Elder Oral History Project

Pokagon or Tribal Elders in Pokagon Household ages 50+ Help us document our history through the recording of individual Pokagon Tribal History and Stories. Digitized documents and pictures will support your stories.

Interested Elders please contact Rebecca Williams between March 1 - December 20, 2023, at Rebecca.Williams@PokagonBand-nsn.gov or call (269) 462-4296.

Please include your name, age, and contact information.

Tribal elders will be paired with a tribal youth from their family or another Tribal Youth if a Tribal youth from the family is not available

Neshnabé Mbokén Inspires our Youth

On a Wednesday afternoon in March, a group of children, staff, and volunteers gathered at the Pokagon Community Center for Neshnabé Mbokén -- a children’s book club. According to Erin Burggraf, Academic Advisor Pre-K – 12, the goal of Neshnabé Mbokén is to share books about us by us. “Out of the 3,700 children’s books published in 2019, only fourteen percent featured non-white main characters,” Burggraf explained. “Out of those books, less than one percent featured Native American main characters. So many books in my childhood only shared us in past tense form. Now there are so many books that share us in a contemporary setting. We are still here, and our stories should reflect that.”

Who doesn’t like story time? Burggraf noted that the children love being read to. “I take my time finding stories to share. A really good children’s book is not only entertaining to children but to adults as well. I love seeing how the children respond and that they are falling in love with the stories, too.” For Burggraf, it’s important for the children to be able to see themselves in stories. “I hope it will inspire them to share their own stories and maybe they will publish a book in the future.”

And that it will! According to Autumn Carlson, Site Manager at Zagbëgon Early Learning and Development Academy, Zagbëgon preschool students are working with Language Apprentice Margaret Long from the Pokagon Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat Department to publish a book. The book title is “Wénithë Nin” (Who am I?). Each child will have an opportunity to write about themselves and draw a self-portrait. Their descriptions of themselves will be translated to Potawatomi for inclusion in the book. Neshnabé Mbokén meets again on Wednesday, June 7 at 5 p.m.

Pokégnek Bodéwadmik Department of Education is offering paid summer internships to college students who are looking to gain work experience in their field of study.

Interns will be placed in departments throughout the tribal government based on their major or area of interest. Interns will participate in a variety of experiences including cultural outings, community engagement, and career-related trainings.

Program Details

• June 5 - July 28

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Housing available upon request (restrictions apply)

• Clothing stipend

• Gas stipend

For more information contact: Adela Galvan-Guerrero at (269) 462-4221 or Adela.Galvan-Guerrero@PokagonBand-nsn.gov of education