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Native American Commission - June 6, 2019 Minutes

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Native American Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, June 6, 2019.

The Native American Commissioners present or absent were as follows:

Present: Sharon White Bear, John Strand, Anna Johnson, Lenore King, Rebecca Knutson, Chalsey Snyder, Heather Keeler (via conference call)

Absent: Guy Fox, Whitney Fear

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

Item 2. Prayer
Member King led the Board in Prayer.

Item 3. Approve Order of Agenda & Minutes
Member Strand moved the Order of Agenda and the minutes of the May 2, 2019 Native American Commission meeting be approved. Second by Johnson. On call of the roll Members Johnson, Keeler, King, Knutson, Strand, and White Bear voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Snyder, Fox, and Fear. The motion was declared carried.

Item 4: Jon Sobiech & Susan Malin-Boyce, FM Metropolitan Area Flood Risk Management Project
Jon Sobiech and Susan Malin-Boyce, FM Metropolitan Area Flood Risk Management Project, presented an overview of the history and work being conducted to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential historic properties and cultural pieces along the proposed project work area for the FM Area Diversion Project.

Member Snyder present.

Discussion was held on what is being done to document and preserve any cultural pieces that are found, the process of notifying tribes, and the plans for mitigation and relocation of the two previously identified sites of historic properties.

Item 5. Rick Hall, Indigenous Garden/Orchard Project
Rick Hall and Laura Youngbird presented an overview of the history and plan for an Indigenous Garden/Orchard Project in Fargo. He noted that a state grant has been awarded for $4500 from the Department of Agriculture and reviewed four tentative locations. Mr. Hall noted that the ICC, Indigenous Community Circle, will be the primary organization in charge of this project and reviewed the proposed plants and trees to be planted.

Discussion was held on ways the Board can contribute and support this project, and the proposed timeline for planting.

Member Johnson moved to approve general support of the Indigenous Garden and Orchard project, with any special detailed support contingent upon further documentation and application submittal to the Board. Second by Member Snyder. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield provided a brief overview of staff’s workplan and where this project falls on it, as well as listing the additional City departments that would need to be involved with this project.

Ms. Youngbird shared that the Plains Art Museum will be holding a Women’s Artist Panel event on July 18 that will include Native American Women Artists.

Item 6. Sponsorship Request
a. FM Native STAND
Zach Packineau and Vanessa Tibbetts thanked the Native American Commission for their previous support of the FM Native STAND program. They provided a brief overview of the program and made an additional request for funding.

Discussion was held on how outreach was being done for this event, the target group of participants, and a request was made for the group to return to the Board to provide a breakdown of how the event went upon completion.

Member Knutson moved to approve an additional $750 sponsorship for the FM Native STAND program. Second by Member Johnson. On call of the roll Members Keeler, King, Knutson, Strand, Johnson, Snyder, and White Bear voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Fear and Fox. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Item 7. Fargo Marathon Summary
Member Snyder provided an overview of the event, noting that pictures have been posted on the Native American Commission Facebook page.

Item 8. Strategic Planning Next Steps
This item was tabled to the July 11, 2019 meeting.

Item 9. Public Comment
- Natasha Rausch introduced herself to the Board, noting she is a reporter with the Forum and will be reporting on Native American issues. She provided her contact information: phone number 513.846.0038, and email nrausch@forumcom.com.

- Jeremy Traen and Cody Severson, Sharehouse, provided a brief overview of Sharehouse and its program. They noted that 30-50% of their clientele identify as Native American, and they would like to connect with people that can help facilitate talking circles and gender specific sweats.

The Board shared interest in having Sharehouse return to a future meeting to provide a formal presentation. It was noted that the City of Fargo has a Sweat Lodge and to connect with Member Snyder for more information.

Item 10. Announcements
- Chair White Bear shared that the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center will be conducting bystander training on June 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YWCA.

- Chair White Bear additionally shared that the ICWA will be conducting qualified expert witness training on June 20 from 1-4 p.m., and June 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information can be obtained from Chair White Bear.

- Member Strand inquired about participation in the Police Picnic.

Chair White Bear stated the planning committee has withdrawn the registration due to lack of organization and the unavailability of staff support.

Ms. Crutchfield provided information on the decision to withdrawn the registration and noted staff is evaluating where future efforts should be concentrated for the most impact.

Discussion was held regarding ways the Native American Commission members can be present and interacting with the community at the picnic and the desire to still host a table at the picnic.

Item 11. Staff Report
Assistant Planner Catlyn Christie shared that staff is waiting to receive the report from Maylynn Warne and it should be received soon.

Item 12. Next Meeting – July 11, 2019

Item 13. Adjourn
The time of adjournment was 1:14 p.m.