Our leaders come from our youth, and it is our responsibility to prepare them."
- Chairman Barrett
The six-week Potawatomi Leadership Program brings a group of 8-10 promising young tribal members from around the world to Shawnee, Oklahoma to learn about the government, culture, and economic development of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. At its core, the Potawatomi Leadership Program strives to give interns an accurate perception of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation as a whole and cultivate talent from within to ensure that younger generations are prepared for a role in the future governance of their tribe.
The application will be open on Friday, November 15, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. CST.
The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST. All students will be notified with a decision via email by Monday, April 15, 2026.
This year, the in-person program is slated to run from Friday, June 12 – Saturday, July 25, 2026; please note that should the format change to virtual, the program dates may change.
Eligibility
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Program Details
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Travel Arrangements
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Local Transportation
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Food
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Housing
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Healthcare
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Finance
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You must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to be considered for the Potawatomi Leadership Program:
1. Be an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and
2. Have a current GPA of 3.0 or better, and
3. Be 18-20 years of age by the program start date, and
4. Have graduated high school by the program’s start date, and
5. Be enrolled in college or vocational school at any level
Program participants are selected without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. Although the only restrictions for applying are meeting the eligibility criteria listed above, please consider whether you are comfortable meeting program conditions with or without any special accommodations. The conditions of this program include but are not limited to the following:
- Prolonged periods of sitting and standing
- Shared living quarters
- Shared bathrooms and shower spaces
- Two-story living accommodations
Tribal members who are 18-20 years old are selected for the six-week program based on academic qualifications, a series of essays, and a letter of recommendation. Arriving before the annual Family Reunion Festival, students spend their workdays visiting tribal directors and hearing employees explain their role. Between departmental sessions, students tour tribal enterprises and attend board meetings. In the evenings and on weekends, students connect culturally by attending language classes, participating in tribal ceremonies, and learning traditional crafts. Additionally, students who have not yet received a Potawatomi name will have the opportunity to do so. By the end of the program, the students have gained a comprehensive knowledge of individual tribal components as well as how they fit into the larger puzzle of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
As potential leaders of the tribe, students not only learn how the Tribe operates but also undergo extensive leadership training. Students begin the summer by taking an assessment to discover their individual strengths, and recurring workshops help them understand how best to develop those skills. Weekly talking circles offer a space to process their experience and tackle complex issues such as the intricacies of cultural identity, the qualities of effective leadership, and the promotion of tribal engagement. Additionally, Citizen Potawatomi Nation government officials such as the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and legislators share their unique perspectives on tribal leadership with the students.
Besides attending scheduled events and sessions, Potawatomi Leadership Program participants will be expected to write three short papers. At the end of the program, students leave their own mark on the Tribe by applying this abstract knowledge to a practical project, for which they design a creative way to tangibly enhance, develop, or add to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. In a final program presentation, students have the opportunity to share their final reflections and completed projects with tribal leadership. (Check out the final presentations here.)
Together, these components make up the Potawatomi Leadership Program. Students leave the program equipped with the knowledge and tools to remain engaged in the Tribe. For some, the experience will serve as preparation for future tribal governance, which strengthens the hope that the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s sound leadership will continue into future generations.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation covers the cost of round-trip travel for all program participants. Depending on where the student will be coming from, this will mean either airfare or mileage reimbursement. Dennette Summerlin will work with the students to schedule all travel.
When at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, local transportation will be provided. This includes all scheduled sessions and events. As a group, students may choose to seek other entertainment options such as the movies or bowling, and transportation to and from those activities will be provided when possible. However, students will not be able to bring their own vehicles to the program for any reason.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation boasts a full-service grocery store near the students’ living quarters, FireLake Discount Foods. Groceries for all meals will be furnished at FireLake and covered by the Tribe. Students will shop as a group for these groceries. On most evenings, students will work together to plan and prepare meals for the entire group in the Sharp House kitchen. However, should students choose to eat out at restaurants – they will be responsible for these outside costs.
During the six weeks, program participants stay together in “The Sharp House,” a spacious property owned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Students will share rooms and bathrooms based on gender. The Sharp House boasts a number of amenities, which include two large-screen televisions, a pool table, and an outdoor pool.
All accepted students will be required to create a medical file with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Clinic. As tribal members, the students can visit this clinic and receive medical attention at no cost to them if any medical issues should arise during their stay.
Participants receive a weekly scholarship of $60 as well as a $2,000 scholarship upon completion of the program.
