Visit with the Band

Pokagon Band Welcomes New Chief of Police

On Monday, April 24, members of Pokagon Band Tribal Council hosted U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym for an evening of relationship building. Congressman

Yakym represents Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District that includes South Bend, Goshen, Warsaw, and Peru Indiana. Chairwoman Rebecca Richards, ViceChairman Gary Morseau, and Councilwoman Rhonda Keene lead Yakym on a tour of the new hotel, Cedar Spa and Ribbon Town Event Center at Four Winds Casino Resort South Bend. During the tour, Yakym expressed great admiration for Pokagon Band regarding all the positive contributions the Band has made in the South Bend area. He also shared his commitment to learning bout tribal issues and doing right by Pokagon Band in Washington DC.

After the tour, the Congressman extended a personal invitation to all Hoosier Pokagon citizens to reach out to his office whenever needed. His staff are trained advocates for anyone experiencing issues with a federal agency such as Social Security or Veterans Affairs. Contact Griffin Nate at Griffin.Nate@Mail.House. Gov for assistance with federal agencies.

In addition, Congressman Yakym invites any Pokagon citizen who plans to visit Washington DC to contact his office for a tour of the capital. When his schedule allows, Yakym facilitates constituent tours himself! To plan a tour of the capital, contact Ben Falkowski at Ben.Falkowski@Mail.House.Gov.

Pokagon Band Tribal Council looks forward to a positive working relationship with Congressman Yakym. Visit Congressman Yakym’s website for more info at Yakym.House.Gov.

Sworn in by Chairwoman Richards on Monday, May 15, Mario RedLegs is the new Chief of Police for the Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department. With 26 years of experience in Law Enforcement, Chief RedLegs is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation (Hunkpapa) and served in the United States Marine Corps.

He started his law enforcement career in Montana as a Deputy Sheriff working for Crow Nation. Afterwards, he worked as a Police Officer with the City of Billings, Montana, and then was hired by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as a Special Agent for Drug Investigations.

Positions he has held during his tenure at BIA include Associate Director of Drug Investigations, Special Agent in Charge (Great Plains, Midwest, Southwest areas), Assistant Special Agent in Charge, and Special Agent.

Chief RedLegs developed new programs in the BIA such as the Victim Witness, School Resource Officers, Intelligence Analyst, as well as expanded the Drug Investigation Programs from a handful of agents.

"I believe in Community involvement and working alongside our law enforcement officers to keep our community safe,” commented Chief RedLegs. “Communication is the key to a positive relationship in all walks of life and I intend to practice that here.”

Chief is inspired by this wife Jeannine, their five kids, and one grandson. In his free time, Mario likes to do photography, fitness, and spend time with the family.

Zatezalo Receives $10,000 Google Code Next Scholarship for Aspiring Computer Scientists

Misha Zatezalo, a rising sophomore at Penn State University, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious $10,000 Google Code Next Scholarship for Aspiring Computer Scientists. This highly competitive scholarship recognizes Misha’s outstanding achievements and potential in the field of computer science.

Hailing from the Pokagon Band of Potowatomi Indians, Misha has consistently demonstrated her commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. Her remarkable accomplishments as a computer science major during her freshman year at Penn State have earned her a welldeserved place on the Dean’s List.

Misha Zatezalo expresses her gratitude for being selected as a recipient of the Google Scholarship, stating, “I am incredibly honored to have been chosen for this prestigious award. The Google Scholarship not only provides financial support but also serves as a validation of my dedication to computer science. I am excited to utilize this opportunity to expand my knowledge, make meaningful connections, and work on solving real-world problems using technology.”

Misha Zatezalo’s achievements and recognition not only reflect her own hard work and dedication but also serves as an inspiration for other aspiring computer scientists, especially among the Pokagon Band of Potowatomi Indians. Misha’s success showcases the importance of diversity and inclusion in the field of computer science and serves as a reminder of the incredible talent and potential within underrepresented communities.

Misha also expresses the greatest of thanks and appreciation to the Pokagon Band of Potowatomi Indians for providing the financial resource to follow her dream of becoming a Computer Scientist, “I would not be where I am at in my life today without the support of the Pokagon Band and my family, to you all I say “Migwėtth.”

Sign Up for the Bodéwadmik Blast

The Bodéwadmik Blast is a quick, easy-to-read, weekly newsletter delivered right to your email box. It features current events and classes happening throughout the Pokagon community. Scan the QR Code by using your cell phone camera and sign up to receive it today.

Youth Spring Kick Off

At the end of April, Pokagon youth enjoyed a day of team-building activites at Pretty Lake Camp in Mattawan, Mich.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Marcussen

Skëbgyak Zhettkén

Skëbgyak Zhettkén, or “Do it Green,” is the Band’s green initiative to help reduce the waste that is produced by the government. While the initiative languished a bit during COVID pandemic, Kowabdanawa odë kė is reinvigorating the initiative throughout the government. The initiative includes composting activities in all government departments, this will reduce the amount of food waste going to the landfills where it produces methane and contributes to greenhouse gases.

Skëbgyak Zhettkén seeks to eliminate the use of single use plastics and Styrofoam, such as bags, cups, plates, utensils, and straws and use reusable washable dishes and utensils as primary options, or biodegradable or compostable, environmentally friendly products as secondary options.

At Kowabdanawa odë kė, we recycle household hazardous wastes, remove wastes from tribal properties, and seek to expand recycling efforts and greenhouse gas reductions throughout the government over the next year. First, we have worked with multiple departments and are removing some of the areas on campus and tribal properties from regular mowing. The areas being removed are being seeded with native prairie grasses to have them help with stormwater infiltration and provide pollinator habitat to many species of wildlife.

Additionally, reducing mowing areas reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are put out by the mowers and reduces man hours spent on mowing grass, providing a tribal cost savings as well. Over the next year you should also see the installation of drinking fountains with water bottle fillers within the Rodgers Lake Campground area to reduce the need for individual plastic water bottles during events like Pow Wows and Summer Camps.

If everyone works together to make greener choices and recycle/upcycle as much as possible, we can make a difference and reduce our carbon footprint.

It was another successful blood drive organized by Community Outreach. Our director of HR, Mary Eccles, is all smiles during her routine donation. The next blood drive is Thursday, July 20 in the Multi-Purpose Room at PHS.

Recycle

Household Hazardous Waste Items at Kowabdanawa odë kė

THEY WATCH OVER THIS LAND.

Zagbëgon Graduation

Congratulations to the Zagbëgon penothésêk who attended the 2022-2023 school year! We are looking forward to seeing the returning students, as well as new students, in September.

The Zagbëgon Team would like to recognize the following 2023 Preschool Graduates who are moving on to Kindergarten:

Peshkwa

Averie Barger

Jeremiah Pierce

Jordyn Goodrich

Madison Morris

Zander Dill

Zibé

Bentlee Rybolt

Draya Fitchett

Henry Glynn

Lucas Roach

Nanaquiba Malott

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder or depression that occurs in mothers after the birth of a baby. Usually this will be a short-term disorder.

Causes

The cause of postpartum depression is not fully understood. It can be attributed to a combination of environmental, emotional, hormonal, and genetic factors. Sleep deprivation may worsen symptoms or increase the likelihood of the condition.

• Drop in hormone levels after the delivery

• Emotional issues like stress between partners or Family is also a potential factor for postpartum depression

• Lack of help/support to manage the newborn

• Complications during childbirth

• Family history of depression

• Stressful events during pregnancy