Citizen Potawatomi in the Western sections of the U.S. will choose legislators in the June tribal election at the 2014 Family Reunion Festival. Vice Chairman Linda Capps, Secretary-Treasurer D. Wayne Trousdale, District 5 Legislator Gene Lambert and District 6 Legislator Rande Payne all will be running unopposed. In-person voting will commence June 28 during the annual CPN Family Festival. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Election Committee will mail absentee ballot request forms to all eligible voters after March 1, 2013. A ballot request form will be published in future editions of the Hownikan. To learn more about your tribal government, click here. To find out what legislative district you may reside in, click here.
Below is a preview of the race for District 8’s legislative seat between incumbent Dave Carney and challenger Clyde Slavin.
Incumbent Dave Carney
What Potawatomi family are you from?
“I am a Juneau which also touches the Vieux and Yott families. My notable ancestors are Solomon Juneau who was the founder of Milwaukie, Wisconsin and Joseph Juneau, the namesake of Juneau, Alaska. I am directly related to Narcisse Juneau who led a scouting party from the reservation in Kansas to select our tribal lands in Oklahoma. Narcisse was on one of the very first Potawatomi business committees which later became the tribal legislature.”
Where do you currently live?
“My family resides in Olympia, Wash. which is located halfway between Seattle and Portland. I enjoy the central location and beautiful natural setting with accesses to beaches, mountains or high desert within a few hours’ drive.”
What do you do for a living?
“I am a real estate broker specializing in residential property and I am the president of a company that provides a variety of business services to local government and business.”
Why are you running for the legislature?
“The role of legislator is significant in the lives of the members in our district and in the future of the Nation as a whole. I believe I have the energy and work ethic to serve effectively. I’ve worked hard for our members and hope to continue my work.”
Why do you believe this is an important position for you to fill?
“I have approached the role of legislator utilizing my organizational skills and business background to build the District 8 community. I’ve utilized meetings throughout the district, regular email updates, social media like Facebook and old fashioned mail. A lot of progress has been made in connecting members more to the Nation and to each other. I think I am the right person for the job and respectfully ask for your vote.”
Challenger Clyde Slavin
What Potawatomi family are you from?
“My family is Slavin. My grandfather was James Slavin who received an allotment in what is now Cleveland County between Wanette and Lexington, Oklahoma. I am a second generation born Citizen Potawatomi and was raised in Oklahoma, the son of Robert Slavin.”
Where do you currently live?
“I live in Vancouver, Washington with my wife Kathy. We have been in Vancouver since 1979.”
What do you do for a living?
“Since 1972 I have worked as an optometrist. After March of 2013, I began working part-time has an independent contractor in optometry practices in Wash. and Ore. on a fill-in basis.”
Why are you running for the legislature?
“Living in Wash. and Ore. for the past forty plus years and having grown up in Oklahoma until high school has helped me recognize the different needs that are present in the different regions in these United States. I firmly believe that the tribal resources should be used to produce goods, services, and employment to be distributed as equitably as possible to every Citizen Potawatomi no matter where they live.”
Why do you believe this is an important position for you to fill?
“The position provides contact with not only the tribal administration but also tribal members who take an active interest in our tribe’s families and businesses. The contacts are important due to the need to assist in the guidance of how the tribe invests its resources into enterprises and the distribution and use of the income generated for the benefit of the entire tribal membership. Citizen Potawatomi history and traditions can be learned and taught through the office of district representative.”
For anyone with questions for Slavin, he can be reached at:
Clyde B. Slavin, O.D.
519 NW Wildwood Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98665
360-574-5658 home
360-909-3776 cell
clyde.slavin@gmail.com