You must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to be considered for the Potawatomi Leadership Program:
- Be an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Have a current GPA of 3.0 or better
- Be 18-20 years of age by the program start date
- Have graduated high school by the program’s start date
- Be enrolled in college or vocational school at any level
Program participants are selected without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. Although the only restrictions for applying are meeting the eligibility criteria listed above, please consider whether you are comfortable meeting program conditions with or without any special accommodations. The conditions of this program include but are not limited to the following:
- Prolonged periods of sitting and standing
- Shared living quarters
- Shared bathrooms and shower spaces
- Two-story living accommodations
Tribal members who are 18-20 years old are selected for the six-week program based on academic qualifications, a series of essays, and a letter of recommendation. Arriving before the annual Family Reunion Festival, students spend their workdays visiting tribal directors and hearing employees explain their role. Between departmental sessions, students tour tribal enterprises and attend board meetings. In the evenings and on weekends, students connect culturally by attending language classes, participating in tribal ceremonies, and learning traditional crafts. Additionally, students who have not yet received a Potawatomi name will have the opportunity to do so. By the end of the program, the students have gained a comprehensive knowledge of individual tribal components as well as how they fit into the larger puzzle of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
As potential leaders of the tribe, students not only learn how the Tribe operates but also undergo extensive leadership training. Students begin the summer by taking an assessment to discover their individual strengths, and recurring workshops help them understand how best to develop those skills. Weekly talking circles offer a space to process their experience and tackle complex issues such as the intricacies of cultural identity, the qualities of effective leadership, and the promotion of tribal engagement. Additionally, Citizen Potawatomi Nation government officials such as the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and legislators share their unique perspectives on tribal leadership with the students.
Besides attending scheduled events and sessions, Potawatomi Leadership Program participants will be expected to write three short papers. At the end of the program, students leave their own mark on the Tribe by applying this abstract knowledge to a practical project, for which they design a creative way to tangibly enhance, develop, or add to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. In a final program presentation, students have the opportunity to share their final reflections and completed projects with tribal leadership. (Check out the final presentations here.)
Together, these components make up the Potawatomi Leadership Program. Students leave the program equipped with the knowledge and tools to remain engaged in the Tribe. For some, the experience will serve as preparation for future tribal governance, which strengthens the hope that the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s sound leadership will continue into future generations.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation covers the cost of round-trip travel for all program participants. Depending on where the student will be coming from, this will mean either airfare or mileage reimbursement. Dennette Summerlin will work with the students to schedule all travel.
When at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, local transportation will be provided. This includes all scheduled sessions and events. As a group, students may choose to seek other entertainment options such as the movies or bowling, and transportation to and from those activities will be provided when possible. However, students will not be able to bring their own vehicles to the program for any reason.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation boasts a full-service grocery store near the students’ living quarters, FireLake Discount Foods. Groceries for all meals will be furnished at FireLake and covered by the Tribe. Students will shop as a group for these groceries. On most evenings, students will work together to plan and prepare meals for the entire group in the Sharp House kitchen. However, should students choose to eat out at restaurants – they will be responsible for these outside costs.
During the six weeks, program participants stay together in “The Sharp House,” a spacious property owned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Students will share rooms and bathrooms based on gender. The Sharp House boasts a number of amenities, which include two large-screen televisions, a pool table, and an outdoor pool.
All accepted students will be required to create a medical file with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Clinic. As tribal members, the students can visit this clinic and receive medical attention at no cost to them if any medical issues should arise during their stay.
Participants receive a weekly scholarship of $60 as well as a $2,000 scholarship upon completion of the program.
A discussion shared by the members of the 2003 Citizen Potawatomi Nation Business Committee sparked the idea for the Potawatomi Leadership Program. Though they expressed pride that the number of college scholarships provided for young tribal members had notably increased, they also recognized a cause for concern. Despite the growing population of tribal scholarship recipients, the leaders realized that few of the students had a strong grasp on their tribe's heritage, governance, or economic structures. In fact, encounters with several students had indicated that the majority knew little about the Tribe at all.
Considering the Tribe's prolonged history of removal, this lack of connection was not surprising. Following the Citizen Potawatomi Nation's removal from its original Great Lakes homeland in the 1830s and its purchase of a 900 square mile reservation in Oklahoma in the late 1800s, land runs and other pressures scattered tribal members throughout the United States and abroad. In modern times, roughly two-thirds of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation population resides outside of Oklahoma. This wide dispersal led to a literal disconnect for countless tribal members, many of whom had never traveled to Oklahoma and were physically separated from tribal headquarters by long distances. Furthermore, prior to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation's extensive constitutional reform passed in 2007, tribal members living outside of the former reservation in Oklahoma had no formal legislative representation and consequently enjoyed few opportunities to feel invested in their tribe. With these barriers to a tribal connection in place for such a long period of time, the young college students in 2003 were perhaps inevitably disengaged.
