Vice-Chairman election candidates
Editor’s note: Responses from candidates appear exactly as they were submitted without editing for content or style.
Charles Scott
Potawatomi Name and family: Wenbisa, Viuex/Peltier/Ogee.
Residence: Norman, OK.
Education and/or other achievements: Graduated Preston High School, Bachelor of Arts Degree St. Gregory’s University. Graduate of the first Mdamen class. Veteran of the U.S. Army and Navy.
Employment: Retired.
General Statement: I am running for Vice Chairman to serve and represent our people. I am actively involved in our communities and tribal affairs, mentor our youth, and work to preserve our culture through language, traditional songs, drumming, and ceremony. I have a deep love for our people, our tribe, and our government. I offer a fresh perspective and hope to introduce new ideas to increase services for both our in-state and out-of-state members. For more information, visit “Charles Scott for CPN Vice Chairman” on FaceBook or contact via email at [email protected] or text/call at 918-650-8631. Migwetch.
Jason Smalley
Potawatomi Name and family: I come from the Peltier family. My grandfather was Nev Walter Peltier, the son of John Baptiste Peltier, Jr., and the grandson of John Baptiste Peltier, Sr., who was married to Ellen Vieux. I am proud of this lineage and the responsibility it carries, and I strive to honor it through service, leadership, and respect for our Nation’s traditions and people.
Residence: I reside in Stroud, Oklahoma, where I live with my wife, C’Anne, of 24 years, and our three children: Gideon (15), August (10), and Lincoln (9). My wife has served as a public-school teacher in Stroud for 15 years. Our family is deeply rooted in the community, and we are actively involved in local schools, activities, and civic life.
Education and/or other achievements: I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in social science after serving six years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Following my military service, I served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2012–2014) and Oklahoma State Senate (2014–2020). I held leadership roles including Caucus Chair and Chair of Health and Human Services, and I currently serve as a trustee of the Seminole State College Educational Foundation.
Employment: I currently serve as Director of Government Affairs for Motorola Solutions, working with policymakers across multiple states to support public safety through mission-critical communications for first responders. Previously, I served as Senior Account Manager for Oklahoma, overseeing statewide operations and growth. I have also served the Citizen Potawatomi Nation as an advisor to both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, helping guide political and governmental relations with the State of Oklahoma and advocating for the protection of tribal sovereignty and economic stability which I resigned from in 2025 to be eligible to run for tribal office.
General Statement: I seek this position out of a deep respect for service and a belief that leadership requires responsibility, stewardship, and listening. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has experienced meaningful growth under our current leadership, and I believe our duty is to build on that success while preparing for future challenges. Drawing on my experience in public service and government relations, my goal is to help protect tribal sovereignty, expand opportunity, and serve our citizens with humility and collaboration. I respectfully ask for your vote.
Martha Kimberly Nootbaar
Potawatomi Name and family: Niganbekwe ndezhnekas, which means “woman who sits in the lead.” Linda Capps gave me my native name in 2016. I am a Burnett family member. My Great Great Great Grandfather was Abram Burnett, the last Chief of the Potawatomi. His son, Joseph, was the father of my Great Grandmother Birdie Josephine Burnett Martin. I was privileged to know her as a young child. She was proud to be Potawatomi and instilled in me to be proud of our heritage as well. I am also a Thunder Clan member.
Residence: I grew up in Tecumseh Oklahoma and am back in my family home. I have lived in many states, including Missouri, Texas, Minnesota, Arizona, California and Colorado. I loved meeting all the people that I have encountered in each different location and learning about their different needs and wants.
Education and/or other achievements: Graduated from Tecumseh High School
Graduated from Cottey College with an Associate of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Science, Deans List
Graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree
Achievements: From the University of Toyota, I received the Presidents Award for 10 years and the Management Excellence Award for 10 years; I received the first ACE Award from VanTuyl Group; I was the youngest Manager to triple sales for the company I was working for at the time; I received a nomination for Woman of the Year and numerous volunteer acknowledgments of merit; I was selected to participate in the Citizen Potawatomi Nation second Mdamen program.
Employment: I worked as a Store Manager for Margos La Mode and Jean Nicole; I was an Employment Recruiter for a small independent company; I worked for Arthur Young and Company as an Analyst; I was a Management Assistant and Personnel Recruiter for General Dynamics; For Toyota I was in Sales, the Customer Relations Manager and Customer Service Sales Trainer; and I worked for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in the Optometry Department as a Technician assisting the Doctors.
