The sign stated “Mural Project… Come Paint Our History” on the door of the newly reconstructed Cultural Center, Library and Museum. Upon entry to the lower level, you’ll find the room with four huge panels that portray exquisite artwork representing the life of the Potawatomi Nation. “The mural is a project that has been a long time idea in the making. We wanted something for the people, about the people, by the people,” said Artist Connie Friesen. The mural project started on July 23, 2007, and on August 4, 2007, the first two panels were installed on the north and south library walls. With the help of FCP community youth, Walking 4 Directions Program, tribal daycare centers and local schools, the mural project was a huge success.


The panels start with the origin of the Neshnabek (True or Original People) on the north wall. It depicts the Great Lakes region where we are said to have split among our relatives, the Ojibwe and Odawa tribes.

Next is the east wall with a representation of the first white man or European that the Potawatomi came in contact with, Father Jean Nicolet at the Red Banks. Along with the pictorial representation of Nicolet, you will find a variety of pictures and names of the moons, or months, written in the Potawatomi language, along with representations of clans and the Potawatomi Trail of Death.

If you look closely at the panels you will see that there are peace medals that some Potawatomi leaders received from various individuals or when treaties were signed. Another sight that you’ll see are men and women doing day-today activities such as hunting, gathering, craft-making and so on.

As you look to the south you will see a fancy shawl dancer representing the transition phase along with paintings of Simon Kahquados and Chief Waumexico shadowing the true story of Chieftainship. Again you will notice that Kahquados was wearing a peace medal showing that we, as Potawatomi, have maintained good relations with others. Also included are the warriors today known as our soldiers or veterans that served in the U.S. military. Turning to the west, you will see current activities that occur today among our people. The four medicines of tobacco, sage, sweet grass and cedar are present on this wall as well. As the mural comes around full circle with the west meeting the north you will see two elder women making medicine and a man blowing to make fire using traditional methods. This representation defines the phrase of “you can’t clearly see the future until you can see the past.”

To view more of the mural, stop in anytime. The FCP Cultural Center, Library and Museum are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The mural was completed the week of August 6-12, 2007, with help from visiting Potawatomi members who attended the Language Conference and Potawatomi Gathering.