Written by Cat Splete | Photography by Johnathon Moulds, Shawn Moore, and Cat Splete
(Author’s note: This year’s host Tribe, the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band {Gun Lake Tribe}, uses two “t’s” in their spelling of “Pottawatomi.” This spelling will be used accordingly throughout the article.)
A month has passed since Members of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi visited their Gun Lake Tribe neighbors in Wayland, Michigan for the 2025 Pottawatomi Gathering of Nations, but the many memorable moments shared by our Tribal Members and family from other Potawatomi Nations deserve recognition year-round! Read about just a few of those special highlights below:
Two NHBP Tribal Members Recognized for their Art Show Submissions
Over the course of the week, the Jijak Conference Room at Gun Lake Casino Resort acted as gallery for a Pottawatomi Tribal Member art show. Both youth and adults entered pieces that were grouped into the following categories: Textiles, Dimensional, Non-dimensional, Beading/Quillwork, and Media and Photography. Gathering attendees were encouraged to submit their art, admire the works of others, and cast their votes for one youth and one adult winner. Judging took place on Friday, and winners were announced and rewarded on Saturday during Grand Entry.
Two NHBP Tribal Members who submitted pieces for the art show won first place in their respective categories! Onlyeen Zapata was awarded for her Textile work, and Johnathon Moulds likewise won first place in Media and Photography. Onyleen describes her experience glowingly:
“This year I submitted an Art Piece titled Johnson Wedding Blanket in the Textiles Category. This piece had panels of Appliqué on Velveteen with white ricrac lining each of the Appliqué Panels. I created this as a Wedding Gift for my cousin, Alexandria Sulainis-Johnson, and her partner, Biskakone Greg Johnson; it was the blanket that was wrapped around them during their Traditional Wedding. In creating an heirloom piece for the Johnson Family to keep for years to come, I was able to showcase my art for my family, myself, and my Tribe”
Bodéwadmi Confederation of Tribal Nations Articles Signed
On Thursday, July 30, Tribal Council Chairs and elected Chiefs came together and re-established the Bodéwadmi Confederation of Tribal Nations. A ceremonial signing of the Articles of Confederation took place in the 131 Sportsbar and Lounge Stage at Gun Lake Casino Resort. The speeches given by each signee left very few dry eyes in the room, but each spoke to the power that all of the Pottawatomi Nations can provide together in uniting under the shared goals of economic development, environmental protections, cultural preservation, and political advocacy. A prosperous future certainly lies ahead, one in which NHBP can both provide and accept support from fellow Tribes under the Bodwéwadmi Confederation of Tribal Nations.
Miss Pottawatomi 2025
NHBP Tribal Youth were also well-represented at Gathering this year, with the Tribe’s very own Asunciana Dandridge competing for the title of Miss Pottawatomi. Her commitment to Pottawatomi culture and positive demeanor shone throughout the week as she participated in interviews and a talent contest, in which she showcased her talent of tap-dancing, on Thursday. On Friday, Asunciana and her fellow competitors each introduced themselves in Bodwéwadmi and then took part in a dance contest that truly wowed everyone in attendance.
The crowd was electric on Saturday as the young kwék {women} gathered at the Pow Wow Arena for the crowning ceremony, at which they honored both last year’s Miss Pottawatomi and Miss Indian World, and then participated in one last dance before the winner was announced. Asunciana came in second as the first runner-up, accepting the title with grace and honor and representing her Tribe well.
Camie Castaneda, Culture Manager and Asunciana’s mom, shared a quote: “She [Asunciana] was so excited to run because she just turned 13 this year, and has been wanting to run since she was eight. She was also very excited to meet and talk with Miss Indian World, and she made friends with the other Miss Pottawatomi Contestants. She learned a lot about the process and point system, and is excited to run again next year at Forest County Gathering 2026.”
Camp Jijak Pow Wow Grand Entry
To close out the final two days of The Gathering, attendees came together on the Camp Jijak Pow Wow Grounds for a Friday and Saturday Pow Wow, complete with elaborate Grand Entries that were truly a sight to behold. From Intertribals to Specials, whether participants wore regalia or dressed for a day of casual festivities, Pottawatomi family members brought music and dance that carried far beyond the Pow Wow Arena as the sun set on the last day of Gathering. No matter where people traveled from, each relative brought with them their own unique histories and life stories, honored their Ancestors, set examples for the next Seven Generations, and joined as one not only for both nights of Pow Wow, but for the whole week. This connectedness is a shining testament to the strength of the amazing community we all continue to foster.
A huge “Kche Migwéch” is owed to the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi for hosting this unforgettable Gathering, and NHBP looks forward to traveling to beautiful northern Wisconsin for next year’s Gathering, hosted by the Forest County Potawatomi!
To see more photos from the 2025 Pottawatomi Gathering of Nations, visit our Photo Gallery.
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