General Statement: I would like to represent all of you as Vice Chairman. Linda Capps has done an amazing job these past years and she has decided to rest. I would love the opportunity to take our tribe into the future! I have 6 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. I have a variety of work experiences and many volunteer projects that gives me the background to be successful in this position. All of my endeavors have involved bringing people together working for the betterment of each organization. I have managed, organized, gathered data, and written manuals. My experience has led me to where I am today. I look forward to working on your behalf for the best future for all of us.
Legislative District 5 election candidates
Editor’s note: Responses from candidates appear exactly as they were submitted without editing for content or style.
James Newberry
Potawatomi name and family: Ogee
Residence: Tijeras, New Mexico I Lived in a small rv trailer and built an Earthship. (google: Earthships in Taos) payday by payday over the course of 3 yrs with only friends and family’s help. If it hadn’t been for the big Alaskan malamute dogs in the rv with us, I think we would have frozen those two winters. We moved in, with no mortgage. Which allowed me to focus on a bad habit I have. I am by nature, a Climber. I have spent a ridiculous amount of time and money playing on the mountains worldwide.
Education and/or other achievements: High School, U.S. Army, Member ‘War Sheild Gourd Society, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified running coach specializing, long distance, Marathons, Quadrathlons’. Certified bicycle coach, Amateur radio Operator kd5goj
Employment: Before the Army, I was expected to work in oil or cows. FYI, I was born and raised in the Texas panhandle. I drove semi-trucks, worked the oil fields in Oklahoma, and spent time working on the Santa Fe railroad. After the army 1985 I went to work for the High Plains Food Bank in Amarillo, Tx I became the warehouse manager/volunteer coordinator. Which started my path in the Volunteer/nonprofit sector. I’ve sat on the board of directors for several agencies= D.o.v.i.a. (directors of volunteers in agency’s), Homeless coalition of the Texas panhandle, Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation “Race for the cure”, Albuquerque Indian Center, My proudest position was President and publicity chair for the Texas Inter-tribal Indian organization in Amarillo. Where we put on pow-wows and started a scholarship for young natives Amarillo college. I joined the New Mexico Mountain Club, which lead me to search and rescue. I became a SAR volunteer for 5 years with ‘Cibola search and rescue.’ In 2003, I was the luckiest person in the world. I was hired as the New Mexico State Police Director-Search and Rescue program. I managed approximately (the number varied thru the years) 64 nonprofit teams, and 2500 volunteers positioned around the state. I was involved over 4400 Sar missions. I retired from the State Police became bored and went to work parttime for Trek Bicycle of albq. During my time at trek, I raced bicycles around NM, Colorado and Texas at charity events and local races, Senior Olympics in Cleveland Ohio. Now, I’m retired again and looking for somewhere to put my energy , the reason I’m running for District 5 legislator.
General statement: Megwetch to Gene Lambert. After the time you did as our community representative and d-5 legislator, there’s no way myself or anyone else will ever be able to truly replace you or fill your moccasins.
I’ll I’ll make two promises to you.
I will do everything I can for you as I consider every one of you, my cousin.
I will not waste your time.
Lorrie Underwood
Potawatomi name and family: I am a member of the La Reau / Higbee / Bertrand / Bourassa families.
Residence: I live in Colorado.
Education and/or other achievements: I have a Bachelor’s in Technical Communication and worked in that field for seventeen years.
Employment: I have owned and operated a successful candle manufacturing business since 2014.
General statement: I am committed to helping people and I feel that this is the right time for me to serve as your District 5 Legislator. I hope I can earn your vote.
migwetth, Pėtëgizhgokwé
Ryan Hubble
Potawatomi name and family: My Potawatomi name is MSKO MTEK, meaning, “Redwood Tree” and I belong to the Peltier family. I am also married to my wife Renee and have four wonderful and wild boys (ages 5 through 12).
Residence: I’m originally from Cushing, Oklahoma, but currently reside in Littleton, Colorado.
Education and/or other achievements: I received my Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University and my Master’s in Accountancy from Gonzaga University. I am also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Employment: I work as a Controller for an oil and gas company that ships crude oil through the state of California. My job entails preparing financial statements and presenting this information to our Board of Directors to help them make the best decisions for our company. Before my current company, I worked for one of the Big 4 public accounting firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). This company is one of the largest professional service firms in the world. While I was with PwC, I worked on multiple billion-dollar companies ensuring their financials were accurate and appropriate for the public and their shareholders.
