Pokegne k Ya t h danawa l v

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Citizen's Day at Four Winds South Bend

Page 12

Against All Odds - Native Youth Gambling

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Happy Birthday Brynlee!

Mnoké Mini Pow Wow

Mkedékéwen – Fasting

Family Movie Night

Annual Membership Meeting Held on Sovereign Land

The Annual Membership Meeting, held on Saturday, March 18, was the first in-person meeting since the onset of COVID. It also marked the first time our tribe hosted our Annual Membership meeting on sovereign land. This year's meeting took place at the Family Activity Center located in the Health Services building.

Citizens had the opportunity to interact with Tribal Council, government staff, as well as Four Winds' Tribal Development Program and Mno-Bmadsen.

Chairwoman’s Corner

Bozho and migwėtth for taking time to read April’s Pokégnek Yajdanawa. Spring has sprung and our events calendar is bursting with upcoming programs and services.

March 18 marked the first time our Annual Membership Meeting was held in-person since the onset of COVID. More notably, it was the first time we held our Membership Meeting on our sovereign land. Migwėtth to those citizens who braved the freezing temperatures, wind, and snowfall to join us at the Pokagon Family Activity Center. It was great to see so many of you there as well as those who joined the meeting online.

Tribal Council, Youth Council, Elder’s Council, and the Pokagon Bodéwadmik Ogitchedaw Board set up in the café area, while the Tribal Development Program, Mno-Bmadsen, and Government departments were set up throughout the hallways of the health center. It was a great opportunity to converse with many of our citizens. Citizens also had the chance to attend one of two breakout sessions: Opioid Overdose Prevention or Youth Gambling Prevention: Beating the Odds.

After a delicious lunch provided by Bneshi Mijem, we moved into our meeting agenda. Tribal Council presented information on the Fixture, Appliance, Down Payment, and Rehabilitation Program, our long-term land acquisition and development plan, and what our tribe is doing to prepare for climate change.

Our Chief Financial Officer, Daniel Parker, presented the Tribal Government Budget. Alex Wesaw, chairman of the Pokagon Development Authority led a presentation and discussion on Rolling Embers, our new cannabis retail store opening this month in New Buffalo. Mno-Bmadsen and Four WInds Casino and Resort finished out the meeting portion of the day.

A raffle throughout the meeting made for many happy and lucky citizens who took home gift cards ranging from $100 - $500. Tribal Development had a slew of raffle prizes including luggage and small appliances.

At the end of the meeting our Elder’s Council hosted a give-away featuring hundreds of different items ranging from roasting pans to ear buds to water bottles and more. I’m pretty sure no one left empty-handed!

As I said earlier, our April calendar has filled up quickly. You can see a full calendar of events in the center of this newsletter, but here’s a quick glance of what’s happening – be sure to register for any event you’re interested in:

• April 3 – Spring into Your Local Library

• April 15 – Annual Baby Celebration

• April 15 – Tour of Grand Valley State University

• April 15 – Citizen's Day at Rolling Embers

• April 18 – Healthcare Career Expo

• April 20 – Public Grand Opening of Rolling Embers

• April 21 – Family Movie Night

• April 22 – Youth Spring Kick-Off

• April 22 – Mnoké Mini Pow Wow

Until next month, be well and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Migwėtth,

14th Annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is pleased to announce that it will host its Annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, May 26 at Hampshire Country Club, located at 29592 Pokagon Highway in Dowagiac. The tournament features a four-person scramble format along with food, drinks and prizes that will be awarded in several categories. The early bird registration deadline is April 1, 2023. Individuals, teams, and sponsors are welcome. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Pokagon Potawatomi Veterans Society Military Emergency Relief Fund which supports Pokagon Citizen Veterans who are both active duty and retired military.

Commenting on the tournament Matthew Swisher, Chairman of the Pokagon Bode´wadmik Ogitchedaw Board said, “Now in its 14th year, the Pokagon Band’s Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament was established to help support our Pokagon Band Veterans, also referred to as Pokagon Bode´wadmik Ogitchedaw. Funds raised from this annual golf tournament play a vital role in providing necessary support to many of our veterans that need assistance returning to civilian life after serving in the military. We also have an ageing veteran population that requires additional assistance. The needs can range from temporary financial assistance for things like healthcare and medical bills to utility bills, and vehicle and home repairs.”

Funds raised for the Pokagon Potawatomi Veterans Society Military Emergency Relief Fund are distributed by the Pokagon Bode´wadmik Ogitchedaw Board.

Scan the code for more details and to register.

Rebecca Richards Tribal Chairwoman

Pokagon Band 2023 Housing Preference Survey Continues through May 2

The Pokagon Band Community Development team recently conducted several townhall forums to discuss village design for the Dowagiac Edawat, Hartford Edawat, and South Bend Edawat. Topics discussed include types of housing needed, desired amenities, other improvements, and areas of emphasis for development, such as environmental preservation, safety, yard maintenance, and recreation. The insights gathered at these events will help to inform future planning for these sites.

For those unable to attend these events, or wishing to provide additional input, an online survey at: https://metroquestsurvey.com/vw62c was released March 3 providing an interactive way to address the issues. The online survey will be available through May 2 and all citizens who have not had the opportunity to attend the townhall forums, or wish to provide additional input are welcome and encouraged to do so.

If you have further questions, or would like assistance in completing the survey, please contact Robert Torzynski AICP, Planning Manager at (269) 782-4896 or via email to: Robert.Torzynski@PokagonBand-nsn.gov.

A QR code to access the survey is provided:

Applying for FADPR?

Our Housing Specialist Team has a few friendly reminders to share with citizens applying for the Fixture, Appliance, Home, Rehabilitation Program.

• To date we have received over 2,000 applications for the FADPR program and paid out over $8-million in benefits.

• Inflation is increasing the cost of appliances and materials to rehabilitate homes. In order to get maximum benefit from the program, it is important to act quickly before prices increase further. Retailers and contractors predict more price increases in 2023.

• Availability of some products is dependent on supply chain availability. We thank you in advance for your patience as we navigate through occasional delays due to shortages.

• Once you have been contacted with program approval, please send in quotes and other documentation required to your housing specialists as soon as possible. We currently have over 400 applicants whom we are awaiting documentation to proceed. If funding is discontinued, you could miss out. Application approval does NOT guarantee funding is set aside for you. Those who provide everything needed get funded first.

• FADPR program continuance is subject to available grant funding. While we currently have plentiful funding this could change in the coming months. Act quickly to ensure use of this program before it’s gone!

As always, we encourage you to utilize the Pokagon Band website to review program information and eligibility requirements. Please submit any questions to: FADPR@PokagonBand-nsn.gov or call (877) 303-2888 and a Housing Specialist will help answer any questions you have.