Consideration of Appointments:  Indigenous Commission

The Indigenous Commission will consist of seven (7) voting members and three (3) ex-officio (non-voting) members from the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council appointed by the City Council in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Flagstaff and the Coconino County Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council. Members must have a tribal affiliation as enrolled members of a tribe/nation recognized by the federal and/or state governments. Members will have interest in the issues presented in the Strategic Plan as presented to City Council by the Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives. The Commission will serve as an advisory board to City Council; make recommendations with respect to certain policies, needs, issues, and methods in promoting the Strategic Plan and Recommendations accepted by City Council; and furnish the City Council with information through the Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives.  As this is a new commission, there are currently 10 seats available for appointment (7 voting members and 3 ex-officio members). 

There are 10 applications on file for consideration by the Council. 

In an effort to reduce exposure to personal information, the applicant roster and applications will be submitted to the City Council separately.

There are seven (7) applications on file for voting members and three (3) applications on file for ex-officio members for consideration by the Council. The applications are as follows:

• Diana Cudeii - Ex-Officio (new applicant)
• Dorothy Gishie - Ex Officio (new applicant)
• Meg Kabotie Adakai - Ex Officio (new applicant)
• Cora M. Phillips (new applicant)
• Courtney Scott (new applicant)
• Fawn Toya (new applicant)
• Joe W. Washington (new applicant)
• Kiara L. Weathersby (new applicant)
• Shawna Whitehat (new applicant)
• Jonathan Yellowhair (new applicant)

To maintain the randomness of Councilmember appointments the appointment assignment list will be repeated. Some Councilmembers will be able to make two appointments and some will only make one appointment.

COUNCIL APPOINTMENT ASSIGNMENT: Councilmember Salas, Councilmember Aslan, Councilmember McCarthy, Councilmember Odegaard, Vice Mayor Shimoni, Councilmember Whelan, and Mayor Evans.

These are voluntary positions and there is no budgetary impact to the City of Flagstaff.

 None.

Inclusive and Engaged Community

• Foster community pride & civic engagement by increasing opportunities for public involvement, in line with best practices & legal requirements
• Enhance community involvement, education & regional partnerships to strengthen the level of public trust

 None.

1) Appoint 10 Commissioners (7 voting and 3 ex-officio): By appointing members at this time, the Indigenous Commission will be at full membership, allowing the group to meet and provide recommendations to the City Council.
2) Table the action to allow for further discussion or expand the list of candidates.

The City's boards, commissions, and committees were created to foster public participation and input and to encourage Flagstaff citizens to take an active role in city government.

INFORM: The vacancies were posted on the City's website and multiple social media posts were made. Additionally, outreach was done through presentations and communications from the Coordinator of Indigenous Affairs to organizations and through word of mouth.