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Branson, Missouri (just over District #2's Arkansas Border) CPN Area Gathering,

April 20, 2013

CPN members from Missouri and Arkansas came to Branson to visit with the CPN Executive Team at a meeting hosted by Chairman Barrett and Vice Chairman Capps. Jamie Kindt from District #2 was honored as the wisest in attendance and Peggy Pettifer Hill, also from District #2, was honored as the farthest traveled (she lives in the "other Murfreesboro"). A Juneau cousin of ours from Springfield, Missouri was the meeting's youngest attendee. Quite a few legislators turned out in addition to Rocky Barrett, Linda Capps and me: Roy Slavin (District #1), Theresa Adame (District #4), Bobbie Bowden (Okla.) and Dave Barrett (Okla.). Tribal Rolls Director Chuck Clark provided enrollment assistance and tribal identification cards, and Public Affairs Diretor/HowNiKan Editor Jennifer Hardesty took photos.

The meeting was followed by a naming ceremony overlooking Table Rock Lake. I was honored to name David Shanks, a fellow Juneau now living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and to assist Legislator Roy Slavin with the ceremony. With Chairman Barrett and I keeping the beat with his drum and shaker, the large group of Potawatomis and our families and friends offered a rousing rendition of The Morning Song to introduce the four Potawatomis who received their names. For an audio of the song (sund by Justin Neely) and a copy of the words in Potawatomi and English, you can visit http://mrziegler.com/morning.html. I hope you can join in on a future CPN meeting or ceremony.