Native American Commission - March 7, 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, March 7, 2019.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Sharon White Bear, Guy Fox, Anna Johnson, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson, Chalsey Snyder, Whitney Fear, Heather Keeler-Johnson
Absent: John Strand
Also Present: Willard Yellow Bird, Jr.
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair White Bear welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Induction of New Member
Willard Yellow Bird, Jr. gave a blessing, prayer, and smudging for the new Native American Commissioner Heather Keeler-Johnson.
Item 3. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Fox moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the February 7, 2019 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Snyder. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Recognize Woman of the Year, Whitney Fear
Chair White Bear acknowledged Whitney Fear, who was honored as one of the 2018 YWCA Women of the Year for the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Item 5. Presentation: Greg Lemke, Rape & Abuse Crisis Center
Greg Lemke, Education Coordinator for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center, distributed a brochure on the “Green Dot Strategy”, a program sponsored by a national group called the Changing Our Environment Committee. He explained the goals and mission of the Green Dot Strategy, which is a bystander intervention program that aims to prevent violence with the help of bystanders. Mr. Lemke invited those interested in participating in a focus group to add their names to the sign-up sheet.
The Board further discussed what the group’s strategy will encompass, the focus on the downtown area, the amount of training time required for volunteers, and the next scheduled meeting to be held on March 21, 2019.
Item 6. MMIP Update
Member Keeler-Johnson presented an update on the MMIP (Missing Murdered Indigenous People) event held on February 14, 2019.
Melanie Moniz, MMIP Task Force advocate, shared an update on the MMIP Human Trafficking bill that was recently passed through the North Dakota Legislature. She will keep the Board updated on future legislative progress.
The Board further discussed sharing data and statistics gathered by the MMIP between the various affiliated groups, and encouraged members to attend and support upcoming legislative hearings in Bismarck; or to contact their local legislators for assistance.
Ms. Moniz also provided handouts to the Board regarding ways to provide testimony at legislative hearings.
Member Snyder requested data sharing on survey distributed at the event and other future data collected.
Item 7. Presentation: Arlette Preston, Arts & Culture Commission Chair
Arlette Preston, Chair of the Fargo Arts and Culture Commission, shared a brochure and a visual presentation, and explained what the term “placemaking” is and what this would mean in our community. She explained the Arts and Culture Commission is reaching out to the City’s boards and commissions and other individuals and groups to provide this information about funds that are available to local artists to participate.
The Board further discussed how the partnerships work, the funding available, and the two application deadlines – one in the spring and one in the fall. Chair Preston stated the deadlines for application will be posted on the City’s website.
Item 8. Public Comment
No public comment was given.
Item 9. Announcements
Member Keeler-Johnson shared posters with the Board for the upcoming 30th Annual Woodlands and High Plains Powwow on Saturday, March 30, 2019. She stated in honor of this being the 30th year of this event, all Native American graduates from the local colleges in the past 30 years will be invited. Member Snyder stated the Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance will have an information table at the event. Chair White Bear noted that the Native American Commission will also have a table at the powwow.
Member Snyder noted the local area Parks and Recreation Departments have scholarships available for children of lower income families to participate in summer program events. She suggested to the Board reviewing the budget to see if there are any funds available for family’s needing further assistance to participate in the programs. Chair White Bear stated this will be added to the next executive meeting agenda for discussion.
Member Snyder also talked about an online private social network for neighborhoods, “Nextdoor” that may be of interest to the Board for advertising activities and events.
Item 10. Staff Report
Member Snyder shared the following contact information regarding tutoring and mentoring services provided by a college student who works with the West Fargo Indian Education Program: Jordan Donner, email jdonner@west-fargo.k12.nd.us, and phone number 701.499.3096. She shared a personal experience with the program, noting this service is available for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Member Johnson shared information about an event she will be part of on March 7, 2019 at the Plains Art Museum.
Member Fox stated there is a Sweat Lodge Event tonight at 7:00 p.m. that is open to the public.
Member Fox stated there is a budget request for $1,000 to help with the additional expenses from the winter celebration event. He will present an itemized breakdown to of the costs to present at the next meeting.
Member Fox talked about a recent FM Crossroads meeting he attended. He invited Board members to visit with him after the meeting for further details.
Item 11. Next Meeting – April 4, 2019
Item 12. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 1:13 p.m.