HOWNIKAN Giwségises | November 2020

Top photo: Brightly-colored leaves signal the changing of seasons at CPN. The Affordable Care Act turns 10 in 2020 Instead of a birthday party, the Affordable that do not have any cost sharing Care Act is getting oral arguments before requirements, such as co-pays or A LOOK INSIDE the U.S. Supreme Court that could lead deductibles, for in-network services. to its demise — and a lasting impact Page 4 on health care in Indian Country. Rather than wait for Medicaid expansion, the Citizen Nation Health The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Services launched a health insurance arguments in California v. on pilot program in 2014 for uninsured Nov. 10. The lawsuit, known as Texas clinic patients who cannot receive afford- v. U.S. in the lower courts, specifically able health insurance coverage through challenges the ACA’s minimum Medicaid, Medicare or their employer. coverage requirements, more commonly A provision of the IHCIA permanent Remembering the Trail of Death known as the individual mandate. reauthorization that allows tribes to spon- sor coverage through plans on the ACA Attorneys general from 18 states, including marketplace made the program possible. Page 7 Texas, , Arkansas, Missouri and Indiana are seeking to have it struck down. In fiscal year 2019, the Tribe paid The federal government has sided with $751,304 in premiums for 213 patients, those 18 states and has indicated that including 99 CPN citizens. According to it wants most of the ACA’s provisions the CPN Office of Self-Governance, every eliminated. However, until the court dollar paid in premiums has generated issues a ruling, the Trump administration about $8 in savings on purchased and has continued to enforce the law. referred care costs from physicians CPN Health Services continues Colton Woodall poses for a photo with his outside of the Tribe’s health care system. to respond to COVID-19 is one of four states not parents, Brian and Keta Woodall, at their involved in any capacity on either home in , Friday, Oct. 23, 2020. For Alesha Brewer’s family, the side of the lawsuit, along with Alaska, program has been a lifesaver, both Page 13 Idaho and . According to the half of all American Indian children literally and figuratively. Kaiser Family Foundation, 148,474 are covered by Medicaid, according The true, dark history Both of Brewer’s daughters, 22-year- of Thanksgiving Oklahomans have health insurance to the Kaiser Family Foundation. through the ACA marketplace as of Sept. old Breanna and 18-year-old Cassie, 22. Ninety-five percent receive at least a Third-party billing, including Medicaid have a rare congenital condition that Pages 15-19 partial tax credit to help with the cost. and Medicare, brought in $1.14 billion impacts the connective tissue in their for IHS in 2019 alone. Those funds bodies. The condition could not even Tribal Executive and The litigation has also called into helped stretch the federal government’s be diagnosed without an appointment Legislative updates question the long-term viability of $5.8 billion appropriation for all IHS to see a geneticist after Breanna had the law, despite its targeted impact facilities and services. Since the adoption to have multiple shoulder surgeries. Page 20 on health in Indian Country. of the ACA in 2010, IHS’ Medicaid billing has increased by 21 percent. “We were constantly in the emergency Walking on “Repealing the ACA will exact a cruel room,” Alesha Brewer said. “We started toll on Indian Country,” Sen. Tom Udall According to a study published in getting sent to see specialists, which is (D-N.M.) said as part of an Oct. 15 December 2018 by the U.S. Government why we were called in about the insurance panel at the National Indian Health Accountability Office, the federal per program. Care was getting expensive.” Board’s virtual national conference.

NON-PROFIT capita funding for IHS is less than half FIRST CLASS of what is provided to other government- Additionally, the condition requires STANDARD MAIL STANDARD “It’s important to realize and emphasize operated health care systems. IHS receives several medications that are not part ... that Native health is what’s at stake.” $4,078 per patient, compared to $8,109 of the standard IHS formulary, and typically, they costs upward of $1,000 for Medicaid patients, $10,692 for Among the provisions of the ACA per month without insurance. specifically aimed at Indian Country is patients seen through the Veterans Health the permanent reauthorization of the Administration and $13,185 for Medicare. Each daughter also has an additional med- PR SRT STD PR SRT US POSTAGE PAID US POSTAGE PERMIT NO 49 PERMIT PAID PAID PERMIT NO 49 PERMIT NO 49 PERMIT U.S. POSTAGE Indian Health Care Improvement Act. ical issue that requires even more medi- NON-PROFIT ORG NON-PROFIT STIGLER, OK 74462 STIGLER, OK 74462 STIGLER, OK 74462 PR SRT FIRST CLASS FIRST PR SRT As the vice chairman of the U.S. Senate cations outside of the standard formulary Initially passed in 1976, the IHCIA allows Committee on Indian Affairs, Udall ac- and come with a four-figure monthly bill. for Medicaid and Medicare funding to knowledged at the NIHB conference that Cassie Brewer also has postural orthostatic go to Indian Health Services. It also the ACA is imperfect, but its Medicaid tachycardia syndrome, which impacts the allows for tribally-operated facilities, provisions have been invaluable to IHS. including Citizen Potawatomi Nation body’s heart rate and circulation. Breanna Health Services’ two clinics, to collect “Remember the old saying in Indian Brewer has dysautonomia, which requires third-party billing. Prior to the adoption Country, ‘Don’t get sick after June intravenous fluids three times per week. of the ACA, IHCIA’s provisions were or July because there’s no more Participating in the program allowed subject to reauthorization by Congress, money?’ The Affordable Care Act … which last happened in full in 1992. the Brewer sisters to get diagnoses and added a lot more money into the made it possible for them to get regular, Indian Health Services,” Udall said. The law is also responsible for the federal prompt appointments with specialty government completely covering Medicaid “If you’re underfunded, you can’t providers that are often few and far and Medicare costs for patient visits do the things you need to do.” between on the contract health list. to IHS and tribally-operated facilities. As of September, Indigenous people Third-party billing is not just limited to If the insurance sponsorship program ends account for 10 percent of all Medicaid Medicaid and Medicare. IHS and tribally- due to a repeal of the ACA, the Brewer recipients in Oklahoma. In Pottawatomie operated facilities are able to bill patients’ family does not have a backup plan for County, the rate is even higher, with insurance providers, including those handling medical expenses or receiving 17.6 percent of SoonerCare and Insure purchased through the ACA marketplace. continual treatment for a condition that Oklahoma participants identifying as few Oklahoma doctors are familiar with. American Indian or Alaska Native. One ACA provision deems tribal citizens who earn up to 300 percent “I know contract health will give them Nationwide, almost one-third of of the federal poverty level eligible to the best care they can,” Alesha Brewer non-elderly Indigenous adults and choose health plans in the marketplace Continued on page 14 2 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN Native land rights and the Land Runs of 1891

The Oklahoma land runs remain some Reenactments of the most notable events in the state’s history. The six that took place Representations of land runs in popular between 1889 and 1895 helped pave culture show a misleading series of events the way to statehood in November of and often dismiss Indigenous people. 1907. Many people associate them with “If you’ve ever seen the movie Far a feeling of excitement in the air as and Away, it’s just acre upon acre of pioneers and cowboys waited to claim rolling hills, and no one’s there, and their new property in uninhabited land. that really was not the reality for However, the reality was much starker. most of the land runs. … They were “Each one was a bigger disaster than the having to checkerboard through these next,” said Dr. Kelli Mosteller, director settlements of all of these tribal people of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation who had been there for 20-plus years Cultural Heritage Center. “Human at that point,” Dr. Mosteller said. nature comes into it. There’s greed. Public school curriculum, both in Land greed made the worst of human Oklahoma and across the country, fails nature come out. You had fights. You to discuss Native American land’s had people shooting each other. You dispossession. For some elementary had Sooners who were sneaking in and students, one of their first lessons in taking the plots of land and cheating.” Oklahoma history includes a reenactment The first took place on April of the Land Run of 1889. Dr. Mosteller 22, 1889, and established present-day refers to the oversimplification of Oklahoma City and Guthrie in one This map of shows the boundaries of tribal land Oklahoma’s statehood as a “disservice” that day. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s given through treaties prior to the Land Run of 1889. lends itself to the idea of . historical ties are with the Land Runs of “I think when you try to (teach) it 1891, which took place on Sept. 22, 23 next decade, members moved and took “The concept of moving non-Natives without complicating that history and and 28. They resulted in the founding allotments across the new reservation. in and letting them seize land and making it more three dimensional of two new counties — “County A” Then, the of 1887 authorized call it their own was well established and fleshing it out and putting in and “County B” — later named Lincoln the subdivision of communal Native in American history, but the method all of the complicated stories and all County and Pottawatomie County. reservations throughout the United of the land run was something States. After all Citizen Potawatomi — fairly new,” Dr. Mosteller said. of the people who were on the other “Surplus” and “unassigned” young and old — received plots of land, end of these pioneering efforts, you the government deemed the remaining Some historical accounts of Sept. are doing a disservice because we The U.S. government forcibly removed acreages as “surplus land” or “unassigned 22, 1891, claim more than 20,000 can love our country, and we can be many tribes to Indian Territory following land” for settlement during the land runs. people lined up in various locations proud of our country, only when we the passage of the of surrounding the settlements, waiting truly understand what happened in 1830, with the Potawatomi taken from “We did not think of it as surplus land. We for the starting signal to stake their the and how our history their homelands to Kansas during the may have understood that it was presently claim. More lined up the following day played out,” Dr. Mosteller said. Trail of Death in 1838. After the Civil unsettled land, or that it was land that for a second land run, which settled War, President Abraham Lincoln signed we, in that moment, weren’t using in Tecumseh as the seat of “County B.” Learn more about the history of Citizen the Homestead Act of 1862, encouraging a way that our Indian agent or others Potawatomi removal and displacement independent farmers to move west. who were moving in thought it should “We’re just watching over half of our by visiting the CPN Cultural Heritage be used. It may not have been under reservation disappear into non-Native Center. The Indian Territory: A Place “The Homestead Act basically said that cultivation. It may not have been fenced hands in one afternoon, and there’s to Call Our Own gallery includes if you move onto a plot of land and you off. There may not have been a home on nothing we can do about it,” she said. an interactive exhibit outlining the take care of it and improve it over five it, but that does not mean that we did geographic effect of the Land Runs years, at the end of that five years, the not understand that this is ours by treaty Citizen Potawatomi Nation began of 1891. Visit cpn.news/gallery9 for title is yours,” Dr. Mosteller said. “There and by purchase,” Dr. Mosteller said. purchasing back original allotments a video presentation of its offerings. was a precedent for this idea of people in the 1970s to re-establish and moving in and taking land without The Homestead Act and the Dawes expand its sovereignty as a Tribe. For further learning opportunities, having to pay for it and eventually Act’s ramifications meant the read about the Native Knowledge 360 becoming the titleholder to that land.” Tribe of Oklahoma, Sax & Fox Nation, “It has cost the Tribe a great deal of money, Degree education initiative from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and buying back our former reservation lands Smithsonian National Museum of the The Citizen Potawatomi signed the Absentee owned a vast one acre at a time. It’s a huge expense. … American Indian at cpn.news/360NN. In Treaty of 1867, which resulted in majority of land, either by individual The stripping away of tribal lands raised Oklahoma, visit cpn.news/OKCPNASS Tribal members selling allotments in members or as part of a reservation, questions about control and jurisdictional for curriculum resources from the Kansas to purchase a new reservation that was then settled by outsiders boundaries that have been ongoing Oklahoma City Public Schools Native in present-day Oklahoma. Over the during the Land Runs of 1891. for decades now,” Dr. Mosteller said. American Student Services. CPN Housing Department requests statements of intent The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Housing Nation Housing Department located Department is requesting a statement at 44007 Hardesty Road, Shawnee, of intent from any interested Native OK 74801. For more information, American-owned economic enterprises contact Tia Stewart, CPN Development or Native American organizations who Assistant at 405-273-2833 or by email wish to submit a bid or proposal for at [email protected]. the performance of services related to the carrying out of affordable housing This request is being offered pursuant activities. Services and work items to the Indian preference/Tribal include but are not limited to: appraisal, Preference requirements as stated building materials, construction, site in 24 CFR Part 1000. There is no work, tree removal, equipment, electrical, deadline for submissions. However, plumbing, HVAC, maintenance, submissions not received in a timely inspections, lead-based paint testing manner may prevent an otherwise and remediation, surveys and legal. qualified firm from receiving Indian preference or being able to compete The statement of intent may be for contract award under certain or submitted to Citizen Potawatomi The CPN Housing Department welcomes bids and proposals related to housing activities. previously announced solicitations.

