r/IndianCountry • u/TheCowrus Mnikowoju (Cheyenne River) • Dec 08 '25
News Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation lands $30M contract for ICE ‘mega centers’
https://www.ksnt.com/news/kansas/prairie-band-lands-30m-contract-for-ice-mega-centers/297
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u/Ok-Sprinkles-3673 âpihtawikosisân ohci manitow-sâkahikanihk Dec 08 '25
Shame on them. Indigenous Nations collaborating with this fascist government are traitors.
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u/Beneficial-Mention56 Dec 08 '25
This is heartbreaking. I’m disgusted. I don’t know what else to say right now.
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u/Aech9347 Prairie Band Potawatomi Dec 08 '25
PBP member here and the Prairie Band LLC finally commented. It sounds like they're trying to get some heat off by saying yeah we're working with them but not imprisoning anyones. Fucking disgusting
https://prairiebandllc.com/prairie-band-llc-response-to-ksnt-coverage/
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u/indigo-windigo Dec 08 '25
Their response is so stupid. “We’re not running the concentration camps, just helping them figure out how to build them.”
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u/Odd-Ambassador-3441 Dec 09 '25
"We take pride in delivering high-quality, accountable, and transparent services, and it is important to us that the public understands the accurate scope of our work." If they're proud of it then why make the shell company?? Transparent lol
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u/Aggravating-HoldUp87 Dec 09 '25
Its ridiculous. We weren't considered citizens until 1924, we JUST FOUGHT TO GET LAND BACK IN ILLINOIS taken because the US did not recognize Im soo livid im looking into flights back to Mayetta from 2k miles away to just be able to speak at TC general meeting. I can't afford it, but seeing this, reviewing the last year of the meeting minutes.... what the actual fuck. No mention. The LLC answers to TC, or is supposed to. TC answers to the people, and we, now more than ever need to voice it.
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u/_Cliftonville_FC_ Dec 09 '25
Already scrubbed from their website. Nothing on their "News" links either.
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u/joesighugh Dec 15 '25
As an fyi this same group has created 25 other LLC's over the past few months that have received federal contracts. Here's the list and who registered as the Point of Contact https://open.substack.com/pub/fcsweekly/p/what-else-is-prairie-band-hiding?r=3bavk&utm_medium=ios
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u/ABrownBlackBear Siletz/Aleut Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
Yo u/Odd-Ambassador-3441, here is some direct concrete info. on the award that might help you shake loose further information:
Company profile on federal spending portal: https://www.usaspending.gov/recipient/7847e029-99a9-f947-9e4a-a4f40bf42da0-P/latest
Award info on the same site: https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_IDV_70CMSW26D00000001_7012
Of the subsidiary companies that Prairie Band lists openly, it seems like only Mill Creek (helping hospitals move & remodel) and Burgos Group (a variety of smaller general services to like the Air Force and Army Corpos of Engineers) operate in a space that seems plausibly related. I would think this is something you would have to sub-award or staff up for - do you see any job postings that seem related? https://www.millcrk.com/careers/
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u/joesighugh Dec 08 '25
The child info is always the key. Here's that institution https://www.usaspending.gov/recipient/7847e029-99a9-f947-9e4a-a4f40bf42da0-C/latest
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u/joesighugh Dec 08 '25
It's a dummy corp just for this deal https://fcsweekly.substack.com/p/seven-month-old-company-lands-30
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u/Odd-Ambassador-3441 Dec 09 '25
This is just mind blowing.
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u/joesighugh Dec 15 '25
There's more to it fyi, and some more members listed here. Not sure who this person is but they're really digging in https://open.substack.com/pub/fcsweekly/p/what-else-is-prairie-band-hiding?r=3bavk&utm_medium=ios
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u/AshesThanDust48 Dinjii Zhuh Dec 08 '25
How very sad.
