E 'démnëké g izes STRAWBERRY

Smart Moves

Bodwéwadmimwen Class at Elder's Hall

Mbesniyêk – After School Program

Bodwéwadmimwen Class – Virtual Basic

Language Series via Microsoft Teams

Nithë ėzh mathigék – How's it growing?

Cardio Drumming

Gdédsêk – Little Otters

Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat Academy Potawatomi

Yoga

Gdédsêk – Little Otters

Community Craft Nights Wellbriety Group Meeting

Smart Moves

Bodwéwadmimwen Class at Elder's Hall

Mbesniyêk – After School Program

Bodwéwadmimwen Class – Virtual Basic Language Series via Microsoft Teams

Nithë ėzh mathigék – How's it growing?

Cardio Drumming

Gdédsêk – Little Otters

Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat Academy Potawatomi

Yoga

Gdédsêk – Little Otters

Community Craft Nights

Wellbriety Group Meeting

Smart Moves

PALS – Play And Learn Social

Bodwéwadmimwen Class at Elder's Hall

Mbesniyêk – After School Program

Bodwéwadmimwen Class – Virtual Basic

Language Series via Microsoft Teams

Nithë ėzh mathigék – How's it growing?

Cardio Drumming

Gdédsêk – Little Otters

Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat Academy Potawatomi

Kë Wzhetomen Wzhetomen –Let's Make Regalia

Yoga

Gdédsêk – Little Otters

Community Craft Nights

Wellbriety Group Meeting

Smart Moves

Bodwéwadmimwen Class at Elder's Hall

Mbesniyêk – After School Program

Bodwéwadmimwen Class – Virtual Basic

Language Series via Microsoft Teams

Nithë ėzh mathigék – How's it growing?

Cardio Drumming

Gdédsêk – Little Otters

Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat Academy Potawatomi

Ggaténmamen Gdankobthegnanêk Pow Wow

Pokagon Government Offices Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

Smart Moves

Bodwéwadmimwen Class at Elder's Hall

Mbesniyêk – After School Program

Bodwéwadmimwen Class – Virtual Basic

Language Series via Microsoft Teams

Nithë ėzh mathigék – How's it growing?

Otters

Bodwéwadmimwat & Zagbëgon

Potawatomi Language Class

Yoga

Smart Moves

Pokagon's National Youth Group

Coyote & Crow – Teens Skills Group

Otters

Bodwéwadmimwat & Zagbëgon

Potawatomi Language Class

Smart Moves

Pokagon's National Youth Group

Coyote & Crow – Teens Skills Group

Traditional Medicine Services

Basket Making with John Pigeon

Otters

Bodwéwadmimwat & Zagbëgon

Potawatomi Language Class

Yoga

Smart Moves

Pokagon's National Youth Group

Coyote & Crow – Teens Skills Group

Bodwéwadmimwat & Zagbëgon

Potawatomi Language Class

Yoga

Smart Moves

Pokagon's National Youth Group

Coyote & Crow – Teens Skills Group

Pride at the Tribe – LGBTQIA2

Blood Drive

Ggaténmamen Gdankobthegnanêk Pow Wow

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Opens Rolling Embers Cannabis Retail Store

It’s official! Rolling Embers, a retail cannabis store in New Buffalo, Mich. Is open for business. It is located on the Tribe's land at Exit 1 on I-94, at the corner of Wilson Road and Kinst Road. Pokagon Band retained Opus Consulting, a business management firm with years of experience in the cannabis industry, to assist in the development and management of the facility.

On Saturday, April 15, Rolling Embers welcomed Pokagon Citizens for a citizenonly day-long event. Citizens enjoyed touring the facility, live music, a food truck, discounts and giveaways.

Commenting on the launch of Rolling Embers Alex Wesaw, Treasurer of the Pokagon Band Tribal Council and Chairman of the Pokagon Development Authority said, "At the request of many of our citizens, the Pokagon Band has evaluated business opportunities within the burgeoning cannabis industry for several years and we are very pleased to have partnered with Opus Consulting to enter the market and establish Rolling Embers. With its mix of products, innovative concept, amenities and great location near Lake Michigan in scenic New Buffalo, Rolling Embers offers a retail cannabis experience that is truly unique in the state of Michigan. We look forward to welcoming the public to experience what Rolling Embers has to offer."

The recently constructed Rolling Embers facility has 3,000 square feet of indoor retail space and plenty of dedicated parking, including a dedicated motorcycle space. The 1,400 square foot outdoor consumption lounge features flexible seating and a gas fire pit, creating a unique ambiance. The facility will also offer access to food trucks and live entertainment on specific days and can accommodate large groups for private events.

More information on Rolling Embers can be found at www.rolling-embers.com. You can also find Rolling Embers on social media (Instagram: @rollingembers, and Facebook: @RollingEmbersMI) as well as cannabis apps such as Leafly and Weedmaps.