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 NOVEMBER 2020 3 CPN Health Services celebrates Judy Lupton’s career

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Judy “Having a career with CPN has meant Lupton, LPN, retired after 23 more than I can tell — more than I years with the Citizen Potawatomi could put into words,” Lupton said. Nation Health Services. Throughout her time, she provided thoughtful Throughout her time at CPN, she care and attention to patients, and witnessed immense growth. her dedication inspired many. “There were only two nurses here at the She began as a temporary nurse in the time when I first started. … Every week, fall of 1997, filling in for a few shifts there was a meeting about goals that here and there. CPN quickly realized the had been met, what was on the agenda extent of her skills and hired Lupton as a and what we could do to help make regular, full-time employee shortly after. things better, and I fell in love with the ideas, the plans and what was going “I just felt so much better working on and how to help Native in this environment,” Lupton said. in a more positive way,” she said. “So, I’ve been here ever since.” Lupton said she looks back in She worked at a local hospital for amazement of the impact CPN almost 18 years before coming to has made on the community. CPN. Although Lupton enjoyed working in a fast-paced environment, “Unless you had seen it, you could not she preferred the ability to build one- believe what has occurred here,” she on-one relationships with those she said. “And just watching it and being a met while working at the Nation. part of it, that’s just been awesome — just absolutely awesome. And I could Judy Lupton opens gifts at her retirement party, celebrating “I was trained to work with high-risk never convey to you how much the 23 years with CPN Health Services. patients of different kinds … but Nation has meant to me as a human it’s never been about the money. being throughout all these years.” “The Potawatomi people are special “The patients and the people I worked It’s just been about what I love people, and you become part with are just awesome people,” she said. doing and people,” she said. She said she had too many fond memories of their lives,” Lupton said. to name just one, but Lupton enjoyed in- To learn more about CPN Health Lupton is not a CPN member, but she teracting with CPN members during Fam- Although she plans to stay very busy Services, visit cpn.news/health. is thankful for her role in giving back to ily Reunion Festival and sharing in the fun, in retirement, Lupton will miss her the greater Native American community. family energy the weekend always brings. patients and co-workers the most. learning tips

Native American Heritage Month Collins speaks Potawatomi as much is a great time to begin learning as possible in his home, and although Bodéwadmimwen as a family. Although his son does not always respond mastering the language has its diffi- in Potawatomi, he understands his culties, picking a few words and us- father’s words. Collins encourages ing them with younger generations other Potawatomi to do the same. helps ensure Bodéwadmimwen stays alive and strong for years to come. Resources “When I first heard (Potawatomi), it “It takes that dedication, and if you kind of took its own form inside me, want it, you’ll get it,” Collins said. and that’s what I feel that it does for When beginning his Bodéwadmimwen people. They hear a word and they journey, he took the online Moodle may get that word, and then they want course created by the CPN Department another, and they just keep growing and of Language, and his son began the growing,” said Robert Collins, Citizen course this summer as a way to help Potawatomi Department of Language aid. transition into distance learning for the upcoming school year. Collins began learning Bodéwadmimwen through prayer and songs during “You’ve got to remember that our mdodogemek (sweat lodge) a few ancestors are right there with us with years ago. Today, he teaches children this language, whether you realize it or at the CPN Child Development Phone apps, online courses and other resources developed by CPN’s Department not,” he said. “You can kind of begin of Language make speaking Potawatomi easier than ever before. Center and uses the language at home to see the world as they’ve seen it.” with his son, Robert Collins II. For Collins, hearing his son and videos and more created by the CPN The dictionary at potawatomidictionary. other children he teaches at the “It is very important to me for (the com is also another great resource. It Department of Language can bridge Child Development Center use language) to be handed down to features numerous audio recordings, this gap and create more familiarity. the language brings hope. my descendants,” Collins said. and pronunciations along with Collins stressed that although picking definitions to provide a greater Overcoming hesitations “We’re all connected, and when someone up Bodéwadmimwen can be difficult, opportunity to master Potawatomi. picks up the language, it just proves there is no time like the present to that to me even more,” he said. Before written word, Potawatomi culture “And the historical audio — it’s begin the learning process, regardless and language passed from generation to of how young or old someone may be. something to hear elders that have The department has also developed generation only through oral traditions, probably walked on. They’re no longer songs, cartoons, video recordings Taking the opportunity to set examples and continuing that is still important here to speak with us, but we have audio and more featured online at for younger members is important to today. Learning Potawatomi requires of them too. So, that’s them still helping cpn.news/JN and cpn.news/langyt. the survival of Citizen Potawatomi verbally using the words. Wanting to keep the language alive,” Collins said. culture, history and lifeways. show respect and speaking correctly is “You don’t need to be a certain important, but Collins said part of the Phone apps like Memrise developed age,” Collins said. “They might “It’s one of those things you don’t want process includes making mistakes. by CPN and Bodwéwadmimwen by be in a kid-kind of platform, but to put off. Don’t think that somebody the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi offer they’re good for kids and adults.” else is going to do it,” he said. “Just like when you were learning to speak solutions for on-the-go learning. Some English when you were an infant, you opt for placing sticky-notes around their For many CPN, hearing the language Access information and resources missed a word and didn’t even care you homes as reminders and to learn everyday only occurs during Family Reunion to begin learning and introducing were messing up words,” he said. “You phrases like gzinenjek (you all wash your Festival and other Potawatomi Bodéwadmimwen to the next have to kind of look at it like that way. hands), gziyabde’on (brush your teeth), gatherings. This can create additional generations of Potawatomi at It’s OK to mess up. We’re human.” gnoskwedzon (comb your hair) and more. challenges, but using the recordings, potawatomi.org/language. 4 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN Remembering the Trail of Death and its impact on the Potawatomi people

Nov. 4 marks the 182nd anniversary of the disease, officials burned the town the Potawatomi arriving to their final twice, and eventually, the Potawatomi destination on the Trail of Death at the abandoned Uniontown. A large tree Sugar Creek reservation in present-day stands strong on top of the mass grave Kansas. The forced removal began on near where Uniontown once flourished. Sept. 4, 1828, at Chief ’s village in Indiana. More than 850 CPN member and CPN District 4 Potawatomi made the journey, and Legislator Jon Boursaw said during a 42 perished, mostly children and 2018 interview with the Hownikan, “It elderly. Written and visual records help has been said that they were all buried chronicle this trying time in the Tribe’s in a circle with their heads pointed to history, and utilizing these resources the tree. Many more, possibly hundreds, help Tribal members and others are thought to be buried in the fields acknowledge the tenacity and resilient that surround the tiny cemetery.” spirit of the Potawatomi people. Today, cemeteries around northeastern “Statistics and studies have shown Kansas hold hundreds, if not thousands, that whenever people experience of Potawatomi who perished in the short years after arriving. To find out more repeated trauma after trauma, it starts about the Uniontown cemetery and mass to change their brain chemistry. It grave, Boursaw has worked with experts changes the DNA that they’re passing from the Kansas Geological Survey at down to the next generations,” said Dr. the University of Kansas to conduct Mosteller, Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s ground penetrating radar research. Cultural Heritage Center director. According to Boursaw, “(Dr. Blair “Think about the traumas these kids George Winter’s images provide a visual reference of the Trail of Death. Schneider) said it is the most data of any went through — all in one fell swoop: site she has surveyed, but she wants to go housing instability, seeing death first- before and during the Trail of Death how to take care of themselves and their back and do further surveys to see if she hand and families being separated.” through Winter’s drawings and paintings. sick relatives. … They were thrown in can get a better analysis of what is there.” limbo and didn’t know what tomorrow Forced removals continue to negatively “I think there’s something very powerful would bring. That is mentally taxing.” Dr. Schneider plans to conduct more impact Native American communities about being able to look through research throughout the next few months today, but using resources — like those journals and diaries and that Once they reached Sugar Creek, the to provide more concrete details. those provided through the writings removal narrative,” Dr. Mosteller said. prairies of Kansas were vastly different and sketches — to study about this than the Great Lakes environment Importance of looking back tumultuous time in Potawatomi history A Catholic missionary, Father Benjamin the Tribe knew. The Potawatomi and getting involved by learning the Petit, accompanied the Potawatomi didn’t understand the land; traditional Using written and visual record helps language and participating in Potawatomi on the forced removal. His writings medicines didn’t grow; there was no ensure the legacy of the Potawatomi culture are ways to acknowledge and heal. provide details regarding births, access to familiar, staple foods; and the people and their determination to deaths, baptisms and the hardships lack of water resources and trees available overcome is not forgotten. For those Records faced along the 660-mile walk. to build wigwams proved difficult. The who descend from individuals removed Potawatomi had to figure out how to the Trail of Death and other Potawatomi The Trail of Death was difficult, and the “I found the camp just as you saw live on the as a woodland removals, research and utilizing the weather was harsh. Many Potawatomi it, Monseigneur, at Logansport — a people, which was no easy task. resources available can provide a lacked adequate footwear, and clothing scene of desolation, with sick and sense of healing and understanding and supplies were extremely limited. dying people on all sides. Nearly all “There were so many things lost between of who the Potawatomi people English artist George Winter captured the children, weakened by the heat, Indiana and Kansas,” she said. “The were, are and will be in the future. sketches prior to and early in the removal had fallen into a state of complete Seven Fires Prophecy says that we have as well as kept a diary detailing the events. languor and depression,” Father Petit that Seventh Fire — we talk about a “When you have those resources and said in a letter to Bishop Brute. time there will be when we go back those memories, it is your duty to stop One of Winter’s diary entries included, along the path of our ancestors and and remember and reflect and honor “Soon the whole nation were seen William Polke, the Trail of Death our ancestors for the struggles that they conductor, also kept a journal, which pick up the things that they were moving down the hill sides, along the forced to put down. This was a literal went through because if they didn’t push banks of the Eel river, on the way to offers a day-to-day account. Some through the next day, if they didn’t take of his writings are available at part of our ancestors. They were their westward home. … Could the literally having to put things down.” one more step, if they didn’t hold their poor and degraded aborigine give potawatomi.org/trail-of-death. children close for one more night, we his history to the world, it could but 660 miles Disease also created challenges. When wouldn’t be here,” Dr. Mosteller said. speak in emphatic language — the the Potawatomi arrived on the continual series of oppressions of During the two months, the Potawatomi reservation west of the Mississippi, the To learn more about the Trail of Death, the White man, from the day he first lost more than 40 along the way cold November weather and constant tour the CHC’s gallery Forced From Land put foot upon the aboriginal soil.” with no time to mourn or bury the illness proved deadly. After the and Culture: Removal. The CHC’s Mezo- dead. Sickness spread throughout taxing forced removal ended, cholera dan Research Library also has books and The CHC features Winter’s work along the caravan, and at one point, more and other diseases tore through the other records available to CPN members a wall in the gallery Forced From Land than 300 experienced illnesses that community almost immediately. on a non-lending bases. Please note, due and Culture: Removal that provides a first- prevented the removal from advancing. to the coronavirus pandemic, the public person view of the Potawatomi traversing A cemetery in what once was the cannot access the library in-person. Call through canyons and hillsides on the “When the children were sick, they thriving Potawatomi community known 405-878-5830 for more information and Trail of Death. A digital interactive also couldn’t stop to let them rest and to as Uniontown in northeast Kansas to connect with library staff. For online allows visitors a hands-on approach to do the things they needed to do,” Dr. includes a mass grave of Tribal members resources, visit potawatomiheritage.org learn more about the Potawatomi people Mosteller said. “Our ancestors knew that perished due to cholera. To kill or potawatomi.org/trail-of-death. HOWNIKAN NOVEMBER 2020 5 Tribal member and psychologist researches coronavirus, quarantine stressors on families

In March 2020, the World Health “How are they interacting with the Organization labeled the spread and parents, and what are their relationships volume of novel coronavirus cases as with others? How does that affect a global pandemic. Psychologists and how children are constructing their researchers recently began to study the reality, how they’re remembering things, psychological effects of stress related to how they’re talking about things?” the health crisis, including quarantine. Hobbs studies children and the legal “We need to be around other people. system. She finds that sometimes people We are not able to do that, and perceive children to be ignorant or it’s affecting families,” said Sue unable to provide accurate descriptions Hobbs, Ph.D, Citizen Potawatomi of their experiences. In reality, youths Nation member and psychologist. simply understand things their way, which Hobbs said does not make She and her research partner Kristen them wrong. She sees children as Alexander, Ph.D, constructed and credible witnesses who perceive their released a survey in April 2020 to surroundings accurately and tell the collect data from families regarding truth. Hobbs believes this applies to the the stressors of shelter-in-place orders. coronavirus pandemic and the stress Hobbs is an assistant professor and from it as well, with children feeling their Alexander is a professor of child and parents’ depression and other emotions. adolescent development at California State University, Sacramento. “These kids do know. They are experiencing this stress. They’re “It’s a unique opportunity to contribute experiencing it themselves, and then to science because COVID-19 they’re also feeling what their parents is so widespread and is affecting are experiencing. They might not families around the world,” the understand completely what’s going Darling family descendant said. on. But then neither do we. That makes it a lot harder on all of us,” she said. Hobbs and Alexander felt the stress of quarantine themselves in spring 2020; Quarantining has required parents however, they started the research to take on new roles — teacher, project after considering their expertise Citizen Potawatomi Nation member Sue Hobbs and her research partner primary playmate, counselor — while and feeling compelled to contribute to Kristen Alexander use their skills to bring a sense of understanding to continuing to provide, discipline the global situation in a positive way. those experiencing stress during the pandemic. (Photo provided) and comfort. The constant contact of social interaction, working essential contacts and social media. Nearly 5 and closeness ensure everyone’s “I was so shocked by what was happening emotions rotate amongst each other. around me, and I was just trying to tread positions and parent-child relationships. percent of their feedback accumulated by late September came from Indigenous “We’re hoping not only to find evidence water myself. It took a call for research “What are we replacing (support systems) people; July 2019 statistics from the that, ‘Yes, people are feeling more to wake me, and for me to recognize the with? And how are we coping with U.S. Census Bureau estimate American stressed. People are having more opportunity for research,” Alexander said. this stress, and how much perceived Indians and comprise difficulties parenting.’ We want to find stress are we experiencing?” Alexander “I agree,” Hobbs added. “And then I less than 2 percent of the population. out what’s helping people cope. We thought, we should contribute because asked. “So, of course, we think people “Usually when we conduct research, we need to get that information published there’s just no research. There’s nothing are experiencing stress, and evidence get one or two responses from Native and available to the public because this because this is new, and people need so far shows that there is an increased Americans or people who say that they’re isn’t going to end soon,” Hobbs said. information — real information.” level of stress in the families. But we need evidence for stress and how of Native . … I Initial data analyzation of 349 Survey development it’s impacting family interactions. want to make sure the voices of Native participants indicates the pandemic We’re particularly looking at the Americans are heard,” Hobbs said. significantly affected their well-being They developed their survey by reviewing parents’ well-being and parenting.” Children’s perceptions with many reporting an increase in and selecting validated questionnaires perceived stress. Hobbs and Alexander about well-being, family function and They wanted an anonymous survey and In general, their research pertains to continue to analyze the figures perceived stress. It takes approximately asked for general demographics from children’s well-being; both of them found and write about their findings. 20 minutes to complete with more participants to encourage honesty and their niche while in college. Hobbs’ than 100 questions regarding perceived truth. Hobbs also focused on Native passion for statistics and Alexander’s While they stopped accepting surveys stress over time, emotional health, American participation, a section of love of studying cognitive development about families and children, Hobbs coping, COVID-19 and childhood the population she often feels gets left make them successful partners. and Alexander now seek statistics from experiences resulting in cumulative out or lumped in with other groups. adults, regardless of parenting status, stress. They considered loss of income, As a CPN member, she encouraged “I’m interested particularly in the child through a second survey. Take the homeschooling children, health, lack participation through her university as part of the family,” Alexander said. survey at cpn.news/hobbssurvey.

