PBPN Tribal Treasurer Farewell

MAYETTA, KS: Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribal Council Treasurer Hattie Mitchell has not sought re-election and has resigned her position effective Friday, May 13, 2016, a few months prior to the end of her term.

Mitchell was sworn in as the Tribal Council Treasurer on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Rock/Community building. During her term, along with the help of the PBPN finance team, the Investment portfolios, the Minors trust and Bank accounts were reformed resulting in additional income for the Nation.

Among her duties as Treasurer, she was the Cultural Preservation Officer and representative for the Native American Graves Protection Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), chaired the PBPN Tax Commission, organized the Estate Planning and Will workshop for Tribal Elders, coordinated the Walk for Hope for two years to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, held financial education workshops for the Tribal youth, was on the Tax Negotiating team which resulted in the Tax Compact being adopted, coordinated the 75th anniversary of the Rock/Community Building, and provided cultural craft classes for the community.

In 2013, Hattie was honored as being one of the “40 Under 40” emerging American Indian leaders by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development organization.  She was also selected by the Washburn Alumni Association for the 2014 Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) award. Other honors she has received include being recognized as one of Topeka’s “20 Under 40” recipients also in 2014.

For the remainder of this term, Tribal Council Member Thomas Wabnum will fill the role as acting Tribal Council Treasurer. The Treasurer’s position will be filled during the 2016 PBPN election cycle along with the Tribal Council Vice Chairperson, Tribal Council Person #2 and Tribal Council Person #3.