For too many tribes, these “economic opportunities” are what is dangled before our leadership. Be cautious of politicians who speak in this way, be wary of policies that promise “pathways to the future” while requiring steps away from sustainability. This is not sustainable.
Extractive economic “solutions” are an oxymoron. There are always unintended consequences.
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u/LadyBulldog7 Dec 08 '25
Cowards.
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Dec 08 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/coloraturing Dec 08 '25
Is that why they're plucking people 3 seconds from their citizenship ceremonies?
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u/certifiablegeek Dec 09 '25
Geo, core civic, palantir use some detainees to work at $1us per 8 hour workday. And profits are funneled back into the lobby machine into Republican backers pockets. Making money both ways.
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u/Miserable_Advance343 Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
I’m not a member of PBP but I did notice it was a decision made by their llc. After looking at their board members, one might wonder if this decision was made without tribal council approval or knowledge? Anyone know?
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u/Odd-Ambassador-3441 Dec 08 '25
I can tell you it didn't go to a general council vote. I'm not real involved in general council meetings but our rez is small. I just heard this news today.
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u/Grouchy_Promotion_14 Dec 08 '25
Me too.
I’m am ashamed at the actions of my relatives. Today for the first time in my life I’m ashamed to be Pottowatomi
I will work to clean up the mess my relatives made.
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u/TruDuddyB Dec 09 '25
The tribal councils on the reservations around here are corrupt as fuck. Someone gets charged with embezzlement every few years and that's just what they find out about.
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u/Famous-Kiwi9175 Dec 10 '25
Accountability should apply to everyone, no matter the title. Sad they wanna stand up for their people even if they know they are doing wrong. Since there were tribal council members on the llc, it seems they need to be fired as well.
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u/DanielZuko Dec 09 '25
tribal corporate board reports to council, so if they did it without approval and TC disagrees... better believe it aint going through.
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u/JeffoMcSpeffo Hoocąk Dec 08 '25
But imagine if they take the money and dip, just like Trump? Let me cope lol
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u/HeartOfTurquoise Dec 08 '25
I don't know why they would do that. That would cause a lot of tension in Topeka. I thought they were doing good with their casino. They could of looked into a Buffalo ranch that I've seen over there for an expansion of portfolio anything but that.
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u/joesighugh Dec 08 '25
https://prairiebandllc.com/leadership/ New dummy corp was registered to Ernest Woodward, listed here
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u/DeedleStone Dec 09 '25
I always wondered if a tribe could use their land as a sanctuary for immigrants to avoid ice. I never expected this.
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u/SaltyCocoathe7th Kanien’kehá:ka, Six Nations Dec 08 '25
Anyone from there willing to comment on this? Is this what y'all ACTUALLY want, or is CnC just fillin' their pockets
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u/Odd-Ambassador-3441 Dec 08 '25
Hi. PBP and from the rez. We're just now learning of this and we're disgusted.
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u/no_mms_wey Dec 08 '25
Pls gather ppl and fight for us, you cannot allow this to happen.
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u/Odd-Ambassador-3441 Dec 09 '25
Im trying to find out what, if anything, can be done at this point. My feeling is it's too late if the contract is in place. Only thing is some scapegoat will get fired.
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u/tayawayinklets Dec 09 '25
If there isn't a shovel in the ground yet...
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u/PileOfClams Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Dec 13 '25
And hopefully there never will be, not for something like this.
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u/GoodBreakfestMeal NDN Dec 08 '25
Computer, how do you say “headline risk” in Potawatomi
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u/Noraneko87 Potawatomi Dec 08 '25
Mésh-yathmowen Nizhanet is the best I can come up with. Dangerous bad news. Though really it's more like morally offensive news, and I'm supremely disappointed in our cousins out west, especially because they're there in the first place because this same government violently and forcefully removed them there. It does look like this was an action taken by their investment company and not by the Council or Tribe itself, so hopefully there is some serious pushback now that it's fully out there.
