Native American Commission Minutes - May 6, 2021
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, May 6, 2021.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Sharon White Bear, John Strand, Sonya Donahue, Anna Johnson, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson, Emily Sargent, Chalsey Snyder (via conference call)
Absent: Whitney Fear
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair King welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Johnson moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Knutson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Johnson moved the minutes of the April 1, 2021 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member White Bear. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Sargent present.
Item 5 was heard before Item 3.
Item 3: Public Comment
Tracey Wilke spoke in support of the local Muslim community.
Ambrosia Yellow Bird shared information on a march happening tomorrow, May 7, 2021 for Murdered, Missing, and Indigenous Persons (MMIP). She noted the event will be held at Island Park, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Fargo Police Lt. Bill Ahlfeldt stated he would like to work with Ms. Yellow Bird to ensure safety at the event.
Item 4: Statement of Solidarity with FM Muslim Community
Chair King noted that Member Fear was to present this item, however is absent.
Item 5. Legislative Update
Representative Ruth Buffalo provided an update on the legislative session highlighting approved legislation.
Item 6. Indigenous Association Report
Member Johnson noted the new location is located in the Plains Art Museum and stated a new Executive Director has been hired.
Item 7. Subcommittee Reports
Member White Bear spoke on behalf of the housing subcommittee noting they have been in contact with the Cass Clay Community Land Trust, and shared intent to partner with them.
Member Johnson spoke on behalf of the education subcommittee.
Member Snyder noted that Fargo Public Schools Indian Education Department has their newsletter available.
Item 8. Announcements
Chair King noted the packet contains a flier for a healing event being held June 5 at Bonanzaville.
Chair King also shared that The Human Family is hiring a North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival Native American Programs Director, and additional information is in the packet.
Member Johnson shared additional information on the June 5 event at Bonanzaville.
Item 9. Staff Report
Chair King stated the staff report is included in the packet.
Lt. Bill Ahlfeldt introduced himself and Sgt. Mike Bernier as the new liaisons to the Native American Commission from the Fargo Police Department. Lt. Ahlfeldt shared that a suicide awareness video will be released by the Fargo Police Department on May 10.
Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski introduced himself to the Board.
Member Snyder stated she is excited to see some of the initiatives to address Native American bias in the community, and would like to know more about the process and timeline.
Chief Zibolski highlighted that the Fargo Police department will be taking part in a 6-hour implicit bias training in the upcoming weeks. He also stated the Police Department liaisons to the Native American Commission have the knowledge to address concerns and build trust in the community.
Member Snyder moved to table Item 4 to the next meeting. Second by Member Johnson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Discussion was held on advocating for the community and having no room in Fargo for hate.
Item 10. Adjourn – Next Meeting: June 3, 2021
The time of adjournment was 12:43 p.m.