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 Editor: Jennifer Bell Page/graphic designer: Trey DeLonais Questions: [email protected] or 800-880-9880 Editor: John VanPool Graphic designer: Emily Guleserian Writer: Mary Belle Zook Address changes should be sent to Tribal Rolls, Writer: Paige Willett Photographer: Garett Fisbeck Writer: Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Submissions coordinator: Mindee Duffell 1601 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801 6 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN Dozens attend flag dedication ceremony at First National Bank & Trust Co.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation and First “I also encourage you and all Americans National Bank & Trust Co. welcomed to honor the memories of every hero the broader community to a flag who has risked or given his or her life dedication ceremony on the bank’s to protect our freedom so majestically property in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on symbolized in this flag of the United Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. FNB’s marketing States of America,” he said. “As a nation, team organized and publicized the we must also remain forever grateful to event, drawing city leaders and citizens. the heroic men and women who serve as our first responders and guardians of “Chairman John ‘Rocky’ Barrett had the our health and homes and education.” idea and the vision for our community to have a larger presence of the flagpole and Many in the crowd wore red, white and a larger flag to really make a statement blue. Kassy Mize sang The Star-Spangled here in Shawnee,” said FNB Marketing Banner, and everyone participated in the Assistant Ashely Klewicki. “We really Pledge of Allegiance after the rising flag wanted to let our community be a part came to a full stop. In closing remarks, of that and part of the ceremony.” FNB CEO Bryan Cain talked about the unanticipated pride and patriotism Shawnee Mayor Ed Bolt, city he felt watching it fly in the wind. commissioners, Shawnee citizens and CPN leaders Tribal Chairman John “We may just be individuals in this “Rocky” Barrett and Vice-Chairman community, but when we work together Linda Capps watched as Boy Scouts from and we are united, we can withstand Troops 461, 415, 408, 426, 417 and COVID — we can withstand whatever 414 as well as Cub Scout Troop 3417 storm or wind of change that comes attached and raised the flag into the sun. Local Boy Scouts assist in a flag dedication ceremony at Citizen our way,” he said. “So, I hope as you Potawatomi Nation’s First National Bank & Trust Co. travel down MacArthur here, that the “These boys have learned a lot about same sense of pride and patriotism country, duty to country, honor, Mayor Bolt noted the flag’s considerable shows you we have a lot of really cool swells up in you every time you see it.” reverence, all of these things,” said size, which several Boy Scouts lined up to stuff going on here in Shawnee,” he said. Jennifer Grant, whose son is a hold before hoisting it up the new flagpole. First National Bank & Trust Co.’s main member of Troop 415. “And so for The bank sits at the busy intersection of Chairman Barrett presided over the branch is located at 130 E MacArthur, them to get to be part of a ceremony East MacArthur Street and Union Avenue. benediction. He said a prayer in both Shawnee, OK 74804. Visit FNB online that’s much larger than just their Potawatomi and English, followed at fnbokla.com or call 405-275-8830. own troop and see something that “At the top of this hill, you’re going to be by a message of faith, unity and the entire city will be seeing and able to just see that thing forever — in community and motivated those in part of is really special for them.” both directions. That’s really neat. It just attendance to practice thankfulness. Tribal members encouraged to serve as Potawatomi foster and adoptive parents

November is National Adoption “Since most of the children who are “Most of our homes already have Month, and many Potawatomi and adopted from foster care are adopted by placements,” Lowden said. “We definitely Native American children within the their foster parents, people interested need more. Every time we get involved foster care system need a safe, stable in adoption should consider that in a case, we do everything we can to home. While oftentimes the goal is when applying,” Lowden said. make sure the children are placed with to work with parents and guardians family — if not with family, then with to reunite with their children, there Private adoption can cost tens of one of our Tribal homes. … We have are cases where finding a permanent, thousands of dollars, but going to think long-term and have a broader through the Nation removes loving family becomes necessary. view to ensure we have an ongoing almost all adoption-related fees. pool of homes who are available to “Most of the time when children are provide care for Potawatomi children.” adopted in foster care, it’s their foster “There are essentially no costs related to adopting through foster care. Many parents who adopt them,” explained FireLodge Children & Family Services Kendra Lowden, Citizen Potawatomi times, adoption attorney fees can be covered for foster parents,” she said. assigns a caseworker to every child Nation FireLodge Children & Family placed in foster care and is available to Services foster care and adoption manager. “The only potential fee someone may support foster and adoptive families have to pay is a copay for a medical through each step of the process. “We do have children that need (to be) exam, but other than that, it’s cost-free.” adopted that don’t have a foster home that “Our caseworkers make monthly we’re able to find for them or one of our However, FireLodge Children & Family contact with the foster parent, ensure foster homes are not able to take them.” Services’ most dire need is for foster that everything is going great, help parents who are also willing to adopt. with any issues that pop up, questions Having a one-on-one conversation CPN Foster Care and Adoption Manager Kendra Lowden welcomes families about medical appointments, with CPN Indian Child Welfare staff “We sometimes have cases where a interested in fostering or adopting to reach can better acquaint potential foster or counseling, visitation — they’re there placement disrupts for various reasons, out for guidance and more information. to guide the foster parent,” she said. adoptive parents with the process. and a Potawatomi child needs to be placed into one of our homes for Lowden explained. “Many times, it’s For CPN members living outside “For anyone interested in fostering adoption,” Lowden said. “It’s not due to where they’re located.” or adopting, the best thing to do of Oklahoma, Lowden recommends necessarily every day we have a child reaching out to their local state is make a phone call that way we The CPN FireLodge Children that we could place in an adoption- agency that oversees foster care. If can have a conversation about the only home, but it is a possibility.” & Family Services strives to find requirements and expectations for placements near children’s families they live near other Native Nations, foster and adoptive families,” she said. The need so that visitations are easier. contacting the tribes themselves could present opportunities to assist Expectations Across Oklahoma, there are almost 7,500 “We wouldn’t want to have a child other Native American children. children in foster care, and more than in a car for so many hours in a Most of the time, parents do not 3,500 of them are Native American. day or every week,” she said. Find out more information about voluntarily place children into foster care, FireLodge Children & Family Services and in most cases, parents actively work “We have a lot of children that But the demand for Potawatomi foster by visiting potawaomi.org/firelodge to regain placement of their children. are placed in non-Native homes,” families across the state is still high. or call 405-878-4831. HOWNIKAN NOVEMBER 2020 7 CPN Health Services continues to respond to COVID-19 entering winter By Dr. Adam Vascellaro, D.O., actively leading and CPN Chief Medical Officer collaborating with local civic leaders to prepare I suspect many would not have expected for multiple COVID-19 we would be in November and still right immunization drives on in the middle and on the front lines an unprecedented scale of a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. in our communities. Our Unfortunately, it is still very real, while health services anticipates getting closer to our homes and work having access to two every day. In fact, here in Oklahoma separate vaccines in the we’re consistently among the top states near future. The first for record-setting numbers of new cases. is expected to be the I’m sure by now those of you reading BioNT/Pfizer vaccine are in the same place I am — knowing currently slated for a multiple patients, coworkers and family January 2021 release and who have recently battled the illness. the Moderna vaccine Thankfully, most infected have been able currently estimated for to remain at home with only symptomatic mid-2021. Both are two- medications, socially-distanced support shot vaccines with 21 and faith. Some of you may even know days between the doses. one patient included in the approximately 5 percent whose symptoms became A yet-to-be-determined severe enough to require hospitalization. priority will determine COVID-19 hospitalization is scary, not who get the vaccines only medically, but even more so from first. Frontline health a humanistic perspective. Typically, CPN and the surrounding communities proven to operate safely through care workers, first responders, and these patients are hospitalized in are at the crossroads of multiple hot it. CPNHS is a leader in real-time high-risk patients will be first priority, order to receive supplemental oxygen spots. If you were to draw a line from the COVID-19 PCR testing. By combining followed by the general population. and other supportive-type care. They recent COVID-19 hotspots of Norman it with COVID-19 IgG antibody testing, commonly require treatments utilizing to Stillwater and another one from we have aided our decision makers to Again, CPNHS and Oklahoma are in BIPAP, ventilators, lung bypass to McLoud, the junction point allow policies approving the return of the midst of a worsening first wave. I machines and dialysis. The humanistic and area surrounding it is the Tribal COVID patients to work or school on hope that we can keep playing defense challenge is that your family member is jurisdiction and areas CPNHS serves. a case-by-case basis. This stands in stark long enough to get to herd immunity hospitalized and in quarantine. Their comparison to the U.S. Centers for between spreading infection and only — and possibly final — means of If the state and local communities Disease Control and Prevention’s semi- upcoming immunizations so we can don’t start insisting on social distancing communication with loved ones being educated, always changing and politically get there with minimal physical and and mask mandates, I anticipate an impersonal phone or FaceTime call. biased, one-size-fits-all recommendations. social casualties. We have a long way things will get far worse. Respiratory to go and a short time to get there. It has been a struggle throughout viruses like COVID-19 tend to have Tribal Emergency Management the pandemic to balance giving more severe symptoms in the winter Director Tim Zientek and his staff are I am praying for all. the information necessary to months. Adding in the potential for convey the reality of the virus and contracting Influenza A along with generate a need for people to act the virus, there is a rising concern that cautiously in their interactions and patient’s symptoms will be much more activities, while not inciting fear. severe than what has occurred during the summer months. As such, we are The following chart included here shows highly recommending all CPN patients how the pandemic has been progressing get their flu shots as soon as possible! within Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services. I believe CPNHS data generated You keep hearing that Oklahoma without political bias is a very good sample hospitals have plenty of ICU beds and of what is truly going on in Oklahoma. ventilators, which is probably true. What This chart goes from February to October you are not hearing is that the staff of a 2020. It clearly shows that not only are we 24/7 ICU with three shifts of nurses is still in the “first wave” of the pandemic growing more and more strained. There but also that it is not slowing down. are limits on the number of qualified staff to man these wards, and the state’s Please pay specific attention to the three hospitals are especially short of lung black dots added to the line on the bypass machines, also knowns as EMCOs. chart. They represent the dates of the Patients are placed on these when high LIKE State of Oklahoma’s three “reopening” LIKE flow oxygen and ventilatory support phases that all took place without a isn’t enough. CPNHS’ first patient was statewide mask mandate. I personally on ECMO at Integris in Oklahoma think the pandemic is spreading fast City. Shortly thereafter, another of our and will continue to do so, potentially patients had to be sent to a Tulsa hospital with greater death rates, if people in for ECMO. Just a couple of weeks ago, UUSS our state and communities don’t start another of our patients had to be sent practicing appropriate mask wearing and to Baylor University Medical Center in social distancing. Mask mandates are Texas in order to get ECMO treatment. needed in our cities, counties and state. The concern is there are limited, or possibly no more, ECMOs available I am grateful to Tribal Chairman John in Oklahoma right now. This may be a ON “Rocky” Barrett for showing true crisis ON preview of other strains on in-patient leadership, making the unpopular decision k! resources that will become noticeable to o based in part on CPNHS’ internal bo those of you outside the medical field. ce COVID-19 real-time testing data to Fa implement a mask mandate throughout An additional unfortunate reality with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. He did so hospitalization is the bill that comes with at the same time that the state government it. A $10 mask may be inconvenient and other local leaders in Oklahoma were or uncomfortable, but it may be unwilling to do what is needed and right. preferable to a very steep hospital bill Much of the criticism of his decision following an extended stay in the ICU. cited political opinions partially based www.fnbokla.bank405.275.8830 upon the biased, flawed data generated CPNHS and CPN are well ahead of from the State of Oklahoma, which at the curve in containing the spread of the time did not include antigens testing. COVID-19 as well as the methods 8 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN Violence against women is not a Potawatomi tradition By Kayla Woody, House of a Supreme Court decision from 1978, Hope Prevention Specialist Native American tribal courts have no jurisdiction over non-Natives. The world we live in today provides fast-paced news reporting and 24-hour “If a white person commits murder or media coverage on any crime or event. rape against a Native American person, There is not much that goes unnoticed the federal government would have or overlooked. However, there seem to jurisdiction over those crimes, instead be many stories that remain untold in of the tribe or state government,” said our Native communities. These stories Cheryl Bennett, an Arizona State include 506 of missing and murdered University professor studying hate Indigenous women and girls in urban crimes that target Indigenous peoples. areas as identified by the Urban Indian Health Institute between 2000 and 2016. However, according to a 2010 chance of parole. The legislation was now require the Justice Department Government Accountability Office aimed to improve tribal access to federal to develop guidelines for responding The amount of missing and murdered report, when tribal law enforcement crime information databases, increase to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women is staggering. The sent cases like these to the FBI and coordination among all levels of law Native Americans, report statistics Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Attorney Offices, prosecutors enforcement, and create standardized on those cases, provide required law Prevention revealed that Native women are declined more than two-thirds of them. protocols for responding to cases of enforcement agency training, and to murdered at a rate 10 times higher than missing and murdered Indigenous work with tribes and tribal organizations Native communities are not receiving other ethnicities, and murder is the third women. Unfortunately, in 2018 the bill in implementing its strategy. the protection or assistance they need leading cause of death. As included in a was blocked and was required to return from crimes like these. Due to the 2018 report by the UIHI, the National to the beginning of the legislative process. Another piece of legislation that was Crime Information Center disclosed 5,712 issue, Senators have stepped up, creating introduced by Senator Murkowski is the cases of missing and murdered Native legislation to change the processes Last year, the bill was reintroduced Not Invisible Act. This is the first bill in American women and girls were reported our Federal government takes with by Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska history to be introduced and supported in 2016, the latest period for which data these cases. In October 2017, Senator and was unanimously approved on by four enrolled members of federally was available at the time of release. Heitkamp introduced Savanna’s Act, Dec. 6. It passed the Senate in March recognized tribes. The legislation was which was the first piece of legislation of 2020 and then passed the House of passed alongside Savanna’s Act and will “The numbers are likely much higher to specifically address missing and Representatives in September of 2020. increase intergovernmental coordination because cases are often under- murdered Indigenous women and to identify and combat violent crime reported, and data isn’t officially girls. The legislation has been named “Senator Heitkamp was a true leader on within Native American lands. collected,” said former U.S. Senator after Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind. this issue and an advocate for Indigenous Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.). peoples throughout her tenure in the If you or someone you know is Savanna was added to the list of missing Senate. I’m proud to reintroduce this experiencing intimate partner violence, According to reports from the National and murdered Indigenous women after bill and continue our efforts to bring stalking, and/or sexual assault and Congress of American Indians, about she was abducted and killed in Fargo, much-needed attention and coordination would like more information, please 84.3 percent of Native women experience North Dakota, by Brooke Crews, a to the issue of murdered and missing contact the House of Hope at violence and 56 percent experience non-Native woman, who strangled Native women,” Senator Murkowski said. 405-275-3176 or visit us online at sexual violence that is overwhelmingly Savanna and then cut her 8-month- facebook.com/cpnhouseofhope. committed by individuals outside the old child from her womb. Crews’ was On Oct. 10, President Donald Trump Native American community. Due to sentenced to life in prison without the signed the bill into law. This will Strict CARES Act fund disbursement guidelines remain confusing for Indian Country

