“We can always hire specialists and the right technical staff. We can’t hire leaders. Our leaders come from our youth, and it is our responsibility to prepare them.” John “Rocky” Barrett, Chairman, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Opportunities far from Home
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) is one of several federally recognized Potawatomi tribes. CPN's headquarters are in Shawnee, Oklahoma, but CPN citizens are scattered across the US. Many younger citizens are growing up with little knowledge of their Potawatomi heritage and the accomplishments and challenges of their tribe today.
Potawatomi Leadership Program by Honoring Nations, The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic DevelopmentHonoring Nations
At its core, the Program strives to cultivate talent from within the Nation to ensure strong leadership into the future.
Potawatomi Leadership Program, Citizen Potawatomi Nation - 2014 Honoring Nations Award (2014-07-01) by Honoring Nations, The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic DevelopmentHonoring Nations
“On top of the immensity of what it means to be Potawatomi, I have learned so much more about myself and built true character in my time here.”
Tyler Kline, Potawatomi Leadership Program participant
Potawatomi Leadership Program, Citizen Potawatomi Nation - 2014 Honoring Nations Award (2014-07-01) by Honoring Nations, The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic DevelopmentHonoring Nations
As of 2016, more than 100 students have participated in the Potawatomi Leadership Program. All report feeling a strong sense of pride in their CPN heritage.
Potawatomi Leadership Program, Citizen Potawatomi Nation - 2014 Honoring Nations Award (2014-07-01) by Honoring Nations, The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic DevelopmentHonoring Nations
A full 20% have since returned to Shawnee, OK to work for the Nation. The enthusiasm of PLP graduates is infectious. They even inspire their parents to get more involved and learn more about their heritage.
BRINGING THE LESSONS HOME
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has found a way to offer its youth an unparalleled opportunity to be educated in what it means to be Potawatomi today. The participants of the Potawatomi Leadership Program learn first-hand about the tribe’s accomplishments and strengthen their connection to the Nation.
The students go out into the world with a deeper understanding of their tribal identity and greater confidence. By investing in its promising students, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation is ensuring its long-term ability to govern well and continue to prosper. When the time is right, these young Potawatomi will be ready to step-up as the next generation of Citizen Potawatomi Nation leaders.
LESSONS LEARNED
1.) Deliberately implementing plans for growing the next generation of leadership are paramount for every tribal nation.
LESSONS LEARNED
2. Long-term investments to cultivate leadership are investments in self-governance.
LESSONS LEARNED
3.) A nation’s own citizens will become its best future leaders, political, and otherwise.
This exhibit was curated by:
Project on Indigenous Governance and Development
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
indigenousgov.hks.harvard.edu
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS 2014 HONORING NATIONS AWARDEE, READ THE FULL STORY AT: https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/hpaied/files/potawatomi_leadership_program.pdf?m=1639579201
HONORING NATIONS: 2014 HONOREE
Potawatomi Leadership Program
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Contact:
1601 S. Gordon Cooper Drive
Shawnee, OK 74801
http://www.potawatomi.org
