal interview to accept the 2019 Taylor Prince CPN Vice-Chairman accepts Taylor Prince he holiday season brings and home visit. A criminal Memorial Award for outstanding Award on behalf of the Nation. many opportunities background reference check support of Big Brothers Big T for CPN’s Public Information things in 2019, and the future for receptions, parties and ensures that the volunteer is Sisters the evening of the Department as well as chairman looks even brighter for 2020. get-togethers at the Citizen safety-risk free and likely to form event. The award is given to an for the local Big Brothers Potawatomi Nation. My first a positive relationship with the individual or organization within Big Sisters resource board. Migwetch Christmas party this season was youth. Parent approval is integral Pottawatomie County that has (Thank you), for the Big Brothers Big Sisters to the process, as the youth made long-lasting, positive For more information on program, which was held at the and guardian(s) meet with the impacts on the local Big Brothers volunteer opportunities or Linda Capps Cultural Heritage Center. The potential mentor before a match Big Sisters program. CPN is a inquiry on the program, Segenakwe program included presentations, is made. The mentor and youth proud sponsor, and we are also visit bbbsok.org/shawnee. (Black Bird Woman) dinner, and then a visit from typically meet two to four times proud of our employees that help Vice-Chairman Santa, after which Christmas per month for a year or more. with the program. Mary Belle I appreciate the honor of 405-275-3121 work presents from under the tree were During the visits, they engage Zook is a Tribal member and being your Vice-Chairman for 405-650-1238 cell opened. Every child received at in activities of their choosing, communications coordinator another year. CPN did great [email protected] 18 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN District 1 – Roy Slavin you are staying at the hotel information. If you do not (they fill up early), arriving receive an occasional email in a RV, or camping, make from me, it is because I do your reservations early. not have your email address. Due to privacy standards, The honored families in 2020 Citizen Potawatomi Nation are Bruno, Darling, Hardin, cannot provide it to me. Higbee, Lewis, Nadeau, Slavin and Smith. If you are one of Thank you for allowing the honored families, please me the privilege of serving let the members of your as your representative. family know of this honor. Roy Slavin I would like to reminiscence a Slavin family pose for a picture at the 2008 Family Reunion Festival. Netagtege (Forever Planting) bit for the year 2008. My family Representative, District 1 816-741-5767 was one of the honored families. site to see our family come asked FireLake Designs for together to be honored. On help in 2008 with ordering and 888-741-5767 Bozho nikanek We decided to have everyone Saturday evening when the making the red T-shirts. We [email protected] (Hello friends), who could attend to have a red families were being honored, will use them again this time. [email protected] T-shirt. We had the logo from ope everyone had a merry the announcer (Tim Tallchief) They do a great job, and I am HChristmas, and I want to the Tribe on the front and our remarked that everywhere sure will help if asked. Also, we wish all a happy new year. We Slavin name and year on the you looked, you could see have started preparations for are beginning a new year, and back. Little did we know when a Slavin in a red T-shirt. meetings, but dates and locations it’s time to make plans for 2020. we started this how many would have not be determined. come. We were surprised when We have started contacting our It is not too early to prepare the group filled one section of family to advise them we are I will close this article, as always for the Festival. Whether the bleachers. It was a beautiful to be honored in 2020. We with a plea for your contact District 2 – Eva Marie Carney During the Feast, Lana Ball Migwetch jak she gego ga (Bergeron family, from North gishtoyen mine mno gishget. Carolina) gifted us a prayer she was given by Justin Neely, (Thank you for everything you CPN citizen and our language have created and this good day.) director. This summer, Lana’s Mamogosnan kowabem son Josef Ball was called up ode Ogichida epich for active duty from the U.S. pabmadzet nekmek shena. Army National Guard for North Carolina. She needed to send (Creator, watch over this him off in a good way and asked warrior as he travels here Justin for a ceremonial prayer there and everywhere.) for him. Josef’s family held a ceremony for him before he Ewi ndodaskeygo mteno mno Eva Marie Carney along with other women leaders receive departed; during that ceremony, bmadzewen mine jitmagoswen. awards for their service at the ReykjavÍk Global Forum. Bozho nikanek the following prayer was said finish — I’m hoping to see some and voted on best mkesinen and Lana provided Josef with (We ask only for good (Hello friends), health and help.) of the bags in the dance arena (moccasins) — Steve Klein’s an eagle feather that he could at upcoming Family Reunion moccasins were the peoples’ Greetings for the New Year! carry with him on his journey. Nishokmo o shemagneshi wa je Festivals. My favorite craft- choice. Everyone contributed Josef currently is deployed as a Fall Feast 2019 overview giwet gaga mine emno bmadzet. related memory is hearing Jacqui delicious dishes, and I do believe heavy equipment engineer and Barnett, who is 5, show off her that everyone had a great time. or our traditional Fall Feast mechanic. Chi migwetch (many (Help this solder so that he can completed bag to everyone (she Fthis past November, some thanks), Lana, for sharing this return soon in good health.) worked from a kids’ no-sew, Fall Feast gratitude 70 of us gathered in Arlington, with us during the Feast and decorate-with-pony-beads-kit), Iw. I owe a huge gratitude debt for also agreeing that I could telling us she had used “the Virginia. Attendees travelled to Shaweno (Bob Richey) and share it in the Hownikan. Chi pattern of patterns” on her bag. from New York, Pennsylvania, (Amen.) Karen Richey, who a few years migwetch (many thanks) to The pony beads she’d directed Delaware, Maryland, North ago moved down to Tennessee Justin for providing this prayer. Fall Feast crafting her dad Josh Barnett to put Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and from Virginia, yet continue to Blessings, Josef, during your on the fringe on her bag were all parts of Virginia. Our wisest be the backbones of our Fall deployment; your people are For our craft, we began work a