Although the U.S. Department of the promised direct assistance without requirement in order to remain in Executive Officer Francys Crevier, Treasury has already cut the checks, running afoul of the federal government. compliance with federal guidance. J.D., testified that the facilities she there is still some uncertainty in Indian represents have had to contend with Country about what exactly counts as an For example, before the Department of Meanwhile, an attempt to implement a similar curveballs due to belated and acceptable use of CARES Act money. the Treasury weighed in on per capita $1,000 per capita payment at the sometimes conflicting guidance. payments, the Stroud-based Sac and Fox Tribe brought the Carnegie-based tribe Under guidance issued by the Treasury in Nation had already announced plans into court. The Court of Indian Offenses She spoke of an urban Indian clinic June, state, local and tribal governments in May for all of its citizens to receive issued a temporary injunction in August that had planned to use federal COVID are allowed to use CARES Act money two checks regardless of income status, to block further spending of CARES Act relief funds for heating, ventilation to provide direct cash assistance to their with the first round distributed in June. money until the tribe adopted a budget and air conditioning improvements constituents. However, the disbursal that included a line item breakdown of that would reduce the risk of spreading of the funds requires documentation In light of the federal government’s how it would spend the relief funds. The droplets. However, the clinic’s request directly related to COVID-created needs, new guidance, all Sac and Fox citizens injunction has since been lifted and the for CARES Act money to pay for the such as increased internet bandwidth to must now include an application to tribe did not implement a per capita project was denied on the grounds that support teleworking or distance learning. receive that second payment that lists payment. Instead, Kiowa citizens are the system would impact more than all economic hardships incurred due to still required to fill out an application just solely COVID-19 patient rooms. Blanket per capita checks are not allowed, the pandemic, including medical bills, and include information regarding the and going that route can be grounds for buying personal protective equipment pandemic’s impact on their finances. “There are a lot of administrative the federal government to request an or securing additional cleaning supplies. restrictions placed on us,” Crevier audit or even repayment from the tribal Tribes are not the only ones having said. “That has really challenged government or recipient tribal member. The is not the only to maneuver around the regulatory our programs. It’s not that we Oklahoma tribe having to adjust its confusion. A subcommittee of the U.S. don’t need it — we absolutely need With that guidance coming out weeks COVID-19 aid plans. After initially House of Representatives’ Committee it — but there are way too many after Native Nations began receiving putting out a call in May for tribal on Appropriations held a hearing restrictions on how it is used.” federal aid, some Oklahoma tribes are citizens to update their addresses in on the impact of the coronavirus on having to adjust their plans and get order to receive a check, the Tribe Indian Country on Sept. 30. National creative in order to provide previously of Oklahoma also added an application Council on Urban Indian Health Chief HOWNIKAN NOVEMBER 2020 9 10 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN First Native American Southern Baptist Army Chaplain

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Faith and military service as Fort Jackson Hospital chaplain Heritage Center honors servicemen while he overcame his injuries. and women by featuring photos on the As a sergeant in the Air Force, he Veterans’ Wall of Honor, highlighting became an ordained Baptist minister LeClair honorably retired in April efforts during wartime in exhibits and while serving in Alaska and founded a 1972, five years after beginning an interactive database. This Veterans church in Palmer. He also pastored at his service in Vietnam. Day, we recognize Charles LeClair, a church while attending Oklahoma the first Native American Southern Baptist University in Shawnee. He then LeClair received numerous awards and Baptist chaplain of the U.S. Army. graduated with a bachelor’s of divinity accolades, including the Army Bronze from Southwestern Baptist Theological Star, Commendation Medal, Vietnam LeClair is a descendant of the Kaw Seminary in 1962 — all of which led Service Medal with four bronze service Nation and Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma him to become a chaplain in the Army. stars and a Republic of Vietnam and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Campaign Ribbon, just to name a few. Nation. He grew up near Ponca City, After founding and ministering at Oklahoma, on an 80-acre allotment several churches in Oklahoma and After active duty members of his family who are Kansas, LeClair felt called back to the His career following military service enrolled in the Ponca Tribe received. military. He became the first Native After elementary school, he attended American Southern Baptist chaplain in included working as a member of Chilocco Indian School in Newkirk, the Army and attended Fort Hamilton the Economic Stabilization Program Oklahoma, graduating in 1948 with chaplain school in New York. of the 1970s, the U.S. Department an emphasis on blacksmithing. of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract While stationed at following Army chaplain Charles LeClair Compliance, and the Equal Employment He expanded his education with Fort Hamilton, he established a chapel at Opportunity Manager for Lockheed degrees from Northern Oklahoma aviation command. LeClair became the LeClair was stationed in South Vietnam Space Operations — now Lockheed Junior College in , Oklahoma, First Field Artillery Brigade Chaplain and in spring 1967 on active duty and Martin — until he retired in 1991. Oklahoma Baptist University in held many military funerals — once for was quickly promoted to captain Shawnee, Oklahoma, and Southwestern a Chilocco classmate who visited LeClair and chaplain of the 46th Engineer He became a member of the Chilocco Baptist Theological Seminary in the evening before deploying to Vietnam. Battalion. Ten months into service, a Indian School Hall of Fame in June 2003. Fort Worth, Texas. LeClair’s vast vehicle accident left him with limited skillset includes trombone, boxing, During an interview with the mobility for his last two months overseas. If you are a veteran and a member of the welding, ministering and more. Oklahoma City Times in November However, LeClair finished his tour. Citizen Potawatomi Nation and would 1969, LeClair said, “What I like most like your place on the Veterans Wall of His military service in both the Army is that in the Army, the chaplain is He spent the next two years undergoing Honor at the CPN Cultural Heritage and Air Force took him to Georgia, considered part of the team, and is spinal fusion treatments at Walter Reed Center, please call 405-878-5830 and ask Alaska, Fort Sill, New York and Vietnam. able to mingle with the people in duty Army Medical Center in Washington for KeAnne Langford or Blake Norton or After retiring from the military, LeClair situations. You have more exposure D.C., while assigned to Fort Jackson, email [email protected] spent the next 23 years a civil servant. to people who are in your charge.” South Carolina. LeClair still served or [email protected]. Man’s best friend provides judgement-free language learning opportunities Speaking with and teaching a dog acreage. After Blue tires herself out, commands in Potawatomi — such as Marsee works on simple commands with gzhkeshnen (lay down), gashnen (stop) her, offering a treat for good behavior. and bozho’a (shake) — offers fun ways to learn the language with simple “She’s off running. I’ll be like, ‘Byan phrases, especially for beginners. shodé,’ you know, ‘Come here,’ and she’ll hear me and she’ll come to me, and I’ll Higbee descendant Ragan Marsee began be like, ‘Jibtében’ (Sit down), and she teaching her dog, Blue, Potawatomi knows that command,” Marsee said. commands at 9 or 10 months old. Marsee enjoys learning different Offering a visual queue to go with the languages and now works for the vocabulary — such as a hand up for Citizen Potawatomi Nation Language “stop” — and a specific tone with each Department as a language aid. command aids the learning process. For the best chance at success, Marsee “I started teaching her the commands recommended patience and spending before I started working here. So, plenty of time with furry friends. when I first got her, I would talk to her. I’d call her like ‘penojes,’ ‘my baby,’ “Honestly, I think there’s been a bit of a and ‘ndanes,’ ‘my daughter.’ And I … stigma with dogs thinking like ‘old dogs would be like, ‘Dokém,’ like, ‘Calm can’t learn new tricks,’ you know? But down,’ because she was just a super I would say it couldn’t be farther from high energy dog,” Marsee said. the truth. As long as you have a good connection with your dog, if you are She never taught Potawatomi to the other dogs she owned; however, she treating your dog properly, your dog is finds Blue very receptive to learning a going to be receptive to learning. And new language along with her. Practicing sometimes it takes time. It definitely with her dog allowed Marsee to use “I just knew that no one else was going in trouble, and you have them sit is not a one-day process,” she said. simple vocabulary while feeling no to know what I was saying. And no and lay down and stay, then they’re However, most dogs quickly pick it judgment for her imperfections. one else was going to know what I was like, ‘Oh, no. What I’d do?’ Because up. Reminders about the importance commanding her and that she would dogs don’t want to do bad. They “When I talk with people that do of using the language in everyday only listen to me, and she would look want to do good,” Marsee said. know the language, my confidence just life can quell any apprehensions goes (down), and I completely forget to me for the commands. And she’s still Adding structure to periods of about teaching them Potawatomi. everything that I know,” she said. “And a kid. She’s only 14 in human years. So learning signals to dogs when it is “Just go for it,” Marsee said. “Your so they’re a good starting place. And she’s still really rambunctious, and I’m time to focus and pay attention. they’re gentle teachers, for sure. They still teaching her every day,” Marsee said. dogs understand tone. Usually, they’re teach me a lot more than I teach “What I’ve noticed is that a dog that is going to understand what you’re asking She stressed positive reinforcement, them — that I will say, 110 percent.” full of energy is not going to be receptive them to do. They’re pretty smart.” using treats and attention, as opposed to learning that well. So you kind of have Tips and tricks to yelling or physical punishment. to work with them for a while,” she said. Find CPN Language Department resources at potawatomidictionary.com, Marsee chose to teach her dog “A lot of the times, if you sharpen your Marsee keeps treats in her pocket while cpn.news/language and on YouTube Potawatomi to form a special bond. tone and you let them know they’re she lets Blue run around on her family’s at cpn.news/youtube. HOWNIKAN NOVEMBER 2020 11 Language update

