Hownikan Podcast Citizen Potawatomi Nation

This year’s Family Reunion Festival at the end of June brought activities back in-person for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. One of the major attractions for the weekend was the craft classes held in the Cultural Heritage Center. Tribal members talked and shared their stories as they worked on projects together and gained a new skill.

This episode discusses CPN Health Service’s new telehealth platform for all Tribal members in the U.S., makes a visit to a recent opioid overdose awareness event held by CPN Behavioral Health and talks with District 7 Legislator Mark Johnson about his reelection in June.

This episode discusses the health and cultural importance of strawberries, and shines a light on the new Potawatomi Fire dance teams. We also talk with a Tribal member and leader who recently became director of CPN’s Workforce Development and Social Services Department.

In this very special episode, we’re celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the opening of Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Eagle Aviary this June, which allowed visitors in for the first time Family Reunion Festival weekend in 2012.

This episode focuses on Behavioral Health Awareness Month and the societal stigma of having behavioral health issues. We also meet the only Citizen Potawatomi Nation member serving in the Oklahoma legislature and hear about a study on tribal economic impact in Oklahoma.

This year's Family Reunion Festival will be Citizen Potawatomi Nation's first in-person powwow since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It includes Grand Entry, contests and inter-tribal dances open to everyone. Experienced dancers and Tribal members Tesia Zientek and Randy Schlachtun joined Hownikan Podcast for a refresher on powwow etiquette.