November Hownikan Article
Bringing Our People Together
In my October Hownikan article, I outlined what the Bodéwadmi Confederation is and why I believed joining would benefit our Nation. I wrote that piece in late August/early September, just before the publishing deadline. I’m happy to share a timely update: as of our September 25 legislative meeting, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation officially joined the Confederation!
We already participate in intertribal groups like the National Congress of American Indians and the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma. But this alliance is different—it reunites our Bodwéwadmik communities in the spirit of shared prosperity and community.
Shawnee Trip & Legislative Meeting
I traveled to Shawnee for the week of the meeting to visit with friends, learn from our leaders and program directors, and spend time in our enterprises and surrounding communities. For those of us serving outside Oklahoma, I believe regular visits are essential. Much of what we vote on most directly affects citizens in Tecumseh, Shawnee, and Pottawatomie County—and a strong local community benefits all of us, wherever we live.
I stayed at the new FireLake Hotel. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the staff were welcoming. Midweek I was joined by Brenda Trevino, our new District 3 Legislator. Brenda is sharp, warm, and clearly dedicated to the citizens she serves; I’m grateful we had time to connect and share ideas about how we can best serve our districts.
On Tuesday, I met with Secretary/Treasurer D. Wayne Trousdale and Vice Chairman Linda Capps to discuss the budget and review our Annual Consolidated Financial Report (ACFR). Thoughtful planning for the future depends on a clear understanding of our past performance. They were generous with their time and open to every question. Even where we saw things differently, our conversation was respectful, thoughtful, and productive.
Vice Chairman Capps encouraged me to visit the new duplex housing at Citizen’s Place. The development—planned at 66 units—looks terrific: clean, modern homes with two to four bedrooms, each with a two-car garage, plus a community playground and storm shelter. Housing will be available to CPN and other Native families whose annual income is less than 80 percent of the national median, with funding through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). It’s a project we can all take pride in.
I also met with Education Director Rachel Watson and Cultural Heritage Center Director Blake Norton. We talked about how to better share information about services and benefits and how to expand awareness for citizens living in District 1. Many of us want more opportunities for cultural learning and community building—including virtual classes and partnerships with knowledgeable community members who can share their skills and stories. The conversations were very productive. I will continue to advocate for our District. You can find upcoming opportunities at cpndistrict1.com/events.
When the Legislature convened on September 25, Chairman Barrett swore in Legislator Trevino, and we moved through a full agenda. The most meaningful moment for me was our vote to join the Bodéwadmi Confederation. Now that it is official, we must work to advance its’ stated goal: to promote unity, cooperation, and mutual support among Nations, and to advance the interest and well-being of its citizens and indigenous peoples.
I’ve promised to be transparent and accessible in everything I do, to the extent that I can. If you’d like to see what I voted on and why, you can visit my vote record at cpndistrict1.com/vote-record.
Please stay in touch so I can keep you informed. You can email me at steve.livingston@potawatomi.org, call or text 419-654-4183, or connect on Facebook at facebook.com/district1cpn.
