Calendar
Bozho nikanek (Hello friends) - I hope you can join your Potawatomi family and friends and attend one or more of the events below and otherwise celebrate our heritage and traditions. For any District #2-specific events that require an RSVP, please call my toll free number 888-849-1484 or email me at ecarney@potawatomi.org.
Friday, January 5, 2024
National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), Contemporary Art by Native Americans Exhibition. Until January 15, 2024, the National Gallery of Art is exhibiting “many of today’s most boldly innovative Native American artists,” according to Native News Online. The exhibit is titled “The Land Carries Our Ancestors -- Contemporary Art by Native Americans.” We will start the new year off in a good way by meeting up on Friday, January 5, 2024 outside the exhibition (East Building, Upper Level) at 1 pm to see the art, and then visit together at one of the gallery cafes. (I’ll buy the snacks and drinks). You can find directions on the National Gallery’s website, www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2023/ancestors-contemporary-art-native-americans.html. Admission is free, no tickets are required. I look forward to seeing some of you there! Educators -- don’t miss the National Gallery’s K-12 resources related to this exhibition!
Saturday, April 20, 2024
CPN District 2 Family Meeting and Lunch, Church Hall, Rogers First Church of the Nazarene, 4911 W Pleasant Grove Rd, Rogers, Arkansas (Pastor Alan Johnson is a CPN member (Wilmet/Spencer and kindly has offered us this meeting space), 11 am to 2 30 pm. Directions can be found at rogersfirst.com. We will be trying something new -- a CPN Citizen Art Show and Contest. The three categories are Fine Arts, Crafts, and 12 and Under. Winners will have the opportunity to speak about their work. I cannot wait to see what is shared with us. Please RSVP today -- please note that children are welcome!
Saturday, June 8, 2024
CPN District 2 Beading Workshop with Senajewen. District #2 resident and jewelry maker Sierra Waterman-Wells/Senajewen, will be teaching a brick stitch beading class from 9 30 to 12 30. I will be hosting folks at Saltbox, 4700 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA (it's an interesting shared office/warehouse space). All materials will be provided at no charge; class size is limited to 15 and minimum age for participation is 12 years old. I am accepting RSVPs now. I expect to run a waiting list and, if the class goes as well as I expect it will, there will be future opportunities to learn from and build your skills with Senajewen's help.
Friday, June 28 through Sunday, June 30, 2024
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Family Reunion Festival. The Honored Families for 2024 are Darling, Hardin, Higbee, Levier, Lewis, Nadeau, Negahnquet, Pambago, Smith. CPN members and their immediate family households are welcome. The Family Festival is always held during the last full weekend in June. The General Council elections are decided during the Festival, with in-person voting on Saturday before General Council. I hope to see many of you there!
Monday, July 29 through Saturday, August 3, 2024
Gathering of the Potawatomi. Hosted by Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, 58620 Sink Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047. The first part of the week will be a Language Conference. Cultural presentations, craft workshops, dancing, recreational, sporting activities and other traditional activities start Thursday. Find details at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov/venue/pokagon-band-of-potawatomi-indians/ as they develop. I am planning to attend.
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Annual District 2 Fall Feast. 10 30 am to 2 30 pm. We will gather in the Social Hall, Little Falls Presbyterian Church, 6025 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA 22207 (littlefallschurch.org/). Bring favorite dishes (with recipes, if you'd like) to share. I will provide the turkey and a vegan main dish, along with beverages. We will visit, work on a cultural craft together, and share a family meal. Children are welcome! The craft will be appropriate for children 10 and up with one-to-one adult supervision. RSVPs are requested -- email or call me, please. And wear your mocs ahead of Rock Your Mocs 2024 -- see below!
November 10 through November 16, 2024
Rock Your Mocs 2024. Choose one day or the whole week of November 10 or the whole month of November to wear your mkesinen (moccasins) — the idea is to celebrate with and to honor our ancestors and indigenous peoples worldwide. To participate, wear your mkesinen, take a photo or video, add the hashtag #RockYourMocs and upload to social media. You’ll be helping to create an online photo album for the world to see and enjoy, and that will underscore that #WeAreStillHere.
Friday, November 29, 2024
Native American Heritage Day. U.S. Public Law 111-33 designates the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving Day of each year as Native American Heritage Day.
Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8 2024
Native Art Market, National Museum of the American Indian. Come meet Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island and Central and South America. The market will be held in Washington, D.C. and New York, N.Y. I plan to attend in Washington. Please reach out if you plan to go too!
Saturday, December 21, 2024
District #2 Lunch Meeting at the Loveless Cafe, Nashville, TN, 10 30 am to 2 pm. Come meet and visit with your Legislator and other relatives, enjoy a Southern buffet, and participate in our Art Contest. RSVPS required to evamariecarney@gmail.com or 888-849-1484 no later than December 13th, please! Address is 8400 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37221. Visit lovelesscafe.com for more about the venue.
Friday, June 27 through Sunday, June 29, 2025
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Family Reunion Festival. The Honored Families for 2025 are Bourassa, Burnett, Melot, Navarre, Peltier, Vieux, Wamego and Willmet. CPN members and their immediate family households are welcome. The Family Festival is always held during the last full weekend in June. The General Council elections are decided during the Festival, with in-person voting on Saturday before General Council. I hope to see many of you there!
Monday, July 28 through Saturday, August 2 or Sunday, August 3, 2025 [check back to confirm!]
Potawatomi Gathering 2025. Hosted by Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians/Gun Lake. Check back for more information, or visit Gun Lake's website, gunlaketribe-nsn.gov/. The first part of the week will be a Language Conference. Cultural presentations, craft workshops, dancing, recreational, sporting activities and other traditional activities start Thursday. I am planning to attend.