wide variety of colors and attendee was my neighbor from Feast. Igwien (heartfelt thanks)! proud of and grateful to you. on medicine bags as part of our order — hence, “the pattern Arlington, Virginia, 95-year-old For years now, the Richeys dance regalia. Districts 1 and 2 of patterns.” It was adorable; I Walterene (Mimi) Scarborough. have provided invaluable input Justin recorded himself saying the supplied the materials, including wish I had a video or photo to Our youngest attendee was when I muse to them about a prayer — you can listen to the re- leather, needles, seed and share! Other activities included Odin, son of Stefani Klein, craft I’d like to share. They’ve cording at cpn.news/soldierprayer. pony beads, sinew, and sacred a raffle of children’s regalia and from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. allowed me to impose on them medicines (for putting in the other regalia and similar items Our farthest-travelled attendee, Prayer for a soldier to test drive the craft. While bags). All the crafters worked donated by, among others, Josh Pratt, flew from Georgia they’ve moved farther south, diligently while also visiting and nikanek to be with us. I’ve included a Nwi-madmo. my (friends) Laura they continue to come early enjoying each other’s company. group photo, showing a good Hewuse and Theresa Adame. on our Feast day to help me Folks took the project home to portion of those who attended. (I am going to pray). We also played heads and tails set up, and then teach the craft during the Feast. I stand back and watch them — then run off to make more coffee and begin heating up food contributions for the lunch that will follow our crafting. They are dear and generous people. I also want to give a shout out to my son Marshall Cohen — Wasmikas. My husband Alan Cohen typically spends the day of our Fall Feast in abject service to Districts 1 and 2. This year, Alan’s bluegrass band had an out-of-town engagement later in the day so Alan “only” was able to help with set-up and Fall Feast 2019 group photo. Fall Feast 2019 mkesinen contest. food pick-up/delivery. Marshall HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 19 came early and stayed late, including The Kwek Society, washed down with brenevvin, at Building community; if your older children want stepping up to do whatever that are working to end the Café Loki (not to be repeated), receipt of a holiday gift magnets, they should send needed doing throughout stigma of menstruation that and met many current and me a request (that will get the event. Igwien, Wasmikas! still plagues society. The award former female heads of state Please send me your email me their contact details). address so I can send you email (Heartfelt thanks, Wasmikas). was conferred at the close of and young women who will updates! Also, if you are in the forum, which featured two soon run our world, including Migwetch (thank you) for the CPN representation abroad District 2 and want to receive a honor of representing you, days of thoughtful conversations a young Inuit woman who I among female world leaders and CPN-themed magnet as part of hope to partner with on period The Citizen Potawatomi Nation gave me exposure to ideas and my holiday mailing, I will need Eva Marie Carney poverty issues in the new year. was represented at the ReykjavÍk solutions to not only end period you to confirm your current Ojindiskwe (Blue Bird Woman) Global Forum — Women poverty among Native students I also networked with some mailing address (to avoid costly Representative, District 2 Leaders, in late November. I but also to address a wide range amazing women who will be USPS returns of misdirected 2200 N. George Mason Drive attended the forum to receive of other issues confronting instrumental as we grow The mail). Please send me an email PO Box #7307 the forum’s “Power, Together” civil society. Spending time in Kwek Society. To learn more or leave a message with your Arlington, VA 22207 award, for my work with The Iceland was an experience of a about the forum, the award current mailing address for 866-961-6988 toll-free Kwek Society. The award was lifetime — I saw the Northern we received and the attendees, this purpose. I will furnish [email protected] presented to 22 organizations, Lights, ate fermented shark, please visit cpn.news/reykjavik. one magnet per requestor, so evamariecarney.com

District 3 – Bob Whistler If you recall, November was there will be a $200 charge to are not prone to being infected, contact information. In order Native American Heritage your account. A new villain has where as Microsoft Edge is. If for me to send information Month. PBS had a number entered the picture, and your you do not have Chrome or that is not submitted to the of specials that were very machine is infected with what is Firefox on your computer, it is Hownikan, I use email. If interesting. They had a called a script rather than a virus very easy to download. Go to you have never heard from website that carried valuable or malware. This script cannot ninite.com, and they will offer me, it is because I don’t have resources and creative be prevented or recognized not only these two programs your contact information, elements to celebrate and by either a malware program but a number of others that and I would appreciate remember our ancestors. or anti-virus software such as are free. When you take your receiving that from you. Watch the PBS specials you Norton or MacAfee. I have machine to one of the IT firms might find interesting online had this situation develop and or persons to get rid of a virus I am always very honored at cpn.news/pbsspecials. have reprogrammed my laptop and they are to reload your and proud to serve as your elected representative, and thinking the problem would go programs, this tends to be one Last month, I wrote about I thank you very much. away and my antivirus would of the sites they use. It also the forthcoming U.S. Census protect me. Unfortunately, carries a free antivirus software that will start in March and Bama mine this script can get onto your from AVG Technologies, Bozho nikanek run for quite a few months. (Until later), machine whether you have an which is fairly good. In the (Hello friends), If you are looking for a part- Bob Whistler time, good paying job with antivirus or not. All you need event you encounter this script Bmashi (He Soars) irst, my apology for having flexible hours, give the 2020 to do if you’re using Microsoft situation, simply shut your Representative, District 3 to cancel the Dec. 14 U.S. Census a look. You may Edge is click on one of the machine down. Then restart F 112 Bedford Road, Suite 116 meeting in Corpus Christi, apply at cpn.news/censusjobs. several news article photos that it, and go to your preferred Texas. We only had two replies are generally on your screen search engine and type in the Bedford, TX 76022 and could not justify the Microsoft Edge script virus before you sign-in to your email. ninite.com URL to change 817-282-0868 office expense with so few attendees. your browser from Microsoft 817-229-6271 cell I will setup another date and For those of you that use the I have spoken to a Fry’s Edge to Chrome or Firefox. 