| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES (rescheduled meeting) VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2023, 12:00 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Co-chair Toya called the meeting to order at 12:06 PM.
Co-chair Toya called the meeting to order at 12:06 PM.
2.
Roll Call
Others present: Staff Liaison Rose Toehe; Council Liaison Councilmember Lori Matthews; and Sustainability, Climate Program, Shawn Newell.
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| Diana Cudeii, Ex-Officio; Excused Absence Seat Vacant, Ex-Officio Seat Vacant, Ex-Officio Joe. W. Washington, Co-Chair; Present (joined at 12:10) Fawn Toya, Co-Chair; Present Darren Lance; Excused Absence Darrell Marks; Present Shawna Whitehat; Present Jonathan Yellowhair; Present Mariah Zavala; Excused Absence |
Others present: Staff Liaison Rose Toehe; Council Liaison Councilmember Lori Matthews; and Sustainability, Climate Program, Shawn Newell.
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 person)
Shawn Newell, Climate Program with the Sustainability Division, provided a public comment on a proposal the staff is working on. Commissioners may be aware of the Climate Resilience proposal that was funded by EPA. The city has a HEPA filter distribution program to help people at risk in smoke events and this one is would expand that program to include educational outreach and communications elements, as well as pay for a few more filters to get into the community. The request is whether the Indigenous Commission would like to be listed as a partner in this project. There is no formal requirements or financial connection to the project, just a willingness to advise, share, and engage the project as appropriate.
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 person)
Shawn Newell, Climate Program with the Sustainability Division, provided a public comment on a proposal the staff is working on. Commissioners may be aware of the Climate Resilience proposal that was funded by EPA. The city has a HEPA filter distribution program to help people at risk in smoke events and this one is would expand that program to include educational outreach and communications elements, as well as pay for a few more filters to get into the community. The request is whether the Indigenous Commission would like to be listed as a partner in this project. There is no formal requirements or financial connection to the project, just a willingness to advise, share, and engage the project as appropriate.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None at this time.
None at this time.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS/POSSIBLE VOTE
A.
Indigenous Commissioners and Terms
Staff liaison Rose Toehe will provide information on Commissioners who have terms ending December 1, 2023. Discussion will be on decisions to reapply and on further recruitment.
Staff liaison Toehe brought awareness to the terms of the Commissioners and those who will term out on December 1st. Those terming out are Commissioners Washington, Whitehat, and Yellowhair. There was a short discussion and some Q & A. They are all eligible to reapply and two are interested in reapplying. The appointments will be for three years. Advertisement for recruitment is ready to be released this week and the application link is live. The deadline is December 1st. Deputy City Clerk Fobar will be putting the application packets together for the December 19th City Council meeting for the appointment decisions. She will notify all applicants and send information to staff liaison.
Staff liaison Rose Toehe will provide information on Commissioners who have terms ending December 1, 2023. Discussion will be on decisions to reapply and on further recruitment.
Staff liaison Toehe brought awareness to the terms of the Commissioners and those who will term out on December 1st. Those terming out are Commissioners Washington, Whitehat, and Yellowhair. There was a short discussion and some Q & A. They are all eligible to reapply and two are interested in reapplying. The appointments will be for three years. Advertisement for recruitment is ready to be released this week and the application link is live. The deadline is December 1st. Deputy City Clerk Fobar will be putting the application packets together for the December 19th City Council meeting for the appointment decisions. She will notify all applicants and send information to staff liaison.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
A FAIR Item on the Use of Indigenous Names for the San Francisco Peaks
Councilmember Lori Matthews (Council liaison) requested a FAIR item for the Indigenous Commission agenda. This is to discuss the potential utilization of local recognition of Indigenous name/s for the San Francisco Peaks in outreach and marketing materials for the City of Flagstaff and Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. The intent is to have an understanding of what this concept could look like and to ascertain if there is an avenue to consider.