However, this issue posed a threat beyond a diminished sense of tribal identity. If the Tribe's young people lacked a foundational understanding of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, where would its future leaders come from? Only enrolled members of the Tribe are eligible for elected leadership. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation's current leaders, Chairman John "Rocky" Barrett and Vice-Chairman Linda Capps, have served in their positions since 1985 and 1989 respectively. As Chairman Barrett has said, "We can always hire specialists and the right technical staff. We can't hire leaders. Our leaders come from our youth, and it is our responsibility to prepare them." When tribal leaders begin to shift responsibility to younger generations, a passionate and knowledgeable leadership pool must be readily available. In 2003, the members of the Business Committee worried that the dearth of eligible potential leaders might impair the Citizen Potawatomi Nation's ability to govern successfully.
In response to the paucity of tribally-aware young people, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation established the Potawatomi Leadership Program in 2003 with the following mission: to educate, inform, and encourage qualified Potawatomi students and to develop within the tribal membership at large a more accurate perception of the tribe and its operations. Each summer since 2003, an average of seven students have traveled from as far as New Zealand to Shawnee, Oklahoma to learn about the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and develop as leaders.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Attn: Rachel Watson
1601 S. Gordon Cooper Dr.
Shawnee, OK 74801
| Interested Tribes |
| Download PLP Packing List |
| Things To Do In Shawnee |
| FireLake Fry Bread Taco |
| FireLake Pizza |
| Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center |
| Citizen Potawatomi Center Eagle Aviary |
| FireLake Bowling Center and Arcade |
| Shawnee Outdoors, LLC |
| FireLake Golf Course |
| House of Hints |
| Shawnee Mall |
| Movies 6 at Shawnee Mall |
| National Arboretum II at Oklahoma Baptist University |
| Community Art Gallery |
| Pickleball at the Auditorium |
| Shawnee Outreach Thrift |
| Vintage Alley Boutique & Gifts |
| Van’s Pig Stands – Original Locations |
| International Youth Finals Rodeo (IFYR) |
| Week One |
| Week Two |
| Week Three |
| Week Four |
| Week Five |
| Week Six |
| Interview With A Former PLP |
| Daily Fun |
We arrived at the Sharpe House!! Our travel plans were arranged for us and we were picked up at the airport. As everyone arrived at the house we were given a tour and orientation for the upcoming weeks. We had time to settle in and had a chance to get to know everyone a little bit. We also planned the meals for the week so we knew what to get at the grocery store.
“I was nervous about picking rooms and who my roommate was going to be, but I love my roommates now. I was mostly excited, I thought that the house was so nice and big and I was shocked. It was really cool getting to meet everyone when they started to come.” – Tessa Arenz
“It was exciting to move into the house and kind of weird. My first impressions of people are very different than my impressions of them now, but in a good way.” – Anna Korzeniewski
We were taken to Kohl’s to get business casual clothing and any other type of clothing we would need throughout the program. We got slacks, dress shirts, blazers, ties. Then we went to FireLake Discount Foods and got a variety of food for the dinners that we planned to cook as a group and for breakfast and lunch like cereals, condiments, bread, deli meat, cheese, granola bars, pasta. Shopping for 12 people was a first for many of us.
When our shopping was done we did an escape room. One group finished faster and had the harder room, just saying.
In the evening, we picked out fabrics for our shawls. Our House Mom Margaret made the girls a shawl with applique, and we did the fringing ourselves. She also made us a blouse or skirt for our regalia and a ribbon shirt for the guys.
Sundays are free days. We are all able to go to church if we wish. We have chores to do and occasionally work to finish but usually we will hang out, go in the pool, play games, and take needed naps.
Monday was our first day of work. We had an HR and New Hire Orientation so that we understood what it means to be an employee for the tribe. Afterward, we had lunch with the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
On Monday evenings we have Cultural Teaching. It is an opportunity for us to ask questions and get answers from extremely knowledgeable people. Unlike department sessions, we are able to stay in the house and get comfortable as we learn about what our ancestors went through as well as some of the traditions and culture that have been somewhat lost over the years because of forced assimilation.