817-545-1507 home place in a couple of months Microsoft Edge browser, you IT person who is very [email protected] in the south Texas area. may encounter hacking advising knowledgeable, and he advised Like my fellow representatives [email protected] you to call Microsoft because the easiest way to avoid this in the other districts outside PBS Native American your computer is going to be script is to use Chrome or Oklahoma, I do not have access Heritage Month specials locked up, and if you don’t call, Firefox as your browser. They to the records that has all of your

District 4 – Jon Boursaw Put these on your calendar Education Department, regarding the services and District 4 Meeting in Rossville activities of her department. at the CPN Community Center • Additional presentation or Tentative Agenda: 10 a.m., activity to be determined. Saturday, March 28, 2020, with a catered lunch at noon 2020 CPN Family Reunion Festival will be held in Shawnee, • Presentation by James Ralston Oklahoma, on June 26, 27 on research he has done on and 28. This year’s honored the old stone house east of families included the Bruno, Silver Lake of US-24, also Darling, Hardin, Higbee, Lewis, known as the Ogee House. Nadeau, Slavin and Smith. • Presentation by Tesia 2020 Gathering of Potawatomi Bozho Zientek, director of the CPN will be hosted by the (Hello), Education Department, Hannahville Potawatomi, located regarding the services and in the south-central section of A New Year ahead activities of her department. the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Tentative Dates are Wednesday, CPN veterans at the Vetarans Day Parade in Topeka, Kansas. irst, Peggy and I want to • Eagle demonstration by the July 29 to Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. Fwish everyone a very Happy CPN Eagle Aviary staff. CPN students Nation, and 2019-2020 is no New Year. The Nation achieved Elders January Potluck on scholarship exception. This fall, 113 CPN a burst of substantial economic • Presentation by Maria members are attending the growth this past year, particularly Hrenchir on her experiences The Elders January Potluck at Chairman Barrett has made major colleges and universities with the signing of the contract as a 2019 Potawatomi the CPN Community Center the following statement: “We in Kansas with assistance from with Pro-Pipe USA, LLC, which Leadership Program student. in Rossville is scheduled for can always hire specialists and the CPN scholarship program. resulted in the ground breaking noon, Friday, Jan. 10. The menu the right technical staff. We This number does not include District 4 Meeting in Wichita for the first manufacturing will be various soups. Come can’t hire leaders. Our leaders those students attending the at the Mid-America All-Indian facility on the Iron Horse join us, and bring your favorite come from our youth, and numerous small colleges in the Center, 650 N. Seneca St. property. We are confident that side dish or dessert. Please it is our responsibility to state, nor does it include those RSVP to Tracy at 785-584- the Nation will continue to see prepare them.” The Nation has students attending institutions Tentative Agenda: Start with 6171 if you plan on attending. similar economic expansion in a catered lunch at 1 p.m., supported this goal through outside of Kansas. The following 2020. As we enter this new year, Sunday, March 29, 2020. Elders February Potluck its scholarship program. is a breakdown showing the please know that I will continue Over the years, hundreds of number of students at each of to do what I can to best serve • Presentation by Tesia The February Potluck will CPN members have received the major schools in Kansas who the CPN members in Kansas. Zientek, director of the CPN be held on Friday, Feb. 14. scholarship assistance from the are receiving CPN Scholarships: 20 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN

Washburn University: 16 Shawnee County team, which Burnett’s Mound exhibit a younger CPN veteran, Lee Wichita State University : 9 took second place at the national Atkins. The veterans in the event in in the 4-H division. It has taken longer than back included Joe Wulfkuhle, Haskell Indian Nation Leah garnered 10th place in the expected. I am pleased to report my brother, Lyman and me. University: 12 National Individual Standing. that at the time I was preparing We are all four members of Emporia State University: 8 The Shawnee County Team had this article, the Burnett’s Mound the Bourassa/Ogee families. placed first at the Kansas State exhibit panels were being REMINDER: The final day 4-H Horticulture competition manufactured, and delivery Finally, it has been a pleasure for submission of scholarship in August 2019 to allow them was expected before the end of to serve as your legislative applications for the 2020 to represent Kansas at the December. After coordinating representative this past year, and spring semester is 5 p.m. national competition. There were with the staff at the Shawnee I am looking forward to the CST, Feb. 15, 2020. three main parts in the judging County Parks and Recreation coming year with enthusiasm. competition: plant identification, Department, we decided to For more information contact tentatively make Friday, March Migwetch quality judging and a written test. (Thank you), the CPN Department of In the earlier state competition, 27, the target date for opening Education by email at college@ the members needed to know the exhibit. The county folks Jon Boursaw, potawatomi.org or by phone flowers and ornamentals still need to pour some concrete Wetase Mkoh (Brave Bear) at 405-695-6028 or 1-800- including trees, vegetables pads before the exhibit can be Representative, District 4 880-9880 and ask for the and fruit, from primarily the installed, and Kansas winter 2007 SW Gage Blvd. education department. state of Kansas. However, the weather is not the most idea Topeka, KS 66604 time to be pouring concrete. CPN member competes national competition challenged 785-861-7272 office in National Junior the team members to learn Veterans Day Parade 785-608-1982 cell Horticultural event plants found outside their in Topeka, Kansas [email protected] Leah Hudson own region. The national list Office hours: Leah Hudson, a senior at included many new plants We participated once again 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays Kansas University: 26 Rossville High School, recently and specimens from across the in the Veterans Day Parade 3-5 p.m. Thursdays Pittsburg State University: 10 traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska, to United States. Leah, a member down Kansas Ave. in Topeka. Other times: please call compete in the National Junior of the Navarre family, plans to Three “old” CPN veterans Kansas State University: 22 Horticulture Convention. Leah attend Kansas State University rode in the back of a restored Ft. Hays State University: 10 was part of the four-member in the fall to major in agronomy. 1969 GMC pickup driven by

