Native News
Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi) Confederacy Adds Three New Members
Overview:
Potawatomi leaders expanded the Bodéwadmi Confederacy on Thursday by unanimously approving the addition of three new member nations during the annual Potawatomi Gathering in Wisconsin. The vote welcomed the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma, Moose Deer Point First Nation of Ontario, and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation of Ontario, strengthening a confederation first established in 2025 to advance tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation, economic cooperation, and political advocacy across Potawatomi communities in the United States and Canada.
Bodéwadmi Gathering 2026
FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI CONFEDERACY, Wis. – Dozens of Potawatomi leaders from the United States and Canada gathered Thursday for the Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi) Confederacy meeting at Potawatomi Casino Hotel Carter. The annual meeting brings together leaders of Potawatomi Tribal governments during the week-long Potawatomi Gathering to strengthen relationships and address issues of shared importance.
This year’s gathering, hosted by the Forest County Potawatomi Community, unites Tribal chairs and council members to discuss common challenges, advance shared priorities, and reaffirm the enduring bonds among the Potawatomi nations.
Forest County Potawatomi Community Chairman Brooks Boyd welcomed Confederacy members to the annual meeting.
“We share one ancestry, one history, one language, one responsibility, and one future,” Boyd said. “… that is why coming together as Bodéwadmi, the Potawatomi Confederation is so important, so we can continue the history and the values of who we are.”
The Bodéwadmi Confederation of Tribal Nations was formally established last year during the 2025 Pottawatomi Gathering at the Gun Lake Casino Resort in Wayland, Michigan.
Boyd spoke about the purpose of the confederation.
“Together, we can speak with greater influence in our relationships in the federal, state, the provincial, and international governments. We can share knowledge and resources. We can preserve our ceremonies, revitalize our language, support our youth and ensure that no Potawatomi nation faces the future alone. That’s what this is all about,” Boyd said.
The day-long meeting featured discussions on several pressing issues affecting the Potawatomi tribal nations, including the June 23 announcement by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) that it plans to close the National Archives at Chicago; the recent decision by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration to grant Enbridge Energy a permit to construct a tunnel for its Line 5 pipeline project; and proposed revisions to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Section 106 regulations, which tribal leaders warn would weaken Tribal consultation, reduce protections for sacred places, and exceed the authority Congress granted the agency.
The importance of language revitalization and the role of elders in preserving cultural knowledge were also stressed.
One of the key business agenda items was the unanimous approval of an addendum allowing new member nations to join the Confederacy. The measure welcomed three additional Potawatomi nations into the Confederacy: the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (Shawnee, Oklahoma), Moose Deer Point First Nation (Moose Deer Point, Ontario, Canada), and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation (Cape Croker, Ontario, Canada). The Chippewas of Nawash have long maintained that many of their citizens have Potawatomi ancestry, reflecting deep historical and familial ties between the communities.
After the approval of the three members to join the Confederacy, there was a signing ceremony with Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett signing for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation; Chief Tracy Hendrick signing on behalf of the Moose Deer Point First Nation; and Ogimaa Kwe Veronica Smith signing the Chippewas of Nawash.
The signing was followed by a pipe ceremony.