By Justin Neely, videos — one for kids and another for The Pokagon Potawatomi have a Did you bring a jacket? It’s going CPN Language Director adults. Our Memrise website has three course available on Mango for learning to be cold when it gets dark. different courses that you can study from our language. They also have an Our online high school course has really as well. And lastly, we have two Quizlets app on the Google Play store called Weswen ne ggi-majibdon kyetnam ewi taken off this year. We have four schools filled with many vocabulary study sets. Bodwèwadmimwen for learning basic ksenyamgek dbekek. offering Potawatomi for language credit Potawatomi words/phrases in categories. Did you turn on the heater? It’s for graduation in Oklahoma. Tecumseh, Online dictionary: really going to be cold tonight. Wanette, Maud and Shawnee. We hope to potawatomidictonary.com Mango Potawatomi course: be able to offer the course for even more cpn.news/mango Penik ne ggi-bnegwenak? students in the near future. If you have Online Moodle Course: Did you peel the potatoes? a student in high school in Oklahoma, cpn.news/moodle Anet Bodéwadmimwen have them talk to the principal about Dgwaget kedwnen. Msezé wiyas mine Shashag Children’s Moodle Course: offering Potawatomi in your school. It penik nwi-gebatonen. cpn.news/moodlekids Some Potawatomi sentences for fall. may require a little extra work, like I am cooking turkey and mashed potatoes. approval by the local school board, but Cultural Teachings: cpn.news/stories Datbegon watébgyanon ene dgwagek. let them know there is no cost to the The leaves are changing color Mdamnek ne ggi-mshishknak? school. All the students need is internet Kids YouTube page: cpn.news/youthvids since it is becoming fall. Did you shuck the corn? access and a teacher who can sit in the room with the students. They can contact Adult YouTube page: cpn.news/JN Tkéya mget zagech gnebéch Netem ne sikdekiwen ezhewébek shode. me so I know where to send the grades. da biskemen gazhoyak. Has the first frost happened here? Facebook Page: cpn.news/langFB It’s cool outside. Maybe you should During these trying times, make Nish Kche yabek ngi-wabmak Memrise: cpn.news/memrise put on some warm clothes. sure to try the many online resources ezhi jigakwak. available for learning the language. Bodewadmimwen Quizlet: Gda-mawdoshke’anen ne ni datbegon I saw two big bucks over there cpn.news/quizlet nekmek shena zhi ténon. by the edge of the woods. Check out our online dictionary that con- Could you rake the leaves? tains over 9,000 words. We have an online Potawatomi Quizlet: They are all over the place. Ngi-bashksewa ngot nijan mine self-paced Potawatomi language course cpn.news/quizletcards bshkonwek o yabe. available on Moodle. If you have access to Babwichgen! Abdek nwi-askonye I shot one doe, and I missed a buck. Facebook, we have a Facebook page called If you have not checked it out already, bgéji ksenya mget. Potawatomi Language where we post we also have Gulliver’s Travels, the Wait! I have to change. It’s a little cold. Gda-Bitoshkan eko updates, classes, videos and talk about all hour-long cartoon version, you can ksenyamget wéyabek. things Potawatomi language. We also have watch all in Potawatomi with subtitles Biskowagen ne ggi-byédon iw pi You should dress in layers since it’s two YouTube channels with hundreds of on YouTube: cpn.news/gulliver gishkepkonyak wa je ksenyamgek. going to be cold tomorrow morning. Convenient banking whenever and wherever you need it By Linda Wesley with Story it is payday, and you want to be sure for snacks or some new clothes. With Call or come see us if Path Communications your paycheck is in your account before TransferNow, you can quickly and easily you have questions stopping at the grocery store. Or you transfer money directly to their account, When was the last time you walked into are checking to be sure the rent check even if they use a different bank. You just In the days of mobile banking and a bank to deposit a check or take care you mailed last week has cleared. Or you need the bank name and account number. mobile deposit, we have many customers of other business with your account? realized you forgot to pay the cable bill who never need to visit one of our We live in an on-the-go world, and and need to pay it now. With online and Deposit checks from anywhere physical locations. Some customers still banking has certainly adapted to the mobile banking, you can check account come in regularly, and our friendly team needs of customers in that regard. 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They are working part-time when you finish, even though the There are lots of reasons to need access and staying on top of their studies, and system will log you out automatically to your bank account on the go. Maybe you want to send a little fun money after a certain period of time. Tribal members CARES Act funds expire Dec. 30, 2020 Citizen Potawatomi Nation is urging John “Rocky” Barrett. “Because we’re technology and student support program, applied for these programs must Tribal members 18 and older to apply prohibited from distributing the the elder housing assistance relief program, do so before Dec. 30, 2010. for the Tribal CARES Act programs funds received from the CARES Act the foreclosure and eviction prevention before Dec. 30, 2020. All Tribal as per capita payments, we encourage program and the related expenses program. Applicants who have previously members 18 and older are eligible all CPN citizens to apply for these applied for any of these programs do to apply, regardless of location. special programs as soon as possible.” Applicants for the elder food security not need to submit new applications and disability food security programs to receive the increases. Please “More than 65 percent of the $62 Tribal officials have decided to double the will receive payments for March allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. million we’ve received from the maximum amount for several programs, through December, regardless federal government is dedicated to including the student assistance program, of what month they apply. For more information on these programs, Tribal members in need during these the technology program, post-secondary please see the insert included in this trying times,” said Tribal Chairman assessment grant, the post-secondary Tribal members who have not Hownikan or visit potawatomi.org/cares. 12 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN CPN member seeks to increase accessibility to culturally-important plants through graduate research

Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal member plants.” Howard began analyzing climate Susannah Howard’s interest in nature change adaptation plans this semester. and the land has grown in unexpected ways since deciding to attend graduate “I’m trying to kind of sift through school at State University of New York thousands of pages of documents to College of Environmental Science and just what every tribe is talking about Forestry. She majored in geosciences in terms of cultural plants. Are they with a certificate in Native American accessible now? Were they accessible? and Indigenous studies while at Smith When were they accessible? What’s College in Massachusetts and described the knowledge behind them? And herself as a “hardcore rock nerd.” what do we propose the access will be in the next 10, 15, 20 years as Howard spent the summer of 2018 climate change progresses?” she said. as an undergraduate researcher at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Natives in STEM The Frigon family descendant worked on a wild rice lake, familiarizing Howard is a member of the Potawatomi herself with its growth requirements, Leadership Program class of 2016. biogeochemistry and the geography The experience made her search for of land and water resources. Potawatomi from all tribes in her educational and professional endeavors. “It became a lot clearer that as much As an undergraduate, Howard was one as I liked geology, I wasn’t going to get of the few Native STEM students at to make the same kind of difference as Smith College. She described the chance I would if I had been a little bit more Citizen Potawatomi Nation member Susannah Howard takes water quality measurements to work with Kimmerer in New York well-rounded in the plant sciences while studying menomen (wild rice) decline and restoration in Minnesota. (Photo provided) as “too good to pass up,” especially in a and the soil sciences,” Howard said. program with other Indigenous people. heritage and earth sciences. A group of future endeavors (in) plant protection She anticipated entering the workforce Potawatomi from across North America by really bringing together all of the “I’ve been really lucky with the Tribe. after completing her bachelor’s degree in with expansive knowledge of biodiversity, known information we have about I seem to meet more Potawatomi 2019, but instead made an unexpected including academics, scientists, resource all the plants that all the Potawatomi every time I go anywhere or meet a move. In the fall of 2019, she enrolled managers and more, formed the communities care about,” Howard said. new group of people. So that’s really in the environmental science master’s Potawatomi Plant Protection Network important to me, I think, to not program at SUNY-ESF and rushed throughout the last couple of years. She also hopes the information leads to feel like I’m alone,” Howard said. to learn botany basics as well as collaboration between local government brushing up on climate science and “(The Plant Protection Network’s) as well as private landowners, opening She has worked on creating a network natural resources management and thought process originally was that for land access for Potawatomi to gather of Native scientists and finding ways law. Howard’s academic advisor is CPN most CPN members, ancestrally, we’ve plants and teach traditional practices. to give back to the Native community member and acclaimed botanist Robin already kind of experienced a version through participation in organizations of climate change, albeit quite rapid,” “And if it’s something like wild rice, if including the Geologic Society of Wall Kimmerer, author of New York you could work with the landowner, Times bestseller Braiding Sweetgrass. Howard said. “The walk from Lake America and the American Indian Michigan to … Kansas then Oklahoma is it would be amazing to get access so Science and Engineering Society. Howard “It was a fortuitous moment in like a rapid experience of climate change that you can teach kids how to do it hopes her work and accomplishments that SUNY-ESF just got their first that is sort of unprecedented in modern so that in 10 years, that whole body of make the path easier for future round of funding through the Sloan times but really won’t be very soon.” knowledge isn’t lost because the wild generations of Natives in STEM fields. Foundation to bring Native students rice isn’t where it used to be,” Howard to the college to study with Robin Anticipating the impacts of climate said. “So, it’s complicated, but it’s fun.” “I think part of what motivates me in and other people under the Center for change grows more difficult as the STEM is that I can bring more kids Her ambitious plans include a potential Native Peoples and the Environment, severity of temperatures and rising along. ... The further I get into my website database for all of the information and my first crew was the first group sea levels increases. Some traditional career path, the more kids I could meet collected from 11 tribes in the United under that program,” Howard said. plants, such as menomen (wild rice), and sort of push into the right places, require a specific habitat to flourish, States and Canada, complete with maps whether it’s getting them funding Climate change and which rapidly decreases as rainfall levels of individual plants’ availability in both or giving them support,” she said. traditional knowledge change and growing seasons shorten. current and traditional homelands. Howard’s goal is to bring Potawatomi For more information about the The program presented the chance to “All of my research, it will help (the together “by bringing the plants to them Potawatomi Leadership Program, combine her passions for her Potawatomi Potawatomi Plant Protection Network’s) rather than trying to bring them to the visit plp.potawatomi.org. HOWNIKAN NOVEMBER 2020 13 The true, dark history of Thanksgiving Although many Potawatomi and others abilities, Massasoit used Tisquantum as across the United States celebrate a translator, though the Wampanoag Thanksgiving, the factual history behind leader did not trust his fellow tribal the holiday is something to be less than member and held him as a prisoner. thankful for. While communing with loved ones and showing appreciation Rather than continue a life of servitude for the bounties and gifts provided to Massasoit, Tisquantum established is one positive aspect of the national himself as a key resource to the pilgrims, holiday, teaching a false narrative of teaching them how to survive. its beginnings perpetuates colonialism and ignores more than 400 years of The Wampanaog and the pilgrims atrocities committed against Native made a treaty that established an Americans and First Nations’ people. understanding that the tribe would look out for the pilgrims against “It just disregards (the centuries of their enemies and vice-versa. brutality) against Native Americans and chooses to take this one tiny snapshot, “Squanto’s travels acquainted him with and in the world of social media, it puts more of the world than any Pilgrim all the pretty filters on it so that it doesn’t encountered. He had crossed the look the way it truly did,” said Dr. Kelli Atlantic perhaps six times, twice as Mosteller, Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s an English captive, and had lived in Cultural Heritage Center director. “Winter’s onset cannot have been even though they had not encountered Maine, Newfoundland, Spain, and the reason, however, for the weather Europeans. Once the pilgrims did England, as well as Massachusetts. All According to an article published in would be much milder in Virginia arrive in 1620, the epidemics across this brings us to Thanksgiving,” Loewen the New York Times by Maya Salam than Massachusetts. Moreover, the Indian Country were far from over. wrote in Lies My Teacher Told Me. in 2017, “Thanksgiving facts and Pilgrims spent six full weeks — until Thanksgiving myths have blended December 26 — scouting around Cape Throughout history, religion has served The pilgrims celebrated their successful together for years like so much gravy Cod looking for the best spot,” Loewen as a means of justification, and for the harvest in 1621 by shooting their and mashed potatoes, and separating wrote in Lies My Teacher Told Me. English Separatists, it was no different. guns into the air, which caused them is just as complicated.” They believed the wide-spread death and Massasoit to bring together warriors The Dutch possibly bribed the devastation of Native Americans due to and prepare for battle. Instead of The formation of Thanksgiving as an Mayflower’s captain to sail north, a disease was divine provenience and that fighting, the Wampanoag and pilgrims official, United States’ holiday, did not good distance from New Amsterdam God willed them to take over the land. worked together to prepare a feast. begin until November 1863 during the in present-day New York. Some Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln historians believe their arrival in “By the time the Native populations In an article published by Indian Country officially established the holiday as a way Cape Cod was purposeful. of New England had replenished Today in 2011, Thanksgiving Day is to improve relations between northern themselves to some degree, it was too a time of grief for Native Americans. and southern states as well as the U.S. “Historian George Willison has argued late to expel the intruders. … If colonists Many Natives continue to gather at and tribal nations. Just a year prior, a that the Pilgrim leaders, wanting to be had not been able to occupy lands Cole’s Hill near Plymouth Rock and mass execution took place of Dakota far from Anglican control, never planned already cleared by Indian farmers who remember the losses experienced for the tribal members. Corrupt federal agents to settle in Virginia,” Loewen continued. had vanished, colonization would have past 400-plus years through the National kept the Dakota- from receiving “They had debated the relative merits proceeded much more slowly. If Indian Day of Mourning. The event began food and provisions. Finally at the brink of Guiana, in South America, versus culture had not been devastated by the in 1970 when the Commonwealth of of death from starvation, members the Massachusetts coast, and, according physical and psychological assaults it Massachusetts invited Wamsutta (Frank) of the tribe fought back, resulting in to Willison, they intended a hijacking. had suffered, colonization might not James to address the public on behalf of the Dakota War of 1862. In the end, Certainly the Pilgrims already knew have proceeded at all,” Loewen wrote. the Wampanoag people. However, once quite a bit about what Massachusetts organizers learned the subjects of his President Lincoln ordered 38 Dakota Squanto (Tisquantum) could offer them, from the fine fishing speech, which included highlighting men to die from hanging, and he felt and the Wampanoag that Thanksgiving offered an opportunity along Cape Cod to that ‘wonderful the death and broken promises at the plague,’ which offered an unusual to bridge the hard feelings amongst The story of Squanto, a member of hand of settlers, colonial powers and opportunity for English settlement.” Natives and the federal government. the Wampanoag tribe, is much less the United States, James was no longer invited. This prompted the formation Disease innocent than the narrative that he “It was propaganda,” Dr. Mosteller assisted the pilgrims with teaching of the National Day of Mourning. explained. “It was to try and build Prior to European arrival, America’s them how to grow crops and take James wrote, “This action by Massasoit this event so that you could have a Indigenous did not experience advantage of North America’s bounties. was perhaps our biggest mistake. We, the deeper narrative about community illnesses attributed to livestock, Wampanoag, welcomed you, the white building and coming together in overcrowding or poor hygiene. Six years before the Mayflower arrived in shared brotherhood and unity.” present-day Massachusetts, a slave-trader man, with open arms, little knowing “Residents of northern Europe and captured Squanto — Tisquantum — and that it was the beginning of the end.” While the Thanksgiving celebrated England rarely bathed, believing a group of Native Americans. With help Ways to combat the false narrative today may not have complete, factual it unhealthy, and rarely removed from the Catholic Church, Tisquantum roots, Native Americans, Europeans all of their clothing at one time, escaped and found his way to England and other cultures across the world For those in education, Dr. Mosteller believing it immodest,” Loewen where he learned English. He eventually encourages seeking alternative have held festivals and special meals wrote in Lies My Teacher Told Me. returned to North America in 1619. in gratitude for bountiful harvests curriculum and guest speakers from and to reflect on the past year. Many “The Pilgrims smelled bad to the While Tisquantum was overseas, New Native communities that can shine an across Indian Country continue these Indians. Squanto ‘tried, without success, England’s Indigenous experienced a appropriate light on the holiday’s history. traditions by simply sharing a meal to teach them to bathe,’ according monumental death rate, with some “The Nation, for example, has with friends and loved ones without to Feenie Ziner, his biographer.” communities losing nearly every a curriculum specialist who develops referencing it as a true “Thanksgiving.” tribal member to the decimating curricula to make available to school In fact, three years before the pilgrims effects of European diseases. “A lot of people don’t acknowledge it landed, English and French fisherman districts, not just on Thanksgiving, as Thanksgiving. They say, ‘I’m going transmitted diseases to tribes as they came Upon returning to North American and but on a whole list of issues where the to get together with family, and it’s ashore to find fresh water, firewood and his village of Patuset, Tisquantum found Native narrative has been either turned going to be about sharing the meal, but capture Native Americans for slave trade. only piles of bones of his fellow tribesmen on its head to make something that it we’re not going to acknowledge the killed by the plagues. He realized he wasn’t or we’ve just been erased from Mayflower and the pilgrims because “Within three years the plague wiped was the sole survivor of his village. The the narrative altogether,” she said. it’s holding up this false moment of out between 90 to 96 percent of the illness spread so quickly that many local inhabitants of coastal New England. While many will continue getting friendship and completely disregards tribes never had time to bury their dead. together with friends and loved ones to the genocide and the mass land theft Native societies were devastated. celebrate and recognize the gifts provided and the brutality that all Native peoples Only ‘the twentieth person is scarce Where Tisquantum’s village once since the year before, incorporating experience,’” Dr. Mosteller said. left alive,’ wrote Robert Cushman, thrived, the pilgrims established an English eyewitness, recording a Plymouth Plantation. traditional ingredients and recipes as Plymouth and pilgrims death rate unknown in all previous well as teaching the factual history human experience,” Loewen wrote. During this time, the Wampanoag lost can go a long way in healing and Textbooks often indicate the Pilgrims up to 75 percent of its people, while a restoring the Native narrative within settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Those who did survive left their nearby enemy tribe, the Narragansett, did the American culture. For ideas on because the harsh winter was approaching communities to join others, bringing not. Wampanoag leader Massasoit saw how to incorporate traditions this or a storm sent them off course from the illnesses along with them. This the pilgrims as possible allies against the year, check out the recipes featured on their original Virginia destination. caused many Native Americans to perish, Narragansett. Due to his English-speaking page 9 of this month’s Hownikan. 14 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN Resources and tips on researching Potawatomi lineage Many Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal in particularly handy for CPN members members seek to learn more about their spread throughout the country with Native American heritage and family family histories rooted in different places. trees, and numerous on and offline Users update the information on the resources exist to aid in the process. site, so finding another source to back up the findings ensures its accuracy. As part of the CPN Cultural Heritage Center’s Collections and Research “Sometimes, you’ll find as much Division, the research center and library information at findagrave(.com) as you contains more than 7,000 pieces of may on Ancestry(.com),” Thompson said. mixed-media Tribal history and culture. “So, there is sometimes more just besides However, due to the coronavirus the grave and the dates — obituaries, pandemic, it is currently closed to bios, also other family members, visitors, but Family History Specialist including spouses, children and parents.” Czarina Thompson is available to assist Historical society websites, including Tribal members virtually and via phone the Oklahoma Historical Society as they begin their genealogy journey. and Pottawatomie County Historical “Hopefully, each place you go, even Society, house archives of many if you don’t get a cool piece of documents on land titles, probates information, you may get a lead to The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center houses a research center and more. Researching holdings go somewhere else and look. Because and library with information to assist in building Potawatomi family trees. from these resources can also the best part of family research is the be a productive endeavor. out of three stories … But it will still by Potawatomi family name. Some journey. It really is, I feel,” she said. give you that hint,” Thompson said. census documents are available as well as Libraries sometimes offer genealogy classes and access Knowing Potawatomi history written histories, allotment information Nishnabé people rely on oral traditions and portions of family trees. However, it to Ancestry.com at no cost. Thompson works in the CHC’s to pass things along to the next contains a wide variety of amounts and generation and revere elders as an “They’ll help you. Librarians are your Collections and Research Division. She types of details in each collection. Diving best friend in the world when it comes often describes Potawatomi family trees essential part of the culture, including in and searching for connections is the family histories. While working to research. They really are. They can as more like a web. When people ask her best way to utilize this resource. Find get you there,” Thompson said. how to begin piecing theirs together, she with Tribal members searching for more information at cpn.news/collections. answers, Thompson has often heard tells them to start with CPN history. She reminds everyone to keep an open members express the same regret. Thompson recommends ancestry.com mind regarding sources for family “That gives you a road to go back on as a promising starting point as well. members’ names and information, and where to look,” Thompson said. “This is one thing they always say: ‘I wish The difficulty of finding accurate I had asked when they were still here.’ such as newspaper obituaries and records means some online genealogy articles, and church directories. Given the Bodéwadmi people’s numerous … We’re kind of so stuck in technology, sites may not provide as many as and we don’t go visit our family, and forced removals and connections hoped. However, Thompson said Visit the CPN Cultural Heritage Center we don’t have family gatherings like with communities across the United the site sometimes acts as a reliable online at potawatomiheritage.com we used to,” Thompson said. States from Great Lakes region to secondary or even primary source. and the family collections from the Oklahoma, connecting the dots comes Research and Archives division at The holiday season provides time “Within it, you can actually see censuses, down to knowing where to look on to sit down with elders and record cpn.news/collections. To fill out the Tribe’s historical timeline. Indian censuses. They have them, and a research request form from the their stories, preserving valuable they are for different years. And so you resources for generations to come. CHC, email Czarina Thompson at Sometimes a family member’s stories can almost pinpoint a possible year [email protected]. provide the most significant tie. Along with family stories, there are of death for an individual or a year of birth for an individual if you research “I think there’s a place in everybody’s many resources available to begin piecing together family history. other family members, a sibling of your life to reach out to that great aunt ancestor’s information would relate who’s 100-and-something. Even if she On and offline to your ancestor as well,” she said. doesn’t sound like she knows what she’s talking about, that’s OK. … She might The CHC hosts online collections of Findagrave.com also stores information tell you this wild and crazy story made photographs and documents organized from across the United States. It comes