“Before coming here I didn’t know much about Potawatomi culture. A lot of cultural knowledge was lost and forcibly taken away. It is wonderful to have a set time every week where someone explains culturally significant Potawatomi practices. It was a dream come true because I think that culture is really interesting and being able to connect with my culture has been incredibly powerful. Everyone here knows so much. It is wonderful hearing from them and learning about smudging, different types of dances, and history.” – Catherine Charnoky
“The extinction effort really spoke to me. I’ve written papers about the internment camps and ‘boarding schools’ native americans were sent to, but it makes it all too real when I hear about what my ancestors went through and had to survive. This I feel also connects to the near extinction of the bald eagle, encroachment of territory and foreign disease greatly affecting Native Americans and more recently bald eagles.” – Jaden Tarter
We visited the Eagle Aviary and were able to hear from Jennifer and Bree who have been running the aviary for 10 years and have a wealth of knowledge about eagles and their significance to our tribe. We also had the opportunity to see the eagles walking around in the enclosure, and pet and take pictures with a buzzard.
“During this session I realized more the importance of Creation and how we must take care of our eagles and the land. Learning about the aviary and the importance of eagles reminded me of the Seven Grandfather teachings because the eagle is also a representation of those teachings and values that our tribe holds. Specifically, the teaching of respect, which applies to us respecting the land and all the animals that inhabit it. This also applies to the teaching of bravery. Eagles are a symbol of strength and CPN has been able to teach this to the tribe. CPN has reconnected our tribe to these eagles and that is a gift that will last generations.” – Tessa Arenz
Every Wednesday and Friday we have language lessons with Justin and Robert. We have learned and practiced our introductions and a variety of phrases that we use around the house, like “kyenep” which means “hurry up!”
“Language lessons are so much fun! They are one of the highlights of the program. Justin and Robert create a fun atmosphere; they are always telling funny stories about the different words which makes the words memorable. It is interesting to learn about the Potawatomi world view and concepts that don’t fit into English/Potawatomi. It changes the way I see the world, like a drum sounding like a heartbeat.” – Catherine Charnoky
A former PLP counselor came to the Sharp House and taught us how to make moccasins. Like every workshop, there are some that were able to pick up on the process more quickly, but we all like to help each other through it.
“My favorite workshop was moccasins. Moccasins are now a part of my regalia so I thought it was really cool to be able to make them and then wear them, and the fact that they are tailored to you. They are a very cool thing to make.” – Tessa Arenz
Every Thursday we have lunch with the elders at the Elder Center. It gives us an opportunity to learn about their lives and hear their wisdom. We also have a great time playing bingo.
“I think that it’s fun to talk with the elders. They have a lot of knowledge and stories to share. I’ve met a lot of interesting people who have done a lot throughout their lives. I also have a fun time playing bingo.” – Tessa Arenz
The Cultural Heritage Center is a great representation of our history and culture. We had the opportunity to hear from Kelly Mosteller before she left to teach at Harvard.
“This tour helped expand my understanding of how betrayed Native Americans were. Treaty after treaty broken, forced displacement, constant efforts to exterminate, there is a lot to learn about, with a history as blood-soaked as this. But I also think this shows why the Potawatomi are so dedicated to helping their people recover from generations of bloodshed, the Potawatomi know that as long as you stick together and fight you will survive, and that’s why they care for every last one of their members.” – Jaden Tarter
Every Thursday we participate in women’s drumming where we get to drum with a strong group of women and learn traditional songs for ceremonies and social circles.
Each Thursday we have a talking circle. We are given questions about our identity, traditions, and goals, but when a person holds the feather they have the opportunity to speak about whatever they want and everyone else must listen. It is an opportunity for us to share and to listen in a safe and comfortable space.
“I love talking circles. During our first talking circle, Tesia mentioned that in western society the people that we hear from the most are the loudest, and the people who are quieter and more reserved aren’t heard as much. There is a set understanding during the talking circle that what is shared is safe and you are able to be vulnerable. It is a structured way that we can all get to know each other and are given really thought-provoking prompts that allow me to think about life in a new way. It also allowed me to reflect on my PLP experience, my past, future, and identity. It is comforting to know that people are listening, care, and that we’re all here to support each other and grow. Also, we can talk about heavy things.” – Catherine Charnoky
“I love language lessons. I feel like I’ve messed up in every possible way you can but I’ve really enjoyed them. It has been really fun getting to learn it because it’s something I’ve never had the opportunity to do. Justin is so smart and Robert is hilarious and also very smart. They are both very good at encouraging us to learn the language. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but I look forward to going to them now. My favorite words are “debwewen” which means truth and “aspen” which means raccoon.” – Anna Korzeniewski
We were not able to be with our fathers on this day, but we were able to celebrate with our “House Dad” aka PLP Counselor Braden.
Tribal members who live in Oklahoma are able to get vehicle tags for a fraction of the price that they would pay at a state DMV.
This week in Cultural Teaching, we learned a lot about the origins and traditional practices of smudging. We learned the significance behind the different medicines and what they are used for during ceremonies. We also learned about sweat lodges and the appropriation of native culture.