District 5 – Gene Lambert springs into action, and it of how far we can go and was launched in 1969, thus health care, crops, an eagle will with or without us. have come. It shows us the requiring a fully manned space aviary, banks, event arenas, things that are possible. station. I believe it launched in restaurants, a hotel, community We’re still trying to figure November of 1998. Actually, development, on and on. out technology when our While sitting in front of the radio it was way before that, but grandchildren are designing as a child, listening to the science for reasons unbeknownst to I have had meetings where new computer programs. fiction stories of people flying me, this is what Google says. three and four generations to the moon or hearing about a proudly attend and share in We now know that technology is television that has color, the idea The first space station was the history and our future. both beneficial and problematic. it could really happen wasn’t even actually launched in 1971, but It is, educationally, a friend. a second thought. It was fiction. it was from the Soviet Union. If you take a moment, you will Yet, it can be detrimental to see the growth, progression our security as we now know We have now surpassed even We have flying and on the and future dreams of your moving forward. Keep the faith! my great-grandfather’s life ground cars, which don’t own families. You will be As we progress with new vision, experience, and it is moving even require a driver. amazed at your own growth undoubtedly there will be bumps faster than ever before. professionally, spiritually and along the way. We will find the There are 12-year-olds starting in every sense of the word. Bozho answers to any situation when The Kennedy era and some of their own online businesses and (Hello), the highways show their faces. the public speeches motivated doing very well, thank you. This is who we are as a Every answer always creates movements of equality in people — constantly growing, 020 will be an exciting additional questions we didn’t every sense of the word. It isn’t unusual now for changing and aspiring. 2year, no doubt. Some of us know to ask before. Isn’t this people to live to 114 or are thrilled to see 2019 leave exciting! We are always learning. “Ask not what your country more, when reaching 100 Who I was isn’t who I in the hopes next year will be can do for you; ask what you years was touted as an am or who I can become. illuminating by comparison. I am sure I mentioned it before, can do for your country!” — accomplishment in awe before. The dream is ours! but my great-grandfather President John F. Kennedy. This is the time of year when would tell stories about how The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Dream the very highest for we get a new start. Hopefully his generation went from “Some men see things as they has not been stagnant while all 2020. We can do this. Love we have said goodbye to any covered wagons to jets in the are, and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream of this is and has been going on. and best wishes to you all for negative experiences. With a air. Imagine the mental spiraling things that never were, and ask, We too have moved along to the New Year and always. little thought, we can view those given such an expansive life. ‘Why not?’” — Robert Kennedy new heights as Native American as lessons we have learned. We communities take back their Your legislator, can then file away memories We can accept it, learn about it, While those times are of the spirit, which had been suppressed of those things we cherish. and move forward or stagnate in cherished memories for me, for so many generations. Eunice Imogene Lambert the pool of yesterdays, if we so that very motivation that has Butterfly Woman Families are growing apart, choose. As wonderfully provided brought us this far today. I remember when we didn’t Representative, District 5 and some are leaving home by the spirit, it is our choice. have a grocery store, a casino 270 E Hunt Highway, Ste 229 under various circumstances. We now have space shuttles or two, businesses on Native San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 New generations uproot and The new world brings with it taking off to the moon regularly. land, printing companies, a 480-228-6569 take over while the world insecurities and fascination The first manned shuttle gift shop, a cement company, [email protected] HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 21 District 6 – Rande K. Payne around. I have never had an who can attest to my identity) in a family that knows no support provided through at-fault accident or even been on the request. The guarantor boundaries was affirmed. the Nation’s Department of involved in an accident for must be a Canadian citizen of Igwien (heartfelt thanks), Chief Education. As noted above, the that matter. My one and only prominence. Someone who Tabobondung, for your humility spring scholarship deadline moving violation (ticket) was a would qualify as a guarantor and the peace you bestowed is Feb. 15. CPN full-time speeding ticket when I was in might be a doctor, lawyer, on me. I am forever grateful! students are eligible to receive high school. I think it was for public official, bank president, up to $2,000 and part-time 40 in a 35 mph speed zone, if etc. The only reason I was born Ironically, Sioux Lookout derives students $750 for the spring, memory serves me. Big whoop! in was because my dad its name from a local First summer and fall semesters. Because of my clean driving was an airman working at a Nations story. Sioux Mountain Addition to scholarships, record, no tests were required, U.S. Air Force radar installation was used by the as staff provide individualize just a visit to the local DMV in Sioux Lookout in a perch