Native American Commission - September 4, 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, September 4, 2025.
The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Ashley Littlewolf, Daniel Frye, Amanda Strauss, Suzanne Senske (via conference call), Emily Sargent (via conference call)
Absent: Dale Sayers, Lisa Ducheneaux
Also present: Fargo School Board Liaison Melissa Burkland, Fargo City Commission Liaison John Strand
Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair Littlewolf welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Frye moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the May 1, 2025 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Senske. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Public Comment
No public comment was presented.
Item 4: Gladys Ray Award Nominations due October 3
Chair Littlewolf shared the Fargo Native American Commission is now seeking nominations for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Indigenous Peoples of Fargo. Applications are available at www.FargoND.gov/NAC and are due on October 3.
Item 5: Announcements
Chair Littlewolf shared that August 9 was Savanna Greywind Day and the City issued a Mayoral Proclamation and lit up City Hall in recognition.
Chair Littlewolf shared that September 30 is Truth & Reconciliation Day, and for the past two years the Native American Commission has advised the City to issue a joint proclamation with Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and Dilworth to recognize this day.
Member Frye moved the Native American Commission recommends the City to issue a proclamation to recognize Truth & Reconciliation Day on September 30, 2025 be approved. Second by Member Senske. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Chair Littlewolf shared that October 13 is Indigenous Peoples Day, which was first formally recognized by the City via Resolution in 2015 thanks to immense advocacy from community members and the Native American Commission.
Item 6: Indigenous Association Report
Chair Littlewolf shared that an Indigenous Peoples Day breakfast to honor the Gladys Ray Award recipient is anticipated to take place at the Indigenous Association, and that additional programming is anticipated to be announced in the coming weeks.
Member Sargent shared that the Indigenous Association has been partnering with Sanford Health’s Treatment Collaborative for Traumatized Youth in North Dakota for cultural humility training and research in Fargo and across the state.
Item 7. Staff & Liaison Reports
Assistant Planner Catlyn Christie reported that the Fargo Public Library had a booth at the Indigenous Association’s annual picnic on August 16, 2025.
Member Senske reported about a recent parent night and school supply drive for the Native American Education program. Due to limited funds, backpacks were not distributed, however, she coordinated fundraising at Microsoft that raised approximately $500, with another round anticipated soon. Member Sargent noted that Sanford has backpacks available that could also be donated to the program.
Item 8. Governance and Operations
Director of Planning and Development Nicole Crutchfield provided a governance discussion with details for the City’s boards and commissions.
Further discussion was held by the members to request additional time to convene to discuss needs and options for the future; to express gratitude for support provided by staff; and to underscore the need to identify how to best support and represent the community.
Item 9. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:51 p.m.