| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING MINUTES 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE NOVEMBER 13, 2025, THURSDAY, 11:00 A.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Co-Chair Darren Lance called the meeting to order at 11:05 AM.
Co-Chair Darren Lance called the meeting to order at 11:05 AM.
2.
Roll Call
Others present: Staff liaison Rose Toehe
| 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 CHERYLEE FRANCIS; Present KIMBERLY HOSKIE; Present DARREN LANCE, CO-CHAIR; Present MOWANA LOMAOMVAYA; Present DARRELL MARKS; Excused Absence MARIAN MARSHALL; Absent MARIAH ZAVALA, CO-CHAIR; Excused Absence VACANT SEAT; EX-OFFICIO |
Others present: Staff liaison Rose Toehe
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
None at this time.
None at this time.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS (Possible Vote)
A.
January Human Trafficking Awareness
Northland Family Help Center, Kate Wyatt, asked if there would be interested in collaborating on an event. The staff is discussing events for Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in January. Would IC be interested in collaborating on an event and centering awareness around our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives?
Staff Liaison Toehe provided an explanation on the conversation with Kate Wyatt. Northland Family Help Center is planning activities for January, which will be Human Trafficking Awareness month. She expressed having one or two events in January for the community to participate in. She is hopeful that NAU students and faculty will be involved too. Since Flagstaff is in close proximity to Indigenous lands, she wondered if this year's events would be more focused on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives and to support Indigenous community members. Staff liaison expressed she would have little involvement (if any) due to coming off some major events, and with the holiday season, budget season, and planning a community social powwow coming up.
After some discussion, there are two avenues for interested commissioners to take. One is to be part of the planning committee and the other would be to provide contact information or recommendations and Ms. Wyatt would contact the referrals. Either way, a name or two can be submitted to Ms. Wyatt if there's interest. Commissioner Francis and Commissioner Hoskie expressed interest. An email will be sent for introductory purposes.
Commissioner Curley made a motion for Commissioners Francis and Hoskie to participate in discussions surrounding the planning of the January Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Co-chair Lance seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Northland Family Help Center, Kate Wyatt, asked if there would be interested in collaborating on an event. The staff is discussing events for Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in January. Would IC be interested in collaborating on an event and centering awareness around our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives?
Staff Liaison Toehe provided an explanation on the conversation with Kate Wyatt. Northland Family Help Center is planning activities for January, which will be Human Trafficking Awareness month. She expressed having one or two events in January for the community to participate in. She is hopeful that NAU students and faculty will be involved too. Since Flagstaff is in close proximity to Indigenous lands, she wondered if this year's events would be more focused on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives and to support Indigenous community members. Staff liaison expressed she would have little involvement (if any) due to coming off some major events, and with the holiday season, budget season, and planning a community social powwow coming up.
After some discussion, there are two avenues for interested commissioners to take. One is to be part of the planning committee and the other would be to provide contact information or recommendations and Ms. Wyatt would contact the referrals. Either way, a name or two can be submitted to Ms. Wyatt if there's interest. Commissioner Francis and Commissioner Hoskie expressed interest. An email will be sent for introductory purposes.
Commissioner Curley made a motion for Commissioners Francis and Hoskie to participate in discussions surrounding the planning of the January Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Co-chair Lance seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Indigenous Commission Recruitment
Some commissioners will be terming out December 2025. Update on related information.
An update that two commissioners will be terming out in December 2026 - Co-chairs and Commissioners Lance and Zavala. Commissioner Zavala has already reapplied, and she will be considered for a re-appointment. Applications are live and encourage Commissioner Lance to submit an application. While there is no guarantee of being re-appointed, the City Council will consider the experience each has provided. An additional note, the commissioners will stay on serving until appointments are made, so no need to step off yet. The application portal is available on the City of Flagstaff website, under the Boards and Commissions webpage. Once appointed or re-appointed, the terms are for three years. Recruitment information has been released on City platforms. If you have any questions, please contact Staff Liaison Toehe.
Some commissioners will be terming out December 2025. Update on related information.
An update that two commissioners will be terming out in December 2026 - Co-chairs and Commissioners Lance and Zavala. Commissioner Zavala has already reapplied, and she will be considered for a re-appointment. Applications are live and encourage Commissioner Lance to submit an application. While there is no guarantee of being re-appointed, the City Council will consider the experience each has provided. An additional note, the commissioners will stay on serving until appointments are made, so no need to step off yet. The application portal is available on the City of Flagstaff website, under the Boards and Commissions webpage. Once appointed or re-appointed, the terms are for three years. Recruitment information has been released on City platforms. If you have any questions, please contact Staff Liaison Toehe.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
Staff liaison Toehe requested an in-person meeting for December and Commissioners agreed. Details will be forthcoming.
Staff liaison Toehe requested an in-person meeting for December and Commissioners agreed. Details will be forthcoming.
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 11:36 AM.
Co-chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 11:36 AM.