Tribal election notice for 2021 Tribal election season will soon be Current incumbents are: underway as Citizen Potawatomi Nation voters prepare to elect • Tribal Chairman candidates for four legislative seats John “Rocky” Barrett and Tribal Chairman. Districts 1, 2, • District 1 – Open 3 and 4 are all up for election this year. Election Day is June 26, 2021. • District 2 – Eva Marie Carney Candidates must be 18 years • District 3 – Robert Whistler old prior to Election Day. • District 4 – Jon Boursaw To run for Tribal Chairman, candidates must reside in Oklahoma six months Tribal members will also vote on the prior to the filing deadline. budget that manages the Nation’s trust earnings. No principal from the Legislative Districts 1-4 are located fund is spent, but the budget pays outside Oklahoma. Candidates must for national service projects and the reside in their district for at least six executive branch of the Tribe. Affordable Cares Act continued... to undergo Remicade treatments every six months prior to filing deadline. said. “They always have. However, weeks, which came with a $1,600 price tag CPN members who are at least 18 the girls see orthopedic surgeons, per visit. Medical professionals administer Declarations of candidacy must be years old on Election Day will be Remicade intravenously, and each of his neurologists, gastroenterologists, a mailed through the U.S. Postal Service eligible to vote. All eligible Tribal appointments would take up to six hours. and in the CPN Election Committee’s citizens around the country can cast geneticist and cardiologists. Those visits hands no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, ballots for Tribal Chairman and the are extremely expensive. Just walking in Last year, he was able to transition to Jan. 13, 2021. Request filing forms via Tribal budget. In addition to those two the door can run $5,000 to $6,000.” another medication that he can self- email at [email protected] or administer, but that adjustment would elections, citizens of Districts 1-4 can The program has also been a lifeline for by calling 405-275-3121 and requesting vote only for the specific legislative not have been possible without the Colton Woodall and his family. Now 23 the CPN Election Committee. district in which they reside. Remicade appointments covered by years old, Woodall received his Crohn’s CPN’s insurance sponsorship program. Applications will be available Disease diagnosis when he was 15. In on Dec. 1, 2020. order to get it in check, he eventually had “They gave me my life back,” he said. HOWNIKAN NOVEMBER 2020 15 Tribal Chairman – John “Rocky” Barrett The law allotted funds to keep sent the money two months after disabilities as well as foreclosure We are calling on Congress the U.S. economy afloat as the states and cities had already and eviction prevention. to quickly make this simple, country suffered the first wave received their portions. bipartisan change to help tribes of infections from COVID-19 The pandemic has not gone and our members manage and many businesses were To receive the money, our away. It is getting worse. As the crisis and prepare for a forced to shut down. Our Tribal people must provide evidence a result, our needs have not strong recovery. The time of businesses were amongst those. of lost income or extra costs lessened; they are increasing. discussion, negotiation and because of COVID-19 after it Losing this money will devastate brinksmanship in Congress has The money was intended to help occurs. So, no matter what, our families and harm children for passed. They must act now. our Tribe and Tribal members people will lose two months’ whom we now have financial endure the pandemic, but the worth of money. Despite our assistance programs to assist Because our Tribe is federal government has made objections and requests for fair but no way to document the also entering a political it nearly impossible for us to treatment, President Trump’s adequate time for loss. election season, beware distribute the money before the of misinformation being Secretary of the Treasury, Steven Time is running out. The only deadline at the end of December Mnuchin, insists on holding to distributed that accuses the 2020. Our Tribe was not given option facing many tribal Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Bozho nikan the same deadline. This is unfair a fair set of rules to follow. leaders is to send back funding causing the delay in funding. (Hello, my friend), and unreasonable, and I believe or risk breaking federal law. This is a complete untruth As we often tragically see, it really is intended to create We cannot put the stability our nce again, the federal designed to mislead you, the unique status of Tribal a situation where the Treasury Tribal government has worked government has failed to the voters of our Tribe. The O governments was not considered can ask for money back. It is so hard to create in jeopardy follow the law in recognizing not surprising, given what we rules have been published in by policy makers as required by acting unlawfully. We need the Hownikan in black and Native Nations as separate see coming out of the nation’s by law. The U.S. Department a way to retain the authority white. If anyone wants a copy governments from states. As capital on a daily basis. This of Treasury mistakenly to spend these dollars. of the original Department a result, federal policies and isn’t politics — it is actual fact. applied rules meant for local of the Treasury documents actions are about to cost the The solution is quite simple: governments to tribes. This with the unfair rules in them, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, If the federal government claws extend the deadline to spend resulted in tribes like ours just contact my office. and other tribes, millions being unable to legally spend back unspent money at the the CARES Act dollars for of dollars and cause great the funds where our greatest end of the year, it will create tribes by one year. This change Migwetch harm to Indian people. needs lay, despite our setting real harm in our community. would not have any effect on the (Thank you), up many programs to benefit CARES Act funding is vital federal deficit, nor would it give This time, it started in March. and protect our people. and supports a wide variety of an advantage to either political John “Rocky” Barrett Congress took action by passing programs for individuals and party. It would simply ensure Keweoge the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Even more unfair, Congress businesses. It addresses critical tribal governments are given (He Leads Them Home) and Economic Security Act, set a spending deadline for all needs such as food and housing time to disburse the funds which Tribal Chairman commonly known as “CARES.” entities of Dec. 30, 2020, then for elders and those with are currently in our possession. Vice-Chairman – Linda Capps to flu vaccinations as well, Citizen Potawatomi across Promises from our they assumed the money and all of the costs for these the U.S. Almost universally, Congressional delegation that had run out (it has not). efforts were paid for by CPN. those who have not applied they would pass an extension to the Tribe’s many programs have, at the time of writing, Please, take 10 minutes and look In this time of COVID, we must have expressed that while they gone unfulfilled. Though at the programs and consider all do what we can to protect needed help, they did not want this is disappointing, we applying. Now, more than ever, we need your assistance to help our loved ones and ourselves. to take funds from those who at the Nation can still help That’s why we continue to the Nation get the funds out. may be in more dire straits. ourselves. If you’re reading proudly enforce a mask mandate this and have not applied, I cherish the opportunity to at all Tribal businesses and please do so. A list of programs COVID-19 has impacted be your Vice-Chairman. properties, and we provide all of us, some in great ways, and the funds are available them to those who may not others in smaller ways. But at potawatomi.org/cares or Migwetch have one when entering. we have all been impacted by calling 833-481-0638. (Thank you), Online applications are In terms of what we can do by the disease’s spread and its economic toll continues to be processed faster, but a paper Linda Capps in this time of COVID, I application can be mailed to Segenakwe Bozho want to thank all the Citizen severe. The funds the Tribe has available can help those in you if needed by calling. (Black Bird Woman) (Hello), Potawatomi I’ve spoken with Vice-Chairman in recent days about signing great and small need. But time If you’ve applied and know of s we enter the colder is running out. The federal 405-275-3121 work up for CARES Act programs. family members who have not, 405-650-1238 cell months, I encourage government, who has established A We have repurposed more please call them. Email them [email protected] everyone to take as many than 45 Tribal employees from restriction after restriction on my column. Send them the precautions as they can to get their normal jobs to call Tribal their use, has imposed a Dec. link to the online application through the winter. At CPN members across the country 30, 2020, deadline for us to portal. I’ve heard from many we recently held flu shot drives who may be eligible for CARES get the funds out the door to who knew of the programs but for the public to get people Act financial assistance due to you, our members. Anything didn’t apply because assumed inoculated from this very COVID. I, like many of our after this arbitrary deadline, there were income limits (there common disease. Every Tribal outbound callers at the Nation, the federal government says are not), geographic limitations employee has received access have spoken to numerous we must return to them. (there are none) or because 16 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN District 2 – Eva Marie Carney available by phone to assist. Potentially life-saving The number to call is 833- information is available to all 481-0638, Monday-Friday 8 victims of domestic violence a.m. to 5 p.m., CST or email and abuse, regardless of gender. [email protected]. Both the national hotline’s You also can contact me if website and helpguide.org offer you need a copy of one or comprehensive information on more of the applications. the warning signs, how to help a friend or loved one in an abusive Please vote. relationship, reliable resources and more. Helpguide.org I’m writing this in early October. includes information specifically I’ve already have voted in person directed to male victims. in the November elections. I was grateful for the opportunity to As helpguide.org noted, do this early, avoiding crowds “Domestic violence and abuse Bozho nikanek and more on Nov. 3. When I can happen to anyone, yet the (Hello friends), saw “tribal enrollment or other District 1 and District 2 Fall Feast attendes, November 2017 problem is often overlooked, tribal photo ID” on the list of excused, or denied. Whether Staying safe; applying acceptable identification posted Thanksgiving Prayer Migwetch ode jak she gego you’re the abused or a for CARES Act relief mine jagenagenan. at my Virginia polling location, Ahau Mamogosnan, migwetch concerned friend or family hope everyone is staying as I used my CPN identification ode mawjeshnowen. Thank you for everything member, it’s important to healthy and safe as possible. card to obtain my ballot. If and for all my relations. know that help is available.” I you haven’t voted yet, please Grandfather, thank you I hope you know that CARES Please seek help if needed, Act funds are available to CPN get out to the polls and bring for this gathering. Iw. Amen. your CPN card, in case your speak up if you see the need citizens by application. If you Ngom ndodaskemen gode mno Native American Heritage to, and educate yourself and haven’t applied already, take state accepts tribal enrollment cards as proof of identity. bmadzeyak mine chiwenmoyak Month and Native others about this scourge. the time to review the various mine widoktadwen. American Heritage Day programs and apply for any of Thanksgiving prayer Traditional New the programs for which you — Today we ask for good health November is Native American Year’s greeting or if you have minor children, There will be no Fall Feast this and happiness and community. Heritage Month. Friday, Nov. your children — might be year. I will miss seeing everyone, 27, 2020, is Native American I haven’t figured out what I’ll eligible. One of the newest and particularly miss visiting Shwendagwzen node wisnewenen Heritage Day. I hope you’ll send out as my traditional New programs makes up to $1,000 and laughing with Roy and mine gi kekyajek mine penojeyek. share this information with Year’s greeting to District 2 citizens, but there will be one. available to enrolled citizens, Julia Slavin — a highlight of your families and friends and Bless these foods and these Please send an email, leave me a 18 or older, who can certify our joint Districts 1 and 2 Fall tell folks that “we are still here.” that they have expenses due to Feast weekends. Here is the elders and children. phone message, mail me a note or send a Facebook message COVID-19 that have not been Thanksgiving prayer we said Ndosaskemen gode mno Public Law 110-370, signed reimbursed. You can find all during our feast and share at by the President in 2008, with your mailing address pabmadzeyak pich so I can mail the greeting to the details at potawatomi.org/ the start of the Carney-Cohen zhitatoyak giweyak. declares the Friday following cares. If you need help figuring Thanksgiving dinner. Migwetch Thanksgiving of each year as you. Even if you are certain out if you are eligible, the (thank you) to Justin Neely for We ask for safe travels once Native American Heritage Day. I have your contact details, I Nation has a bank of people sharing this prayer some time ago. we get ready to go home. You can read and print the need to hear from you so I can resolution at cpn.news/HJR62. confirm them before getting out your greeting. If we’ve Domestic violence and never connected and you are abuse resources in District 2, please reach out. I want to hear from you! Some of you know that I work as a humanitarian immigration Migwetch (thank you) for the attorney, assisting those in violent honor of representing you. domestic relationships. The need for these services has become Eva Marie Carney more acute with the pandemic; Ojindiskwe (Blue Bird Woman) I am helping male and female Representative, District 2 clients. Some folks I tell about 5877 Washington Boulevard my work are surprised that I PO Box 5591 assist men, but the National Arlington, VA 22205 Domestic Violence Hotline 866-961-6988 toll-free (thehotline.org) reports that 1 in [email protected] 7 men in the United States age evamariecarney.com 18 and older has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in his lifetime. District 3 – Bob Whistler focus on what we are doing in are currently serving around our respective areas. At times, I 45 lunches each day, and they venture into Shawnee and see take meals to about 25 elders what staff is doing. On June 27, who are unable to come in for I was there to attend General the meal. At the end of each Council. Due to COVID-19 lunch, they hold three bingo and the pandemic, as you know, games so the elders have some Family Festival was canceled. entertainment together. Overall, our elder lunch program is On Oct. 2, I was again in Shawnee and saw staff fervently serving about 100 elders in working on assembling the general area. On this same longevity awards for our staff. trip, I stopped at the Cultural I also had time to make a Heritage Center, and a member stop at our elder center and of Tribal rolls was cranking out spoke to the manger there new CPN ID cards in the same Bozho nikanek on how they were doing with room as the veterans’ Wall of (Hello friends), the COVID-19 situation. She Honor. I also saw Jamie Moucka, advised that due to the spacing the Chairman’s administrative Staff members package the longevity awards to go out to Shawnee happenings requirements, they must hold assistant, and she advised she departments across the Tribal enterprises and offices. two lunches each day for the had just emailed the legislators ost of us representing the elders with a maximum of 25 a resolution to add 120 new rolls is trying to get as many so those that may qualify for Moutlying districts tend to attending each luncheon. They members to our Nation. Tribal applicants as possible processed CARES funds become members HOWNIKAN NOVEMBER 2020 17 before the program closes this, some cities had a reduction You may wonder why I am and are unable to attend district returned to the U.S. Treasury. later this year and they may in service. Generally, most bringing up this subject when meetings, it is not easy to get So please look at that site at least benefit from the program. people may think that if there is airline fares have little to do information specifically about once each month to be sure you a reduction in service in a given with our Nation. Up until our Nation. The language don’t miss out on an area that Oven cleaning city, the airlines serving that Oct. 1, 2020, the airlines were department, through grants you qualified for and now the location will be better off and required to maintain their full received, has created roughly amount initially programmed For those with electric ovens should generate more income. employee staff because they 30 modules on a wide variety has been possibly increased. and the so-called self-cleaning Airlines have fixed costs that will had received CARES funds of subjects that may help you function, I suspect you have change if a city undergoes an from the federal government, learn more about our heritage I still need to get email addresses faced the same situation as us increase or decrease in service. and they maintained much of and culture. Some of the from anyone that doesn’t on cleaning the oven racks. We their scheduled service. After subject titles are origins, Seven receive emails from me. So have tried a variety of things Let me give you a very simple Oct. 1, we are seeing several Grandfathers teachings, beading, please send me your email including using steel wool to example: each city charges the carriers furloughing employees, gifting people, traditional games, address. It should be sent to get that baked-on grime off the airlines for their fixed terminal and there will be some loss of Potawatomi art, Potawatomi [email protected]. racks. While writing this article, and gate space as well as a fee air service in a variety of cities. hymnals, hand drumming and our daughters were visiting us, for the aircraft landing. Let’s I thank you for allowing me It is most likely that although traditional stories, to name a to serve you as the District 3 and my eldest daughter found say that your city has four they may have less competition few. To access these modules, a procedure that is simple, but airlines serving the city and representative and am here to and their passenger loads may visit cpn.news/stories. Not help on any questions that you highly effective at cleaning and each one has one flight a day. increase, many will have fixed only are these a great source of not too time consuming. On The airport will have a lease may have on Tribal benefits or costs also increase, which information, the way they are in need of information on who the internet, she found that that each airline signs agreeing will account for some or any designed make them a delight you should combine two cups to the fact that jointly they to contact for certain items. Feel increase in fares. Most travelers to watch. I have used these at free to call me or send an email. of baking soda with a cup of will split the monthly rent for really don’t realize that in the several District 3 meetings and Dawn dishwashing soap mixed gate and terminal space. In airline industry, their rent in found that the content was very Bama mine with hot water. She added the this example, let’s say that the each city may fluctuate from receptive to all ages, be you 5 (Later), soap and baking soda to the hot total price for this is $400 and month to month, which is or 75. Take a look and enjoy. water she had placed in the bath each airline is obligated to pay much different than what we Bob Whistler tub, deep enough to submerge $100. The airport also advises as individuals experience in Before signing off, I want to Bmashi (He Soars) the oven racks. She let them that they expect to make $100 our own monthly expenses. remind everyone that there has Representative, District 3 stand for about two hours and a day for the landing of the Our rent or mortgage rate been some additions/changes 112 Bedford Road, Suite 116 rubbed them with dryer sheets four flights. Each airline will generally is constant with the to the CARES funds eligibility, Bedford, TX 76022 and a toothbrush. They came be obligated to pay $25 a day exception of any increase that and you need to go onto the 817-282-0868 office out sparkling clean. If you have for their flights’ landings. Now, may result from state property Tribal website to look and see if 817-229-6271 cell trouble cleaning your oven racks, one airline because of lack of taxes. I thought if you knew you qualify for funds. The site is 817-545-1507 home you might try this procedure. money must stop serving the how their fixed costs might potawatomi.org and the link for [email protected] She did top off the bath hot city. Based upon the agreement vary from month to month, it the CARES funds will be visible [email protected] between the airlines and the immediately. At our September water with a pan of boiling would help you understand airport, the remaining three legislative meeting, I asked the water, which she thinks helped why their fares are so variable. expedite the cleaning process. airlines are now obligated to Chairman to hold a monthly cover the portion of the airports Member questions legislative session basically every Airline pricing income that came from the 30 days until the end of the year. airline that departed. Each now Periodically, I look at Facebook, This will allow us to update fund As a result of the pandemic, finds that their rent is no longer and I have seen a few questions amounts if needed so all monies the airlines have had smaller $100, but around $133. Their on how to learn more about our are distributed by the end of the passenger loads since mid- landing fees have also gone up culture and heritage. Frankly, if CARES program. Any funds March of this year. On top of from $25 to just over $33. you don’t live close to Shawnee that are not distributed must be

