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Patrick receives Sagamore of the Wabash

The Sagamore is the highest honor paid by the governor to a person in Indiana and is presented to notable men and women who have contributed significantly to the common good of Indiana.

The award was presented by Matthew Gutwein, chairman of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Citizenship Education Committee. The ISBA honored Patrick at an annual banquet for leaders of “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” – a curriculum project used in K-12 schools throughout Indiana to teach principles of U.S. constitutional government.

Since 1987, Patrick has collaborated with the ISBA to promote the “We the People” program by introducing it to teachers and students and by conducting professional development conferences and courses to prepare teachers to use these curricular materials successfully. On behalf of the ISBA, Gutwein referred to Patrick as “the leading patriarch” of the successful civics program and lauded him for his contributions to its successful use in Indiana schools.

In a letter from the governor, Kernan stated, “The term ‘Sagamore of the Wabash’ was used by northeastern United States Native Americans to describe a lesser chief or other great person among the tribe to whom the chief would look for wisdom and advice. You, John, certainly fit that description. You have distinguished yourself by your humanity in living, your loyalty in friendship, your wisdom in council and your inspiration in leadership.”