Gathering of Potawatomi Nations in Athens to connect, educate, and inspire

Editor's note: This story is part of Southwest Michigan Second Wave's On the Ground Battle Creek series.
 
Culture, language, history, and economic diversity are among the areas of focus during the 2023 Gathering of Potawatomi Nations that will be hosted by the Nottawasepi Huron Band of the Potawatomi on the Pine Creek Indian Reservation in Athens.
 
More than 1,500 tribal members are expected to attend the Gathering which is scheduled to take place July 24-29, says Jamie Stuck, NHBP Tribal Chairperson.
 
“You have every Potawatomi Band in the United States and Canada and we all gather together once a year for this annual gathering,” he says. “Not many tribes do this.”
 
Locally, there are 857 tribal members in the NHBP’s seven-county service area — Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent, and Ottawa counties —, says Denise Day, Enrollment Specialist for the NHBP. The remainder of the members live in other areas of the United States.
 
Jamie Stuck, NHBP Tribal Council Chairperson, is a newly appointed member of the Tribal Advisory Committee that works with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.“No matter what state they’re in, they’re Potawatomi,” Stuck says.
This year’s Gathering will be the fourth one hosted by NHBP since the event began in 1994. That first-ever Gathering was hosted by Wasauksing First Nation, Parry Sound, ON, according to the Potawatomi Heritage website.
The Wasauksing Tribe is one of 11 that are located in various states and Canadian provinces.

Stuck says the Gathering enables members of the Potawatomi tribes within Michigan — Pokagon, NHBP, Hannahville, and Gun Lake — and those representing the tribe in other states to discuss issues impacting them and develop solutions as a group.
 
“Potawatomi’s in Kansas and Oklahoma may be dealing with different issues than we are here in Michigan,” he says. “The more people at the table, the more helpful it is. It’s especially helpful for those tribes that may not be as developed.”

The Potawatomi Heritage website says that these Gatherings provide an opportunity for members of all tribes to come together and celebrate their Potawatomi heritage. They include 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,” says information on the website. “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 NHBP Gathering will have its leadership conference mid-week.
 
Stuck likens the Gathering to a family reunion that offers a wide range of learning opportunities.
 
This year’s Gathering includes the preservation of stories told by tribal elders and leaders through in-person audio/video oral history interviews; language immersion classes for adults and youth; an economic summit to discuss the diversification of tribal portfolios; and a Gaming Commission Summit. In addition, there will be workshops focused on Black Ash Baskets; Medicine Bags; Ribbon Skirts; and jewelry.
 
Stuck says there also will be a Pow Wow, a traditional feast, and a Sobriety Walk. 

“It’s important to perpetuate and make better and preserve our culture and see relatives on an annual basis,” he says. “You see the same people there. It’s a way for us all to connect.”