John, I’m proud to share that the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is being reestablished as the first federally recognized tribal land in Illinois.

This team stood with me as my colleagues and I introduced the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Shab-eh-nay Band Reservation Settlement Act, legislation to help the Prairie Band receive the land that was stolen from them in the 19th century.

Lauren and Chairman Rupnick, Tribal Council Chairman 
of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation

Now, nearly 200 years later, we celebrate alongside the Prairie Band Potawatomi and honor cultural integrity, self-governance, and sovereignty, crucial values that ensure Native peoples can make decisions on behalf of their own tribes outside of federal control.

Of the more than 370 treaties the United States has signed with Native tribes since 1778, our country has broken or violated almost all of them. This land reacquisition is a significant step forward in correcting historical injustices the Prairie Band Potawatomi faced when the United States government illegally sold their land in the 19th century, leaving them without a home.

I am deeply honored to represent the first federally tribal land in Illinois and am grateful the Prairie Band Potawatomi have been returned the land that is rightfully theirs.

Supporting members of Congress who speak out for justice for tribes like the Prairie Band Potawatomi is an essential part of this team’s grassroots advocacy. By supporting leaders focused on Native sovereignty and rights, we can help ensure that Indigenous nations can reclaim and manage their lands effectively.

John, can I count on you to chip in to support my work to help make these victories possible? Your support helps promote restorative justice, build more resilient tribal communities, and strengthen legal protections for Native peoples.

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Thanks for always standing with me to pursue and achieve justice.

Lauren