District 1 candidates

Drew (Jon) Boursaw

What is something you hope to accomplish during your first (or next) term?

During my first term, I plan to represent the Tribal members of Region One to the best of my ability. I plan to hold regional meetings are various locations throughout Region One. I also feel it is imperative to create a communication system that is quick and easy for members to reach me. I plan to utilize social media (Facebook, Instagram) to announce any information or updates that concern CPN and the members of Region One. The social media platforms have direct messaging, so members can reach me quickly. I also plan to use the telephone and email for communicating. As you can see, I believe communication is vital to my representing the member of Region One to my fullest potential.

CPN’s Tribal enrollment grew by historic numbers in 2020. How do you propose that the Tribe engages and serves its growing population? 

I believe that the best way for the Tribe to serve its members is to expand economic development plans that produce maximum revenue for the Tribe. We need to ensure that the existing Tribal enterprises (casinos, hotel, grocery store, golf course, etc..) are being properly managed to achieve the maximum revenue return for the Tribe. This will allow us to continue to offer and expand the great services CPN offers its Tribal members.

David Slavin – Gzhiptot (He’s Fast)

What is something you hope to accomplish during your first (or next) term?

he most pressing issue that face’s the nation is to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. One issue I hope I can be part of is to continue to lessen our carbon footprint. The nation has made great strides in this area. Another issue I think is important and I want to accomplish, is to provide assisted living for our elders in an outside of Oklahoma. And I look forward to the challenges.

CPN’s Tribal enrollment grew by historic numbers in 2020. How do you propose that the Tribe engages and serves its growing population? 

I would encourage each new member to learn their family history. Talk to their elders. Get online and study our traditions. What are the four color and there meaning? Why is tobacco so important? There is a question in the form filled out for a naming. What is your favorite time of day? Sunrise or sunset. It is important for the new members to learn their history. And as a legislator help the members to find the information they may want. My dad Roy Slavin was a legislator. One of the things he enjoyed the most was meeting members and hearing their stories their history. And telling members young and old the creation story during a naming ceremony. I would encourage each new member who is a veteran to be part of the veteran wall and record their time in the military. Be part of veterans organization.

Kevin Roberts – Kakingeshi (Grizzly Bear)

What is something you hope to accomplish during your first (or next) term?

Adhering to strict privacy guidelines associated with public/personal information & related security, establish an updated repository of tribal members located within District 1 & their desired contact method.

  • Establish preferred connectivity method that accommodates each District 1 tribal member, beyond the Hownikan. Where appropriate, these could include but not be limited to the following
    • District Web site
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Messenger
    • Instagram
    • US Mail
    • Zoom meetings.
    • ** The options would be managed appropriately.
  • Publish my contact information & availability for District 1 members to connect with me whenever needed.
  • Conduct two (2) District 1 meetings during remainder of 2021 and establish & conduct four (4) District 1 meetings annually across the multiple state area of the District beginning in 2022. This will include engagement of CPN tribal & other experts relating to language, cultural topics, history, family research, regalia, etc.
  • Connect and ensure consistency with other CPN Districts as appropriate.
  • Encourage and engage District 1 tribal members with our Language Dept. and related language courses, including assistance available to all members.
  • Assist the District 1 tribal members with pursuing available CPN services, resources, or benefits and helping address related questions.
  • Establish a District 1 priority list based on the District’s tribal member’s input.

CPN’s Tribal enrollment grew by historic numbers in 2020. How do you propose that the Tribe engages and serves its growing population?

  • Communication is key! We need to ensure we have everyone’s correct contact information & preferred method of communication.
  • In addition to the Hownikan as a communication tool, when & where appropriate, execute communication campaigns similar to the 2020 Covid Relief effort to ensure all tribal members are informed timely on critical / important issues, services, and benefits. (Hownikan, US Mail communications, Facebook, person/person via established buddy system within Districts)
  • District reps should reinforce information, acting as liaison for tribal members, educating them on resources, benefits, and services available to enrolled tribal members via district meetings, newsletter / email, etc.
  • A Key Source, (Go To source) for information should always be the CPN.org web page. Ensure folks are informed about this resource and how to navigate.
  • Working with the Executive & Legislative branches, ensure individual departments are appropriately resourced, and procedures for acquiring services, resources, or benefits available are appropriately outlined, published, and adequately supported for those within & outside the state of Oklahoma.

Alan Melot

What is something you hope to accomplish during your first (or next) term?

In my first term, I’ll be busy! Initially, my priorities will be to learn and to connect. There are many programs and services I need to be more familiar with so I can share with the citizens I represent. I will learn about our legislative process, how we craft and introduce legislation so I can bring about the changes citizens in District 1 want. One thing that I’ve heard consistently is that we need to have better access to services for citizens outside of Oklahoma, so crafting and presenting legislation to improve accessibility will be an important goal. Another consistent request is that we implement term limits for our leadership, so I will work with like-minded Legislators to make term limits a permanent part of our political process.

I’ve spoken of the importance of tribal sovereignty and a foundation of cultural competency. Our political existence as a sovereign, independent indigenous nation rests on the strength of our culture, language, and community. We need to ensure our language and culture not only survives, but thrives in the generations to come. My biggest goal is for us thrive in our homelands. I have a vision that we use our foundations of sovereignty and cultural competence to thrive in our homelands. District 1 is unique in that it is made up of our homelands. Our headquarters being in Oklahoma is the result of forced removal, and I believe it is the obligation of the District 1 Legislator to diligently work toward having land that is rightfully the tribe’s returned to our control. With the appointment of Deb Haaland to the Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, we have unprecedented opportunity to appeal to a Native American leader who understands the importance of land to Native people. I will take advantage of this opportunity and work to regain stewardship of the land we came from.

CPN’s Tribal enrollment grew by historic numbers in 2020. How do you propose that the Tribe engages and serves its growing population?

Personal connection is key to our survival and growth. Individual citizens need to be connected to the Nation, both serving the Nation and being served by the Nation. Our leadership must be accessible to our Tribal citizens, and I propose that the Nation works to remove barriers between leadership and citizens. Citizens should have the right to review legislative actions and give feedback to Legislators before those actions so the will of the people is done. Our people are smart and capable, and deserve to see clearly how the tribe operates. Citizens should be invested in the Nation, learning Potawatomi language and culture, and in so learning will be able to direct their Legislators to create a healthier Nation that remains loyal to our unique heritage as we see historic growth.

I’m here for you, and want to connect with you. You can find me on Facebook, at www.cpndistrict1.com or email at asmelot@yahoo.com. As always, I ask for your prayers and for your vote!