MINUTES
| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION VIRTUAL TEAMS REGULAR MEETING 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2022, 12:00 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Co-chair Washington called the meeting to order at 12:15 PM.
Co-chair Washington called the meeting to order at 12:15 PM.
2.
Roll Call
Others Present: Rose Toehe, Staff Liaison; Adam Shimoni, City Councilmember; Jenna Ortega, Sustainability staff
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| Diana Cudeii, Ex-Officio; Absent Meg Kabotie Adakai, Ex-Officio; Excused Absence Vacant Seat, E-Officio Cora M. Phillips, Co-Chair; Excused Absence Joe. W. Washington, Co-Chair; Present Darrell Marks; Absent Fawn Toya; Excused Absence Kiara Weathersby; Present Shawna Whitehat; Present Jonathan Yellowhair; Present |
Others Present: Rose Toehe, Staff Liaison; Adam Shimoni, City Councilmember; Jenna Ortega, Sustainability staff
A.
Land Acknowledgment
The Flagstaff City Council humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
3.
Public Comment
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard. (Five minutes maximum per speaker)
None
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard. (Five minutes maximum per speaker)
None
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes for October 12, 2022
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Commissioner Weathersby made a motion to approve the October 12, 2022 Minutes as is. Commissioner Washington seconded. It was passed unanimously.
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Commissioner Weathersby made a motion to approve the October 12, 2022 Minutes as is. Commissioner Washington seconded. It was passed unanimously.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS
A.
Native American Heritage Month
An update will be provided by Rose Toehe regarding collaborative efforts with Coconino County Employee Diversity Team and Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council.
An update was made by Staff Liaison Rose Toehe. Collaborators' plans were shared and final calendars/documents would be emailed to all Commissioners, City Council, staff, and posted to social media for community at large. The Indigenous Commission sponsored presentations were still being formulated and will be scheduled for November 28 and 29. Currently, the Commissioner Weathersby will provide a presentation on Influence of Federal Boarding School on Indigenous Relatives for Monday, November 28. For Tuesday, November 29, Elderhood Teachings, with a small panel of two or three people to talk about some experiences through life and to share what helped them. If Commissioners wished to provide further input, please contact Rose Toehe for discussion and planning.
An update will be provided by Rose Toehe regarding collaborative efforts with Coconino County Employee Diversity Team and Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council.
An update was made by Staff Liaison Rose Toehe. Collaborators' plans were shared and final calendars/documents would be emailed to all Commissioners, City Council, staff, and posted to social media for community at large. The Indigenous Commission sponsored presentations were still being formulated and will be scheduled for November 28 and 29. Currently, the Commissioner Weathersby will provide a presentation on Influence of Federal Boarding School on Indigenous Relatives for Monday, November 28. For Tuesday, November 29, Elderhood Teachings, with a small panel of two or three people to talk about some experiences through life and to share what helped them. If Commissioners wished to provide further input, please contact Rose Toehe for discussion and planning.
B.
Upcoming Nomination/Election of Co-Chairs and Expiration of Terms
There will be reminders that Co-chair selections are coming up and some terms will be expiring in December 2022. These items will be on the agenda for the December 2022 Commission meeting.
Staff Liaison Rose Toehe stated that nomination and elections of Co-chairs are coming up. These will be presented at the December regular meeting. Commissioners should put some thought into this topic before the meeting.
Information was also provided that terms for Commissioner Weathersby and Commissioner Phillips would be expiring in December. Encouraged the Commissioners to reapply. Once there are enough applications, appointments will be made by City Council. The application will be live in December and a recruitment flyer will also be released. The length of the next term will be reviewed and the information will be emailed to the two Commissioners.
There will be reminders that Co-chair selections are coming up and some terms will be expiring in December 2022. These items will be on the agenda for the December 2022 Commission meeting.
Staff Liaison Rose Toehe stated that nomination and elections of Co-chairs are coming up. These will be presented at the December regular meeting. Commissioners should put some thought into this topic before the meeting.
Information was also provided that terms for Commissioner Weathersby and Commissioner Phillips would be expiring in December. Encouraged the Commissioners to reapply. Once there are enough applications, appointments will be made by City Council. The application will be live in December and a recruitment flyer will also be released. The length of the next term will be reviewed and the information will be emailed to the two Commissioners.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report
November is Native American Heritage Month, this discussion will provide an opportunity to dive into the Federal Boarding School report from the Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, US Government. The Commission can speak to how this report can be taken to support the Recommendations made to and accepted by City Council. Commissioner Weathersby has volunteered to lead the conversation. Please review the report before the meeting convenes.
