Native American Commission Minutes - November 5, 2020
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Native American Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held virtually in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2020.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson, John Strand, Sonya Donahue, Anna Johnson, Chalsey Snyder, Whitney Fear, Heather Keeler
Absent: Sharon White Bear
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair King opened the meeting in prayer, welcomed Members, and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Snyder moved the Order of Agenda be approved. Second by Member Keeler. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Snyder moved the minutes of the October 1, 2020 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Johnson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3. Public Comment
No public comment was provided.
Item 4: Presentation: Trenton Gerads, Cass Clay Community Land Trust
Trenton Gerads, Executive Director for the Cass Clay Community Land Trust, provided a background of the Community Land Trust and an overview of how the process works for those needing assistance with home ownership.
Discussion was held on applications, partners that are being worked with, other homeowner buying programs, if COVID-19 is affecting the process at all, and how to get the information out to the Native American community.
Mr. Gerads noted that work is being done on a newsletter that will be available for distribution.
Additional discussion was held on the difference between Habitat for Humanity and the Community Land Trust, how the two can collaborate in the future, the financial qualifications, locations, and possible partnerships with the school districts to encourage trade work.
Item 5. Old Business
a. Indigenous Association Update
Member Snyder gave an overview of the Native Vote and Halloween Drive-thru events that were held. She also added that a lease is being reviewed for a physical location for the Association.
Member Fear shared that the two open Board positions are in the process of being filled.
b. Indigenous Peoples’ Day Summary
Member King stated that the event held in conjunction with the Indigenous Association went well. She noted the activities of the day will be posted on the Native American Commission website.
Member Snyder shared that the live stream videos throughout the day were well viewed.
Item 6. COVID-19 Update
Member Fear stated that cases have been increasing and some cities do have mask mandates now. She noted the importance of taking this virus seriously and additionally provided an overview of the flu shot and encouraged all to get one.
Item 7. Subcommittee Reports
Member Snyder shared that the Education and Cultural Awareness Subcommittee has received a submission from North Dakota State University (NDSU) regarding the land acknowledgement statement.
Laura Oster-Aaland and Tara Nelson spoke on behalf of NDSU presenting the final statement to the Board, reviewing the background, and shared a plan for how they intend to use the statement in the future.
Member Snyder moved that the Native American Commission approve by a letter of support, the NDSU Land Acknowledgment Statement. Second be Member Johnson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
There was no update from the Housing Subcommittee.
Member Fear noted no updates from the Health and Wellness Subcommittee; however, she shared that the Gladys Ray Shelter has been doing work with the Old Police Station to be used this winter season for overflow.
Item 8. Announcements
Member Snyder shared that the FM Caring Catalog goes live on November 24, and encouraged others to go to the FM Area Foundation website to donate.
Chair King stated that on November 6 at 8:00 am, Food of the North will be holding an event on Native American Food Ways. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
Thanks were extended to FM Indian Education for their wonderful help with Indigenous People Day, and special thanks to Melody and Darlene.
Congratulations was extended to Member Keeler on being elected as the Minnesota State Representative for District 8.
Member Keeler stated a lunch and learn will be held on November 9 at noon on why representation matters in education. Registration is through MState.
Item 9. Staff Report
The October Staff Report was included in the meeting packet.
Item 10. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 1:00 p.m.