to watch for Sioux college advising, internship to update my photograph. the 915th Aircraft Control warriors with intentions of information and more, and Warning Squadron. My ambushing the nearby Ojibwe regardless of age or location. But things did not go the way family left Canada shortly after camp. From Sioux Lookout, a Learn more by watching a I thought they would when I was born when the radar sharp eye could see the sun video at cpn.news/cpnedu. Bozho nikanek I showed up at the DMV to installation was turned over to reflecting off of the Sioux’s birch (Hello friends), get my picture taken for my the Royal Canadian Air Force. bark canoes. The early detection Potawatomi Phrase of the new license. The first thing allowed the Ojibwe to evacuate Month: Mno gishget (it’s a hope you had an enjoyable the women and children, and nice/good/beautiful day). holiday season and best the clerk said was, “You have I wasn’t able to attend the I Gathering of Potawatomi Ojibwe warriors could intercept of luck with any New Year’s a commercial license. You’ll Wisdom from the Word: “You Nations, neither in 2017 at the invading Sioux on the water. resolutions you may have have to upgrade to a Real ID.” I have increased the nation, O said, “But, I don’t want a Real Walpole Island, nor in 2019 made. The holidays provided If you’re thinking about Lord, You have increased the ID.” The clerk replied, “Sir, the at Wasauksing First Nation an opportunity to spend attending college this spring, nation, You are glorified; You law now requires all commercial because of the lack of a passport. quality time with my kids and please remember that the Tribal have extended all the borders drivers to have Real ID.” So Desperately thinking about grandkids. All of the elders in scholarship application period of the land.” Isaiah 26:15 my family are gone now, so it’s needless to say, I didn’t get how I could get my long form birth certificate, I looked again closes Feb. 15th. I would up to my generation to organize my picture taken that day. also like to remind anyone Migwetch! Bama pi and host the family gatherings. at the list of people who could (Thanks! Later), Long story short, I am currently considering an MBA program, The older I get, the more I be a guarantor, and chief of in the process of obtaining a Citizen Potawatomi Nation appreciate time with family. a First Nation tribe popped Rande K. Payne passport so I can renew my up. The light went on! I’ve met partners with Oklahoma Baptist Mnedo Gabo University. The program is Amidst all the busyness at work driver’s license, upgrading it to Chief Warren Tabobondung Representative, District 6 mindful and accommodating and the holidays is my birthday. be Real ID compliant. After from Wasauksing First Nation 31150 Road 180 for working adults, and the This year’s birthday came with two previously failed attempts at Gathering of Potawatomi Visalia, CA 93292-9585 program provides for a unique, a little added anxiety, as it was at obtaining a passport, it has Nations events in the U.S., so 559-999-3525 office 100 percent online environment. a driver’s license renewal year. I come to this. I feel like my I gave him a call. I explained 559-999-5411 cell For more information on have possessed a commercial citizenship in this world is being my situation, and he was more [email protected] these and other education driver’s license since I was 16, called into question simply than willing to be my guarantor. assistance programs offered by and even though I don’t use it because I was born north of a It was a great conversation. CPN, contact the Education anymore, at age 63, I feel like boundary line to parents born The requirement is to know Department at 405-275-3121 I want to hang on to it as long on the south side of that same the person at least two years or [email protected]. as I can. So, I passed my DMV line. My standard Canadian and list how many years the physical with flying colors, filed birth certificate doesn’t list guarantor has known you. Chief Benefits and Services the doctor’s report with the my parents, so the U.S. won’t Tabobondung said we are family DMV, filled out my renewal accept it for passport purposes. since time immemorial. Let’s I am proud of all the services application online, and made In order to get my Canadian put down some sema (tobacco), and support provided by my DMV appointment to go long form birth certificate, pray and trust that this will the Nation to benefit all in and get a new picture as which lists my parents, I must work out. My anxiety was gone Tribal members, including part of the renewal this time provide a guarantor (someone in a flash as my citizenship the educational services and

District 8 – Dave Carney displays of futuristic technology, can be shared with countless new year. In many Native buy that Bowflex equipment ranging from individual individuals and preserved for cultures, it is more closely advertised on late night TV. jet packs to flying cars. He future generations instead of related to the solstice. In Hopi Resolve to do incremental marveled at the Space Needle wasting away in an old shoe box. and Zuni cultures, Dec. 22 and manageable changes and the ultra-sleek monorail. is the last day of the year. you can stick to like walking The Nation has leveraged Ceremonies are conducted more and making better food As he became and adult, he technology in some powerful for renewal and purification. choices. That’s just my advice. reflected that the dream of flying ways, not the least of which are over traffic like Buck Rogers was online language classes. Our According to an article I read As always, it is my honor to still just that — a dream. He director of the Potawatomi on an NPR-related website, represent you in the legislature, observed that the city of Seattle’s Language Department, Justin the Umatilla tribes of eastern Neely, has done a wonderful Dave Carney focus was on bicycles and Oregon celebrate Dec. 20 as Kagasghi (Raven) adding bike lanes throughout job of making classes available New Year’s Day. The celebration through various platforms Representative, District 8 the city. He exclaimed in an is called kimtee innmewit. It 520 Lilly Road, Building 1 exaggerated manner, “We on the internet. An online is a time of year to celebrate Potawatomi language dictionary Olympia, WA 98506 had bikes in 1962!” The with sacred first Native Bozho, nikan is also now available. These 360-259-4027 lesson here is that sometimes foods. The first foods were (Hello, my friend), are uses of technology that [email protected] the promise of technology salmon, deer and bitterroot. our ancestors would approve 2020 is here! doesn’t meet the hype. of. Check