Councilmember Matthews stated she had several meetings proposing this concept or request. She learned from Heidi Hanson who overseas the Economic Vitality (EV) Division and they do a lot of the advertising for Flagstaff and for tourists coming into our area. Ms. Hansen said that when EV does reference anything about the Peaks, they don't use the name Snowbowl to ads of this is kind in respect for the concerns Native American communities have towards the use of the Peaks, being as you know using reclaimed water. Ms. Hansen did caution that they do show pictures of people skiing, cross country skiing, and other snow play. Councilmember Matthews asked if this is something that is acceptable? She wanted to bring it for discussion at IC to make sure we are being sensitive and really understand where we want to go with this. Is this something that this Commission wants to pursue? To see those name changes reverted back to native terms as opposed to the same Francisco Peaks, Agassiz or the other terms.
To confirm discussion direction, Councilmember Matthews stated the following. She will not pursue it or pursue it with certain levels of caution, saying these are the restrictions. Yes, we'd like some renaming, but not in anything that markets skiing and use of the mountain. Right? There was agreement; however, there should be finding opportunities to have the mountain's different peaks renamed when it is outside and separate from activities of skiing and related to Snowbowl.
Councilmember Matthews also confirmed that she presented the FAIR item for Indigenous Peoples Day for the second Monday in October as an official city holiday.
There was also a short report on the youth effort on renaming the Agassiz Peak on the San Francisco Peaks. It had been approved by the official Arizona agency. It was recommended this information be shared with City Council and the public.
Councilmember Lori Matthews (Council liaison) requested a FAIR item for the Indigenous Commission agenda. This is to discuss the potential utilization of local recognition of Indigenous name/s for the San Francisco Peaks in outreach and marketing materials for the City of Flagstaff and Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. The intent is to have an understanding of what this concept could look like and to ascertain if there is an avenue to consider.
Councilmember Matthews stated she had several meetings proposing this concept or request. She learned from Heidi Hanson who overseas the Economic Vitality (EV) Division and they do a lot of the advertising for Flagstaff and for tourists coming into our area. Ms. Hansen said that when EV does reference anything about the Peaks, they don't use the name Snowbowl to ads of this is kind in respect for the concerns Native American communities have towards the use of the Peaks, being as you know using reclaimed water. Ms. Hansen did caution that they do show pictures of people skiing, cross country skiing, and other snow play. Councilmember Matthews asked if this is something that is acceptable? She wanted to bring it for discussion at IC to make sure we are being sensitive and really understand where we want to go with this. Is this something that this Commission wants to pursue? To see those name changes reverted back to native terms as opposed to the same Francisco Peaks, Agassiz or the other terms.
To confirm discussion direction, Councilmember Matthews stated the following. She will not pursue it or pursue it with certain levels of caution, saying these are the restrictions. Yes, we'd like some renaming, but not in anything that markets skiing and use of the mountain. Right? There was agreement; however, there should be finding opportunities to have the mountain's different peaks renamed when it is outside and separate from activities of skiing and related to Snowbowl.
Councilmember Matthews also confirmed that she presented the FAIR item for Indigenous Peoples Day for the second Monday in October as an official city holiday.
There was also a short report on the youth effort on renaming the Agassiz Peak on the San Francisco Peaks. It had been approved by the official Arizona agency. It was recommended this information be shared with City Council and the public.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
One FAIR item recommended. The Flagstaff camping ordinance and unsheltered population. Commissioner Marks requested this item to be on the agenda so the IC can learn more about it.
The IC would like to have the youth report their work and results on the Agassiz Peak name change to Öo'mawki, a Hopi name. November being Native American Heritage Month would be a perfect time to do so.
One FAIR item recommended. The Flagstaff camping ordinance and unsheltered population. Commissioner Marks requested this item to be on the agenda so the IC can learn more about it.
The IC would like to have the youth report their work and results on the Agassiz Peak name change to Öo'mawki, a Hopi name. November being Native American Heritage Month would be a perfect time to do so.
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Toya adjourned the meeting at 12:48 PM.
Co-chair Toya adjourned the meeting at 12:48 PM.