Native American Commission - April 1, 2021 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, April 1, 2021.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Sharon White Bear, John Strand, Sonya Donahue, Anna Johnson, Rebecca Knutson, Whitney Fear, Emily Sargent
Absent: Lenore King, Chalsey Snyder
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Vice Chair Fear welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda and Minutes
Member Johnson moved the Order of Agenda meeting be approved. Second by Member Knutson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Public Comment
No public comment was presented.
Item 4. Legislative Update
Representative Ruth Buffalo provided an update on recent legislative activity. She encouraged residents to reach out to their respective local representatives to voice their support or concern with legislative issues.
It was noted the minutes of the February 4, 2021 Native American Commission meeting were not approved earlier in the meeting.
Member Johnson moved to approve the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the February 4, 2021 Native American Commission meeting. Second by Member Strand. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 5. Indigenous Association Report
Member Fear provided an update noting the Indigenous Association is in the process of interviewing for the Executive Director position, and work is being done regarding youth flavored tobacco issues in Dilworth and Clay County.
Member White Bear present.
Member Johnson stated she has started the process to plan an event and anyone interested in helping or providing ideas can contact her.
Item 6. Subcommittee Reports
No subcommittee reports were presented.
Member Knutson provided an update from the Fargo Board of Education. She noted the Fargo/West Fargo Indian Education Program recently held their bi-annual public forum highlighting the purpose and some of the challenges of the program.
Discussion was held regarding demographic information and the reporting of Native American students who identify with more than one race.
Item 7. Announcements
Member Johnson shared she will be facilitating a dreamcatcher-making event with Youthworks on April 28 at the Plains Art Museum. She stated to contact Youthworks for registration information.
Planning Coordinator Tia Braseth stated the Executive Director position for North Dakota Indian Affairs is open and the application are being accepted through April 12 on the www.nd.gov website.
Item 8. Staff Report
Fargo Police Lt. George Vinson provided an update on the Fargo Police Department’s development of their Mission, Vision, and Values and shared a brief video of the final product.
Lt. Vinson introduced Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski.
Sgt. Mike Bernier was introduced as the new liaison to the Native American Commission from the Fargo Police Department.
The staff report was in the packet.
Member Fear gave a reminder that all older than age 16 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Item 9. Adjourn – Next Meeting: May 6, 2021
The time of adjournment was 12:50 p.m.