Citizen Potawatomi Nation Joins Forces with Purpose and Performance Group

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Joins Forces with Purpose and Performance Group to Forge a Leadership Development Curriculum

November 8, 2023

Citizen Potawatomi Nation (Shawnee, OK), a recognized leader in Native American community development and cultural preservation, is excited to announce its groundbreaking partnership with Purpose and Performance Group, LLC to design a transformative leadership development curriculum inspired by the teachings of the Seven Grandfathers. This initiative represents a pivotal step toward strengthening indigenous leadership and fostering sustainable growth within tribal communities.

Background

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has long been committed to preserving and passing on the traditional wisdom of its ancestors. The Seven Grandfathers, revered figures in Native American culture, embody essential values such as wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth. By integrating these timeless teachings into a contemporary leadership framework, this partnership aims to empower tribal members and team members who impact our tribal healthcare, education, government and enterprise.

The Partnership

This innovative curriculum will encompass a diverse range of leadership topics, including effective communication, conflict resolution, and community engagement. By merging indigenous wisdom with modern leadership principles, participants will gain a profound understanding of how to lead with integrity, compassion, and resilience.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Vice Chairman, Linda Capps, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Our collaboration with Purpose and Performance Group is a testament to our commitment to cultural preservation and community development. By drawing from the wisdom of the 7 Grandfathers, we hope to inspire and equip a new generation of leaders who will champion positive change within tribal communities and beyond."

Purpose and Performance Group, renowned for its expertise in leadership development, is honored to contribute to this visionary project. Their team will work closely with tribal leaders, elders, and subject matter experts to create a curriculum that is both culturally relevant and universally applicable.

Employee Engagement & Advocacy Program

Mrs. Capps also shared, “The Citizen Potawatomi Nation began the Employee Engagement and Advocacy program in the fall of 2022 under the direction of professional CPN staff member Kelley Francen. The program has given our employees a morale lift as Kelley’s program developed strategies to show appreciation and support to employees at all levels of employment -from senior management to entry level. I believe the program will attract widespread attention as CPN job satisfaction and retention surfaces to an all-time high within the community.”

As this partnership unfolds, Citizen Potawatomi Nation and Purpose and Performance Group are excited to embark on this journey toward transformative leadership, bridging the wisdom of the past with the aspirations of the future. Together, they envision a world where indigenous leadership values play a central role in building stronger, more vibrant communities.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Nicole M. Casey

Email: ncasey@purposeandperformancegroup.com

Phone: 702.354.5203

About the Organizations

About Citizen Potawatomi Nation: Citizen Potawatomi Nation is the 8^th largest federally recognized Native American tribe headquartered near Shawnee, Oklahoma and represents over 38,000 Tribal members. With over 38 enterprises, cultural and governmental departments, CPN is the largest employer in Pottawatomie County and has an economic impact of over $700 million. CPN’s businesses and Tribal programs further the success and prosperity of the Nation, its Tribal members, and the local community alike.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation embraces the teachings of the Noék Nmeshomesek (Seven Grandfathers) of Love, Respect, Wisdom, Bravery, Honesty, Humility and Truth, fanning the flames of the Seventh Fire for the next seven generations.

About Purpose and Performance Group: Purpose & Performance Group is a Native American-owned agency that helps leaders transform organizational performance by operationalizing purpose. We exist to ignite the power of purpose within people & systems to drive transformational performance. We tap into the science of the human condition to evolve individuals and the systems in which they work. Our team engages in a powerful, real, and deeply human way to initiate and support change. Our commitment to modeling new behaviors and mindsets encourages teams to embrace community and value themselves and others. Our solutions align people and systems with the purpose of the organization and include strategic planning, operational project support, leadership development, internal and external communications, marketing, and implementing progressive people processes.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Magic in the Room #199: The Power of Mattering

By Sarah Whitfield • April 7, 2026

In this episode of Magic in the Room, Luke Freeman, Hannah Bratterud, and Chris Province dive into the concept of “mattering,” inspired by Zach Mercurio’s work, and explore why it is a foundational driver of engagement, performance, and culture in organizations. They challenge leaders to move beyond assuming people matter to actively ensuring individuals feel that they matter by being valued and by contributing value to a shared purpose. The conversation highlights how mattering differs from belonging, why it cannot be replaced by perks or efficiency, and how leadership behaviors like attention, recognition, and presence directly shape whether people feel seen, heard, and understood. Through examples ranging from workplace dynamics to broader societal trends like social disconnection, they argue that disengagement, conflict, and even poor performance are symptoms of a mattering deficit. Ultimately, they position mattering not as a soft concept, but as a measurable, actionable leadership responsibility that underpins trust, resilience, and long-term success.

Magic in the Room #198: The GUEST Experience

By Sarah Whitfield • March 3, 2026

In this episode of Magic in the Room, Luke, Hannah, and Chris explore how the concept of mattering transforms customer experience through their practical GUEST framework. Building on the idea that people thrive when they feel noticed, affirmed, and valued, they argue that exceptional service is not just about efficiency or technical competence, but about intentionally designing experiences where guests truly feel significant. They unpack the five elements of the GUEST model: Greet with empathy, Uncover needs, Express gratitude, Share names, and Teach benefits. They show how each step reinforces belonging and loyalty, whether in a 30-second interaction or a 30-year relationship. The conversation highlights the difference between service and hospitality, the power of recovery when mistakes occur, and the leadership responsibility to embed mattering into culture rather than leaving it to chance.