“This lesson helped me learn the origins of our tribe and the important traditions that have stemmed down from our ancestors. From smudging to sweat lodges, everything in our culture has meaning and purpose. This new knowledge helps me to appreciate and understand my prior knowledge of not only the traditions but the people around me that I love. Learning new things about my culture makes me excited to implement them into my everyday life away from Shawnee.” – Liberty Wolfe
We did a department session for Quail Ridge and were given a chance to try skeet shooting. We were also able to take a tour of the range and no one crashed a golf cart.
“I found a new hobby. I’ve shot hunting arcade games and I’ve shot a 22 before but never a shotgun. I felt very confident and powerful, being able to shoot the first one off the bat and I felt very powerful. I really enjoyed the range and I think it’s really cool that we are able to have that business on our land.” – Chloe Williams
We were able to learn some traditional dances before participating in Grand Entry. We partnered up for two step dancing and had a blast doing the Snake and Buffalo dance.
“I loved dancing in the Grand Entry. It’s something that everyone can do. I also had the opportunity to teach my family dances, and that was really special.” – Anna Korzeniewski
“It is cool to hear their different stories. I think that it’s important to have conversations with people that have a lot of life experience. It is really cool to know that the tribe takes care of people in their older years, and to know that they have a community and support system. It is great to see them happy that we’re there.” – Catherine Charnoky
“Talking circles would be a great way to do an ice breaking in the theater department, and it will be a great way to open up students and faculties.” – Chloe Williams
We helped out with classes at the Cultural Heritage Center during the first day of the Family Reunion Festival. We helped Tribal citizens who traveled from all over make drums, flat stitch earrings, corn husk dolls, moccasins, and more.
“My experience with drum making was really fun. I didn’t know how to do it at first but I got a hang of it, and I helped a woman with arthritis make a drum. We had left over materials and the leader of the class allowed me to finish a drum and it was epic!” – Chloe Williams
Hand Games are an annual event where two players from a team hide beads in one of their hands and a player from the other team guesses which hand the bead is in. It is a game of deception and a fun game where people can dance around. People bet and buy teams before the games start and the winners split the pot between themselves and the owner. This year we competed as a team and actually won!
“Playing Hand Games is my favorite memory. We are all very different people, but we all had the same goal. There are definitely people we gravitate to normally, but it didn’t matter in that instance. Jaden came out of his shell.” – Anna Korzeniewski
Traditionally men drum together on the big drums and women gather around and sing to provide protection. Normally, there will only be one drum from another tribe who provides the music for the powwow. This year we also had a Potawatomi drum and the PLP men were able to participate. They practiced each day after department sessions to prepare for Hand Games and Grand Entry.
“In practice, I really liked being able to chime in when I felt comfortable, and that there wasn’t any shame in not doing that during Festival. At the Festival itself, drumming was simple, we just needed to focus more and more on keeping the beat and energy in the right place. It was really good, and I am looking forward to further practicing at home!” – David Harty
We were able to go to the General Council Meeting and hear what is currently going on in the tribe from the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, and their plans for what is coming next.
We quickly had to get in our regalia for Grand Entry. Men traditionally wear ribbon shirts and women wear a blouse and skirt. This gave us a chance to wear our moccasins for the first time. The girls spent a long time braiding and putting ribbons in their hair. While it is great if you can have traditional regalia, not everyone is able to. The most important thing for Grand Entry is to be respectful. Women should wear long skirts, everyone should wear closed toe shoes, and be modest.
“Festival is my favorite part of the program so far. Getting to dance with the PLP and get ready with everyone, I had so much fun getting into regalia. Getting to see my family halfway through the program was really nice and being able to tell them everything that I’ve been learning and introducing them to fellow PLP.” – Tessa Arenz
At Grand Entry, we were introduced as PLP and then able to dance together. We even got some of our family to dance with us. We were also able to watch the competitive dancers. Many of us had never been to the Family Reunion Festival and did not know what to expect at a powwow. It is really easy to follow the flow, and everything is announced by the MC so there is no confusion.
“Festival was really wonderful. I had never been before so some aspects really surprised me. It was really cool to walk in Grand Entry, and was a really unique experience. It was really interesting to see the competitive dancing and see what the judges were looking for.” – Catherine Charnoky
We were all starving after a long day so our late night iHop run gave us a chance to relax and chat with some former PLP who were in town.
Throughout Festival weekend there are many tournaments and games that people can participate in and earn prizes. We competed in a volleyball tournament, and let’s just say we were much better at Hand Games…
The Tribe has 13 legislators that represent 13 districts around the nation. These legislators are elected by the members in each of their districts. The legislators from all over the country meet every Monday after Festival weekend, and we were able to sit in and watch them discuss and vote on their agenda.
