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Bourassa, Joseph Napoleon


Joseph Napoleon Bourassa was born March 19, 1810 in Michigan, the eldest child of Daniel Bourassa II and Theotis Pisange. As a youth, Joseph and his brother Jude were enrolled at the school at Carey Mission, under the guidance of Baptist missionaries Reverend Isaac McCoy and Dr. Johnston Lykins. Excellent students, both were invited to attend the Hamilton Literary & …

Boursaw, Jon


Jon Boursaw is a native of Kansas and a descendant of the Bourassa and Ogee families. His Potawatomi name is Wetase Mkoh, meaning, “Brave Bear.” He has served as the legislator for District 4 since June 2013, when he beat incumbent Theresa Adame to represent Tribal members of Kansas. Jon is a descendent of two early Potawatomi leaders: Joseph Napoleon …

Bowden, Bobbi


Bobbi Bowden is a native of Choctaw, Oklahoma, and descendant of the Trombla Family. She carries on the name Pkuhshnoqua, given to her great-great-grandmother Rozetta Trombla Bowden has served as the legislator for District 13 since June 2008, since the CPN constitution was ratified in 2007 to include representation for the entire United States. Prior to that, she served for …

Bruno Family


Like many French-Canadian settlers with ties to the Potawatomi, the Brunos were once successful fur traders and trappers. Anthony Bruneau was the son of a French settler and an unknown Blackfoot woman from around Browning, Montana. Anthony was born in Canada, and family records indicate the Potawatomi may have adopted him. Anthony married a woman named Julia, and they had …

Burnett Family


The Burnett family has a long, rich history with the Potawatomi people. French fur trader William Burnett settled on the St. Joseph River near Niles, Michigan, after the Revolutionary War. He established two successful trading posts and eventually married Kaukima, daughter of revered Potawatomi leader Nanaquiba and sister to Topinabee. Kaukima and William had seven children: James, Abraham, John, Isaac, …

Capps, Linda


As Vice-Chairman of Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Linda Capps holds the second-highest elected position in the Tribal government. Vice-Chairman Capps received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 1975. She also attained her Master of Science in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1986. In 2014, she was awarded an …

Carney, Dave


Dave Carney was born New Jersey and descendant of Narcisse Juneau. His Potawatomi name is Kagasghi, meaning, “Raven” that was given to him by Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett. He has served as the legislator for District 8 since June 2009. One of four children, Carney grew up in various places around the country including Pennsylvania, Alabama and Southern California. He …

Carney, Eva Marie


Eva Marie Carney was born in New Jersey and is a descendant of Josette Vieux Juneau. Her Potawatomi name is Ojindiskwe, meaning “Bluebird Woman.” She has served as the legislator for District 2 since June 2008, She took office as the first elected representative for the area that comprises the 13 mid-Atlantic and Southern states and the District of Columbia. …

Chief Pontiac


Pontiac was an Odawa (Ottawa) Chief who organized a multi-tribe resistance, later known as Pontiac’s War, against the British in the Great Lakes area. Early Life: Pontiac was born in 1720 near the Maumee River in what is now Ohio. There is not a lot known about his early life but by 1755 he was the Odawa Chief. Pontiac had …

Chopa


Chopa was the daughter of Naunongee, respected warrior and leader among the Calumet Potawatomi of southern Lake Michigan. She was also the aunt to famed warriors Mad Sturgeon, White Sturgeon and Clear Day. Upon her marriage to François Chevalier, she took the Christian name of Marianne. Receiving several land grants from the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, the couple settled around …