| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION VIRTUAL MEETING MINUTES 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 08, 2025, 12:00 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Co-Chair Lance Darren called the meeting to order at 12:02 PM.
Co-Chair Lance Darren called the meeting to order at 12:02 PM.
2.
Roll Call
Others present:
Staff Liaison Rose Toehe; Council Liaison/Councilmember Lori Matthews; and Madilynn Benally, FHS Ambassador.
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| DIANA CUDEII, EX-OFFICIO; Excused Absence LINDA CURLEY, EX-OFFICIO; Present VACANT SEAT; EX-OFFICIO DARREN LANCE, CO-CHAIR; Present CHERYLEE FRANCIS; Present KIMBERLY HOSKIE; Present MOWANA LOMAOMVAYA; Present DARRELL MARKS; Present MARIAN MARSHALL; Present MARIAH ZAVALA; Present |
Others present:
Staff Liaison Rose Toehe; Council Liaison/Councilmember Lori Matthews; and Madilynn Benally, FHS Ambassador.
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. (Three minutes maximum per individual)
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. (Three minutes maximum per individual)
None.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of December 11, 2024 Minutes
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Commissioner Zavala motioned to accept the Minutes as is, seconded by Commissioner Lomaomvaya. Commissioner Francis abstained. All other six voting members voted to approve.
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Commissioner Zavala motioned to accept the Minutes as is, seconded by Commissioner Lomaomvaya. Commissioner Francis abstained. All other six voting members voted to approve.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS (Possible Vote)
A.
Discussion and Vote for 2025 Indigenous Commission Meeting Schedule
The Indigenous Commission (IC) is requested to take into consideration a new meeting schedule. The request encompasses lengthening the meeting time from 1.0 to 1.5 hours. A look at full participation of all commissioners to attend IC meetings. The discussion will also review some areas that will require additional time from commissioners to participate in informal work groups for various IC related events.
Staff liaison Toehe provided information to consider the perceived need to change the Indigenous Commission schedule. There are programs who want/need to provide presentations for valuable input. Sometimes they may not be able to wait two months to get on the agenda. Extending the time from 1 hour to 1.5 hours will benefit those who would like some time on the IC agenda. Concurrently, the Commission is involved with planning events or important topic discussions and some of these require consensus or votes in order to go forward. So full meeting participation is crucial. It was also recommended to start planning earlier on standing events. For example, the August Indigenous Code Talkers event should start in May, so that interested commissioners can allocate their time for the planning sessions. Currently, the standing events include the August Indigenous Code Talkers, October Indigenous Peoples Day, and an event in November for Native Americans Heritage Month. Staff liaison Toehe shared that the City is also going into budget sessions for the next fiscal year (July 2025). She requested funds for a community pow-wow or a music festival for a 2026 spring or summer event. Important to note that this may or may not be funded.
Another consideration is Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) involvement. The Recovery Court Program graduations occur on the first Wednesdays of the month. Staff liaison Toehe would like to be more involved in that event and encourages participation from the commissioners to attend the graduations when they occur. Many of the participants in the Recovery Court Program are Indigenous.
After the discussion, Commissioner Zavala made a motion to change the Indigenous Commission's schedule to hold the meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Commissioner Lomaomvaya seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Indigenous Commission (IC) is requested to take into consideration a new meeting schedule. The request encompasses lengthening the meeting time from 1.0 to 1.5 hours. A look at full participation of all commissioners to attend IC meetings. The discussion will also review some areas that will require additional time from commissioners to participate in informal work groups for various IC related events.
Staff liaison Toehe provided information to consider the perceived need to change the Indigenous Commission schedule. There are programs who want/need to provide presentations for valuable input. Sometimes they may not be able to wait two months to get on the agenda. Extending the time from 1 hour to 1.5 hours will benefit those who would like some time on the IC agenda. Concurrently, the Commission is involved with planning events or important topic discussions and some of these require consensus or votes in order to go forward. So full meeting participation is crucial. It was also recommended to start planning earlier on standing events. For example, the August Indigenous Code Talkers event should start in May, so that interested commissioners can allocate their time for the planning sessions. Currently, the standing events include the August Indigenous Code Talkers, October Indigenous Peoples Day, and an event in November for Native Americans Heritage Month. Staff liaison Toehe shared that the City is also going into budget sessions for the next fiscal year (July 2025). She requested funds for a community pow-wow or a music festival for a 2026 spring or summer event. Important to note that this may or may not be funded.
Another consideration is Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) involvement. The Recovery Court Program graduations occur on the first Wednesdays of the month. Staff liaison Toehe would like to be more involved in that event and encourages participation from the commissioners to attend the graduations when they occur. Many of the participants in the Recovery Court Program are Indigenous.
After the discussion, Commissioner Zavala made a motion to change the Indigenous Commission's schedule to hold the meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Commissioner Lomaomvaya seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
B.
Nominate and Vote for Indigenous Commission Co-Chair
Commissioners can nominate or self-nominate for the second Co-chair. The lead 2025 Co-Chair is Commissioner Darren Lance. The second co-chair will step in when lead co-chair is not available.
During this discussion, two nominations made for the second co-chair position. Commissioner Mariah Zavala and Commissioner Darrell Marks were nominated. Commissioner Marks respectfully declined the nomination. Nominations were closed. Thereafter, Co-chair Darren Lance made a motion to accept the nomination of Commissioner Zavala for Co-chair, seconded by Commissioner Hoskie. Motion passed unanimously. Co-Chair Zavala expressed appreciation and happy to assist.
Commissioners can nominate or self-nominate for the second Co-chair. The lead 2025 Co-Chair is Commissioner Darren Lance. The second co-chair will step in when lead co-chair is not available.
During this discussion, two nominations made for the second co-chair position. Commissioner Mariah Zavala and Commissioner Darrell Marks were nominated. Commissioner Marks respectfully declined the nomination. Nominations were closed. Thereafter, Co-chair Darren Lance made a motion to accept the nomination of Commissioner Zavala for Co-chair, seconded by Commissioner Hoskie. Motion passed unanimously. Co-Chair Zavala expressed appreciation and happy to assist.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
None at this time.
None at this time.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
Several announcements were made.
Several announcements were made.
- Mojo Group will hold a lunch and learn at the Murdock Center on 2/4/25 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM focusing on small business. This in collaboration with Coconino SBDC and CCC. Information will be sent out to the Commission.
- On 1/29/25 a meeting on the City's Picture Canyon Pit House Overlook information. Please contact Sylvia Struss, City's Open Space, if interested in attending.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield planned by Holly Figueroa on 1/22/25, see chat for more info.
- Cameron Chapter, Navajo Nation, will be holding meeting on 1/11/25 regarding the Horseman's Lodge land. Commissioner Francis will be attending. Councilmember Matthews would like an update.
- Next month, the agenda will include a presentation on "Inclusive Wayfinding" from the Downtown Business Alliance.
- FHS will have a Valentine's Bazaar, flyer will be sent out.
- Galentine's Day for Girls on the Run, 2/13/25; Funding raising for Youth Rafting; Participation in MMIP Run. For more information contact Commissioner Zavala.
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-Chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 1:00 PM.
Co-Chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 1:00 PM.