April 20, 2011 –
MAYETTA: Spring is an exciting time for the Nation’s youth and their families with several activities and events that are taking place.
Tonight is the Student Recognition and Family Appreciation Night at the Bingo Hall that will honor graduating seniors who are in the Title VII program that is directed by Anita Evans, a tribal member and an award-winning teacher at Royal Valley High School. Other undergraduate students and their families will also be recognized at the event for their merits this past school year beginning with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Other sponsors include the Boys & Girls Club, Johnson O’Malley (JOM) and Department of Education.
The PBPN Department of Education would also like to announce that Stephanie Jim (PBPN) is the new Student Services Coordinator who has replaced Ida Nadeau who retired this spring. Student Services handles K-12 students with financial assistance for school related activities. The Department of Education also has a higher education program and the JOM program and is located on the lower level of the Government Center.
Besides graduation ceremonies, youth are also involved in other PBPN projects and activities. The GEN S Youth Council, a group affiliated with the Youth Transition program that is housed in Social Services, is sponsoring a project called “Operation Military Kids” that will set up donation boxes to collect gifts for the children of local military soldiers. In addition, youth ages 11 to 17 years of age from the four tribes in Kansas are also invited to participate and meet actor Chaske Spencer on April 25-26 who will conduct teen-issue workshops at the Golden Eagle Casino (Horton, Kan.) and autograph sessions. The Four Tribes Police Departments, in conjunction with other departments and programs on the PBPN and Kickapoo reservations, are sponsoring Spencer’s visit.
Prairie Band youth and their families also had fun at the 13th Annual Earth Day last Sunday and on April 9 at the Easter Egg-Stravaganza which included Easter egg hunts and a surprise visit from Kansas Governor Sam Brownback.
Lastly, the Potawatomi News is urging graduates to submit a photo, name of the school (where graduated) and city, and parent’s names for the Summer issue. Please send by mail to PO Box 116, Mayetta, KS 66509 or electronically to suzanneh@pbpnation.org. Photos by mail will be returned with a SASE.