2026 Legislative Meeting Minutes
ClassificationsArchive
Object numberLG.LGM.2026
DescriptionLegislative Meeting MinutesMay 28 - Quarterly Legislative Meeting
June 28 - General Council Meeting
June 29 - Quarterly Legislative Meeting
July 13-21 - Special Electronic Legislative Meeting
Finding AidCitizen Potawatomi Nation
Minutes
Quarterly Legislative Meeting
May 28, 2026
Present: Chairman John A. Barrett, Vice Chairman Linda Capps, Secretary-Treasurer D.
Wayne Trousdale and Representatives David Barrett, Jon Boursaw, Bobbi Bowden,
Dave Carney, Eva Marie Carney, Mark Johnson, Steve Livingston, Rande Payne, Paul
Schmidlkofer, Brenda Trevino, Andy Walters, and Paul Wesselhoft.
Absent: None.
Guests: Jason Smalley, Geroge Wright, Kim Nootbaar, Charles Scott and Jamie Moucka.
Call to order: Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 5:45pm followed by the
invocation.
First item of business: Minutes from the previous meeting of February 26, 2026. Motion
to approve the minutes as read was made by Representative Paul Schmidlkofer and
seconded by Representative David Barrett. The motion passed with 15 in favor, 0
opposed, 0 absent and O abstaining.
Second item of business: Resolution 26-38-LCoE: A resolution enrolling 191 applicants
into the membership of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Motion to approve Resolution
26-38-LCoE was made by Representative Walters and seconded by Representative
Johnson. The motion passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
Third item of business: Resolution 26-39-LCoE pertains to enrollment.
Fourth item of business: Resolution 26-40-LCoE pertains to enrollment.
Fifth item of business: Resolution 26-41-LCoE pertains to enrollment.
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Minutes
Quarterly meeting
5-28-2026
Sixth item of business: Resolution 26-42-LCoE pertains to enrollment.
Seventh item of business: Resolution 26-43-LCoE pertains to enrollment.
Ninth item of business: Resolution 26-44-J&PS: A resolution approving the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security Federal Emergency Management Agency fy 2024 & fy 2025 Building Resilient
Infrastructure and Communities grant. Motion to approve Resolution 26-44-J&PS was
made by Representative Wesselhoft and seconded by Representative Trevino. The
motion passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
Tenth item of business: Resolution 26-45-TC&A: A resolution approving the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the National Park Service fy 2026
Tribal Historic Preservation office grant program. Motion to approve Resolution 26-45-
TC&A was made by Representative Payne and seconded by Representative Walters.
The motion passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
6:30pm Recess: Executive Session
8:00pm Reconvene
Eleventh item of business: Resolution 26-46-NR: A resolution approving the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs fy2026 Unleashing Tribal Energy
Development Topic Area 3. Motion to approve Resolution 26-46-NR was made by
Representative Bowden and seconded by Representative Barrett. The motion passed
with 12 in favor, 3 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
Twelfth item of business: Resolution 26-47-NR: A resolution approving the citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs fy2026 Unleashing Tribal Energy
Development Topic Area 1. Motion to approve Resolution 26-47-NR as amended was
made by Representative Wesselhoft and seconded by Representative Boursaw. The
motion passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
Thirteenth item of business: Resolution 26-48-HHS: A resolution approving the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the Federal Home Loan Bank of
Topeka fy 2026 Native American Housing Initiatives grant program. Motion to approve
Resolution 26-48-HHS was made by Representative Boursaw and seconded by
Representative Dave Carney. The motion passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent
and 0 abstaining.
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Page 3
Quarterly meeting
5-28-2026
Fourteenth item of business: Resolution 26-49-NR: A resolution approving the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
fy2026 Invasive Species program. Motion to approve Resolution 26-49-NR was made by
Representative Walters and seconded by Representative Barrett. The motion passed
with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
Fifteenth item of business: Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by
Representative Schmidlkofer and seconded by Representative Bowden. The motion
passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining. The meeting adjourned
at 8:25pm pm on May 28, 2026.