it out here: However you celebrate the potawatomidictionary.com. once saw a standup comedian On the other hand, through changing of the calendar, be I entertaining the audience with the proliferation of technology, Happy New Year! gentle on yourself with the his childhood story about going we are able to easily connect New Year resolutions. Don’t to the 1962 Seattle World’s with family and friends like In western culture, Dec. 31 provide your debit card to Fair with his grandmother. He never before. A treasured is the New Year’s celebration the local gym for automatic was excited to see all of the picture of a common ancestor and Jan. 1 is the start of the monthly payments, and don’t 22 JANUARY 2020 HOWNIKAN District 9 – Paul Wesselhöft the first cabinet Secretary of frustration over the governor’s language and, more recently, the tribes and the state, but Native American Affairs for challenge toward Native by suggesting you would he has done the very opposite the State of Oklahoma. I know American tribes concerning displace our tribal partners to our disappointment. Lisa Lisa to be a wonderful wife gaming compacts. Governor with private, out-of-state tried to work within this and one of the best parents Stitt wants to renegotiate commercial gaming operators. division and heal the situation, that I have ever known. the compacts, meaning he Your actions have shown that but ultimately had to resign wants to extract much more my continuing in service on the job she was born for and Lisa and I served 12 years money from the tribes. your cabinet is unnecessary to loved out of protest. Let’s together in the Oklahoma you and impossible for me. hope this governor absorbs House of Representatives. We Billy wrote that the governor I must accordingly resign, the message from her and us! were and are best of friends. is causing “an unnecessary effective immediately.” Together, along with Shane Jett, conflict that poses a risk of Lisa Billy, you go girl! we organized the first Native lasting damage to the state-tribal I applaud the principled American Affairs forum at the relationship and our economy.” resignation of the secretary. Migwetch capitol, which was successful I know her to be a dedicated (Thank you), at uniting the many tribes in She continued, “You have public servant, not only to her Bozho nikan dismissed advice and facts that Paul Wesselhöft Oklahoma and showcasing their state and the tribes but also Naganit (Leader) (Hello friend)! contributions to the state. show the peril of your chosen to her Nation. approach and have remained Representative, District 9 y great friend and former Secretary Billy sent a letter intent on breaking faith with We thought the governor, being [email protected] Mcolleague, Lisa Billy, has of protest to Governor the tribes, both by refusing a tribal citizen himself, would resigned in protest! She was Kevin Stitt. She resigned in to engage with the compact’s increase the bonds between

District 11 – Lisa Kraft Service for federal program by a mile. Soon after, Tim was dollars to compacting status). on a mission to find funding for Compacting is having the ability a large safe room. The Grand to reprogram and redesign is our largest enterprise and old federal programs into new asset, in terms of concentrated programs to better meet our employees and patrons as well community needs. Compacting as financial investment. with the federal government also means getting federal Tim, working with staff program money lump sum (in from CPN Self-Governance, theory), rather than reimbursed accounting, construction, by the government as tribal the Grand and emergency services are delivered or projects management staff, developed a implemented. Having a compact high-scoring grant application to the United States Department with the government also means of Homeland Security’s Federal negotiating an annual funding Bozho The Bear Room inside the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort is one Emergency Management agreement. That agreement is (Hello), of the safe rooms built using federal funding opportunities. Agency Pre-Disaster Mitigation much better than waiting to grant program. This effort was receive grant or contract money ery happy New Year 2020 and Urban Development grant indirect costs. These extra federal rewarded in a $2.5 million grant Vto our Citizen Potawatomi quarterly or as expensed. I wrote for the Modoc Tribe dollars are what the tribe uses to from the Federal Emergency family and friends everywhere. of Oklahoma was awarded. build its indirect cost pool: that When a tribe goes self- Management Agency. CPN They will receive $3 million is, the employees that support the Thank you for taking the governance, it has proven pledged 25 percent of the to build 20 elder homes up tribal government and allow us to project costs. Less than a handful time each month to read this internal capability and capacity in the far northeast corner of administer federal services in the of these awards are offered each amazing newspaper, assembled to deliver large federal services Oklahoma where housing is first place. All CPN employees, year. It is cause for celebration and published by our Public to the public. I am fortunate sorely needed. Only four awards in one way or another, become that so many of our CPN Information Department, under in my career that I get to work were made in Oklahoma. alongside a handful of Oklahoma CPN community representatives, employees give their professional the direction of Jennifer Bell. and some become Citizen time to build our community, tribal leaders and business My work typically continues Her staff of professionals range Potawatomi advocates, from handshakes at conferences committees to help them after the grant award. Many from editors, writers, journalists, advancing our standing among to safeguarding our community build their visions for progress times, I am hired to help tribal researchers, media specialists, federal programs, agencies through building efforts. photographers and graphic — one grant at a time. My leaders strengthen their internal greatest returns, professionally, processes and policies, manage and departments. When a artists. It takes a production tribe successfully manages a The next time you visit the staff to produce the Hownikan. are watching ideas develop in construction projects, and Grand, please ask to see the consensus around a planning develop vision plans for future federal grant project, it is easy This monthly paper has been to build a rapport with the Bear Conference Room. You in existence for more than 40 table and become highly development. I work alongside would never guess you were in