Native American Commission - January 4, 2024 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Native American Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, January 4, 2024.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Whitney Johnson, Ashley Littlewolf (via conference call), Amanda Strauss, Suzanne Senske (via conference call), Lisa Ducheneaux
Absent: Emily Sargent, Dale Sayers
Also Present: City Commissioner John Strand and Fargo School Board Liaison Seth Holden.
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Johnson welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made. She also introduced and welcomed new Member Lisa Ducheneaux to the Board.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Strauss moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the September 7, 2023 and November 2, 2023 Native American Commission meetings be approved. Second by Member Ducheneaux. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Public Comment
No public comments were made.
Item 4. Indigenous Association Report
Brandon Baity, Interim Executive Director of the Indigenous Association, shared that in 2024 they will be hiring for part time positions. He stated more information can be found at indgns.org or facebook.com/IndigenousAssociation.
Mr. Baity noted that there will be an open craft night every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Indigenous Association.
He also shared the Indigenous Association will be looking for volunteers and information can be found on their website and Facebook page.
Item 5. Subcommittee Reports
Member Senske gave a report for the Education and Cultural Awareness Subcommittee. She stated the Subcommittee Members participated in a Listen Session with the Fargo Public Schools Superintendent. She also noted the Indian Education Program currently has a job opening posted on the Fargo Public Schools website.
Member Littlewolf gave an update for the Housing Subcommittee, stating they are currently looking at different focus areas that Board Members want to support and be involved with.
Item 6. Staff Reports
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Ahmed Schiil invited the community to the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The event will take place at the Fargo Theater on Monday January 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.
City Commissioner John Strand noted the leaders of the Diversion Authority asked to be connected to leaders in the Native American Community regarding building cultural awareness into the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project.
Item 7. Announcements
Member Strauss shared there will be a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons event held on February 14, at the Indigenous Association. She noted the time is not set yet, but will most likely be held around 12:00 p.m. She directed those interested to check the Indigenous Association’s website.
Item 8. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:18 p.m.