CERTIFICATION
The Legislature of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation hereby certifies that the foregoing is
a true and exact copy of the Minutes from the Quarterly Legislative Meeting held May
28, 2026, as approved on this 29th day of June, 2026, with 15 voting for,
0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
D. Wayne Trousdale
Secretary- Treasurer
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Citizen Potawatomi Nation
GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING
June 28, 2025
Call to Order: Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order
at 7:00 a.m. Roll call included: Chairman John A. Barrett;
Vice-Chairman Linda Capps; Secretary-Treasurer D. Wayne
Trousdale and Representatives David Barrett, Jon Boursaw,
Bobbi Bowden, Dave Carney, Eva Marie Carney, Mark
Johnson, Rande Payne, Paul Schmidlkofer, Andy Walters, Paul
Wesselhoft, and Robert Whistler.
Absent: none
There was a motion made by Representative Whistler, and
seconded by Representative Johnson, to recess and turn the
meeting over to the Election Committee for purposes of
balloting. The motion passed with 15 voting for, 0 opposed,
0 absent and 0 abstaining.
Meeting reconvened at 3:25 p.m. with Chairman Barrett
calling the General Council to order followed by the posting
of the colors.
After offering a prayer Chairman Barrett welcomed all those
in attendance and thanked them for coming. He then asked
the indulgence of the Council while he spoke of an individual
who first assumed tribal office in 1989. The Chairman went
on to say that without her presence the tribe would be
devastated and, calling her the 'most loved person in the
Citizen Potawatomi Nation,' he introduced Vice Chairman
Linda Capps. The Chairman then went on to speak of
Secretary-Treasurer Trousdale's vast financial knowledge
naming him one of the Nation's best assets.
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General Council Minutes
June 28, 2025
Chairman Barrett followed by introducing the members of
the Tribal Court system and discussed the evolution of the
Nation's constitution from the first constitution forced upon
the Nation in 1867 to the current constitution which allows
all eligible members to vote via absentee ballot and have
representation for those votes via district representatives.
The sitting members of the Tribal Legislature were
introduced. Representatives Robert Whistler and Gene
Lambert were given special mention as they are retiring. The
Chairman mentioned they had been honored with a blanket
and told the members of the Council the giving a blanket
signifies "we intend to keep your memory alive and warm."
He turned the microphone over to Secretary-Treasurer
Trousdale to read the minutes from the General Council
meeting of June 29, 2024, into the record. Motion to approve
the minutes as read was made by Alan Melot and seconded
by David Barrett. The motion passed unanimously.
Afterwards, Secretary-Treasurer Trousdale presented the
financial report. REDW was retained to perform an audit of
the Nation's Trust Fund Investments for the year ending
September 30, 2024. The initial amount transferred from the
Bureau of Indian Affairs control in 1996 was $5,495,465. By
September 30, 2023, the investments had grown to
$20,590,074. On September 30, 2024, those funds had
increased 14.3% to $25,201,685 with $5,980,166 in cash and
cash equivalents, $576,026 in US Treasury and agency
securities and $19,236,220 in Sovereign Bank common stock.
Hogan Taylor was engaged to perform an audit of the
financial statements of Sovereign Bank. Secretary-Treasurer
Trousdale said the bank had an historic year and would let
Bryan Cain, the CEO of Sovereign Bank speak to that, after
thanking Mr. Cain and the bank staff for their hard work and
dedication in leading Sovereign Bank to new heights in the
bank's performance.
REDW also audited the financial position of the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation Community Development Corporation.
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General Council Minutes
June 28, 2025
The CDC net assets grew by $20,874,983 or 33.6% to
$61,964,781 as of September 30, 2024. The SecretaryTreasurer
thanked CDC director Cindy Logsdon, Bob Crothers
and the CDC staff for once again producing great results
which positions it for strong financial growth well into the
future.