Honoring all Pokagon babies born between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023

Community Outreach, Kowabdanawa odë kė, and the Department of Education invite you to honor the newest members of our tribe.

Renee Gaipa's Four Winds Journey

I joined Four Winds on February 14, 2012, as a Table Games Scheduling Clerk. I had graduated with my Bachelor’s degree the previous summer and had been searching for a position within the casino that would fit in with my busy life as a mom of three kids, all under 5 at the time. As I had always been involved with the Tribe as a child, even attending the signing at the White House in 1994, I knew that I wanted to be a part of our growing success as a Tribe and what better way than to begin my career at the casino.

I have always believed that knowledge is power and that the more effort one puts into gaining it, the more doors will open for them. I took the opportunity to attend all trainings that were offered. The Dale Carnegie courses were tough but were worth the effort and putting myself far outside of my comfort zone. My favorite training though is the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator); learning not only about myself but also how to put into action ways to communicate with and lead other personality types has been a huge benefit during my career.

In September 2012, I had the chance to move into the HR (Human Resources) department as the Administrative Assistant to HR & TDP (Tribal Development Program). This position allowed me to become more involved in the TDP world and learn even more about all the many resources available. In January 2013, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and took on the position of Training Manager. Through this position I was able to meet so many employees and build relationships with all departments. About a year later an ASM (Assistant Property Shift Manager) position opened and while I knew this was going to be one of the most difficult jobs I would ever have, I decided to go for it. I can’t stress enough how important I believe the property manager positions are to the development of our tribal employees who want to move up within the company. The vast amount of knowledge gained as a property manager is so vital to not just being a good employee but becoming a knowledgeable leader within the company.

After about 2.5 years as an ASM, I had the opportunity to move into the Planning and Analysis department as a Financial Analyst. I was excited to learn a new area and role and gain even more understanding of everything Four Winds. Around this time a new department was being created and I had the opportunity to step into the Centralized Scheduling department as the manager. During this time, I was also fortunate enough to be able to participate in the Master’s program through TDP and received my MBA from the University of Notre Dame, Go Irish!

In November 2020, I had an opportunity to build another new department within the company and took on the role of the iGaming Marketing Operations Manager and then in July 2021, I was promoted to my current position of Director of Database Marketing.

Through the many training opportunities afforded to not only TDP members, but Four Winds employees in general, I have built and enhanced a magnitude of managerial skills that have opened many opportunities for me in the company. From the trainings offered in-house, to the assistance offered in obtaining training, certificates, and degrees off property, there are so many resources afforded to TDP members to become well rounded employees and effective leaders. My Four Winds journey has given me the resources and the education to build me into an effective leader and has afforded me the opportunity to be a force for good within the company and allowed me to help to create and maintain a business that will support and grow our tribe for many generations to come.

May is National Foster Care Month

Please Consider Being The Change That Matters

Join us in working to help our Pokagon children and youth enter and exit foster care with strengthened minds, holistic supports, and stable families.

To meaningfully address the mental health needs of children, youth, and young adults in foster care requires a holistic approach that focuses broadly on their wellbeing within the contexts of home, family, school, work, and community. We can accomplish this by embracing the Seven Grandfather teachings throughout the fostering process.

Learning to embrace the Seven Grandfather teachings while fostering is a valuable tool for potential parents and the children. Individuals thinking about fostering need to respect our children and the situations and environments they have come from; provide a loving environment; convey wisdom to encourage and motivate; be honest in times of distress and disparity, provide a nurturing family structure; have the humility to step out of the box; and the courage to take on the responsibility of welcoming a child with challenges or special needs. Culture, identity, and lived experience must always be a part of the conversation about our children’s mental health and finding the right care.

If you have ever considered being a foster parent, National Foster Care Month is the perfect opportunity to start the discussion. Please contact Christynn Black at Christynn.Black@PokagonBand-nsn.gov or (269) 462-4336.

2023 North American Indigenous Games

Team Michigan Basketball Fundraiser Games

Saturday, May 6

Doors open at noon with games beginning at 1 p.m.

Southwestern Michigan College

1st Source Bank Fieldhouse

58900 Cherry Grove Road in Dowagiac

Two Pokagon Band of Potawatomi youth, Josh Winchester-Jones and Devin Rock are playing for Team Michigan Basketball in the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). The boys are both student athletes at Dowagiac High School.

Team Michigan will play against high school teams from Dowagiac and Cassopolis. Proceeds from the fundraiser games will help Team Michigan with travel expenses as they embark to the 10th NAIG scheduled July 15-23, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Bring your family and friends to support the team and enjoy a day of basketball, 50/50 drawings, $1 half-court shots, raffles, food, and fun! FREE Admission!

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise funds to support Team Michigan Basketball. Scan the QR code below.

Come