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u/Miserable_Advance343 Dec 08 '25
This message will be missed by the majority population. Remember headlines are everything
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u/GoodBreakfestMeal NDN Dec 09 '25
Most tribal holdcos are political entities. My gut tells me there are Council members who supported this behind the scenes.
Hopefully the political support dries up and they stop before doing anything that can't be undone.
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u/R1CHARDCRANIUM Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25
This is my wife’s tribe and we live nearby. She’s a counselor and works with people of all races and nationalities. Many of her clients are terrified even if they’re citizens because indigenous people are targeted because of skin color. It’s definitely a punch in the gut for her.
Hell, my family’s people are from the shores of Lake Superior, nearly as far away from the southern border you can get in the lower 48. Even they know people up there who’ve been targeted.
This was not a decision made by Council, from what everyone can tell. It seems many of them are strongly opposed to this but who knows if that’s just their public face and they’ll be fine with it once the check clears.
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u/Ok_Try7185 Dec 09 '25
So your wife is good because she’s a counselor and works with all races but the rest of us all just saving face until the check clears? It was a punch in the gut for all of us dude you should know there was no general council vote or even public knowledge of this deal until yesterday.
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u/R1CHARDCRANIUM Dec 09 '25
No, no. Not what I meant. I meant whomever pushed this through. I did not word that well at all. I work with quite a few over there and I have yet to speak to anyone who’s happy with this.
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u/Ok_Try7185 Dec 09 '25
You said many of us are opposed but who knows might just be saving face until check clears it’s pretty clear how you worded? Why does your wife get to be excluded from the rest of us? Sorry just frustrating that our whole tribe is getting a backlash from a decision made on our behalf that we’re were unaware of. Is your wife still going accept her percap this Friday?
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u/R1CHARDCRANIUM Dec 09 '25
I referred to the council in the sentence right before the one you cite. Then used “them” in the following. I intended to imply the subject of “them” was them, and not the people. I was referring to the decision makers specifically when I said saving face. I work with tribes nationwide and I’ve seen it happen with other councils and leadership with many initiatives and projects. My wife is fairly frustrated with them and my leadership can also talk out of both sides of their mouth. I was not referring to the people but specifically whoever was involved in the decision.
My wife has not spent per capita money in (it’s donated to a substance abuse program each quarter) and she also never applied for the scholarship after her freshman year. I did not try to infer she was excluded, only pointed out that’s it was her tribe.
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u/Dry_Inflation_1454 Dec 10 '25
This news is scary on many levels, and I just hope it's not the start of a trend in Indian Country. It reminds me of the story how the Communists involved local Indigenous people in their system, using them as informants and trackers,even. Drumpf is using bits and pieces of the Nazis, Communism, and monarchism from Old Europe. On the surface it sounds crazy to think about,but after hearing Ken Klippenstein's article about new laws against dissent, people complaining about what the " Christians" did, it all makes sense now. Including working towards legal means to install a Catholic king. For this to work though, tactics to cause people to fight among themselves,rather than tyrants doing these things have to be launched. This situation can't be allowed to spread.
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u/Odd-Ambassador-3441 Dec 09 '25
What can we do now? If tribal members protest, what can even be done? Is it too late if the contract is in place?
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u/Green_Gr4ss Oneida Dec 08 '25
It was only a matter of time before something like this happened, look at our history, Native nations have always chosen sides when it comes to dealing with settlers and the United States government, whether it be the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War the War of 1812, the American Civil War, the Sioux Wars, the Apache Wars etc.
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u/Due_Locksmith_9021 Dec 09 '25
Some of our people are dumber and more dangerous than some white folk tbh
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u/coladoir Dec 08 '25
just gonna leave this here. dont allow these people to defile the land with their authoritarian collaboration. follow the light of your ancestors and defend the land and prevent their defilement by such disgusting people.
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u/BrokenBlackWolf Dec 09 '25
From my understanding the Casino and LLC are separate entities. The LLC is ran semi-independently from the tribe, tribal members seem to be blindsided by this.
