From Stephanne Rupnicki, Chair
Hello, I’d like to start off by welcoming and introduce myself to you all. My name is Stephanne Rupnicki and I’m the new KBC Chair. I’m also the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. I’m a mother to 5 very rambunctious boys and 1 very much my mini me daughter! We live on the PBPN Reservation located in Jackson County, KS. I’ve been with my husband John Rupnicki Jr. (PBPN tribal member) for 14yrs. I’m a recognized member of the Kickapoo tribe of Kansas which is located in Brown County, Kansas.
This past year has been such a very different and difficult time for all of us and I’m hoping for better times to come! I know for myself it’s been an overwhelming struggle getting through this year trying to navigate remote learning with my older children, having my husband home on furlough and just trying to protect us from covid-19. With everything we did we weren’t able to stop ourselves from catching it! It was very hard on me health wise and I still have issues from it from time to time but I survived it and I can only think of all of those that didn’t.
My heart goes out to everyone that lost a loved due to COVID-19, to those that suffered depression, financial hardship and everything in between! We can’t bring back those that we lost, it will take time to rebuild ourselves but I’m optimistic that one day it will all be ok!
Please take care of yourself however that is needed.
Thank you,
Stephanne Rupnicki
