| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION MINUTES RESCHEDULED VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE THURSDAY, 11:00 A.M., MAY 14, 2025 |
1.
Call to Order
Co-chair Darren Lance called the meeting to order at 11:04 AM.
Co-chair Darren Lance called the meeting to order at 11:04 AM.
2.
Roll Call
Others present: Staff liaison Rose Toehe and Council liaison Councilmember Lori Matthews.
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| DIANA CUDEII, EX-OFFICIO; Present LINDA CURLEY, EX-OFFICIO; Excused Absence DARREN LANCE, CO-CHAIR; Present MARIAH ZAVALA, CO-CHAIR; Present CHERYLEE FRANCIS; Present KIMBERLY HOSKIE; Absent MOWANA LOMAOMVAYA; Present DARRELL MARKS; Present MARIAN MARSHALL; Present VACANT SEAT; EX-OFFICIO |
Others present: Staff liaison Rose Toehe and Council liaison Councilmember Lori Matthews.
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. (Maximum three minutes per individual)
None at this time.
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. (Maximum three minutes per individual)
None at this time.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes will be on the Indigenous Commission Retreat Agenda scheduled for June 13, 2025.
Minutes will be on the Indigenous Commission Retreat Agenda scheduled for June 13, 2025.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS (Possible Vote)
A.
Establish Work Group for Indigenous Code Talkers Celebration (ICTC)
Commissioners will decide members to serve on the work group to plan the Indigenous Code Talkers event.
After some discussion, the following volunteered for the ICTC planning work group: Commissioners Lomaomvaya, Zavala, and Cudeii. Commissioner Marks would like to have some youths participate on the planning committee; names and contacts will be provided.
Co-chair Zavala made a motion to accept the three volunteers to be on the ICTC planning work group. Commissioner Marks seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting schedule will be developed as the group meets for the first time.
Commissioners will decide members to serve on the work group to plan the Indigenous Code Talkers event.
After some discussion, the following volunteered for the ICTC planning work group: Commissioners Lomaomvaya, Zavala, and Cudeii. Commissioner Marks would like to have some youths participate on the planning committee; names and contacts will be provided.
Co-chair Zavala made a motion to accept the three volunteers to be on the ICTC planning work group. Commissioner Marks seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting schedule will be developed as the group meets for the first time.
B.
Establish Work Group for Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) Event
Commissioners will decide members to serve on the work group to plan the Indigenous Peoples Day event.
The following volunteered to be on the IPD planning work group: Commissioners Francis, Lance, and Zavala. Commissioner Marks plans to have some youths take part in the planning. This idea was welcomed by the Commission.
A motion was made by Commissioner Lomaomvaya to accept the three commissioners to lead the IPD planning work group and seconded by Commissioner Marks. The motion passed unanimously. A meeting schedule will be developed at the first meeting of the committee.
Commissioners will decide members to serve on the work group to plan the Indigenous Peoples Day event.
The following volunteered to be on the IPD planning work group: Commissioners Francis, Lance, and Zavala. Commissioner Marks plans to have some youths take part in the planning. This idea was welcomed by the Commission.
A motion was made by Commissioner Lomaomvaya to accept the three commissioners to lead the IPD planning work group and seconded by Commissioner Marks. The motion passed unanimously. A meeting schedule will be developed at the first meeting of the committee.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Discussion and Planning the Indigenous Code Talkers Celebration (ICTC)
Commissioners will provide input to start planning the celebration. The designated work group will use the recommendations as ideas to formulate next steps. The event usually occurs during the second week in August. A meeting schedule will be developed for planning sessions.
After some discussion about ideas and previous events, the consensus was to have the celebration on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Some ideas/recommendations included:
Commissioners will provide input to start planning the celebration. The designated work group will use the recommendations as ideas to formulate next steps. The event usually occurs during the second week in August. A meeting schedule will be developed for planning sessions.
After some discussion about ideas and previous events, the consensus was to have the celebration on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Some ideas/recommendations included:
- A change of venue was recommended, possibly Market of Dreams or Murdoch Center.
- What about the ICCC site? Can a big tent be used to facilitate this event? Cost can be researched. In case of weather, security, stability or accessibility, the event should be indoors.
- Donations should be considered for any rented items; the City can pay for some items.
- There are usually around 80-100 people in attendance.
- Clark Tenakhongva, former Hopi Vice-Chair and Army veteran, has a song on Hopi sailors. Availability/fees to be checked.
- Organizations can table to share resources. There might not be enough room depending on venue.
- Color guard can be changed and can look into other availability or ideas, JROTC, etc.
- Any ideas on the persons/items listed on last year's agenda, please send to Ms. Toehe to forward to planning work group.
- Donations conversation will continue into next planning meetings.
- A schedule will also need to be set at the first meeting. First meeting was set for May 29, 11:00am.
B.
Discussion and Planning the Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) Event
Commissioners will provide input for the IPD event. The designated work group will use the recommendations as ideas to formulate next steps. Indigenous Peoples Day is on Monday, October 13, 2025. A meeting schedule will be developed for planning sessions.
The commissioners discussed some ideas as well as prior events. Reviewed some previous agendas. Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) is on Monday, October 13, 2025, and it was decided to keep the celebration on that date. The City observes IPD as an official holiday and City offices will be closed.
Some ideas and recommendations:
Commissioners will provide input for the IPD event. The designated work group will use the recommendations as ideas to formulate next steps. Indigenous Peoples Day is on Monday, October 13, 2025. A meeting schedule will be developed for planning sessions.
The commissioners discussed some ideas as well as prior events. Reviewed some previous agendas. Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) is on Monday, October 13, 2025, and it was decided to keep the celebration on that date. The City observes IPD as an official holiday and City offices will be closed.
Some ideas and recommendations:
- The Commission supports the October 13, 2025 to have the IPD event.
- Keep the business panel - expand on the businesses.
- A dance to close out the event - inclusive of attendees.
- Land Acknowledgment, volunteer from the high school incoming Indigenous Ambassador Naliese Lomakema.
- Sample agendas are to be sent out to the planning committees.
- Elks Lodge venue, is that still okay with everyone? Cherylee will connect with manager of Elks Lodge.
- Save the Date for both would be helpful. Commissioner Francis will assist with providing that.
- First meeting. June 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM.
- Planning work groups will update the Indigenous Commission at regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
- Youths from FHS will be included in the planning meetings for both events. CHS will be contacted by Commissioner Marks.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
There were many announcements made for the coming days and weeks. Please view these on the video dated May 14, 2025 on the Indigenous Commission page on the City website.
There were many announcements made for the coming days and weeks. Please view these on the video dated May 14, 2025 on the Indigenous Commission page on the City website.
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 12:27 PM.
Co-chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 12:27 PM.