Native American Commission - May 4, 2023 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, May 4, 2023.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Whitney Fear, Emily Sargent (via conference call), Seth Holden, Sharon White Bear (via conference call), John Strand (via conference call), Ashley Littlewolf, Amanda Strauss
Absent: Dale Sayers, Suzanne Senske
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Fear welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Littlewolf moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the December 1, 2022 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Sargent. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Public Comment
No public comment made.
Item 4: Bylaws
Chair Fear introduced the proposed amendments to the Bylaws regarding meeting schedule and non-voting liaison members.
Discussion was held regarding non-voting members and quorum.
Member Sargent motioned to approve the proposed changes to the Bylaws, changing the frequency of the meetings to meet every other month and converting the Fargo School Board and City Commission members to non-voting liaison members. Second by Member Littlewolf. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 5. Nominating Committee for July Special Election
Chair Fear announced that Member Sargent will not be completing her term as Vice Chair which expires at the end of 2023 and noted that a special election would need to be held.
Member White Bear and Member Sargent were chosen to be part of a nominating committee for a special election to be held at the July meeting.
Discussion was held regarding Chair Fear extending her Chair term to assist with the transition of a new Vice Chair.
Member White Bear moved that Chair Fear’s term as Chair be extended one year. Second by Member Littlewolf. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6. Indigenous Association Report
Chair Fear gave a brief update on the Indigenous Association.
Item 7. Subcommittee Reports
Chair Fear shared that Member Senske, Commissioner Strand, and herself met with Kim Hegvik from the Cass County States Attorney Office regarding the epidemic of violence against Indigenous people in the community. Chair Fear stated on May 5, 2023 she and Member Sargent would be meeting with the entirety of the Cass County Attorneys Office staff to speak more in depth about trauma-informed care and how to approach the Indigenous community.
Item 8. Staff Reports
Deputy Fire Marshall Jamie Garvey shared that the Fargo Fire Department is accepting applications for full-time career positions. Orientation classes will be offered, and the next class will begin on May 16, 2023.
Discussion was held regarding the presence of the Fargo Fire and Police Departments at the Woodlands and High Plains Pow Wow, and the possibility of putting a link on the Native American Commission and Indigenous Association websites for the firefighter applications.
Sgt. Cristie Jacobsen stated the Fargo Police Department officers have undergone recent training for violence against women and trauma-informed care. Sgt. Jacobsen also shared that the Chief of Police had signed a proclamation of 30x30. She also stated that the summer academy is coming up and applications are available any time through the Fargo Police Department.
Assistant Planner Catlyn Christie shared that the Planning Department is forming an Advisory Committee for the launch of its new growth plan. Ms. Christie stated it is a 14 month process with about 7-10 meetings starting in May. She noted they are seeking a Native American Commission representative.
Item 9. Announcements
Chair Fear congratulated Member Suzanne Senske for being named one of the YWCA women of the year.
Ms. Christie shared that MSUM is hosting a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons discussion on May 5 at 4:00 p.m. She noted there will be an art unveiling followed by a meet and greet with the artist Laura Youngbird, and a panel discussion to follow.
Chair Fear announced there will be a showing of “Blood Memory” accompanied by complimentary frybread and wojapi on May 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Indigenous Association. She also shared the Indian Education Pow Wow for graduates will be May 11 for Fargo and West Fargo students and May 10 for Moorhead students.
Member Sargent announced that the Indigenous Association will be hosting a sewing circle to make Pendleton jackets on May 20 and 21 with the time to be announced at a later date. The sewing circle is open to the first 40 people who sign up.
Discussion was held regarding of the timing of the changes to the Bylaws.
Item 10. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:29 p.m.