Agenda

1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Co-chair Washington at 4:34 P.M.

2.

Roll Call

NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means.

Diana Cudeii, Ex-Officio: Present
Dorothy Gishie, Ex-Officio; Present, joined at 4:48 P.M., had login issues
Meg Kabotie Adakai, E-Officio; Present, joined at 4:40 P.M.
Cora M. Phillips, Co-Chair; Excused Absence
Joe. W. Washington, Co-Chair; Present
Courtney Scott; Present, joined at 4:42 P.M.
Fawn Toya; Present
Kiara Weathersby; Present
Shawna Whitehat; Absent
Jonathan Yellowhair; Present

Others in attendance: Councilmember Adam Shimoni; Rose Toehe, Staff Liaison/Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives; Sara Dechter, City Comprehensive Planning Manager; Jordan Hollinger, City Associate Planner.

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.

None.

4.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of Minutes for April 8, 2021 Meeting
Motion to approve minutes as is or approve with amendments.

The motion was made by Commissioner Toya to approve the minutes as is. Seconded by Commissioner Yellowhair. Motion passed unanimously.

5.

GENERAL BUSINESS

A.

Indigenous/American Indian and Alaskan Natives (AIAN) Population Trends in the Flagstaff Area and surrounding areas.
Presentation for informative purposes. Topic requested by Commission.

A PowerPoint presentation was provided by Jordan Hollinger, City Associate Planner. It was pointed out that current data for the Census had a lag and complications that occurred due to the pandemic. Any current Census data is not available at this time. The presentation is based on data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and prior census tracks. There were areas that showed decreases in indigenous population which some commissioners felt were not as accurate as they could be. Indigenous populations tend not to answer the American Community Survey due to distrust of any data gathering surveys. There was a question and answer session regarding the presentation. The PowerPoint presentation is available to anyone who would like a copy and to follow up with Ms. Toehe.

6.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.

Land Acknowledgement
Presentation for possible delivery of Land Acknowledgement for use by City Council and/or other city meetings.

A PowerPoint presentation was provided by Sara Dechter from Community Development.The presentation was informational to the Commission and a discussion followed the presentation. Several points were made about Land Acknowledgement including the following:

It should be discomfitting
head, heart, and gut have to come together and pack a punch
to be used respectfully and properly (use of guidance on how to use it); something that helps us all acknowledge and reflect - not just something to recite
acknowledgement is the first step to gathering and connecting
commissioners agree that this (land acknowledgement) is important to do; also thoughts about it not to be "taken away"; and what is beyond the acknowledgement?.

Feedback and direction was requested by Ms. Toehe, to have this topic on the retreat agenda. Support received.

B.

Vision and Mission Statement

The subject was brought up by staff liaison, Ms. Toehe, because it had been requested in a prior meeting by Commissioner Whitehat with the thought that commissioners would be on the same page in doing their work going forward. Feedback was needed to put on the agenda at the retreat if commissioners agree. There was support for this topic and it will be placed on the retreat agenda.

C.

Retreat

Feedback needed from commissioners to schedule an Indigenous Commission retreat. Commissioners provided direction they support a retreat. Discussion followed regarding dates and the Commission came to a decision to schedule the retreat on Saturday, July 31, 2021 as an all day session. The two prior subjects of Mission & Vision Statements and Land Acknowledgement will be placed on the agenda. Facilitator/s and facility will be identified. Information will be communicated co-chairs.

7.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS

Three requests were made on possible topics for the August agenda. Commissioner Yellowhair stated it may be a good idea to have a group or board for the Alternative Response task force and possible detox center for increased indigenous input. Commissioner Toya would like to invite Councilmember Aslan to a near future meeting to share his ideas on current work and community conversations. Ms. Toehe also shared CJCC's plan to form an Indigenous Initiatives work group that was discussed at their retreat on 6/9/21. With that information, Co-chair Washington requested a CJCC presentation. Ms. Toehe will work to put these item on the agenda.

8.

ADJOURNMENT

Co-chair Washington adjourned the meeting at 6:36 P.M.