September Hownikan Article
Bozho, (Hello),
Potawatomi Gathering
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!
Please know that if we talked, even briefly, it meant a lot to me. Seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones reminded me why this work matters — a sense of community.
District 1 really showed up in the art contest, with Peggy Kinder, Alychia Murdock, Samantha Thompson, Anna Johnson and two-time winner Cindy Jarrar all placing, and Jeremy Seeley won first place in the lacrosse throw — congratulations to each of you!
Gun Lake was a terrific host with a very beautiful powwow grounds. It takes an incredible amount of work to pull off a Gathering, and they did so successfully. Next year, we’ll gather at the Forest County Potawatomi Community in Crandon, Wisconsin. If you’ve never attended, I strongly encourage it. It’s a week of learning, ceremony, dance and community.
District 1 Events
I’m still finalizing the schedule for upcoming District 1 gatherings. My goal is to host four each year, along with informal meetups and Zoom sessions. I’ll keep everyone updated through our website and Facebook group.
One event already confirmed is being organized by Kevin Roberts for Friday, Oct. 17 at the Illinois State Museum & Research Center in Springfield, Illinois. I want to thank Kevin for taking the initiative to create this community-led event. Community is strongest when shaped by its people, and I’m grateful for his efforts. Full details are available on our District 1 Facebook Page (facebook.com/groups/cpndistrict1) and at cpndistrict1.com.
Confederation Update
Many of you have asked about the Bodéwadmi Confederation. Once again, CPN chose not to join this year. I remain one of only three legislators in support, and I continue to advocate for joining because I believe in our shared future.
At a time when tribal sovereignty faces growing challenges from state and local governments, building coalitions is one of the best ways to protect and strengthen our position. Beyond political leverage, we also have an opportunity to build a Potawatomi economy alongside our relatives in the north. Many of our Nations have investments in banking, healthcare, real estate, federal contracting and tech — we should be working together.
Due to space limits, I will share more on the website, including the Articles of Confederation, Points of Order and my thoughts on this important topic.
District 1 Website and Digital Outreach
The Hownikan is a great tool for sharing reflections and updates with the community, but it’s not ideal for time-sensitive information. For the most current news in District 1, I encourage you to visit cpndistrict1.com.
There you’ll find upcoming events, my voting record, a community map, highlights of District 1 artists and entrepreneurs, and information on services and benefits. We’re active in the District 1 Facebook group as well. We have about 3,000 members in our district, but I only have contact info for around 185 — help me close that gap so I can keep you connected.
Steve Livingston | Legislator, District 1 | steve.livingston@potawatomi.org
