Editor’s Note – Responses from legislative candidates appear exactly as they were submitted without editing for content or style.
District 10 election candidates
David Barrett
Incumbent
How can CPN better serve and engage its Tribal members?
Communication is the number one issue for Native American tribes and we are no exception either. I feel that good communication done properly will unite and engage our Nation in ways that our membership will react and respond to, only if there are two way conservations and information flowing back and forth in a timely manner. Building our Nation with this communication leadership, you can attract capable leader who seek to promote the Nation’s welfare.
Describe what in your life has made you appreciate your CPN heritage.
Belonging to something bigger than you “CPN”, it is possible that a person can accomplish more admirable goals for your life’s purpose. Being a Christian, a Barrett, a Navy Veteran and from the Bourassa Potawatomi family has been and still is a great honor. Look how our ancestors had shown their courage to endure, their willingness to be warriors, their entrepreneurship even while the U.S. Government tried to wipe out our identity by blood degrees. How can you not be so proud to call yourself a Potawatomi with upmost respect of being a part of descendants of a Powerful Legacy?
What kind of future do you envision for the Nation?
The future of our Nation will endure as we have always but we must stay the course on making sound investments. Our greatness will be in strategic planning of knowing in advance where our revenue streams are coming from and that we will have accountability on all expenditures. I see by asserting good decisions that our future will continue to be a strong, healthy and prosperous Nation.
What do you think is the most difficult thing for CPN members who may live in Oklahoma but may feel disconnected from the Tribe? How can you as legislators help with that?
The Oklahoma legislators do not have area meetings with their membership due to there being 8 Legislators that represent the whole State not divided in areas. Getting all 8 hasn’t been done. It’s not on my part for not trying. But what I have been able to accomplish is for those who inform me with questions or problem, I will seek out the answers and/or assist in directing them in other avenues. Sometimes it’s what they want to hear and not so for others.
Charles Scott
Challenger
How can CPN better serve and engage its Tribal members?
Communication is key to how we serve and engage Tribal members. We can accomplish this by better utilizing Social media and our Tribal Portal. Allowing members to engage elected officials and allowing elected officials respond. While paper print is good, the next generations communicate through various electronic media.
Describe what in your life has made you appreciate your CPN heritage.
Being Potawatomi is who I am. One thing is how learning our language has inspired me to see the world differently, thru Indian eyes. To be a role model, to be a mentor, to give back to our Tribe so that we can carry on our culture, our heritage and find ways to support our tribe thru various businesses.
What kind of future do you envision for the Nation?
I see progress as we grow. Our Chairman and other elected officials have laid a very solid foundation for us to build on. I do think it is time for our older leaders to step aside and trust the next generation to lead and grow our tribe and to provide the support we need. Let the seed corn you planted show you that we are ready and capable to lead our Tribe.
What do you think is the most difficult thing for CPN members who may live in Oklahoma but may feel disconnected from the tribe? How can you as legislators help with that?
Mostly members feel disconnected due to lack of culture and poor communication. We need mentorship programs and cultural/Language immersion. We need to return to our seasonal feasts, gatherings, District meetings and reorganize our Veterans Group. We need to be more inclusive and create programs that promote inclusivity, and we need to promote these programs in ways that reach the members.
Legislators are the example; we should be reaching out, meeting and encouraging members to actively participate in our culture.
If elected, I will do these things, I will work with the Executive to create and fund Cultural/Language Immersion. I will be the example of the Leader we ought to be.
District 11 election candidates
Andrew Walters
Incumbent
How can CPN better serve and engage its Tribal members?
By improving communication, pure and simple. Communication is by its very nature a two-way street. We must build a symbiosis between the Tribal Leaders and Members. Without this path of communication, this engagement, we will continue to struggle with service, engagement, and participation. We need Oklahoma meetings with Legislators and Tribal Members outside of Heritage Celebration.
Describe what in your life has made you appreciate your CPN heritage.
Since I was a child, I knew who I was and what I was. My Mother would tell us the old stories and teach us customs. She sang us songs and assured that we understood we were Potawatomi and exactly what that meant. She instilled in us pride in being what we are and who we are.
What kind of future do you envision for the Nation?
The Seven fires Prophecy teaches that a time will come when decisions must be made by the “New People”. They will retrace the steps of their elders to find what was left by the trail. They must carefully seek elders’ guidance. If the “New People” remain strong in their quest, the Midewiwin Lodge will again sound its voice and a rebirth of the Nation and the rekindling of the Sacred Fire will happen. I believe the “New People” are here. The young tribal members are looking for their beginnings in the Tribe. I believe they will find those roots and the Tribe will be reborn and made strong. Life is change. And change we will. But the Tribe, its customs and traditions will live on forever like a beating heart.
What do you think is the most difficult thing for CPN members who may live in Oklahoma but may feel disconnected from the Tribe? How can you as legislators help with that?
The most difficult thing for those who feel disconnected is to reach out and touch their family here. Many feel embarrassed and un-privileged to participate in the culture. Some feel they have not “earned the privilege” to be Potawatomi. Being Potawatomi is a right. No one gives you permission. No one can grant you the privilege. It is their right to honor their ancestors, to honor their parents and family. We. as Legislators, must instill pride, trust, and honor in this Tribe.
Jay Laughlin
Challenger
How can CPN better serve and engage its Tribal members?
Communication is key. District meetings within the State of Oklahoma at different locations would help foster communication, incorporate traditions, build bonds and make connections. To help drive this engagement, I will collaborate with our communications department to see how we can utilize technology to focus on issues and opportunities that receive the most attention from our citizens. Everyone’s voice needs to be heard and everyone has something to offer.
Describe what in your life has made you appreciate your CPN heritage.
Looking back to my younger years, I often wonder why I didn’t know that some of those kids that I had grown up with were also CPN citizen’s. It really drives me to encourage programs with our youth that promote our heritage and build these bonds. Nowadays, I enjoy researching our history and culture, and meeting with friends and family at our Family Reunion Festival. I also really enjoy a traditional sweat and would like to bring more into the sweat lodge.
What kind of future do you envision for the Nation?
My vision is a Nation that is thriving with diversified business to promote, protect and foster our culture. I dream of a collaboration of our people coming together, bringing their ideas, skills, knowledge and passion to push the envelope in what this Nation can achieve. We must grow our business portfolio to continue our economic prosperity in order to protect and nurture our culture, identity and services.
What do you think is the most difficult thing for CPN members who may live in Oklahoma but may feel disconnected from the tribe? How can you as legislators help with that?
It’s a challenge to stay connected when you’re miles away. Work, family, and the day-to-day take up most of this time. We must leverage technology, culture, communication, and offer incentives to promote these much needed bonds. We all have a part. As your District 11 Legislator, I will promote initiatives that offer incentives for our citizens to learn our culture, language and heritage.
Reach out to me at jaylaughlin4cpn@gmail.com or Facebook @JayLaughlin4CPN to learn more.