competitive grant proposals, tribal attorneys, procurement federal government and apply years, since 1971, and continues for larger federal opportunities. a two-story FEMA safe room. learning something I proposed departments, accounting, self- The entire space is 20,000 to be the artery of information One of our very own Tribal will get funded, working with governance, environmental, square feet and can hold 4,000 for our Tribe. Many thanks to member employees at the Citizen professionals to design and construction contractors, federal people. My thanks go to all those who report on and deliver Potawatomi Nation happens to our Tribal news so fluently. construct tribal buildings, and funding agency administrators, those who played a role in seeing people in those buildings. the U. S Army Corps of be one of these ambassadors. making our community safer. * * * Engineers, and tribal program Learning that your grant is and enterprise directors. CPN Emergency Management As always, I am I have been working with tribal awarded is like a bolt of lightning Director, Tim Zientek, is one thinking Potawatomi. governments since coming energizing you to think, “OK, When a tribe is able to build its of the most well-known tribal to work for our Tribe back in what can I go after next to federal grant and program efforts, emergency managers in the entire Lisa Kraft 1996. Back then, our Tribe build on the momentum?” it receives more contract costs — country. Tim was in the thick of Representative, District 11 was just beginning to pursue or indirect (operating) costs — things in 2013 when tornadoes 601 S. Washington St #335 self-governance (going from In fact, I am over-the-top happy on top of direct project costs. The struck the CPN jurisdiction; Stillwater, OK 74074 contracting with the Bureau of as I start this new year. I learned more grants a tribe gets, the more the closest tornado missing the 405-612-8068 Indian Affairs and Indian Health recently that a U. S. Housing federal funding a tribe gets for Grand Casino Hotel & Resort [email protected] HOWNIKAN JANUARY 2020 23 District 12 – Paul Schmidlkofer language. If you study it, many taught two of them and Randy Moodle courses being available tireless hours they have dedicated of our words are a story. Schlachtun taught one of them. too. I have been by the CPN to preserving our history. The department typically has Child Development Center and This got me to thinking about at least one Potawatomi Word saw them teaching language to I hope everyone enjoyed the our language department. At of the Day on their Facebook the kids; this always makes my holiday break last month this point, I realized all the group and often shares the Gun heart swell. Be sure and keep an and had the opportunity to opportunities we have now to Lake Tribe daily word too. They eye out for the language page celebrate your family. Also, I learn our language. Over the past usually monitor this group because I think you may get hope everyone had a merry few years, they have developed and are available to answer to see a video of them singing Christmas and happy holidays multiple options for us. I know questions. This reminds me; Christmas carols soon. I am and a safe New Year’s Day. there is a Memrise app for your they also have videoed most sitting here thinking I forgot a In closing, thank you once more smartphone available. The of the on-site classes on the couple of other tools available for the honor to serve you. Pokagon Band recently had same page so members outside to us and most certainly have. our language created on the Shawnee could watch and learn. Migwetch I hope that you will be inspired Mango app. There is an online I think they posted a language (Thank you), dictionary with thousands of textbook there too. Find the to take advantage of these translated Potawatomi words group here: cpn.news/langfb. options. We had come so close to Paul Schmidlkofer How nikan and phrases with audio. losing this and other parts of our Representative, District 12 (Hello friend), Search the Nation’s webpage culture. Our Language Director 1601 S. Gordon Cooper Dr. I have participated in a couple (potawatomi.org) for the Justin Neely often says, “You are Shawnee, OK 74801 was sitting here thinking of classes by the language language department, and you never too old or too young to 405-275-3121 Iabout our culture, and it department at the Cultural can find learning tools there learn.” I do wish to thank our 800-880-9880 toll-free hit me again; the key to our Heritage Center. I have enjoyed also. I know there are videos and Cultural Heritage Center and our [email protected] culture is still through our them immensely. Justin Neely YouTube available. I remember language department for their

The Hownikan is published by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and is Hownikan mailed free to enrolled Tribal members. Subscriptions for nonmembers 1601 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, Oklahoma are $10 a year in the United States and $12 in foreign countries. The Hownikan is a member of the Native American Journalists Association. CPN Executive Committee Reprint permission is granted with publication credit to the Hownikan. Tribal Chairman: John “Rocky” Barrett Vice-Chairman: Linda Capps Editorials/letters are subject to editing and must contain traceable address. Secretary/Treasurer: D. Wayne Trousdale All correspondence should be directed to Hownikan, Editorial staff 1601 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801 Writer/editor: Jennifer Bell Page/graphic designer: Trey DeLonais Questions: [email protected] or 800-880-9880 Writer/editor: John VanPool Graphic designer: Emily Guleserian Address changes should be sent to Tribal Rolls, Writer: Mary Belle Zook Photographer: Garett Fisbeck Writer: Paige Willett Editor: Mindee Duffell 1601 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801 24 JANUARY 2020 WALKING ON Charles D. McCall Donna Riggs Born at home in Papineau Township, zles, but the most important thing in her Iroquois County, Illinois, on April 7, 1921, life was spending time with her family. he was the first born of three brothers. He was a Marine combat veteran of World Preceding Helen in death are both War II, having enlisted in 1939. He served husbands, Chester Evilsizer and George in the Pacific Ocean theater and in the Howells; all her siblings, Margarite assault on Tarawa, in the Gilbert Islands. Erickson Stanhope, Earl Leonard (killed Discharged as a sergeant in January in WWII), Virginia Harris Graham, Lela 1947 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, May Hughey, and her twin brother Harry Virginia, he went 35 miles up the road