February 05, 2015 –
MAYETTA: It was a big evening in Holton last night when over sixty Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation members and friends gathered to honor the late Jim Potter who served on the Tribal Council for over 18 years and was a great promoter of the Holton/Jackson community.
Others inducted into the Hall of Fame included Brad Stauffer, Bill and Debra Brown and Mike Ford. The event was held at the Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton.
Below are photographs taken by the News:
(Left to right) Tribal Chairperson Liana Onnen presented the award to Patty Potter, widow of Jim Potter, and her son Robert Lara. Jim Potter was killed last June in a motorcycle/deer accident and was serving as Tribal Council Secretary at the time of his death.
Jim Potter
In the forefront is Laura Abeyta (left) and Tom Wabnum (right) who were there to honor Potter.
Patty Potter with Pam Bowman who is an administrative assistant in the Tribal Secretary’s office and worked for many years with Jim. Bowman was instrumental in nominating Potter for the award and coordinating the seating arrangements and table decorations for the dinner.
A short video about Jim that included past photographs and interviews with coworkers and friends was shown as part of his induction ceremony.
Former Tribal Council chairperson Steve Ortiz (center) was one of the people who was interviewed for the video and attended the ceremony. In the photo with him is Linda Yazzie (left) and Dolores Ortiz (right). Yazzie worked with Steve in the Tribal Chairperson’s office as his administrative assistant and Dolores is his wife.
Patty poses with Rey Kitchkumme, who served with Jim on the Tribal Council and is presently on the Gaming Commission. Rey was also interviewed for the video about Jim along with Ortiz, Burton Warrington, Pam Bowman and Liana Onnen.
Patty with her family Richard Clarke and Robert Lara.
(Left to right) Leslie Marshno, Patty Potter, Carol Dewitt, Liana Onnen and Carrie O’Toole pose for the camera.
Lance Wishkeno who works for the Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department was photographed with Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.