REDW reported the Nation's combined net assets were $648.3
million as of September 30, 2024, a 27.2% increase over the
past year. During the year the Nation's expenses for
governmental activities were $121.9 million and were funded
by program revenues of $186.4 million. The Nation's
business-type activity revenues exceeded expenses by $$46
million. The proprietary funds of the Nation reported a net
position of $202.7 million as compared to $178.4 million at
the beginning of the year. As of September 30, 2024, the
Nation had $64 million dollars of debt with actual expenses
$134.8 million less than budgeted amounts. He stated the
Council should be proud of the Nation's financial position
and in the local economy. He also thanked the legislature for
their concern and prudent decisions in the financial matters
of the Tribe. Secretary Trousdale also thanked CFO, Mary
Chisholm, Leslie Grovey and the accounting staff for all their
hard work on behalf of the Nation and congratulated them
for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers
Association of the United States and Canada for the 36th year
in a row. He concluded the Financial Report by thanking the
Council for allowing him to be their Secretary-Treasurer for
the past 23 years and prayed for the continued success for
the Nation in order to help those in need and safeguard the
Nation's sovereignty.
Secretary-Treasurer Trousdale turned the microphone over
to Bryan Cain, president of Federal National Bank. Mr. Cain
stated that in 1989 the Citizen Potawatomi Nation purchased
a small bank in a small trailer on a gravel parking lot with a
vision of what it could be for the Nation's people. Though
events the past few years have presented more challenges
than in previous decades, the bank continues to grow with an
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General Council Minutes
June 28, 2025
eye to always protecting the Nation's assets. Five years ago
the bank had $243 million in total assets. Currently, the bank
has $1.2 billion in total assets and ranks in the top 20 out of
175 banks in Oklahoma in large part thanks to the
leadership, vision, confidence and wise council of Chairman
Barrett, Vice Chairman Capps and Secretary-Treasurer
Trousdale and the continued support of the tribal legislators,
bank board of directors and the members of the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation. Mr. Cain concluded his remarks by
saying he hopes the bank can continue to fulfill the financial
dreams of those it serves.
The Chairman gave a brief history of the history of the bank
and banking practices of the past, emphasizing the
correlation of the bank and the success of the Nation. He
stated it is an integral part of getting the Potawatomi Nation
back to what it was intended to be.
Following tribal tradition gifts were presented to the Wisest
Tribal Member present - Ms. Delores Peltier, 100 years old;
the Youngest Tribal Member present - Lilias Graber, 3
months old; and the Tribal Member who traveled the farthest
- Kacie Burns who traveled over 6,000 miles from the coast
of Japan.
The Potawatomi Leadership Intern class of 2025 was
introduced by Chairman Barrett and the directors and staff of
the Nation were recognized before Julia Floyd, Assistant
Secretary of the Election Committee came forward with the
results of the tribal election.
In the election for tribal Chairman, John Barrett received
1508 votes to Charles Scott's 375. In the contest to represent
District #1, Steve Livingston received 121 votes to Anna
Johnson's 112. Eva Marie Carney retained her position as
representative of District #2 with no opposition. With no
candidate receiving a majority of votes cast in the race for
representative of District #3 - Jennifer Bertlesen with 44
votes, Brenda Trevino with 64 and Brian Waker with 55 - a
runoff election between Brian Walker and Brenda Trevino will
be held in 60 days. Jon Boursaw will remain as representative
of District #4 as he also drew no opposition. The budget for
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General Council Minutes
June 28, 2025
the Set Aside funds passed with 1609 in favor and 136
opposed. The only judicial seat on the ballot was Supreme
Court Justice #5 Jane Braugh who was re-elected with 1773
votes. All candidates were sworn in to their respective offices
by Chief District Judge Phil Lujan immediately after the
results were announced.
Vice Chairman Capps spoke briefly of how the Family
Reunion Festival came to be and how it has evolved. She then
announced the winners of the Art Competition. In the
"Other" category Jake Morrell won first place for his beaded
bandolier; Dennis Buchanan took second place for his
stained glass piece entitled "Before and After"; and, Alychia
Wooten placed third for her shawl depicting "Women and
their power". In the Photography/Painting category Abigail
Looper won first place for "The Hunt"; Amy Scott won second
place for "Moon Gazer" and Drake VanVacter took third for
his painting of his favorite football player "Jaire Alexander".
Pam Donaldson won in the Professional category.
Chairman Barrett closed the meeting by thanking the Council
for giving him an 11th term and promised it would be the best
yet.
