DOWAGIAC — The Pokagon Band Community Center was filled with smiling faces Saturday afternoon.

As musicians played in the background, children joyously ran along the grass and laughed as they rode a number of carnival rides, adults enjoyed a number of treats, and old friends embraced as Pokagon citizens came together to celebrate their independence.

During this occasion, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians celebrated its 24th annual Sovereignty Day at the Pokagon Community Center grounds. Sovereignty Day commemorates the day when the Pokagon Band was reaffirmed by the U.S. government as a sovereign tribal nation. After a long struggle to be recognized as a sovereign nation, the tribe was recognized by legislation signed by President Bill Clinton on Sept. 21, 1994.

“This is our Independence Day,” said Assistant Government Manager Becky Richards. “We open this up to all our families and try to have food, fun and fellowship.”

Richards said Sovereignty Day is of great importance to Pokagon citizens, which is why the government hosts a large celebration every year, complete with carnival rides, live music and food trucks.

“It’s nice for our families to come out and enjoy the day and see one another,” she said. “We like to have everyone together on one day. It’s great to be on Pokagon Sovereign Land and to celebrate reaffirmation.”

One of the traditions of Sovereignty Day is to recreate a photo taken on Sept. 21, 1994, in the Oval Office of the White House when Pokagon sovereignty was reaffirmed. The photo is recreated each year, and individuals who were in the original photo still participate in the recreation.

“It’s a neat way to capture that history,” Richards said.

Tribal citizens said they appreciated the celebration of Sovereignty Day and everything that it symbolizes.

Bonnie Daisy, 69, of Dowagiac, was at the community center grounds Saturday celebrating the day by trying treats from the food trucks on the grounds. As someone who remembers the day that the Pokagon Band was recognized by the federal government well, Daisy said that the Sovereignty Day celebrations mean a lot to her.

“This means freedom to us,” she said. “It means that we could be ourselves, our native selves, truly.”

Though Daisy said that the celebration can never live up to the feeling she felt on Sept. 21, 1994, she does appreciate the fact that the celebration is hosted every year.

“It’s just really nice,” she said. “It’s enjoyable for everyone.”

Richards said she hoped all Pokagon citizens were able to attend and enjoy the 2018 Sovereignty Day event.

“We want everyone to celebrate and be able to enjoy each other’s company,” she said.