| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION MINUTES VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026, 11:00 A.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Co-chair Mariah Zavala called the meeting to order at 11:06 PM.
Co-chair Mariah Zavala called the meeting to order at 11:06 PM.
2.
Roll Call
Others present: Staff liaison Rose Toehe; Council liaison/Councilmember Lori Matthews; Sustainability staff member Jenna Ortega; and Community member Sheldon Yazzie.
| 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; Absent CHERYLEE FRANCIS; Absent KIMBERLY HOSKIE; Present DARREN LANCE; Excused Absence MOWANA LOMAOMVAYA, CO-CHAIR; Present DARRELL MARKS; Present ELIZABETH WASHBURN; Present MARIAH ZAVALA, CO-CHAIR; Present VACANT SEAT; EX-OFFICIO |
Others present: Staff liaison Rose Toehe; Council liaison/Councilmember Lori Matthews; Sustainability staff member Jenna Ortega; and Community member Sheldon Yazzie.
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)
Councilmember Matthews provided the Commission with an update on a proposed Healing Center for substance-use issues, in collaboration with County Attorney Barker and Police Chief Connolly. The Healing Center, if approved, could be a lease for an empty space at the Guidance Center and may occur in 2026. It could also be located in the current Juvenile Center, the timing is undetermined. There are two bills at the state level in both houses to possibly fund the Healing Center. The Juvenile Center may obtain its own funding for a new building.
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)
Councilmember Matthews provided the Commission with an update on a proposed Healing Center for substance-use issues, in collaboration with County Attorney Barker and Police Chief Connolly. The Healing Center, if approved, could be a lease for an empty space at the Guidance Center and may occur in 2026. It could also be located in the current Juvenile Center, the timing is undetermined. There are two bills at the state level in both houses to possibly fund the Healing Center. The Juvenile Center may obtain its own funding for a new building.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of November 13, 2025 Minutes
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Co-chair Lomaomvaya made a motion to approve the Minutes as is and seconded by Commissioner Hoskie. The motion passed, with Commissioners Cudeii and Washburn abstaining.
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Co-chair Lomaomvaya made a motion to approve the Minutes as is and seconded by Commissioner Hoskie. The motion passed, with Commissioners Cudeii and Washburn abstaining.
B.
Approval of December 04, 2025 Minutes
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Co-chair Lomaomvaya made a motion to approve the Minutes as is and seconded by Commissioner Cudeii. The motion passed, with Commissioner Washburn abstaining.
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Co-chair Lomaomvaya made a motion to approve the Minutes as is and seconded by Commissioner Cudeii. The motion passed, with Commissioner Washburn abstaining.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS (Possible Vote)
A.
Official Introduction of Commissioner Elizabeth Washburn
Welcome and introduction of Commissioner Washburn. Commission members will also introduce themselves.
Commissioner "Libby" Washburn was given the floor to introduce herself, give information on her background, and her current work in Flagstaff. The Commissioners were given time to introduce themselves and provide additional information about themselves. Staff liaison Toehe, Councilmember Matthews, and attending guests Jenna Ortega and Sheldon Yazzie also introduced themselves. The introduction session was very thorough and it took all the time it needed.
Welcome and introduction of Commissioner Washburn. Commission members will also introduce themselves.
Commissioner "Libby" Washburn was given the floor to introduce herself, give information on her background, and her current work in Flagstaff. The Commissioners were given time to introduce themselves and provide additional information about themselves. Staff liaison Toehe, Councilmember Matthews, and attending guests Jenna Ortega and Sheldon Yazzie also introduced themselves. The introduction session was very thorough and it took all the time it needed.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Update on City of Flagstaff (COF) Community Social Powwow
Staff liaison Toehe will update the Commission on the planning and progress of the powwow. Commissioners Marks and Lance are also part of the planning.
The update included progress of the COF Community Social Powwow to date. The planning has been smooth so far, everything working out. One of the options was to have the event at the Thorpe Park ballpark. That did not work out as the plan was to have it the first weekend in June in conjunction with NACA's Sacred Mountain Prayer Run and NACA was on board with the plan. Parks & Recreation reported that all ball fields were scheduled, starting in mid-May and all the summer months. Having an April event at the ballpark was also ruled out due to the weather being unpredictable. Commissioner Marks brought up the Flagstaff High School (FHS) contest powwow on April 17-18, and stated that we could combine and collaborate with the FHS Native American club. From this conversation, the planning committee decided to partner with FHS Native American club. The COF Community Social Powwow is scheduled on Sunday, April 19, 9am–5pm.
All headstaff are confirmed. Staff liaison Toehe is now obtaining W-9s and vendor applications for payment for services. Headstaff details with names and function were shared with the Commission. There will be a food vendor for the concession and that group has agreed to feed the headstaff of 25-30 individuals. Some details for the agenda were also shared with the Commission. Commissioner Lance will provide all the banners for marketing purposes. The flyer will be produced and will hopefully be available soon. Arts and crafts vending will also be available and FHS club will be the responsible party and will keep the proceeds. A theme was presented "A Kinship Gathering at Abalone Shell Mountain" with no objections. Updates will be provided as needed.
Staff liaison Toehe will update the Commission on the planning and progress of the powwow. Commissioners Marks and Lance are also part of the planning.
The update included progress of the COF Community Social Powwow to date. The planning has been smooth so far, everything working out. One of the options was to have the event at the Thorpe Park ballpark. That did not work out as the plan was to have it the first weekend in June in conjunction with NACA's Sacred Mountain Prayer Run and NACA was on board with the plan. Parks & Recreation reported that all ball fields were scheduled, starting in mid-May and all the summer months. Having an April event at the ballpark was also ruled out due to the weather being unpredictable. Commissioner Marks brought up the Flagstaff High School (FHS) contest powwow on April 17-18, and stated that we could combine and collaborate with the FHS Native American club. From this conversation, the planning committee decided to partner with FHS Native American club. The COF Community Social Powwow is scheduled on Sunday, April 19, 9am–5pm.
All headstaff are confirmed. Staff liaison Toehe is now obtaining W-9s and vendor applications for payment for services. Headstaff details with names and function were shared with the Commission. There will be a food vendor for the concession and that group has agreed to feed the headstaff of 25-30 individuals. Some details for the agenda were also shared with the Commission. Commissioner Lance will provide all the banners for marketing purposes. The flyer will be produced and will hopefully be available soon. Arts and crafts vending will also be available and FHS club will be the responsible party and will keep the proceeds. A theme was presented "A Kinship Gathering at Abalone Shell Mountain" with no objections. Updates will be provided as needed.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
- Event at Culture Connection with local Indigenous artists. Commissioner Marks was requested to share the information with the vendors he works with.
- Meeting with Dr. Alice Christie on March 16th, Flagstaff Women Connects.
- North Country is absorbed by El Rio, a federal judge announced. Questions around Girls on the Run are still ongoing.
- Co-chair Zavala recruiting youth participation for her collective, river rafting trip in July. Contact her for information.
- Shoe game organized by students and scheduled for Feb. 20th. Flagstaff High School Contest Powwow.
- The Maricopa Native Baddies running group would like to expand to Northern Arizona.
- Grand Canyon Trust Leadership Program applications are available. Service project is scheduled for August.
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Mariah Zavala adjourned the meeting at 12:07 PM.
Co-chair Mariah Zavala adjourned the meeting at 12:07 PM.