“The extinction effort really spoke to me. I’ve written papers about the internment camps and ‘boarding schools’ Native Americans were sent to, but it makes it all too real when I hear about what my ancestors went through and had to survive. This I feel also connects to the near extinction of the bald eagle, encroachment of territory and foreign disease greatly affecting Native Americans and more recently bald eagles.” – Jaden Tarter
“I knew that the tribe offered educational scholarships but I didn’t know these were services and scholarships offered by other departments. I thought that this department had a lot of really cool and helpful services that are very beneficial for those living in Oklahoma and also some for those living out of state.” – Anna Korzeniewski
“The Education department is in place to help tribal members with their future goals, as well as teaching schools about Potawatomi culture and history. This department is working on a curriculum to teach people about the Trail of Death so that they understand what our ancestors went through and respect our culture and perseverance. They also follow the Seven Grandfather teachings which are the standards that PLP and our tribe as a whole follow. One of the major goals of the education department is to remove obstacles so that Tribal members can find the right path for them and be educated voters and future tribal leaders. Every way that a person involves themselves is essential for keeping the tribe going, and the more educated people are the better they can make decisions for the future. Many of the goals of CPN revolve around improving our nation for the next 7 generations.” – Sophia Carney
We had been learning about sweat lodges during Cultural Teachings, but it is something that you need to experience to really understand. We learned about the Seven Grandfathers and the ceremonies that occur during the sweat prior, but there is no way to prepare for the physical aspect other than doing it.
“The Sweat Lodge pushed me and challenged my body and mind. I had to persevere through it but I thought it was a really cool prayer experience, getting to pray with other PLP and offering up the suffering. I’ve also never been so hot or sweat so much in my entire life, but it felt so good when we got hosed off after. It was a great feeling.” – Tessa Arenz
“This session helped me understand how CPN helps its members holistically and provides high quality services. It also helped me realize how important it is for CPN to decide how to run all their programs because before it was completely run by the federal government. Additionally, considering the history of boarding schools having schools managed and run by CPN members is a part of self governance. This session connects to the workforce and social services department because both departments collaborate to provide the mentioned services. This session also connects to the education session because this is how the tribe educates younger children. And this session connects to the language department session because language classes are offered a few times a week at the center.” – Catherine Charnoky
In this workshop, we did flat stitch beading. Many of us made earrings or broaches, and some of us have continued to practice our stitching to make other things.
“The beading workshop had to be my favorite as it required the most concentration.” – Tristin Stites
“I really enjoyed the beading workshop. Before I came here I wanted to learn how to bead. I made some earrings for my mom and I am going to teach her how to bead.” – Chloe Williams
We had Accounting, Office of Environmental Health, Domestic Violence, and HR.
“I think that Talking Circles are a good opportunity for people to say what’s on their mind and be open and vulnerable with other PLP. It provides a space for people to express themselves and share which I think is really beautiful.” – Tessa Arenz
We spent the day in Oklahoma City. We started out by going to the First Americans Museum.
“It was awing to see our history, my history, laid out in such a straightforward way, open to the viewing. I’ve never connected with something like that before, at least not with something on such a large scale with our history open for the taking. It made me feel proud, which isn’t a feeling I’m used to, especially in a setting where it’s about a group I can truly call my people.” – David Harty
It features important traditions and aspects from the 39 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma.
We had lunch at Thirty-Nine, a Native American restaurant. We spent the rest of the day exploring the city and going to many local shops.
The murder mystery party is something that we planned ourselves. We all were given a character by David and dressed up as our roles for the murder mystery/dinner party. A lot of the stuff we had, but we were able to get additional items for our costumes at OKC thrift shops the day before.
“The murder mystery party took a lot less time than I had anticipated. It was a lot of fun thrifting for costumes and clothes in the days prior, and, although I had to work through some scheduling conflicts, I think it worked out really well! I’d absolutely love to do another one if we had the time.” – David Harty
“I really enjoy singing and playing the drums. I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy the songs, and I catch myself singing the songs every now and then.” – Chloe Williams
We had police, economic development, and housing authority.
We got to see the inner workings of the bowling alley, and got to bowl and play in the arcade!
We saw everything in the back of the store and learned about how they receive and store their products. Those freezers were cold!!
“Talking circles are a good conversation center and a way to get out your emotions.” – Tristin Stites
We got to tour the golf course and learn its inner workings. We also got to ride around in golf carts and pet some really cute cats.
