Native American Commission Minutes - June 7, 2018
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, June 7, 2018.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Sharon White Bear, John Strand, Guy Fox, Ruth Buffalo, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson, Chalsey Snyder, Whitney Fear
Absent: Clinton Alexander
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair White Bear welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Fox moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the May 3, 2018 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member King. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Installation of New Members
Members Snyder and Strand present.
Chair White Bear gave the explanation on the Honoring Ceremony in the Native Culture and Tradition, the Native American Commission has been doing ever since the formation of the Native American Commission. Members Whitney Fear and Chalsey Snyder were welcomed to the Board.
Member Buffalo lead the Board in a prayer.
Item 4: Public Comment
Barb Larson and Brittany Engebretson, Lutheran Social Services, spoke to the Board regarding a Practicing Restorative Justice Conference with Peacemaking Circle training that is being planned for November. They are hoping to have collaboration with this Board. Member King volunteered to attend the informational meeting.
Tawny Cale, Moorhead resident and former member on the Moorhead Indian Education Parent Committee, shared with the Board that she recently attended a language event and would like to see more language opportunities brought to local students. Ms. Cale shared a sample packet she received at her training.
Item 5. Native American Center Presentation – Guy Fox
Member Fox presented preliminary plans and concepts for a Native American Center to serve multiple needs of the community. He noted partnership with Prairie St. John’s. Mr. Fox noted that operation and maintenance would be a large hurdle for the facility.
Member Strand expressed that this is a great vision for the community and future.
Item 6. Announcements
Member Strand shared that there is a now a Native American Member, Joe Anderson, on the Arts and Culture Commission.
Member King provided an overview of the Fargo Marathon event.
Member King shared that the Mini Pow-Wow will be held August 5, 2018 in conjunction with the Fargo Project at Rabanus Park.
Item 7. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:47 p.m.