Native American Commission - November 7, 2024 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, November 7, 2024.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Whitney Johnson, Ashley Littlewolf, Amanda Strauss, Emily Sargent (via conference call), Suzanne Senske (via conference call)
Absent: Dale Sayers, Lisa Ducheneaux
Also Present: Nikkie Gullickson (Fargo School Board Liaison)
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Johnson 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 September 5, 2024 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Sargent. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Statement from the Chair
Chair Johnson shared a statement that her term as Chair ends at the end of this year, and she will be stepping down from the Native American Commission.
Item 4: Public Comment
Community Health Program Manager Alli Fast shared that Essentia Health is looking to expand partnerships with the White Earth Nation in Western Minnesota. She noted they have a mobile mammogram bus and would like ideas for stopping locations in the Native American Communities.
Discussion was held on reaching out to points of contact with Indian Health Services, or the casinos, and the good use mobile units are to communities.
Item 5. Nominating Committee for January Election
Chair Johnson stated that a nominating committee will need to formed to nominate a new Vice Chair. Members Sargent and Littlewolf volunteered to serve as the nominating committee and make a recommendation at the January 2025 meeting.
She also noted that there will also be a spot opening on the board so encouraged residents to apply with the City.
Item 6. Indigenous Association Report
Chair Johnson delivered a report on behalf of Indigenous Association Executive Director Brandon Baity, sharing that the kickoff breakfast for Indigenous Peoples Day was very well attended, and the lunch and learn event held that day was full. She noted open craft nights occur on Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and that talking circle events will be posted in the Indigenous Association website.
Item 7. Subcommittee Reports
No updates were provided.
Item 8. Staff Reports
No reports were given.
Item 9. Announcements
Members Sargent and Senske extended gratitude and thanks to Chair Johnson for her time and service to the Native American Commission.
Member Senske stated that November is Native American Heritage month and encouraged the reflection on traditions and honoring of ways.
Item 10. 2025 Calendar
The 2025 Native American Commission dates are included in the packet.
Chair Johnson additionally shared that DGF (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton) School District now has an Indian Education Program and noted that children do not need to be enrolled members to be a part of Indian Education.
Item 11. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:27 p.m.