Understanding cultural revitalization among the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

This research seeks to understand the cultural revitalization of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Escaping and resisting pressures to remove, the Pokagon Band were able to remain within the confines of their homelands. Located in southwestern Michigan and northwestern Indiana, the Band is currently engaged in a revitalization process that seeks to facilitate contemporary innovations with traditional Potawatomi values. A multifaceted qualitative approach to the interpretation of data combines semi-structured contextual interviews and phenomenological interviews with citizens of the Pokagon Band. Phenomenological interviews were used to understand more about the experiences of tribal citizens at cultural events. The participants identified the homelands, family relationships, and understanding tradition as factors that sustain their interest in the cultural activities of the community.Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ManagementThesis (D. Ed.