In my October Hownikan article, I outlined what the Bodéwadmi Confederation is and why I believed joining would benefit our Nation. I wrote that piece in late August/early September, just before the publishing deadline. I’m happy to share a timely update: as of our September 25 legislative meeting, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation officially joined the Confederation!

We already participate in intertribal groups like the National Congress of American Indians and the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma. But this alliance is different—it reunites our Bodwéwadmik communities in the spirit of shared prosperity and community.

In my September Hownikan article, I promised to share more about the Bodéwadmi Confederation. This is a condensed version from my website - https://www.cpndistrict1.com/news

For some, the idea of twelve communities working together formally may raise questions. We’ve gathered and supported one another informally, so why take the step of building something new? 

Because what we are doing today may not be enough tomorrow.

After CPN’s June election, Anderson and Hardin family member Steve Livingston was elected as legislator for District 1. Read below for a Q&A where you can learn a little more about him.

As I write this, it’s been a week since the Potawatomi Gathering, and my heart is still full. I enjoyed being surrounded by friends, family and fellow bodwéwadmik (Potawatomis). I spent the week with my nikan (friend) and mentor, Thomas Loftis, and visited with my cousins Denise Allman and her husband Doug, Amy and Bill Hones, and many more zhishibéniyêk from across our district and beyond.

It was truly a joy to meet, sit and talk with so many of you from District 1 at this year’s Gathering. I began writing out the names of everyone I got to visit with — people I shared meals with or simply caught up with between events — but quickly realized I was going to burn through my word limit just listing names!

This past Tuesday and Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend the Great Lakes Tribal Economic Summit, presented by Tribal Business News and Native News Online, and hosted at the beautiful Gun Lake Casino in Hopkins, Michigan.

In my September Hownikan article, I mentioned that I would share more about the Confederation on my website — including the Articles of Confederation, the Rules of Order, and my own thoughts on this important topic. What follows is my best effort to do just that.

For some, the idea of a Bodéwadmi Confederation can seem uncertain. Twelve sovereign Nations, each with our own governments, constitutions, and priorities, choosing to work together in a formal way - not by giving up our independence, but by affirming it. The question comes up: “Why do we need a charter? Why build something new? Why not just keep doing what we’ve always done?”

The answer is straightforward: what we’re doing now is not enough.

I want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to serve as your District 1 legislator. Thank you to everyone who participated in the election process, the kind words and encouragement along the way. Your voice matters, and it is an incredible honor to represent you.