“It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of groundskeeping addressed, as well as upkeep of grass and lakes. The best parts of the tour were when we were having fun in our golf carts in between the sessions of actual learning.” – David Harty
The Arena hosts a variety of events such as concerts, graduations, and recently the Potawatomi Fire Basketball Team. We were given a tour of the Arena and learned what it takes to make these events run.
“The Sac and Fox Powwow felt more festive than the Potawatomi version, however it also felt less traditional. The Potawatomi Powwow had an aspect of culture and heritage in it, whereas the Sac and Fox felt more like it was a celebration. However, I feel the only reason I see it this way is because I am Potawatomi and I understand and notice the small details throughout the Potawatomi Powwow. One thing I did really enjoy about the Sac and Fox powwow was how they supported local craftsmen and women by helping vendors set up shops. In addition I also enjoyed the intense use of color and decoration by many of the dancers, there were these beautiful headdresses made of eagle feathers and precious metals. I feel more connected to the Potawatomi Powwow but the Sac and Fox Powwow opened my eyes to many new styles and concepts and I have come to appreciate them.” – Jaden Tarter
“We talked a lot about how we can stay involved in our Native American culture even when we are far from Shawnee, such as going to powwows for other tribes. We can dance at these intertribal powwows and there are ways that we can learn how to dance even if we can’t come to powwows or go to the Family Reunion Festival each year. There are differences between each tribe, but the most important thing is to just stay involved in any way we can. Not everyone will be dancers, but there are many other ways that people can stay connected to their culture and practice our native traditions. It is essential to practice these traditions in a respectful way and to respect the traditions of other tribes that we may come across.” – Sophia Carney
We got to tour the different plants the RWD #3 operates and their headquarters.
We had the opportunity to sit down with the Chairman and Vice Chairman to learn about the history of CPN’s tribal leadership and their wisdom on a variety of topics.
We had language class in the morning. We learned how to say prayers in Potawatomi. We spent the majority of this day working on our final projects and catching up on other assignments.
We had department sessions for all of the departments within the Grand Casino and Hotel and were given a tour.
Afterwards, we ate at The Flame, a Brazilian Steakhouse, and ate way too much food. The rest of the evening we were free to swim, walk around, and hang out in our hotel rooms.
We took photos in our regalia that was made by Margaret. Along with group pictures, we each got portraits in our regalia, and headshots in business attire by Public Information’s photographer Garett.
We each got to shadow two departments that we were interested in learning about. They showed us the ins and outs of their departments, and we got to do some cool things.
Our last department session was for Tribal Court. We heard from Judge Lujan about how he incorporates our Potawatomi values into the courtroom and watched some cases in action.
Seven out of eleven PLP students chose to receive their Potawatomi names. In Potawatomi culture, when a person receives their name, the Creator is able to see their face. If a person is given their Potawatomi name, they can then become a namer. To ask someone to name you, traditionally you will give them a bundle of tobacco, or sema. If they accept, they have the responsibility of finding the name that the Creator has chosen for you. We had one large ceremony where the namers described each person’s characteristics that guided them to choose a name. Each person asked two sponsors to guide them in their journey as well. It was really special to watch this happen, and be able to see how perfectly each person’s name matches who they are as a person.
“Liberty asked me to name her by giving me some sema. I was really honored and touched that she wanted me to name her. I started asking her a lot of questions about her personality and getting a better understanding of her. I noticed that she had a butterfly tattoo and I started researching about butterflies. I talked to Robert about this and about how she was a part of the Thunder Clan. We researched names based on this and found a name that fit and that would serve nice for her name. I did a lot of thinking and meditating on it, and making sure this was the right name. I chose the name Byejsekwe, which means Comes-Flying.
I was a little nervous for the ceremony, because it was my first and I was worried about what she would think about the name. I was so happy and excited that I started bawling, and she loved her name. Saying her name in the four directions with everyone was really special.” – Chloe Williams
Sage is one of our four sacred medicines along with tobacco, sweetgrass, and cedar. To harvest sage we set down sema (tobacco) and did not take the first or last plant we saw. We cut them off at the stem, making sure not to completely pull out the roots. After we collected our sage, we wrapped bundles in twine and hung them up to dry.
This is our last day in the program. We spent the morning presenting our final projects to Tribal leadership. We worked together with partners to create a project based on a need the Tribe has or an addition to an already existing department that we thought would be beneficial. We worked on these projects throughout the course of the program with the goal of leaving the program with a lasting impact on the Tribe, who has provided us with so much during our time here. It is bittersweet to leave Shawnee. We are all going to miss the memories we made and are grateful for the personal and cultural growth this program has brought us.
Paige Willett participated in the Potawatomi Leadership Program in 2010. She now works in the Public Information Department writing for the Hownikan, our monthly Tribal newspaper, and the Hownikan Podcast.
