Native American Commission - October 6, 2022 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, October 6, 2022.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Whitney Fear, Emily Sargent (via conference call), Seth Holden, John Strand, Ashley Littlewolf, Dale Sayers, Amanda Strauss
Absent: Suzanne Senske, Sharon White Bear
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Fear welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Commissioner Strand moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the August 4, 2022 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Littlewolf. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Statement on October 3, 2022 City Commission Meeting
Chair Fear addressed the comments made by Deputy Mayor Dave Piepkorn during the City Commission Meeting on October 3, 2022.
Chair Fear opened the meeting with a prayer.
Item 4: Unbiased Review Firm Initiative
Chair Fear motioned to recommend the City of Fargo hire an unbiased independent firm to review and provide feedback on the fatal police officer involved shootings of Shane Netterville and Andrew Martinez. A brief discussion was held regarding the Human Rights Commission’s recommendation on hiring an independent firm for an unbiased review. Chair Fear proceeded with a vote. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 5. Public Comment
Darrell Wallette suggested a meeting be held between the Native American Commission and Deputy Mayor Piepkorn to discuss the comments that were made at the October 3, 2022 City Commission meeting.
Carissa Brownotter spoke on the comments made by Deputy Mayor Piepkorn. Ms. Brownotter also invited members of the community to harvest at the Indigenous Community Garden located by the Gladys Ray shelter. She gave an update on a survey for Indigenous Peoples needs in Fargo that will be open until Monday, October 10. Ms. Brownotter noted she is applying for a USDA grant as well and asked if the City would support it.
Wess Philome spoke on the unbiased firm review and asked about the cost of the study that was performed regarding the New American population a few years back. He suggested a study be done in regards to the Native American population.
Chair Fear stated that the study regarding the New American population was done in addition to Lutheran Social Services and the Department of Health provided the reports for the study.
Faith Dixon spoke on the comments made by Deputy Mayor Piepkorn. She stated more needs to be done about the comments made on October 3, 2022 and previous comments that have been made.
Item 6. Truth & Reconciliation Day – September 30
Chair Fear announced that a joint proclamation was signed by the Mayors of Moorhead and Fargo declaring September 30 as Truth and Reconciliation Day. In honor of Truth and Reconciliation Day, City Hall was lit orange. A brief video Chair Fear and Member Sergeant helped produce was shown.
Item 7. Indigenous Peoples’ Day – October 10
Chair Fear provided information on community events for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 10. She also spoke on the possibility of drafting a bill to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a Federal Holiday.
Item 8. Indigenous Association Report
Interim Executive Director Brandon Baity stated a flyer will be made with information for the events on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and also announced a grant from COVID funds was received allowing for more programming to be provided. He asked that people follow the Indigenous Association’s Facebook page as that is where events will be posted. Mr. Baity also provided his email address brandon@indgns.org for the community to contact him.
Item 9. Subcommittee Reports
Chair Fear stated there is an updated list of subcommittee members in the packet.
Member Littlewolf noted the Education and Cultural Awareness Subcommittee started meeting with the Fargo and West Fargo Indian Education Program to start building the relationship and speak about needs. Ms. Littlewolf also spoke on the Mellon Grant through Concordia that addresses reparations for Native American people in North Dakota.
Member Sargeant provided an update on the Health and Wellness Subcommittee, stating there are future plans to meet and talk about potential opportunities for partnering with other agencies in the community.
Item 10. Staff Reports
Lori West, Fargo Public Library, gave an update on programming and book clubs provided by the Library.
Mike Mitchell, City of Fargo Human Resources, provided an update on the Diversity and Inclusion training for City staff that started five years ago. He also spoke on the RACE exhibit that the City partnered with YWCA to create.
Jan Eliassen, Cass Public Health, shared that the first data specialist for the Harm Reduction Program was hired.
Sandy Berlin, Harm Reduction Advocate, shared her background, and provided information on the Sweet Medicine art studio at the Downtown Engagement Center.
Lisa Lafontaine, Harm Reduction RN, spoke of the experiences she has had with the work she performs. She stated she will be attending a training for sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE), and this training will allow her to help patients who have experienced sexual assault and/or abuse.
Sgt. Cristie Jacobsen, Fargo Police, shared there will be a new application process for the police academy which will begin in January 2023 and stated attendees of the police academy will not be charged and will be paid while attending. She also gave information on the new Juvenile Diversion Education Program that will start in the spring of 2023.
Item 11. Announcements
No announcements were made.
Item 12. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 1:05 p.m.