District 4 – Jon Boursaw worthy of being recognized period products they need but in the prayer circle in Rossville. have email addresses. If you are for doing so. To all fellow can’t afford. The Kwek Society On Oct. 10, I was pleased to not receiving my emails, I do veterans, we will never forget is determined to end period give Potawatomi names to not have your email address, the sacrifices you’ve made to poverty (lack of sufficient Jeena Martinek, Mark Saffle, or what I have entered on my protect our nation’s freedom. period supplies) in Native Angela Montgomery and her list is incorrect or has been communities so that no one daughter, Katie McClure. Social changed. If you would like Thanksgiving Day has to miss school or work or distancing and the wearing of to be added to my email list, mask was exercised during the simply send me an email at It goes without saying that we activities of daily life during ceremony in the prayer circle. [email protected]. all have a lot to be thankful their moon times (menstrual periods). It currently partners This is the only method for again this year. Remember: Presentation on with 47 schools and programs available to me to obtain Thanksgiving is not just for Burnett’s Mound your email address. expressing thanks for what you in five U.S. states and Ontario, have; it is also a time to be Canada. As of Sept. 30, it has I was invited to give a As always, it is my honor grateful for what you are going distributed 315,892 period presentation on the life of and pleasure to serve to have. Please take a moment products. Fellow CPN District Abram Burnett “on top” of as your legislator. Bozho on Thanksgiving Day and give 2 Legislator Eva Marie Carney Burnett’s Mound by the Topeka (Hello), thanks to those service men founded the organization in South Rotary Club on Oct. 9. Migwetch and women who are away from 2018 and currently serves as its Read more about this historic (Thank you), Veterans Day their families and loved ones president. You can show support site at cpn.news/burnettsmound. on that day. Peggy and I wish for Eva and the Kwek Society Jon Boursaw, would like to express my that your Thanksgiving is full of by putting them in contact with Email addresses Wetase Mkoh (Brave Bear) sincere appreciation and I love, warmth and extra special a Native school or program Representative, District 4 thanks to all CPN members I cannot stress enough the moments. Have a wonderful that needs their help, donating 2007 SW Gage Blvd. who are currently serving our importance that you provide and happy Thanksgiving. But supplies, hosting a supplies drive Topeka, KS 66604 nation and to my fellow CPN me with your email address in above of all else, be safe! or making a donation. All the 785-861-7272 office veterans for their service and details are at kweksociety.org. order for me to distribute the 785-608-1982 cell sacrifices. I feel that anyone who Support the Kwek Society information such as the CPN [email protected] wore the uniform and received Resuming COVD-19 Relief Assistance Office hours: a discharge under honorable What is The Kwek Society? The naming ceremonies program and other pertinent 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays conditions should be proud of Kwek Society is a volunteer- information. I have recently 3-5 p.m. Thursdays the fact that he or she served run nonprofit that gets Native In October, we resumed sent out several emails to those Other times: please call this proud country and are students and communities the conducting naming ceremonies CPN members for which I 18 NOVEMBER 2020 HOWNIKAN District 5 – Gene Lambert While we resist change, it is On that subject: there is a young struggled to make his dream world you live in will be. Life’s sometimes the best thing that man and CPN member named and passion come true. This puzzle pieces are easier to put could have happened as we Christopher Gene Watson, is his passion — his mission, together, if that makes sense. look in the rearview mirror. I son of Larry Watson. I spoke and now he wants to pay it certainly have many times. to him a few days ago, and it forward in specializing and I give gratitude for the fact that brought me back to this point. integrating both worlds. the way to get there is always Even this pandemic has He just received his Ph.D. in shown once “you” decide. brought an awareness of just psychology, so it would be in I had been fortunate enough I am grateful for the country how important family and order to reference him from to have given his father Larry we live in and the wonderful friends are. Be grateful. this point on as Dr. Watson. Watson his Potawatomi and challenging experiences I He had a vision for his life. name years ago and could In life, things never stay the same. hear the same strong, yet have had and CPN, the Tribe You are either going forward Dr. Watson received support gentle spirit transcending in which I belong. It has been or backward, and the choice is from the Citizen Potawatomi through father and son. I a rewarding while challenging ours. What are we choosing? Nation, and he is ever so loved having the experience to experience. I have learned a share, if only for a moment. great deal from all of you. Are you unhappy? Choose to grateful for our Department of Education and the educational be happy. You certainly can, as You too can decide what it is you assistance he was granted. He Truly, I get up every morning “today” is all we have. We will want to do with the rest of your had a dream to go after and and say thank you to the Bozho always need to finish something, life. Truly, it is never too late. personal issues to resolve as well. Creator for the home I live in, (Hello), have more of something or less the car I drive and the food I of the challenges life brings My mother at age 82 decided to ishing a Happy The award of doctorate didn’t consume. Of course, I am eating about occasionally. It is all inside, go back to school and asked if I more than I should lately. I am Thanksgiving to all come until he was 40 years of thought it was ridiculous. “Not W and you are the commander and age. His decision to go back calling it COVID-19 pounds. our CPN tribal members. chief — the administrator for at all,” I said. “If you decide to was not an easy one, being 32 Nevertheless, it is a gift. those of you who are computer go, I will buy you a computer.” This is the month to give at the time. It took him seven savvy. That being said, give thanks to the Creator and years. He had worked very hard Take some time this November thanks for the fact that you were Two weeks later, I received have gratitude for all that to get through his bachelor’s and write a list of all the things born with the gift of choice. a call from my mother has been given to us. and master’s degrees. With years asking, “Do you remember for which you are grateful. If you reread and add to each Do what you love doing, and you passing, he decided to go after what you promised me?” We sometimes forget the gift of a day, you will be amazed at what will never work a day in your life. his Ph.D. This would give him warm meal, roof over our heads, happens. I will leave that to you. That’s what we tell people in the deeper level of being able to “Of course I do,” I replied. friends and family that love us. world of education, and it is, in assist others. He specialized in There are many other things we “I enrolled today,” she said. So, be thankful for the fact, true. A gift to be grateful Native American chronic pain take for granted in daily life. gift of life. “Really? This is for is opportunity and purpose. issues. This is an area with very So off finding a laptop was my hard,” you might say, and Thanksgiving 2020 brings a very little research documented, so next step. I was so impressed you would be right. Gratitude comes in when different slant on things as some he decided to make it his focus. with her decision; surely, I the door is opened to the have mentioned it before. When all is said and done, at of you may be having dinner At that point, he indicated aforementioned decisions you’ve the end of the day, it really with family via Zoom or Skype. his educational endeavors not made. However, you must Because of multifaceted interests, is worth it. So thanks to the only helped him personally It is all the same when you decide. While that may seem I have gone back to school a Creator, I am here and matter. measure it from the heart; simple to some, easy isn’t always with his own issues but put couple of times to be able to there is no distance there. the active word I would use. him in a position that he can fulfill the knowledge needed to You are here and matter. Enjoy now practice his specialty. Dr. go after my dreams. Occasionally, your holiday with gratitude. Thanks and gratitude is the We all have a gift and purpose for Watson took the time to gain they change. After you reach one most important element being here on earth. Be thankful special education in the world of goal, you often envision another. Your representative, in everything we do at any for your part in this thing called Native American chronic pain. If challenge and experience is time of the year. We simply life. Contribute what you have, He interned at the VA Hospital what you are after, you may Eunice Imogene Lambert pay more open and active and never think of it as small or and said he gained more well do the same, and it is OK. Butterfly Woman attention to it in November. less than anything. It all counts. insight there that he hopes to Representative, District 5 Just get a picture in your mind integrate into the Native world. For every experience, you 270 E Hunt Highway, Ste 229 The only thing we can be sure about what you want your life have in different capacities, San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 of is the love of the Creator and to look like, and do what you Dr. Watson had two children the wider and more in-depth 480-228-6569 change. Again, be thankful. need to do to make it happen. and a wife to consider as he your understanding of the [email protected] HOWNIKAN NOVEMBER 2020 19 District 8 – Dave Carney