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We decided to interview Paige to learn more about what her experience in the program was like, now looking back on it 12 years later. Many PLP have chosen to come back and work for the Tribe later on in life. It is incredible to see the long lasting effects of this program.
Question: Was the program what you expected it to be before coming?
My mom grew up here, and she graduated from Shawnee High School in the seventies. I didn’t really have much connection with the tribe, despite reading the Hownikan. My mom was always very proud to tell us that we were Potawatomi and that we were enrolled and about my great great grandmother, but I just hadn’t really explored much. She always got the paper and everything that I write for now, which is pretty cool. And she saw the ads for the Potawatomi Leadership Program and she was like “hey, you should really apply for this” and I saw it and she pushed me more and I did. I don’t think I really knew what to expect going into it, what six weeks was going to be like here as I hadn’t done anything that intensive of an experience with the tribe. It was more intense than I expected, doing so much every single day and learning everything, but it was definitely a good intense. I loved the whole program and I learned so much about everything. The T_ribe has grown so much since I’ve done the program. It’s really cool being back here now and getting to tell everyone else about all the growth that’s going on.
Question: How did you get started working for the Tribe?
As a result of the program I had met the previous Public Info director and got to know him. He has unfortunately walked on now but he was good to me. He was only one person but he was the whole department at that point. I did some freelance stuff for the paper and some photography. Since I had done that stuff before, Jennifer knew my name. She was looking for someone to help grow the department again. Under her, the department has experienced so much crazy growth and that has been really amazing. Media output from the tribe has grown 100 fold and it’s so much better now thanks to her and all the visions that she’s had for what we can do as a department. She knew that I had a journalism degree and had been writing and broadcasting, and I went through the interview process and got hired.
Question: What is it like coming back and working for the Tribe after doing the program?
Coming back around has been really cool. I like interviewing other people who have done the program before to see what is going on in their lives and what they are working on. A lot of PLP are doing such incredible things every year. It is a group of standout, smart, and highly motivated people. I’ve interviewed PLP who do a wide variety of things; law, art, and environmental jobs. I like talking to and spending time with the new group that gets here in the summer. Everyone is so different in their interests and personality, and especially going to the presentation at the end and seeing things that are amazing and make you go ‘wow we need to do this pronto!’
It is neat going from not really knowing that much to coming full circle and spending everyday here. I advocate through writing and word for us everyday, and letting Tribal members know every day what’s going on and the opportunities we have at the Tribe and services that are available. Helping people get in contact with people when they don’t know who to get in contact with, and pointing people in the right direction can make a really big difference. Talking about programs like PLP and what it is and informing them that it’s something that their kids and grandkids should do. I want to teach them something that I wouldn’t have known before coming here.
Question: Has the program influenced the way you practice Potawatomi traditions?
110%. I’m here everyday, I go to drum with the ladies every week because it’s something that I really want to do, I go to ceremonies when I can. I’ve gone to language classes when I can and I go to winter stories each year. I try to connect to other Potawatomi women because it’s important for me, and getting to meet Potawatomi across the country, getting to know them and talk to them about their lives is something I really love about this job and writing for the paper. Creating stories and letting everyone else know about the amazing things they are doing. Personally, I think it all matters.
Question: What is the most valuable thing you learned?
It’s really just learning to claim your identity for yourself and not for anybody else.
Question: Do you think the program is a good representation of the Tribe as a whole?
I think the program does a really good job of exposing you to everything. It’s something that the creators of the program tried to do because it attracts students from everywhere. It’s like ‘hey, you’re here, you’re going to learn as much as you can.’ It attracts so many people from all over and different backgrounds.
Question: What is your favorite memory?
Making friends with each other. As much hard work as you do, it’s a lot of fun. Meeting a bunch of people your age and being stuck in a house together. Being named was a really really big thing, it was an incredible experience. I bawled like a baby. It’s not like anything you’ve experienced before and it’s not something that you will really get to experience again. You’ll be a part of other naming ceremonies but you’ll never be named again.
Question: Do you keep in contact with people from the program?
We’re all spread out over the country. We talk when we can, we’re all 30 now and a lot of them have kids and we all live different places and have careers. One of us lives in Japan, another lives in DC and is an LGBTQ+ activist. We try to keep in contact, but it’s cool just knowing what they are up to.
Question: Do you have any advice for people interested in doing the program?
Just do it, take the chance. A lot of people who are out of state worry about spending time in Oklahoma. Just come here. Many people get to Oklahoma and the tribe and it’s not what they think it is. It’s so much bigger and deeper and it covers so much of a wider area than they really think is possible.
