February 06, 2013 –
This group photo of Native American honor guards, tribal leaders, and students with Gov. Sam Brownback was taken today in the Capitol Rotunda by the Governor’s Media Office. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, and Wichita Inter-tribal honor guards were given special recognition during the opening session of the House and Senate. District Representative Ponka We-Victors, the first Native American woman to ever become a Kansas representative, organized today’s event and is also in the photograph.
Veterans and Native American leaders being recognized during the opening session of the House and Senate.
We-Ta-Se veterans with members of the PBPN Tribal Council after receiving a certificate of recognition and blanket. (Left to right) Tim Ramirez, Robert Jackson, Frank Shopteese, Charles Wakole, Jim Potts, Chuck Jacobson, Steve Ortiz, Carrie O’Toole, Hattie Mitchell and Joyce Guerrero.
Kansas tribal leaders with Gov. Brownback. (Left to right) Gov. Brownback, Joyce Guerrero (PBPN), Russell Bradley(Kickapoo), Hattie Mitchell (PBPN), Lester Randall (Kickapoo), Carrie O’Toole (PBPN), Steve Ortiz (PBPN) and Coreena Adkins (Iowa).
Sharing an informal moment are Gov. Brownback with Chairman Steve Ortiz. In the foreground is Chris Howell, with the Governor’s office.
Representative Ponka-We Victors at the podium.
Third from left is Hattie Mitchell during the opening session. Mitchell is Tribal Council treasurer.
Joyce Guerrero, PBPN Vice Chair, and Carrie O’Toole, PBPN Member, looking on as the opening session began. Today was called Native American Legislative Day at the Capitol. Rep. We-Victors is sponsoring House Bill 2167 to permanently establish the first Wednesday of February as Native American Day at the Capitol.
We-Ta-Se honor guard with Gov. Brownback.
These young PBPN members were pages today at the Capitol and all attend Kickapoo Nations School. (Left to right) Susan Jim, Shonnesi Tiscareno, Krista Vanderblomen and Saida Mahkuk.