Guest: Citizen Potawatomi Nation's growth and success benefit all Oklahomans
Citizen Potawatomi Nation is committed to creating a thriving community for our members and for our neighbors.
The Shawnee area is home to our tribe, where the community knows we establish jobs and economic opportunity through a variety of enterprises, including gaming and manufacturing, as well as vital public services like housing, banking and infrastructure.
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However, the tribe's obligations go far beyond roads and buildings. It plays a key role in providing events and amenities that make Pottawatomie County a great place to live and raise a family.
The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Fest, which returned in August, is an award-winning hot air balloon festival that has been drawing crowds to the state since 2017. This year, nearly 18,000 people attended, making it the largest balloon festival in Oklahoma.
Besides balloon glows and hot air balloon flights, the festival also attracts families and individuals with free concerts and interactive events, including a 5k run, petting zoo, vendor market and outdoor expo. This versatility ensures there’s something for everyone, especially as the event continues to grow each year.
These special events and other attractions — like the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, or the Potawatomi Fire, the only tribally owned professional basketball team — bring thousands of people together each year and keep them engaged.
When people have reasons to come together, they take pride in their community. They get to know their neighbors. They think of ways to work together and move past the divisions that cause conflict and strife.
The heart of Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s mission is, of course, providing for our members and protecting our tribe’s rights as a sovereign nation.
But what we continue to see is how our growth and success benefit all Oklahomans — not just our tribal members. We are proud to be Potawatomi, and we are proud to be Oklahomans. It’s why we open our doors to our neighbors, host free events for the community and encourage people to learn about the state’s rich tribal history.
Together, let’s celebrate the vibrant Indigenous cultures that make up Oklahoma, build a stronger state and foster healthier communities in the process.
Linda Capps, vice chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, has served as an elected official since 1987.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Guest: Tribes add to Oklahoma culture and help boost tourism
