Native American Commission - September 5, 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, September 5, 2019.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Sharon White Bear, John Strand, Guy Fox, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson, Chalsey Snyder, Whitney Fear, Heather Keeler
Absent: Anna Johnson
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.
Item 3. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Strand moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the August 1, 2019 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Knutson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Presentation: High Plains Fair Housing, Michelle Rydz
Angela Urlacher, High Plains Fair Housing Specialist, provided a background of the services the High Plains Fair Housing Center provides to promote fair housing practices in North Dakota. She handed out a folder of information to the Board Members.
Member White Bear present.
Ms. Urlacher shared they have conducted research and have evidence there is still housing discrimination in North Dakota. She highlighted research they conducted on LGBTQ housing. She also noted they are looking for “secret shoppers” to assist with the process to see if discrimination is taking place, particularly Native Americans.
Member Snyder present.
Item 5. Presentation: 2020 Census, Audra Stonefish
Chair White Bear stated that volunteers are needed to help with the registration of Native Americans for the 2020 Census. She noted that Audra Stonefish was unable to attend today’s meeting.
Item 6. Sponsorship Request: FM Crossroads Powwow
Scott Satermo, FM Crossroads, provided a brief history of the FM Crossroads Powwow.
Discussion was held regarding the intended use of the requested $10,000, plans for future funding requests, and what other funding relationships exist for the Powwow.
Member Fox spoke on behalf of FM Crossroads, noting that this is the largest Powwow in the region.
Discussion continued on venue options for the event.
Member Knutson moved to approve the $10,000 sponsorship for the FM Crossroads Powwow. Second by Member King. On call of the roll Members Keeler, Fear, King, Knutson, Strand, Snyder, and White Bear voted aye. Member Fox abstained from voting. Absent and not voting: Member Johnson. The motion was declared carried.
Item 7. Budget Proposal
Chair White Bear presented the proposed budget.
Member Snyder moved to approve the proposed budget for the remainder of 2019. Second by Member King. On call of the roll Members Knutson, Snyder, Fox, Keeler, Fear, King, Strand, and White Bear voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Johnson. The motion was declared carried.
Item 8. Indigenous Peoples Day – October 14, 2019
Member Keeler shared there will be a presentation held in the Moorhead City Hall, and gave an overview of events scheduled for the day. She noted that citizens and those willing to volunteer could find more information on the Moorhead Indigenous Peoples Day Facebook page.
Discussion was held noting the Gladys Ray award will be awarded on that day, and that applications are available on the City of Fargo website. The deadline for applications is September 25.
Item 9. Public Comment
Edwin Hahn, Lightspring Co-founder and CEO, provided a brief background on the company and the work they have been doing with the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, regarding energy storage systems and creating energy independence. He noted that he wanted to introduce himself and would like to return to a future Native American Commission meeting to give a formal presentation.
Item 10. Announcements
Chair White Bear shared that upcoming classes will be held for training to become a Qualified Expert Witness (QEW) in the community. She spoke on the importance of QEW’s for child custody cases, and stated that those wanting more information can contact her.
Chair White Bear also shared that additional school supplies have been donated for MHA (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) Nation students, and can be picked up at 401 3rd Avenue North in Fargo.
Member Keeler shared that the Moorhead Public Schools have an open position for the Native American Liaison position.
Item 11. Staff Report
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield provided an update on the status of hiring a Consultant for the Native American Center. She noted that three finalists have been interviewed, and a recommendation should be made at the next Native American Commission meeting.
Assistant Planner Catlyn Christie provided a handout to the Board regarding upcoming Strategic Planning Units. She provided an overview of the materials and goals, and asked the Board to review and provide feedback for the next meeting.
Item 12. Next Meeting – October 3, 2019
Item 13. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 1:06 p.m.