There are thirteen legislative districts within the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Five are divided up in Oklahoma while the other eight are dispersed throughout the United States. Legislative representatives from District 4, Jon Boursaw and District 1 legislator, Roy Slavin, held a regional meeting together for their districts in Overland Park, Kan. on June 7.
“We’re here to inform our membership about the Nation and some of the new things that are happening within the Nation,” said Slavin. “It’s a way of involving people with the Tribe and that’s our main goal.”
“The attendance was a little disappointing today but I’m sure part of that was the result of the heavy rains we have had here recently, but it was a very interested and enthusiastic group so that was great,” said Boursaw. “One lady told me this was her first meeting she ever went to and that it was very informative.”
The district meetings are designed to assist, inform and serve as a means of networking for tribal members to ask questions and be informed on the latest news about CPN. Meetings are typically held quarterly and in different areas to accommodate to the vast distances that separate the Tribe’s members.
The meeting in Overland Park consisted of updates on the Cultural Heritage Center that flooded in March, presentation of gifts to the wisest, youngest and furthest travelled, PowerPoint presentations on CPN history, a film about the Tribe’s history produced by Tribal Heritage Productions entitled “Journey” and opportunities for Q&A.
“This meeting was great and it’s always nice to hear the new things that the Tribe is doing,” said Sandy Bentch of Lee’s Summit, Mo.
For more information on districts, legislators and questions refer to the tribal website at www.potawatomi.org.