| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE OCTOBER 9, 2025, THURSDAY, 11:00 A.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Co-chair Darren Lance called the meeting to order at 11:04 PM.
Co-chair Darren Lance called the meeting to order at 11:04 PM.
2.
Roll Call
OTHERS PRESENT: Staff liaison Rose Toehe; Council liaison Councilmember Lori Matthews; Sustainability staff member Jenna Ortega; Other guests: Sheldon Yazzie and Marietta Rodriguez.
| 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; Excused Absence MOWANA LOMAOMVAYA; Present DARRELL MARKS; Excused Absence MARIAN MARSHALL; Absent VACANT SEAT; EX-OFFICIO |
OTHERS PRESENT: Staff liaison Rose Toehe; Council liaison Councilmember Lori Matthews; Sustainability staff member Jenna Ortega; Other guests: Sheldon Yazzie and Marietta Rodriguez.
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 next meeting date.
Minutes will be on the next meeting date.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS (Possible Vote)
A.
November 6, 2025 IC Meeting
Staff liaison Toehe requests rescheduling the IC meeting to November 13, 2025, due to not being available on November 6, 2025.
Commissioner Lomaomvaya made the motion to reschedule the IC meeting to November 13, 2025, 11:00 AM. Commissioner Zavala seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Staff liaison Toehe requests rescheduling the IC meeting to November 13, 2025, due to not being available on November 6, 2025.
Commissioner Lomaomvaya made the motion to reschedule the IC meeting to November 13, 2025, 11:00 AM. Commissioner Zavala seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Update on Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) Celebration
The IC will be given an update on the IPD Celebration and discuss any pending tasks.
Staff liaison Toehe, Commissioners Zavala, and Commissioner Francis provided updates on the plans for IPD event. Everything is set, and all participants are confirmed. The theme is From Policy to Prosperity: Indigenous Leadership in a Changing Landscape. The flyer agenda has been shared through an email blast and on all City social media platforms. Commissioners have been informed and asked to help spread the word. Expenses, sponsorships, and donations of goods & time were shared with the IC. Commissioner Zavala covered the food, vendors, and funds raised $1,100–1,200. These funds will cover the food. Some hotel donations were made and will be utilized by Miss Hopi and her group. Commissioner Francis assisted in providing the Save the Date flyer, plates & utensils, and will provide a sheet of sponsorship logos to attach to the agenda on the day of the event. Commissioner Lance will provide drinks and additional desserts. The coffee cups to be given out at the event have been paid for in full and will be delivered at no additional charge. Commissioners are encouraged to attend the event and be available to volunteer. The City of Flagstaff volunteer program has disbursed information for additional volunteers.
The IC will be given an update on the IPD Celebration and discuss any pending tasks.
Staff liaison Toehe, Commissioners Zavala, and Commissioner Francis provided updates on the plans for IPD event. Everything is set, and all participants are confirmed. The theme is From Policy to Prosperity: Indigenous Leadership in a Changing Landscape. The flyer agenda has been shared through an email blast and on all City social media platforms. Commissioners have been informed and asked to help spread the word. Expenses, sponsorships, and donations of goods & time were shared with the IC. Commissioner Zavala covered the food, vendors, and funds raised $1,100–1,200. These funds will cover the food. Some hotel donations were made and will be utilized by Miss Hopi and her group. Commissioner Francis assisted in providing the Save the Date flyer, plates & utensils, and will provide a sheet of sponsorship logos to attach to the agenda on the day of the event. Commissioner Lance will provide drinks and additional desserts. The coffee cups to be given out at the event have been paid for in full and will be delivered at no additional charge. Commissioners are encouraged to attend the event and be available to volunteer. The City of Flagstaff volunteer program has disbursed information for additional volunteers.
B.
VOICES UNHEARD: Breaking the Silence - A Community Gathering for Prevention, Strength, and Healing Event Update
Staff liaison Toehe and Commissioner Francis will update and share information on the upcoming educational and prevention awareness event.
The Breaking the Silence event is planned for October 22 with two film screenings on October 20 & 21 at the Coconino Center for the Arts venue. Everything is set, all speakers are confirmed, and the speakers are experts in their fields. Most also have personal lived experience regarding perpetrators. This event is geared toward educating the public and resource agencies who can utilize the information to assist individuals and to be more aware of red flags. The films include The Shape Shifting Defense and She Cried that Day. The Navajo family associated with the second film will be on site to communicate their journey regarding the loss of their family member. The venue will be paid by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, an application for the Community Initiatives Fund was submitted. Virginia Watahomigie, Executive Director of Coconino Coalition for Children and Families, is a member of the planning committee and assisted with event registration, evaluation, and donated lunch for the main event. She will also be the MC for the event. All speakers are donating their time and one requested lodging and funds for gasoline. Commissioner Francis went over the schedule of events in greater detail.
The commissioners were encouraged to share the information with their contact circles and to help post flyers around town or out on the nation homelands, i.e., chapter houses, tribal organizations, etc.
Staff liaison Toehe and Commissioner Francis will update and share information on the upcoming educational and prevention awareness event.
The Breaking the Silence event is planned for October 22 with two film screenings on October 20 & 21 at the Coconino Center for the Arts venue. Everything is set, all speakers are confirmed, and the speakers are experts in their fields. Most also have personal lived experience regarding perpetrators. This event is geared toward educating the public and resource agencies who can utilize the information to assist individuals and to be more aware of red flags. The films include The Shape Shifting Defense and She Cried that Day. The Navajo family associated with the second film will be on site to communicate their journey regarding the loss of their family member. The venue will be paid by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, an application for the Community Initiatives Fund was submitted. Virginia Watahomigie, Executive Director of Coconino Coalition for Children and Families, is a member of the planning committee and assisted with event registration, evaluation, and donated lunch for the main event. She will also be the MC for the event. All speakers are donating their time and one requested lodging and funds for gasoline. Commissioner Francis went over the schedule of events in greater detail.
The commissioners were encouraged to share the information with their contact circles and to help post flyers around town or out on the nation homelands, i.e., chapter houses, tribal organizations, etc.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
- Commissioner Zavala will be MC for the Girls on the Run event.
- Women's Leadership event in Camp Verde, contact Commissioner Zavala.
- NAU will hold a Sunrise Ceremony at 6:30 and a community lunch. Visit NAU website NAHM.
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 11:54 AM.
Co-chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 11:54 AM.