General statement: I grew up going to the Family Reunion Festival each year and have been lucky enough to take my family in recent years. This tribe means a lot to me and my family. What better way is there to contribute back to this tribe, who give so much to us, than to serve as a District 5 representative. With my financial background, I feel I can help our tribe continue to grow in a fiscally responsible way. I’ll look at the budget with a different set of eyes and ensure we can continue to advance the various programs our tribe has to offer (i.e. education, tribal heritage, language, arts, and culture). I also recognize how hard it is for people outside of Oklahoma to attend the annual reunion. My goal is to have district meetings where the activities and learnings from the festival can be brought to those meetings. That way our people from all different states can learn and feel the spirit of our tribe.
Legislative District 7 election candidates
Editor’s note: Responses from candidates appear exactly as they were submitted without editing for content or style.
Mark Johnson
Incumbent
Potawatomi name and family: Wisk Mtek (Strong as a Tree) is my Potawatomi name, and I am a member of the Vieux and Johnson families. My Potawatomi heritage is on my father’s side; Louis Vieux is my great – great grandfather.
Residence: Prather, California.
Education and/or other achievements: California State University in Fresno, Agricultural Science; Fresno City College, Fire Science; University of Arizona, Native Nation Building certificate course; National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, chief fire officer training. In 2022, I was honored by The County of Fresno, with the 2022 Frontline Hero Award – Public Safety Hero, for my actions during the 2020 Creek Fire in Fresno County, at the time, the single largest wildland fire in California history.
Employment: Retired, I retired as Chief of the Fresno-Kings Unit of CAL FIRE and Chief of the Fresno County Fire Protection District in December of 2020, after a 41-year career having worked my way through all the ranks from seasonal firefighter to chief. This lifetime career in public service not only shaped who I am as a person but gave me the skills I have needed to be an effective advocate for our members in District 7, and for our Tribal nation.
General statement: I was honored and humbled to first be elected in 2010 and then re-elected three times since to represent and serve our members. I am running for re-election again this year to continue the good work we have done as a Legislature on behalf of the members. When I originally ran, I promised to protect and grow the financial base of the Nation and protect and expand the benefits that so many of our members depend on. During that time, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation has faced unprecedented challenges and amazing opportunities. As your Representative, I have fought to expand benefits for our members outside of Oklahoma, and I am especially proud of the CPN Care program that has been launched this year to provide our members and their families with 24/7/365 access to quality health care, over the phone or online. I have also fought to protect our cultural heritage, resources and language. Our Nation now has a world class Cultural Heritage Center, Language Department and Tribal Archives, much of which can be accessed via the internet. I hope that I have earned your trust and your vote. Migwetch.
Katie Bowie
Challenger
Potawatomi name and family: Navarre/Degraff nmezodanek, Jejak ndodem. (Navarre/Degraff are my family, I am Crane clan.)
Residence: I live in Humboldt County which is located in the true upper region of Northern California, almost to the Oregon border. My home is located on my husband’s tribe’s reservation called Bear River Band Tish-non village in Loleta California, where I live with my husband & our three children; Jimmy 6, Autumn 16, and Trinity 20.
Education and/or other achievements: I graduated from St. Bernards Academy in 2001 & completed two years of general education at the College of the Redwoods, then took an academic break to focus on raising my family. In the last decade I have obtained numerous certificates and trainings to increase my expertise in working with youth which are too many to list here, but some of my most proud include: Addition 101 & the brain, addressing cultural identity SUD among AI/AN, Indigenized knowledge systems, QPR & mental health first aid, Naloxone administration trainer certified, Meeting behavior needs of transitional aged youth, & Decolonization in everyday life.
Employment: I am a Youth Development Specialist/Mentor at a local non profit organization called Two Feathers Native American Family Services. I work closely with Native American high school teenagers to help provide them with a balance of leadership opportunity, life skills, cultural knowledge, wellness & individualized support, substance use prevention, etc. All while employing them in year long cohorts that help to transition them to independence after graduation. I also volunteer on the local cultural committees in my area to ensure appropriate and equal cultural opportunities are available Native people in my community.
General statement: Bozho Jayek, I’m very excited to introduce myself and be considered for district 7 legislator, which is a great opportunity to be able to contribute to my tribe and help bring other members in my district together. I have worked in tribal communities my entire adult life and have experience organizing events and cultural activities with NorCal tribes. With our districts being so spread out, I am hoping to be able to take advantage or technology to be able to reach other members through social media, zoom, and more frequent gatherings that are located more central to district 7 residents.