Gathering of Potawatomi Nations
The Gathering of Potawatomi Nations is hosted each summer by one of the nine tribes of Potawatomi, providing an opportunity for members of all tribes to come together and celebrate their Potawatomi heritage. It includes a language conference, cultural workshops, youth events, crafting classes, sporting events, and language classes.
Gathering begins with the lighting of the fire that burns for four days. The first day often begins with a tribal council meeting between officials in attendance. A sunrise ceremony is held each morning, giving members from different Potawatomi communities an opportunity to meet and connect with one another. Gathering has myriad activities for all ages and interests.
Each host community facilitates Potawatomi Gathering in their own unique way, highlighting their heritage and teaching other tribes the facets of their culture that distinguish them from other Potawatomi communities. The nine tribes are:
U.S. TRIBES
Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians
Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan (Gun Lake Tribe)
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi
CANADIAN FIRST NATIONS
Walpole Island First Nation (Bkejwanong)
ADDITIONAL FIRST NATIONS:
In addition to the 9 listed bands of Potawatomi, Potawatomi leaders in 2010 recognized two more Canadian First Nations:
Beausoleil First Nation (G’Chimnissing)
Chippewas of Nawash (Cape Coker)
GATHERING HOSTS SINCE 1994
- 1994 – First-ever Gathering of Potawatomi Nations hosted by Wasauksing First Nation, Parry Sound, ON
- 1995 – Prairie Band Potawatomi, Mayetta, KS
- 1996 – Hannahville Indian Community, Wilson, MI
- 1997 – Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Shawnee, OK
- 1998 – Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Athens, MI
- 1999 – Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Wayne Township, MI
- 2000 – Forest County Potawatomi, Carter, WI
- 2001 – Wasauksing First Nation, Parry Sound, ON
- 2002 – Prairie Band Potawatomi, Mayetta, KS
- 2003 – Hannahville Indian Community, Hannahville, MI
- 2004 – Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Shawnee, OK
- 2005 – Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Athens, MI
- 2006 – Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Dowagiac, MI
- 2007 – Forest County Potawatomi, Crandon, WI
- 2008 – Walpole Island First Nation, Walpole Island, ON
- 2009 – Prairie Band Potawatomi, Mayetta, KS
- 2010 – Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Shawnee, OK
- 2011 – Hannahville Indian Community, Hannahville, MI
- 2012 – Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Athens, MI
- 2013 – Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Dowagiac, MI
- 2014 – Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Potawatomi, Bradley, MI
- 2015 – Forest County Potawatomi, Crandon, WI
- 2016 – Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Shawnee, OK
- 2017 – Walpole Island First Nation, Walpole Island, ON
- 2018 – Prairie Band Potawatomi, Mayetta, KS
- 2019 – Wasauksing First Nation, Parry Sound, ON
- 2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19 – met online
- 2021 – Hannahville Indian Community, Hannahville, MI (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Citations
Books & Articles:
- Wetzel, C. (2015). Gathering the Potawatomi Nation: revitalization and identity. University of Oklahoma Press.
Websites:
- 2021 Potawatomi Gathering. Hannahville Community. (n.d.). http://www.hannahville.net/2020-potawatomi-gathering/.
- February 2001 Hownikan. (n.d.). Hownikan. https://cpnresearch.potawatomi.org/objects/6658/2001-hownikans?ctx=55d18f079f92373b612205ba64b131a50030156e&idx=23.
- Potawatomi Gathering of Nations 2017. Forest County Potawatomi. (2021, June 7). https://www.fcpotawatomi.com/news/volume-23/potawatomi-gathering-nations-2017/.
- Staff Report Email the author Published 2:20 am Friday, J. 21. (2006, July 21). Pokagon Band hosts Potawatomi Gathering. Leader Publications. https://www.leaderpub.com/2006/07/21/pokagon-band-hosts-potawatomi-gathering/.
- Timeline of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. (n.d.). https://www.pbpindiantribe.com/timeline/.
