Native American Commission - October 4, 2018 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Thursday, October 4, 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, October 4, 2018.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Sharon White Bear, John Strand, Guy Fox, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson, Whitney Fear
Absent: Ruth Buffalo, Chalsey Snyder
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair White Bear welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Prayer
Chair White Bear led the Board in a prayer.
Item 3. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Fear moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the September 6, 2018 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member King. On the call of the roll Members Fear, Fox, King, Knutson, and White Bear voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Buffalo and Snyder. The motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Presentation: Janelle Brandon, Sanford Women’s Community Education
Janelle Brandon, Sanford Women’s Community Education, gave a presentation to the Board regarding a new program established through a grant offering Native American families free doula services.
Member Strand Present.
Discussion was held regarding cultural competency training and incorporating traditions.
Member Fear was appointed as the Board contact for this program.
Item 5. Budget Request: Busing for Indigenous People’s Day
Chair White Bear noted this funding request has been withdrawn due to the busing fees already being covered.
Chair White Bear presented a new funding request for $1000 to the Four Directions Newsletter, to assist in the recovery of data and a new computer. This request will be formally submitted and presented to the Native American Commission Executive and Finance Committee.
Item 6. Budget Review
Chair White Bear noted that the budget review will be continued to a later date, to be heard at a special meeting. She noted the intended purpose of the meeting is to discuss team building, education, and strategic planning.
Item 7. Indigenous Peoples’ Day Update – October 8th
a. Approve Gladys Ray Award winner
Chair White Bear noted the Gladys Ray family received 2 nominations and are recommending Willard Yellow Bird as the recipient of this year’s award.
Member Fear moved to accept the recommendation of the Gladys Ray family and approve Willard Yellow Bird as the Gladys Ray Award winner. Second by Member Knutson. Members King, Fox, Strand, Fear, Knutson, and White Bear voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Snyder and Buffalo. The motion was declared carried.
b. Event rundown
Chair White Bear noted that plans are moving quickly. She noted there is a press release coming out today. She provided a background of the flag presentation.
Discussion was held on marketing and outreach of the event.
Item 8. Public Relations Update
Chair White Bear noted this item be continued to the next meeting when Member Buffalo is present.
Item 9. Native Programs Special Committee Update
Discussion was held on the need to remove items from the Native American Center and relocate to a storage site.
Item 10. Sweat Lodge Opened
Member Fox shared that the Sweat Lodge has been re-opened, and reservations are being taken with new policy in place. He noted there are pending logistics to be worked out before winter and there is a need to purchase a shed.
Item 11. Public Comment
No public comment was given.
Item 12. Announcements
Member Fox shared that the Fargo-Moorhead Crossroads International Pow Wow will be held October 13-14, 2018 at the Scheels Arena.
Chair White Bear provided a reminder that the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration is on Monday, October 8th.
Item 13. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:52 p.m.