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April HOWNIKAN Candidate Q & A (submitted March 10, 2026)
What experiences do you have that can be applied to this position with the Tribe?
I have over 15 years experience as a Technical Trainer of software programs before I purchased and successfully managed a manufacturing business from 2014 to 2023. I bring a wide variety of transferable skills to the table. I am experienced at interacting with people and understanding their challenges, then helping them achieve solutions. I have extensive knowledge of planning and managing events, understanding budgets, research, and organizing and coordinating work flows. I genuinely like people, which leads to my greatest gift; the ability to really lean in and listen to people, hear their needs, and assist in resolutions.
What do you hope to accomplish during your time in office if elected?
• Promote policies that lead to transparent and accountable leadership. Clear communication establishes trust regarding leadership decisions.
• Identify and create opportunities for citizens where education and participation can help each one comfortably and confidently embrace their identity as a Citizen Potawatomi person.
• Engage more completely with citizens across District 5. Increased connection and involvement opportunities can diminish apathy and increase voter turnout.
• Advocate for citizen input and participation in ways such as mentorship and councils.
• Provide ample notice when scheduling events and classes. Advanced notice allows for planning, and results in greater participation.
Describe an effective Tribal leader.
An effective Tribal leader must focus on being the balance between tradition and culture, and organizational operations and progress. This is a very difficult position and requires a person who can set aside his or her ego and their personal measures and ideas of success, and really listen and hear what makes the whole citizen population feel like we are successful as a Nation. What good is enterprise growth when it is not felt at a personal level? This is the most frequent angst that I personally hear at the ground level from other Citizen Potawatomi people.
How do you plan to engage Tribal citizens?
We live in a time where we are blessed with a variety of ways we can communicate and engage with each other. I activily use many communication methods currently such as the District 5 website, District 5 facebook page, text, email, and my personal favorite: face to face. If elected I will also schedule regular district meetings, district-specific meetups during larger events, and meet in person when needed. People crave human connection and I am blessed to be comfortable using any and all means of communication to engage with Tribal citizens in their comfort zone.
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March HOWNIKAN Candidate Q & A (submitted February 11, 2026)
Pėtëgizhgokwé is my Potawatomi name.
I am a member of the La Reau / Higbee / Bertrand / Bourassa families.
I live in Colorado.
I have a Bachelor's in Technical Communication and worked in that field for seventeen years.
I have owned and operated a successful candle manufacturing business since 2014.
I am committed to helping people and I feel that this is the right time for me to serve as your District 5 Legislator. I hope I can earn your vote.
migwetth, Pėtëgizhgokwé
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The election slate for 2026 has been set for a couple of weeks now and I am posting today to announce my candidacy to run as your District 5 Legislator.
Pėtëgizhgokwé ndezhnëkas, anaké Lorrie Underwood nde zhnëkango. I am a proud Citizen Potawatomi citizen, residing in Colorado in District 5.
I have attended many past District 5 meetings and have always been inspired by mémégwékwé - Gene Lambert. She personally encouraged me to run for this position while I visited with her at one of those meetings a few years ago. She has truly left big shoes to fill and a standard for the next legislator to live up to. She served as a strong bridge between the citizens of District 5 and our Citizen Potawatomi government and I look forward to the opportunity to serve as gracefully as she did.
I am a dedicated observer of the many citizens involved in the variety of CPN facebook groups and I see a repeat theme of citizens desiring community. I plan to advocate for more opportunities for District 5 citizens to experience community in ways that resonate with them on their personal level. I see many circumstances that would benefit by having advisory councils comprised of youth, elders, and other citizens of all ages and all social strata.
I feel strongly that we Citizen Potawatomi citizens can greatly benefit from learning more deeply the values of our indian way of life and how these values can benefit our tribe in all areas. We, as a nation, can help that goal by learning these values and implementing them in our own lives, and holding our government to this standard with our vote.
As a Citizen Potawatomi citizen, I am pleased that our government regularly reports the financial success of our business ventures, and I would like to see that success trickle down to citizens in all districts in many ways including health awareness, education opportunities, citizens success stories, the importance of learning and using our language, and gathering together to learn about, and deepen our indian way of life on each citizen’s personal level.
I am committed to connecting with any and all of the wonderful citizens of our Citizen Potawatomi tribe, regardless of their district of residence. I hope to get to know any of you, and for you to come to know me. I will be honored to earn your vote.
Reach out to me over Facebook messenger, email me at petegizhgokwe@gmail.com, call or text me at 303-507-4393. I am happy to connect and communicate.
Igwiyen