Native American Commission - January 7, 2021 Minutes

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, January 7, 2021.

The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:

Present: Whitney Fear, John Strand, Sonya Donahue, Anna Johnson, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson

Absent: Chalsey Snyder, Sharon White Bear

Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair King opened in prayer, welcomed Members to the meeting, and introductions were made.

Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Fear moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the December 3, 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 provided.

Item 4. Indigenous Association Report
Member Fear provided an update from the Indigenous Association highlighting that arrangements are being finalized for a rental space. She noted a press release will be released soon with more information.

Member Fear additionally shared the Indigenous Association was awarded a grant from the Upper Midwest Assembly.

Item 5. Subcommittee Reports
No subcommittee reports were presented.

Item 6. Announcements
Member Knutson shared that Fargo Public Schools has chosen new name for Woodrow Wilson School and the name Dakota was chosen. She noted the School Board has been having discussions on how Dakota would be spelled; noting they want to make sure the name change is done in an inclusive and healthy way.

Discussion was held on contacts to connect with, building a story behind the name, and the importance of honoring Native American tribes.

Item 7. Staff Report
Assistant Planner Karin Flom noted the staff report is included in the meeting packet.

Lt. George Vinson, Fargo Police Department, provided an update on the committee working to develop a mission statement, vision, and values for the Fargo Police Department.

Item 8. Adjourn – Next Meeting February 4, 2021
The time of adjournment was 12:24 p.m.