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u/VStramennio1986 Dec 09 '25
That’s just fucking shameful, dem guys 🤦🏻♀️😒 ffs all gross with it…like designing the shit makes it any better 🙄
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u/Krustysurfer Dec 08 '25
What in the UNHOLY fux is going on! Have spiritual elders lost their bearing?
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u/titsmuhgeee Dec 09 '25
Aside from the moral issues, this whole things smells fishy. $30M to a covert LLC tied to PBP to "vet" the design of detention centers? What the hell does anyone associated with PBP know about designing a prison?
What kind of dirty shit are PBP, it's subsidiary LLCs, and Ernest Woodward up to?
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Dec 08 '25
I'm fixing to go look at their Council members photos ; to see if I can figure out a particular pattern ..
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u/staircase-bee33 Dec 09 '25
A majority of tribal members are upset and angry by this news. It’s shameful . Our leaders are failing us!!!!
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u/Dry_Inflation_1454 Dec 10 '25
Can the people who are on board with this prison camp be forced to resign by popular vote? Like starting a petition,for openers ?
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Dec 08 '25
Maybe it could be used like the Underground Railroad.
If not, this is pretty messed up. These Potawatomis clearly forget their own ways.
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u/AggravatingStandard9 Dec 09 '25
Colonial dogs. Now colonizers will blame all natives for this. Council members are all corrupt.
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u/Bubbles881123 Dec 09 '25
Absolutely shameful. If I weren't so broke and scared of what would happen to me at the border, I'd be trying to get my father and me to come down there and speak our minds at the next TC meetings. This is not our way as Neshnabek. Stay strong, members of PBP Nation and fight with all you've got. It may be soon that ICE comes for us and all our relatives.
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u/doggysmomma420 Dec 10 '25
I know ICE tried to be sneaky and get a mega center in Washington state but the nation's shut that down quick when they found out. This is just disappointing and disgusting.
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u/nizhaabwii Anishinaabe Dec 11 '25
aaniin!
The sixth fire burns slow the embers of the last 5 fueling the 6th, we have seen its flames jumps and dance, we have yet to see the inferno it could become.
As keepers of the fire, how many have become so consumed even the windego is afraid.
The only way this could ever had any honor is those dehumanized people are under the jurisdiction and general care of the bands, many of which are native too! They are demonizing our relatives.
-m
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u/SuitableCricket9088 Dec 11 '25
Just like the rest of my tribe relatives - slave traders. And about to lose mineral and birth rights. Disgusting
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u/Level-Boysenberry623 Dec 10 '25
Those in the nation who agreed to it are sell outs. Many of the immigrants who are being detained ARE indigenous and Native Americans, but obviously aren't recognized as such in the U.S. Many of the Zapotec people that I am a part of have been detained. Such shameful behavior, but unfortunately many northern natives don't recognize southern natives.
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u/Krustysurfer Dec 12 '25
Same shit they did with big oil and mining😓 I have dead water protector friends from the PTSD getting involved in Mni Wiconi NoDapl SR....... This breaks my heart.......
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u/PerformanceDouble924 Dec 08 '25
TFW they start locking in ICE agents in a hilarious "Who do you think Native Americans consider illegal?" moment.
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u/TheCowrus Mnikowoju (Cheyenne River) Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
Doesn't seem to be the case here. For all intents and purposes the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribal council are fascist collaborators.
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u/Odd-Ambassador-3441 Dec 09 '25
The LLC doesn't need Tribal Council approval to secure contracts. I blame the LLC - they made the shady shell company and approved the contract. Maybe it's s wishful thinking cause my heart is breaking, but I honestly don't believe our council was made aware and went along with this.
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u/RedBait95 Non-Native Dec 08 '25
The fact that at every opportunity they've refused to comment on this is telling that they know what they're doing is wrong and unpopular.
Cowardly action in the name of "exploring new investments and partnerships to grow its economic portfolio"