Native American Commission - September 6, 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, September 6, 2018.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Guy Fox, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson, Chalsey Snyder, Whitney Fear, John Strand (via conference call)
Absent: Sharon White Bear, Ruth Buffalo
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Vice Chair King welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Prayer
Member Fear led the Board in a prayer.
Item 3. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Fox moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the August 2, 2018 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Snyder. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4. Approve Roles & Responsibilities
Assistant Planner Catlyn Christie noted a change in the wording from positively to respectfully.
Member Fox read the Mission Statement and reviewed Responsibilities as included in the packet.
Ms. Christie shared that an updated list of committee members was included in the packet noting Chair White Bear to be removed from the Public Relations Committee and added to the Health and Wellness Committee.
Member Fox read the members included on each committee.
Member Knutson move to approve the Native American Roles & Responsibilities as presented. Second by Member Snyder. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 5. Budget Updates & Requests/Recommendations
5a. Update: 4U Community Outreach Sponsorship
Member King provided an update on the sponsorship events thanking the Native American Commission for the $100 that was approved.
5b. Update: Navy Week Flags
Member Fear gave an update that the invoice for food has not been submitted, but that $150 has been paid for the drums.
5c. Request: Native STAND
Ms. Christie gave an overview of the Native STAND program and noted that the Native American Commission Executive Committee recommend a total of $500, split between 2018 and 2019 because the Native STAND event is scheduled for summer of 2019.
Member Fox moved to approve $250 in 2018 and $250 in 2019 for the Native STAND programs. Second by Member Fear. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
5d. Request: The Human Family
Ms. Christie noted that the Native American Executive Committee recommended approval of $500 for The Human Family Film and Arts Festival.
Member Fox moved to approve $500. Second by Member Knutson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6. Sweat Lodge Committee Update
Member Fox presented an update on the sweat lodge.
Amanda Vivier, local resident, shared frustrations and concerns regarding the sweat lodge and it currently being closed. She noted she would like to see a more diverse group of elders working together to develop the use policy and procedures without bias.
Member Fox gave a brief background on the sweat lodge, how it works, and an overview of issues related to maintaining traditional rules in an urban setting.
Discussion was held regarding possible solutions to re-open the sweat lodge.
Joann Stately, shared that she would like to see roles put into place without bias and suggested moving the sweat lodge to a quieter place.
Discussion continued regarding scheduling the next Sweat Lodge Committee meeting and the process of calling a special meeting of the Native American Commission.
Item 7. Native American Picnic Debrief
Member Snyder gave an overview of the event and thanked those that volunteered.
Item 8. Indigenous People’s Day Updates
Member Snyder shared that the location has been set for Agassiz School/Woodrow Wilson for October 8, with events starting at 9:30 a.m.
Item 9. Native Programs
Member Fear noted a handout was given to the Board regarding Native Programs. She noted storage is needed for current items at the Native American Center.
Discussion was held regarding a timeline of when items need to be removed and the options and cost for storage of items.
Member Snyder moved to form a Special Projects Committee for removal of items from the Native American Center. Second by Member Knutson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Snyder nominated Members Knutson, Fear, Fox, and Snyder to serve on the Special Projects Committee. Second by Member Knutson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 10. Public Comment
Public comment noted under Item 6.
Item 11. Announcements
Member Snyder noted she will review the by-laws regarding calling a special meeting of the Native American Commission.
Member Fox shared that Scott Satermo will be hosting a meet and greet at the Fargo Hilton Garden Inn from 6-8 p.m., September 6th, regarding his campaign.
Item 12. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 1:08 p.m.