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Native American Commission - May 3, 2018 Minutes

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Native American Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2018.

The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:

Present: Sharon White Bear, Maylynn Warne, Guy Fox, Ruth Buffalo, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson

Absent: John Strand, Clinton Alexander

Also Present: Vince Kempf (Fargo Police Department)

Item 1. Welcome and Introductions
Chair White Bear welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.

Item 2. Approve Order of Agenda and Minutes
Mr. Fox moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the April 5, 2018 meeting be approved as presented. Second by Ms. King. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 3. Public Comment
Heather Keeler-Johnson, Moorhead Public School District Indian Education Liaison, presented information about the Gen-I Challenge. She shared that the Challenge is a National Initiative. She stated that there has not been any participants signed-up from the Fargo-Moorhead area, and requested support to get information out to local youth. Ms. Keeler-Johnson distributed information to the Board.

Discussion was held by the Board regarding possible service areas.

Item 4. Treasurer Election
Chair White Bear stated that the Native American Commission Treasurer position is currently vacant and that interest has been shown from Ms. Buffalo. Ms. White Bear appointed Ms. Buffalo to serve as Treasurer.

Item 5. Native American Center Update
Chair White Bear shared that she has spoken with Mr. Alexander regarding the use of the Native American Center. She stated interested parties should contact Mr. Alexander regarding use of the space.

Item 6. Self Defense Center Update
Ms. Buffalo shared that May 5 is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Awareness Day. There is a march scheduled for that day. She noted that there was an intent to hold a self-defense class on that day, but the timing has passed for set up.

Member Knutson present.

Assistant Planner Kara Gloe shared that the MMIW Committee did not have the funds to pay for the class at the time of the request; however, a proposed request is included in the packet.

Ms. Buffalo stated there is still interest in holding the class, even if on an alternate date.

Discussion was held on the process of holding a special meeting if future funding requests come before the Board and need immediate response.

Chair White Bear stated that she would like to offer the other committee’s time for review of the request of the proposed funds.

Further discussion was held on the type of class, number of participants, and barriers preventing participants from attending.

Chair White Bear tabled this item to the next meeting, pending budget review.

Item 7. Old Business
No Update.

Item 8. New Business
Ms. Warne shared an updated of the progress being made on an orientation packet for new Board members.

Ms. Buffalo requested the dress that Laura Youngbird made be on display at the Fargo Marathon.

Ms. King provided details regarding set-up, schedule, and logistics for the Fargo Marathon.

Ms. King shared that the Fargo Project will be scheduling an event in August.

The Native American Picnic will be August 25 at Oak Grove Park.

Item 9. Committee Updates
Mr. Fox shared that the Sweat Lodge Committee has met and work is being done to move the Sweat Lodge to the new site. He stated there will be new policies and procedures as well as better signage. Mr. Fox stated that all Sweats are currently on hold until the new Lodge is open.

Item 10. Announcements
Ms. Warne shared that the Indian Education Graduation Picnic will be held on May 16.

Chair White Bear thanked Ms. Warne for her service to the Native American Commission and presented her with an appreciation plaque.

Chair White Bear noted that the Board has two open positions and is accepting applications.

Item 11. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 12:37 p.m.