Native American Commission - January 2, 2025 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, January 2, 2025.

The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:

Present: Ashley Littlewolf, Daniel Frye, Dale Sayers, Suzanne Senske (via conference call)

Absent: Emily Sargent, Amanda Strauss, Lisa Ducheneaux

Also present: Fargo School Board Liaison Nikkie Gullickson

Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Littlewolf welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.

Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Senske moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the November 7, 2024 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Sayers. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 3: Public Comment
No public comment was presented.

Item 4: Honoring of Outgoing Member
Chair Littlewolf thanked outgoing Member Whitney Johnson for her time and service to the Native American Commission. A star quilt was presented to Ms. Johnson.

Arlan Littlewolf gave a blessing and a prayer song was performed.

Ms. Johnson shared outgoing remarks with the board.

Item 5. Honoring of New Members
Chair Littlewolf welcomed new Member Daniel Frye and Member Lisa Ducheneaux, who was appointed in November 2023, to the Native American Commission. The drum group performed a song.

Item 6. Election of Vice Chair
The nominating committee recommended Member Sayers to serve as Vice Chair of the Native American Commission.

Member Frye moved to appoint Member Sayers as Vice Chair of the Native American Commission. Second by Member Senske. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 7. Indigenous Association Report
Brandon Baity, Executive Director of the Indigenous Association, shared his additional gratitude for outgoing Chair Whitney Johnson. He also noted that the New Years Eve Party was well attended, open craft nights will be starting up again next week on Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and other upcoming events will be listed on the Facebook page and on NativeFM.org.

Item 8. Subcommittee Reports
Member Senske shared a report for the Education Subcommittee that the Fargo Public Schools Indian Education program held a Christmas event at Discovery Middle School.

Chair Littlewolf shared a report for the Housing Subcommittee that the FM Homeless Coalition is getting a New Executive Director.

Item 9. Staff Reports
No reports were given.

Item 10. Announcements
No announcements were shared.

Item 11. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:32 p.m.