Bohzo nikan (Hello friend), Aiden Eilers presents on the Potawatomi Leadership Program. ovember is the time we Ngather for the District 8 Fall Feast. It has become something that I really look forward to. I feel blessed to connect with my Potawatomi family. It punctuates the year Dave Carney and Warren Morris and marks another milestone in our District 8 community. Since our gathering is out of the question this year, I want to share pictures from years past. We have had gatherings at a variety of locations but Joe Clark and Dave Carney primarily have alternated between Seattle and Portland due to the high concentration of Tribal members in those areas. Looking forward to 2021 and our fall gathering in Portland. It is my honor to serve as your legislator, Dave Carney Kagasghi (Raven) Representative, District 8 520 Lilly Road, Building 1 Olympia, WA 98506 360-259-4027 [email protected] Kelly Lynch and Dave Carney Dave Carney and Andy Burns Steve Lynch discusses his painting. 20 NOVEMBER 2020 WALKING ON Rebecca A. Cryer Clinton Craig Cooper Evans; stepfather, Warren Evans; older Lori Dawn Miller sister, Christa; older brother, Robert; younger brother, Colby; stepsister, Taylor; stepbrother, Drew; grandparents, Bob and Donna Martin; and his father and mother- in-law, Huseyin and Nanette Sarper.

Joy Ann McDonald

Clinton Craig Cooper of Springs, Colorado, beloved father, son and brother, died by suicide at the age of 30. Clint was born on Jan. 11, 1990, in Topeka, Kansas, to Michael Cooper and Mary Lori Dawn (Loftis) Miller, 47, of Cooper Evans. He proudly co-parented Midwest City, Oklahoma, gained her The Honorable Rebecca A. Cryer, angel wings on Wednesday, Sept. 30, beloved wife, mother, grandmother his beautiful baby boy, Leonidas Quinton Hakan Cooper, with Meral Sarper Cooper. 2020, at Baylor Hospital in Plano, and friend died on Sept. 29, 2020, in Texas, after a battle with COVID-19. Norman, Oklahoma, at the age of 73 Clint’s memory is best remembered not after a battle with COVID-19. by how he died but how he lived his Joy Ann McDonald was a loving and kind- Lori was born Aug. 12, 1973, in Shawnee, hearted mother, wife, grandmother, daugh- Oklahoma, to Fonda Kay (Wilson) and Rebecca Alice Schoemann was born in life “fully expressed.” He graduated from Seaman High School in 2008 and went ter, sister and friend. She was always there to Darrell Ray Loftis. She graduated from Shawnee, Oklahoma, on Oct. 9, 1946, jump and run to help someone in need with Shawnee High School in 1992 and went the daughter of DeLaine Schoemann on to attend Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, and love and her whole heart. She was a second on to earn an associate degree in education and Frances Forrester Schoemann, mom to a lot of her children’s friends, taking later, Front Range Community College from Seminole State College. She was a joining siblings Gloria and Larry, and them in when times were hard and mak- in Longmont, Colorado. The learning member and nursey volunteer of Faith followed by brother Dee Martin. ing them a part of the family. She always Christian Outreach Church for more than he valued most was at Landmark Global said her mom did that for her children’s She grew up in Wanette, Oklahoma, and where he grew in confidence and integrity. 15 years. Lori worked in various mother’s friends and that she would do the same day outs and head starts, including Wesley met the love of her life, David Cryer. They thing. She also made them a part of family fell in love in high school and never parted. Clint was a self-taught mechanic who United Methodist Church, STSA and Ruth loved fixing people’s cars for free or very trips and holidays. Joy only wanted the best Dropkin Head Start in Moore, Oklahoma. Married on July 25, 1964, they were blessed for her children and the people she loved. reasonable rates. He was determined with with three children: Eric, Aimie and Andrew. She married Nathan Miller on an entrepreneurial spirit, engaging in She was very strong-willed and stubborn at March 11, 2017, surrounded by During her legal career, she worked as a various business ventures including roofing, times because she had people’s best interest staff attorney for Legal Aide of cannabis farming and his car repair business, at heart. Sometimes the family didn’t agree family and friends at Faith Christian Oklahoma, an assistant district attorney for Boost Motors. He rode motorcycles and at times or get along, but she loved all of Outreach Church of Shawnee. drove cool cars way too fast and squirrelly. Cleveland County, an enforcement attorney us. Joy loved to cook. We all know her for She was preceded in death by her Clint was authentic and had something making big meals to feed an entire city and with the Oklahoma Department of Securi- grandmothers, Norma Jean Dixon, ties, as appellate magistrate for the Court of to say about everything; he loved a good always wanted to experiment, which made debate and made us laugh with his quick wit, her daughter Traci become the cook she Aileen Wisdom and Ruby Loftis; and Indian Affairs, and finally, as a district judge grandfathers, her hero — Guy Loftis, of the Nation District Court. impersonations and physical comedy. He is today. Joy would always say how proud loved music, was a natural dancer, and was she was because Traci could see someone Ferman Wisdom and Judson Wilson. do a recipe one time and make it better. She was descendent of the known to hit the dance floor all night long. Those left to cherish her memory are family of the Citizen Potawatomi She made Traci want to be a chef and that Clint was an extrovert who loved and cared will always be her lifetime goal. Joy also her parents, Fonda and Darrell Loftis of Nation and served as the Tribal Shawnee; her husband, Nathan Miller of administrator from 1977 to 1978. deeply for others, no matter their uniqueness was a full loving Christian who loved God — a good man who offered free photo shoots so much and praised his glorious name the home; her step-daughter, Kryste Miller; She could easily strike up a conversation and photos to American servicemen. He all the time. She was always praying for sister, Paula Lyon (Steve) of Shawnee; with complete strangers and be genuinely reached out to others in need, opening up people, whether she knew them or not. brother, Dustin Loftis (Rosemary) of interested in them. From friends and family, his heart, offering acceptance and his home She gave hope and peace to a lot of people ; niece, Morganne Bourbonnais to the smallest stray animal, she only wanted for those who had no place to stay. Clint and helped put joy back in their lives. Joy (David) of Shawnee; nephew, Trevor Lyon to help them succeed and be happy. She was a very sensitive soul who experienced would always talk about going and dancing of Shawnee; niece, Braydi Campbell (Zac) loved to travel, watch movies and spend intense personal suffering and loss due to with Jesus. That was one of her biggest of Chandler; great-nephew, Andrew Loftis time with friends. A lifelong learner, she life circumstances beyond his control and wishes — she wanted so much to be able of Chicago; great-niece, Olivia Loftis of constantly read and loved discussing ideas. beyond our understanding. He valued to dance with Jesus and the angels. You are Chicago; great-nephew, Cash Campbell life and wanted nothing more than to now at peace with your mom, your brother, of Chandler; great-nephew, Remy Lyon of She is survived by her husband, David be an attentive and loving father to his Chuck, and son-in-law, Josh, and we all Shawnee; great-niece, Winsley Campbell of Cryer; her children, Eric (Missy), Aimie cherished son. The manner in which he will be together again one day! We love you Chandler; great-nephew, Rhett Bourbonnais (Jason Black), and Andrew (Julianna); left us is so tragic, as it did not reflect his so much, and you will be forever missed! of Shawnee; aunt, Connie Click (Randall) of Shawnee; aunt, Wynona Richardson grandchildren, Nathan, Ella, Ethan, Kane true self or align with the dreams he had She is survived by her husband, Sean and Kenai; sisters, Gloria Shallcross for his life. Please honor Clint’s life, love (Rocky) of Meeker; uncle, Ronnie Loftis McDonald; children, Traci Voedisch, of Asher; mothers-in-law, Cathy Newville (Bill) and Rebecca Page; and brother, and values by connecting with others Brandon Fitzgerald, Preston Butcher and of Norman and Suzi Miller of Choctaw; Dee Martin (Toni) Schoemann; plus in unconditional love and acceptance. Christina Maulolo; sister, Rhonda Hand numerous nieces, nephews and friends. West; bothers, Ron Hand Jr., Kenneth fathers-in-law, Ron Newville of Norman Clint was preceded in death by his father Hand and Robert Hand; father, Ron Hand, and Eddie Miller of Choctaw; sister-in-law, A Mass of Christian Burial was held Michael and his paternal and maternal Sr.; and granddaughter, Jasmine Deshner. Twylla Hester (Hank) of Yukon; brother- at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, grandparents. He is survived by his in-law, Brian Newville (Tasha) of Moore; with interment of ashes at Sunset son, Leo (18 months); Leo’s mother, She is preceded in death by her mother, multiple loving aunts, uncles, cousins, Memorial Garden in Norman. Meral Sarper Cooper; mother, Mary Joyce Hand, and her brother, Charles Hand. and other extended family and friends. 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].