Chairman candidates
John “Rocky” Barrett – Keweoge (He Leads Them Home)
What would make you an effective Tribal leader?
I believe the most important traits an effective tribal leader should possess are (1) empathy for others – caring about your fellow Citizen Potawatomi and putting them first in the priorities of our tribe; and (2) innovation – using the successes of the tribe to guide you to the next project, but with some new approaches and ideas gleaned from working with a team of bright people; and (3) experience – a wise man once said: “Experience is not what happens to a man, it is what a man does with what happens to him.” Over the 36 years I have had the honor to serve as your Tribal Chairman, I’ve had the good fortune to have many successes: our new Constitution, the new Legislature, the Executive Branch, the Tribal Courts, grocery businesses, medical facilities, the banks, CPCDC, Heritage Center, golf course, our gaming and hospitality facilities, Elder and low-cost housing, the Rural Water District, and the aggregation of the very talented people who made it work.
Some were not successes. The cattle ranch, our radio stations, the Sacred Heart Historical project, St. Gregory’s University partnership, the pecan farm, the Mini-Putt, and the RV Park, were not huge failures, but each taught a lesson: do not get into businesses that you aren’t experienced in, or in a market for, or another business that helps the business or service you want to provide. Most of all, do not get the Nation into operations that it does not or cannot control. Pick talented people and let them learn from their mistakes and benefit from encouragement.
How do you plan to engage Tribal citizens?
The last year has been the most difficult of my experience. The pandemic cut us off from each other, isolated our most vulnerable people, and often left us with a sense of dread and fear. For many, it was a time of financial stress, joblessness, and worry about their future. It is the job of CPN to be the “light at the end of the tunnel, the beacon of hope in a dark place.” Throughout our history, as we were robbed of our land and livelihoods for four straight generations, our Tribe that provided for our survival. Our shared blood, our kinship, saw us through the hardest of times. That is what we are doing now. CPN is stepping up again and helping our kin. We are providing financial help, medical treatment, shelter for the homeless, protection for our most vulnerable, and most of all – opportunity. Opportunity is what we hope for, work for, and all need. That is how we can engage our people.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing Tribal issue currently?
It is what I call “disconnection.” How many of you know Potawatomi people, especially young people, who get all their news from Facebook, not the TV or newspaper? How many times have you been with a person who spends their entire time in your presence on their phone? How many young people do not share conversations or personal interaction, or feelings, except through emojis or five-word texts on their iPhone? An entire generation is missing the benefit of shared experiences, learning from stories of an elder, reading books and magazines, singing, dancing, music, daydreaming, or learning a skill. They have “disconnected”, and they are missing out on the good stuff, the real joys of life. I hope that the appeal of their tribal identity, their “warrior spirit” or their “woman’s power,” will come into their lives and save them.
Lisa Kraft
What would make you an effective Tribal leader?
In part, my experience. I have been working with tribes for over 26 years, building nations and helping them thrive. I have spent over a decade in key leadership roles for our own Potawatomi Nation, helping us grow and expand our lands. I know what we need to do to improve our support system for members, and to rekindle the fire and embrace the heritage of our great people. I will practice transparency, in leadership, in legislation, and in how we inform and engage our members. We need some essential checks and balances, stronger representation in our legislature, and an independent media. Lastly, I know how to execute programs and projects. I have spent my career organizing and leading some highly effective teams, and I will leverage that experience and those resources for our tribe.
How do you plan to engage Tribal citizens?
Language, ceremony, and modern tools and techniques. I have been privileged and am honored to be working with some of our great elders and teachers. I have been learning the language, which is the lifeblood of our culture. I practice rituals and a way of living that is at the heart of who we are. We will bring back ceremonies, gatherings, and rituals and practices that we as a people have embraced for many generations. Lastly, we need to embrace modern ways of communication, including social platforms, to better connect with our people. We are all over the country and the globe, and this should not limit us or restrict us from knowing one another, or in helping our members, it should empower us and give us a stronger opportunity to expand and grow.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing Tribal issue currently?
Raising the power of our people’s voices. We can better honor the virtues of leadership and equal representation, and give our members a better opportunity to participate in our government and in our businesses. Being Citizen Potawatomi is a link to one of the most magnificent and enterprising tribal communities in America, and our full potential has yet to be realized. Our current chairman has been in place for 40 years, he has taken us down a long road, and it is time for change. We can better recognize and embrace our heritage, and there are several growth opportunities. This includes investing in our youth, marketplaces and networking for our artists and entrepreneurs, and innovating and investing in sustainable businesses. To move further down the road, we need a unified and thriving nation, one that takes care of all of our members, regardless of location, and one where our collective voices are stronger than any one individual. We are a people of action, seeing from all angles, changing and adapting, working in harmony, and sensing all that goes into life to achieve our purpose. It is with that power in mind, that I would be honored to serve as your next tribal leader. You can learn more about me and my plans for our great nation at cpnchairman.com.
Steve Castaneda – EConOush (Little Leader)
What would make you an effective Tribal leader?
I listen to everyone to make the best decision for all parties involved. In every decision I make I will keep our members at heart, our tribe is nothing without its people.
How do you plan to engage Tribal citizens?
All members have a voice. I believe it is overdue for their voices be a part of every decisions made. It is time to show we are a tribe of many not just the people of power.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing Tribal issue currently?
Where is the money for our people? How much money do we have to pay the city and or county in taxes? We as a tribe have plenty of funds from our business and our members do not benefit unless they jump through tons of hoops to get funds for different reasons.
I am doer rather then a talker.