Native American Commission - August 1, 2019 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, August 1, 2019.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Sharon White Bear, Lenore King, Whitney Fear, Anna Johnson, Heather Keeler, Chalsey Snyder, Rebecca Knutson, John Strand
Absent: Guy Fox
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Vice Chair King welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Prayer
Member King led the Board in Prayer.
Members White Bear and Snyder present.
Item 3. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member White Bear moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the July 11, 2019 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Fear. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Presentation: Native American Heritage Month
Cassie Wiste, Cultural Diversity Resources, and Lori West, Fargo Public Library, provided a brief presentation of upcoming activities and ideas for Native American Heritage month in November. They provided the Board with a handout of the events held in 2017 and 2018, and noted the next planning meeting for 2019 has not been set.
Discussion was held on the importance of these events, the impact they can have for the community, the need for accurate education on Native American history, and displaying the tribal flags in City Hall.
Member Johnson present.
Item 5. Budget Review and Proposal
Director of Planning and Development Nicole Crutchfield provided an overview of the City budget process and timeline. She noted that the packet included the current 2019 Native American Commission budget, and discussion would be occurring in the fall regarding the 2020 budget.
Discussion was held regarding the current budget, cost of sweat lodge operations, establishing a policy for sponsorship requests, and scheduling a follow-up meeting for strategic planning.
Item 6. Sponsorship Request: FM Crossroads
Member King presented the sponsorship request from FM Crossroads for $10,000 and provided an overview of the event.
Discussion was held regarding the amount of the sponsorship request, being mindful of other sponsorship requests, the intended use of the sponsorship funds, the event being reliant on the Native American Commission sponsorship or being able to occur without it, the art festival planned to run in conjunction with the powwow, and the location of the event.
No applicant was present to speak on behalf of the sponsorship request.
Member Johnson shared that the event is planning to collaborate with the Plains Art Museum to display Native artists' work.
Joe Williams, Plains Art Museum Associate Director of Native Programs, informed the Board that the Plains Art Museum would be providing stipends to Native artists that will be displaying at the event.
Discussion continued on the options regarding action on this item. Member Snyder stated she would like a representative of the application present to answer questions before making a decision on the request.
Member Snyder moved to table this item to the September 5 Native American Commission meeting. Second by Member Fear. Majority of Members present voted aye; Chair White Bear noted two members voted nay; and the motion was declared carried.
Item 7. Event Updates
Member King provided an update on the upcoming Native American Community Picnic. Member Snyder noted that the event will be held on Saturday, August 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Oak Grove Park, and highlighted activities planned for the event.
Chair White Bear stated there will be a table at the picnic representing the 2020 Census, and they are looking for volunteers to sign-up to assist with the Native American count during the Census.
Item 8. Public Comment
Member Keeler shared that Moorhead Indian Education is doing a school supply giveaway on August 7, and more information can be found on the Moorhead Indian Education Facebook page.
Member Strand noted that the cities of Moorhead and Grand Forks have recently approved creating Indigenous Peoples Day. Discussion was held on how the Native American Commission could acknowledge them and ways to collaborate events between the Fargo and Moorhead.
Assistant Planner Catlyn Christie shared that the next planning meeting for Indigenous Peoples Day has not been set yet.
Item 9. Announcements
Member Fear shared an indigenous breast-feeding training class will be held in Fort Yates at Prairie Knights Casino, on August 26-30. She noted that a scholarship is available and the application deadline is August 9.
Member Knutson shared the PRIDE event is being held August 10, and the Native American Commission will have a table. Ms. Christie stated she will send the schedule sign-up sheet to the Board Members for the time slots still available.
Member Snyder provided a reminder of the Native American Picnic happening on August 3.
Joe Williams, Plains Art Museum Associate Director of Native Programs, shared the Plains Art Museum is working on a facilities master plan. He noted they are working to create a Native American Art Center within the Museum, and he will keep the Native American Commission updated.
Chair White Bear gave a reminder that the Native American Commission has a Facebook page, and encouraged Members to submit events and updates to be posted.
Mr. Williams also noted that the museum has a quarterly publication where events can be listed and to connect with him to submit event and announcement details.
Item 10. Staff Report
Ms. Crutchfield stated that the (RFQ) Request for Qualifications for the Native American Center position closed on July 29. She noted that about a dozen applications were received and the City review process is being followed. She asked Board Members that have additional review rubric criteria to email Ms. Christie and to share interest in being on the selection committee with Chair White Bear.
Ms. Crutchfield gave an update on strategic planning efforts and shared that the Mayor has laid out five goals for the City. She stated that staff is using the five goals as a focus point for strategic planning, and will work with the Native American Commission to work through these goals.
Item 11. Next Meeting – September 5, 2019
Item 12. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 1:18 p.m.