Adjournment: There being no further business before the
Council, a motion to adjourn was made by Jack Barrett and
seconded by Aaron Capps. Meeting adjourned at 5:20pm.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of
the Minutes from the General Council meeting held on June
28, 2025, as approved on the 28th day of June, 2026.
D. Wayne Trousdale,
Secretary-Treasurer
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Minutes
Quarterly Legislative Meeting
June 29, 2026
Present: Chairman John A. Barrett, Vice Chairman Linda Capps, Secretary-Treasurer D.
Wayne Trousdale and Representatives David Barrett, Jon Boursaw, Bobbi Bowden,
Dave Carney, Eva Marie Carney, Mark Johnson, Steve Livingston, Rande Payne, Paul
Schmidlkofer, Brenda Trevino, Andy Walters, and Paul Wesselhoft.
Absent: None.
Guests: Jade McShannon, Angela Williams, Jaelin Smith, Lily Mitchell, Michaela Shunk,
Nicole DeVader, Zola Batson, Alessandra Velasquez, Brooke Acebo, Mars Pursley,
Connor Harris, Rachel Watson, Rylen Bruehl, George Wright, Madeline Taomia, Alisha
Payne and Jamie Moucka.
Call to order: Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 9:10am followed by the
invocation.
First item of business: Minutes from the previous meeting of May 28, 2026. Motion to
approve the minutes as read was made by Representative Jon Boursaw and seconded
by Representative Paul Wesselhoft. The motion passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0
absent and 0 abstaining.
Second item of business: Resolution 27-01-J&PS: A Resolution approving the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the United States Department of
Justice Office on Violence Against Women fy2026 grants to Indian Tribal Governments
Program. Motion to approve Resolution 27-01-J&PS was made by Jon Boursaw and
seconded by Paul Wesselhoft. The motion passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent
and 0 abstaining.
9:45am Recess: Executive Session
12:37pm Reconvene
Third item of business: Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by Representative
Schmidlkofer and seconded by Representative Bowden. The motion passed with 15 in
favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining. The meeting adjourned at 12:40pm on
June29, 2026.
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Minutes
Quarterly meeting
6-29-2026
CERTIFICATION
The Legislature of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation hereby certifies that the foregoing is
a true and exact copy of the Minutes from the Quarterly Legislative Meeting held June
29, 2026, as approved on this day of , 2026, with 16 voting for,
0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
D. Wayne Trousdale
Secretary- Treasurer
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Minutes
Special Electronic Legislative Meeting
July 13-July 21, 2026
Present: Chairman John A. Barrett, Vice Chairman Linda Capps, Secretary-Treasurer D.
Wayne Trousdale and Representatives David Barrett, Jon Boursaw, Bobbi Bowden,
Dave Carney, Eva Marie Carney, Mark Johnson, Steve Livingston, Rande Payne, Paul
Schmidlkofer, Brenda Trevino, Andy Walters, and Paul Wesselhoft.
Absent: None.
Guests: None.
Call to order: Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 9:20am.
First item of business: Resolution 27-02-TC&A: A Resolution approving the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the United States Department of
Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families fy2026 Native
American Language Preservation and Maintenance Program. Motion to approve
Resolution 27-02-TC&A was made by Paul Schmidlkofer and seconded by Jon Boursaw.
The motion passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
Second item of business: Resolution 27-03-NR: A Resolution approving the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation's application for funding under the United States Department of
Commerce fy2026 Native Entities Grant Program. Motion to approve Resolution 27-01-
NR was made by Paul Schmidlkofer and seconded by Jon Boursaw. The motion
passed with 15 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining.
Third item of business: Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by Representative
Walters and seconded by Representative Livingston. The motion passed with 15 in
favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent and 0 abstaining. The meeting adjourned at 5:50pm on
July 21, 2026.
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Minutes
Special Electronic Legislative Meeting
7-21-2026
CERTIFICATION
The Legislature of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation hereby certifies that the foregoing is
a true and exact copy of the Minutes from the Special Electronic Legislative Meeting
held July 13 through July 21, 2026, as approved on this day of ,
2026, with 16 voting for, 0 opposed, 0 absent and
0 abstaining.
D. Wayne Trousdale
Secretary- Treasurer
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