Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Nation and optimism for the future, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Legislators Bob Whistler (Bmashi, or He Soars) and Gene Lambert (Memegwe, or Butterfly Woman) are retiring from their elected offices.
Whistler has represented District 3, which includes most of Texas, since 2008. He is a Bourassa family descendant. Lambert, a Navarre and Melot descendant, has represented District 5 since June 2008. District 5 includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska and parts of Texas.
What first motivated you to run?
Whistler: “Before I ran, we had about 10 (representative) regions. When they announced (district representatives), I knew I had to try to do this. My aunt Philonese taught me a lot about our culture and I had worked in quite a number of types of businesses. I thought I could bring knowledge from these businesses that most people don’t have, so I went for it. The other thing was my background in math and science. I felt that helped me look at details and I thought I could bring some things to the Nation that others might not bring.
“I had also been an at-large representative for the city of Bedford, Texas. So, I was bringing a little bit of government experience, too. When you wrap all those things up, I really felt that I had a lot to bring.”
Lambert: “I had been a regional director for nine years. When the legislature was developed, (Vice-Chairman) Linda (Capps) thought it would be a good crossover for me to stay in the region that I had already been working with, but in a different capacity. The regional director represented the Nation to the people. But the legislature represents the people to the Nation. The transition was very different. I had to unlearn and then relearn. But, I’d already gotten to know the families and the people I’d be working with and wanted to continue to serve. I was honored to have that opportunity and to be in as long as I was.”
What is your favorite memory from your tenure?
Whistler: “I am proud of myself because there was one particular resolution that I personally was opposed to. But I stopped and I thought about my district and the people, having known a lot of them over a period of time, I decided it was best for the people. Although I personally would have voted against it, I voted for it. I think for a lot of our current people who are in office in (national) political positions do things that are selfish rather than what’s best for their constituents. Whoever is the representative at CPN has got to look at the whole picture. Do what they think is best.
“I do think that you really need to go to Family Festival and the (Potawatomi) Gathering, that way you see what the variances are between the nations and learn how each has adapted and what they’re doing. I think it’s very beneficial. All of the nations must take advantage, just like they did historically, with the area that they live in.”
Lambert: “Helping someone keep their baby, helping people get themselves enrolled and get the help that they needed. The Tribe has been so good to so many people. Then to get to be a part of all that, helping anyone from a homeless person to being able to experience someone’s wedding day, their funerals, their namings and there’s a bonding that happens. They become family and that’s been my experience in 27 years.
“It’s almost as if it hasn’t hit me yet. But it’s time though. It’s time to let the younger ones come in and mix because you need the mature, but you also need the new ideas.”
What do you envision for the Nation’s future?
Whistler: “Involvement by the younger people is waning. It is not to the same level it was a few years ago. I would like to see a maximum of four terms. I think we need to make a change in (legislators) at least once every 20 years if not sooner. That way, the younger people are going to bring in the new ideas. As we age we tend to sort of get locked into things that are comfortable and we think are good, but sometimes, like with technology, we don’t keep up with it. We really need that if we’re to go into the future.
“We’ve got to have people that are broad-minded because we have to be looking at culture and our history, as well as our future in the business area. We have to be able to look at that.”
Lambert: “We’ve gone from getting together individually to Zoom. Because we’re so large, people don’t have an opportunity to meet their leadership. Through teleconferences, they would have opportunities to see (leaders) and ask questions during our meetings. I would like to see more of that. Maybe even teleconference access to different departments so they’re able to have a chance to talk to people. That would be what I would like to see.”
How do you plan to stay involved with the Nation and community?
Whistler: “The education department offers Mdamen. I see that particular group as one of the focal points to get members involved in being a legislator. I see them taking that knowledge and using it to motivate themselves. As far as my future, I will stay involved by going and supporting Family Festival, going to the Gathering, but I also will stay involved with the Native American community that I’m in. There are several groups that I work with. I’ll stay on as a member with the groups that I’ve been working with. I’m involved with a group that is creating a high school class on American Indian Native Studies. I’ve actually made presentations to the State Board of Education about five times. So, I will continue to pursue getting that particular program approved for use in the Texas high schools.”
Lambert: “I’m here if anyone has questions. Anything that I can offer to help the next person coming in, I certainly want to do. I’m here for that. I remember when I took over, Philonese Williams was the regional director, and when I took over, she kind of hung by my side for about a year. I want to be sure that the new person coming in knows that anything I can do to be supportive along that way, I’m happy to do it.”
Final thoughts:
Whistler: “When I ran, I won on a runoff. In fact, there were five running when I initially ran and I beat the third-place person out by two votes. That is one of the reasons I tell everybody that every vote counts. Those two votes moved me into being the candidate and ultimately the representative. Getting the people to vote is a big thing because we’ll have races where the total that voted were maybe only 500 or 600, and that’s not a whole lot of people. When you consider that there’s about 2,000 in the group, you’re looking at one in four voted, you really need to get more than that involved.
“In summary, during my tenure I have been honored, proud and deeply thank (Igwein) the District 3 Tribal members for electing me to represent them.”
Lambert: “I would really love to see the Tribal members become more involved. I think the major reason that more people don’t go to Shawnee is their fear of fitting in. But I always tell them, just go, it’s like going home.
“It’s just been a wonderful experience. The Nation’s been fabulous to me on a personal level. I’ve learned so much from the people, by far more than they could ever learn from me. So, it’s been an honor.”