Leonard. Left behind to mourn her to Silver Spring, Maryland, where he passing are her three children, Rozanne trained for and became a licensed optician. Montrelli of Argyle, Texas, Karen Sitler of He worked initially for the Mayflower Vail, Arizona, and George Howells III of Optical Co., and eventually opened Signal Hill, California; along with three his own business until his retirement. grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter. On April 5, 1947, he married Louise A. Shephard who predeceased him on June Mom and Nana was loved 1, 1995. They had no children. Richard and will be missed! was a lifetime resident of Silver Springs, Maryland, and a member of the American John R. Paine Legion. For many of his last years, he Donna Kay Riggs, 58, of Amazonia, was graced with the loving friendship Missouri, passed away Friday, Nov. 29, of Ms. Janice Vossler. He is survived Charles D. “Chuck” McCall, 85, 2019, at her home in Amazonia. She was by Ms. Vossler and one brother, retired passed away Monday, Nov. 11, born Oct. 7, 1961, in St. Joseph, Missouri, USMC Major Robert J. (Bob) Nourie. 2019, in Topeka, Kansas. He was daughter of Virginia and Donald Riggs. Rest in peace, my brother, until born July 30, 1934, in Topeka. She graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1980, and later from we meet again. Semper Fi. Chuck served in the U.S. Navy during St. Joseph Beauty University. Donna the Korean War, honorably discharged owned/operated Hair Port for many Geraldine Helen Howells Oct. 17, 1957. He worked for 32 years. Her hobbies consisted of coloring years as an elevator technician and was and her dogs. Donna was a member known about town as “the elevator of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. man.” He was a proud member of She was preceded in death by her father, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Donald Riggs and mother, Virginia Riggs. Survivors include his wife, Patricia She is survived by her brother, Michael (Lynn Golden) Riggs of Amazonia, John R. Paine, known as Jack, passed away “Pat” McCall; son, Darrin L. McCall; Nov. 24, 2019, at the age of 99 in Tucson, daughters, Tricia (Bryce) Decker and Missouri; brother, Charles (Terri) Riggs of Stockbridge, Georgia; sister, Belinda Arizona, just 37 days short of his 100th Lana McCall; and grandchildren, (Micheal) Bricker of Camden Point, birthday. Jack was married to the love of Connor and Gabrielle Stotts, Drake Missouri; and several nieces, nephews and his life, Marie, for 71 years, before she McCall, and Darrin, Nickolas, extended family. She was cremated under passed away seven years ago. Also preced- Braydn, and Issak Decker. the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home, ing him in death was his only son, Jim. and a memorial service was held shortly He was preceded in death by an Jack served in the Army Corps during afterward. Memorials are requested to infant son, Gary McCall; his World War II, stationed on Guam the Friends of the Animal Shelter. parents, Walter and Glendola working on B-29s. He had a long career (Rude) McCall; and siblings, Leslie with Otis Elevator Company, starting in McCall and Mary Applegate. Richard Nourie Helen Howells was born on Sept. 4, Honolulu in 1954, before transferring to 1933, to Clarence and Norma Leonard Los Angeles in 1967 and retiring as district Today, I say goodbye to the greatest in Los Angeles, California. She passed manager of the Los Angeles office in 1980. father a girl could ask for. My dad lived away from this life in her home on Oct. a great life, served his country, made a 30, 2019, in Seal Beach, California. Jack joined the Pasadena, California, Elks good living and lived by his own rules. Lodge in 1941 and after his move to Ha- On Jan. 20, 1951, she married her waii in 1954, joined the Honolulu Elks His family was his religion; he husband Chester William Evilsizer, Lodge. He become the Grand Exalted believed in us deeply and had all and together they had two daughters. Ruler of that lodge in 1965. Jack joined the faith in the world in us. We After her husband’s passing, she again the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Asso- always came first, above all else. married, George William Howells, and ciation in 1972, becoming an honorary together they had a son in 1960. member in 1985. In Jack’s retirement, He had a deep kindness within Helen loved working as a nursing aid and he was a very active volunteer at the Ar- him — a kindness to animals and a cadia, California, Methodist Hospital. giving generosity to people. He helped enjoyed her employment at Downey Hos- strangers all the time and spoiled his pital for 40 plus years. When she retired, Jack was an avid Dodgers fan for many family rotten. Just a good person. she loved babysitting her three grand- years and was so disappointed they could children and later, great-grandchildren. not win the World Series this year. I will miss him forever, but he is no longer sick and confused. He Tribal heritage was very important to Hel- He was most proud of his family and en, and she took pride in being a member died a good and dignified death, Native American heritage. He is survived of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She and I could not ask for more. by his daughter, Arline (Tom); daughter- Richard Nourie passed away Sunday, Oct. is a descendant of the Pettifer family, and in-law, Anne; five grandchildren; Even with my broken heart, I can 27, 2019. Richard (Dick) was the son of she enjoyed learning about her heritage and nine great-grandchildren. He see what a lucky girl I have been. Sherman Chester Nourie and Stella Mary and sharing stories with her children. She will be missed for his kind spirit. (Arseneau) Nourie. He was a descendant enjoyed many things in life, including I love you, Daddy! of the Bourassa family by way of his father. quilting, crocheting and working puz- Aloha, Jack. Submitting CPN burial assistance through Tribal Rolls obituaries The $2,000 CPN Burial Assistance Fund is automatically available to all enrolled CPN members. You may fill out

To submit an obituary, please a burial assistance fund form if you would like for us to keep it on file in case of any change in resolutions. send a word document with Please note: Once a CPN tribal member has passed, the Tribal Rolls office must be notified in order for CPN to no more than 300 words, a 300dpi photo and a contact provide burial funding. Information and instructions for the burial process will be sent to the next of kin and will phone number to be discussed then.

[email protected] For more information, please call Tribal Rolls at 405-878-5835 or email [email protected].