Councilmembers and representatives from the four Tribes in Kansas attended the Inauguration and Swearing-In Ceremony of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on January 9, 2023. In attendance were Chairman Joseph Rupnick and Vice Chairman Zach Pahmahmie of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation; Chairman Timothy Rhodd and Secretary Tony Fee of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; Chairman Lester Randall of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas and Kickapoo Pow Wow Princess 2022 Aubrey Thomas; and Chairwoman Tiauna Carnes of the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska.
The Tribal leaders met with Governor Kelly briefly in her ceremonial office before the event. They were then formally introduced at the beginning of the Inauguration Ceremony and greeted Governor Kelly following her swearing-in. Chairman Rupnick and Vice Chairman Pahmahmie presented the Governor with a Pendleton blanket featuring the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s seal on behalf of the Nation. Chairman Randall and Aubrey Thomas of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas presented the Governor with a necklace.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Tribal leaders and other attendees were invited to Governor Kelly’s “open house” event in the statehouse.
View photos from the Inauguration Ceremony below.