Commissioner Weathersby provided a presentation on the Federal Boarding School report released in May 2022. She explained topics regarding the report and the importance of telling this history to all. This report indicates it is from 1819-1969 and is the first volume. It shows there were 431 sites but 408 boarding schools were on these sites, and that's across 31-37 States, there were 21 schools in Alaska, and seven schools in Hawaii. They found there were 53 graves sites, marked and unmarked, with an initial analysis of 500+ children deaths.There is 150 years of federal policies to assimilate Indigenous children through these federal boarding schools.
Commissioner Weathersby pointed out that the establishment of the Indigenous Commission for the City of Flagstaff and how it was created to advise City Council. In looking at this document, this first volume and aligning it with the 2017 key recommendations to City Council and those are Visibility, Economic Inclusion, Indigenous Community Cultural Center, Education, Public Safety, Criminal Justice, Wellness, Housing and Transportation. When looking at this investigative report and the ways in which our Community members have been impacted by federal boarding schools. She posed the question, "How can we tie in the language and to tie in this investigative report with the ways that we make recommendations to the City Council?"
Commissioner Weathersby went over the report in detail regarding the practices of the federal policies in regard to Indigenous peoples in this country, including forcible removal of children as young as four years old from their parents. The use of corporal punishment on children and the use of older children to punish the younger children, while striping everything familiar to them. Use of court martial conduct on children. "The department has acknowledged frankly and unequivocally that the provisions for the care of the Indian children in boarding schools are grossly inadequate, rampant physical, sexual and emotional abuse, disease, malnourishment, overcrowding and lack of healthcare in Indian boarding schools are well documented."
After the presentation, the Commission had a discussion and agreed that this topic and others are important to address through the Recommendations accepted by City Council. There is also recognition of sacred spaces/places by Indigenous peoples that are connected to healing for these traumas. There will be further discussion on how the Commission can begin to address these topics and concerns that effect our Indigenous community members and communities.
November is Native American Heritage Month, this discussion will provide an opportunity to dive into the Federal Boarding School report from the Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, US Government. The Commission can speak to how this report can be taken to support the Recommendations made to and accepted by City Council. Commissioner Weathersby has volunteered to lead the conversation. Please review the report before the meeting convenes.
Commissioner Weathersby provided a presentation on the Federal Boarding School report released in May 2022. She explained topics regarding the report and the importance of telling this history to all. This report indicates it is from 1819-1969 and is the first volume. It shows there were 431 sites but 408 boarding schools were on these sites, and that's across 31-37 States, there were 21 schools in Alaska, and seven schools in Hawaii. They found there were 53 graves sites, marked and unmarked, with an initial analysis of 500+ children deaths.There is 150 years of federal policies to assimilate Indigenous children through these federal boarding schools.
Commissioner Weathersby pointed out that the establishment of the Indigenous Commission for the City of Flagstaff and how it was created to advise City Council. In looking at this document, this first volume and aligning it with the 2017 key recommendations to City Council and those are Visibility, Economic Inclusion, Indigenous Community Cultural Center, Education, Public Safety, Criminal Justice, Wellness, Housing and Transportation. When looking at this investigative report and the ways in which our Community members have been impacted by federal boarding schools. She posed the question, "How can we tie in the language and to tie in this investigative report with the ways that we make recommendations to the City Council?"
Commissioner Weathersby went over the report in detail regarding the practices of the federal policies in regard to Indigenous peoples in this country, including forcible removal of children as young as four years old from their parents. The use of corporal punishment on children and the use of older children to punish the younger children, while striping everything familiar to them. Use of court martial conduct on children. "The department has acknowledged frankly and unequivocally that the provisions for the care of the Indian children in boarding schools are grossly inadequate, rampant physical, sexual and emotional abuse, disease, malnourishment, overcrowding and lack of healthcare in Indian boarding schools are well documented."
After the presentation, the Commission had a discussion and agreed that this topic and others are important to address through the Recommendations accepted by City Council. There is also recognition of sacred spaces/places by Indigenous peoples that are connected to healing for these traumas. There will be further discussion on how the Commission can begin to address these topics and concerns that effect our Indigenous community members and communities.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
None
None
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Washington adjourned the meeting at 1:03 PM.
Co-chair Washington adjourned the meeting at 1:03 PM.