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Native American Commission - August 2, 2018 Minutes

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Native American Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, August 2, 2018.

The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:

Present: Sharon White Bear, John Strand, Guy Fox, Ruth Buffalo, Lenore King, Chalsey Snyder, Whitney Fear

Absent: Rebecca Knutson, Clinton Alexander

Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair White Bear welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.

Item 2. Prayer
Member Fox lead the Board in a Prayer.

A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of Savanna Greywind.

Item 3. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Fox moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the July 5, 2018 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member King. On the call of the roll Members Buffalo, Fox, King, Strand, and White Bear voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Alexander, Fear, Knutson, and Snyder. The motion was declared carried.

Item 4. Presentation: American Indian Public Health Resource Center – Melissa Nadeau, Vanessa Tibbitts, Gretchen Dobervich, and Ryan Eagle
Pearl Walker-Sweeney, Vanessa Tibbitts, Gretchen Dobervich, and Ryan Eagle from the American Indian Public Health Resources Center gave a presentation to the Board on a developing education program, Native STAND (Students Together Against Negative Decisions), to train youth on healthy decision making.

Members Fear and Snyder Present.

A funding request will be taken to the Executive Committee for recommendation.

Item 5. Roles & Responsibilities
Chair White Bear asked that any input be submitted to staff, and the roles & responsibilities will be confirmed at the next meeting.

Item 6. Budget Request
a. The Human Family
Shawn Coffman, Executive Director of the Human Family, presented a sponsorship request for the North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival. He provided a background and schedule for the event.

The funding request will be taken to the Executive Committee for recommendation.

Item 7. Fargo Project Update – August 5th
Member King and Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield gave a background and update about the event.

Item 8. Native American Picnic Update – August 25th
An update was given on the Native American Picnic to be held at Oak Grove Park on August 25th.

Item 9. Navy Week Update
Member Fear shared that the Native American Committee hosted Master Chief Osborne from the US Navy Pacific Fleet at the West Fargo VFW. She noted that Veterans services were discussed and the event went smoothly.

Item 10. Indigenous People’s Day Update
Chair White Bear provided a brief update and stated that the next meeting will be held on August 8th.

Item 11. Sweat Lodge Update
Member Fox gave an update on the Sweat Lodge. He noted that the roles and responsibilities are being updated and that site improvements are needed before new reservations will be taken.

Item 12. Public Comment
No public comment was given.

Commissioner John Strand asked about an update on the Native American Center. Chair White Bear stated she would work on getting information and an update to provide at the next Board meeting.

Item 13. Announcements
August 19th is wear red day city wide in honor of Savanna Greywind.

Nominations are being accepted for the Indigenous Peoples Day awards.

Tia Braseth, Planning Coordinator, was introduced to the Committee as a new member of the City Planning Department Community Development team.

Item 14. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:50 p.m.