Public Naming Commission Meeting - November 12, 2025

The Public Naming Commission convened for its meeting on November 12, 2025, to review indigenous naming policies from Alberta and Edmonton, strategize for an upcoming joint meeting with the Native Village of Oclutna (Aknutna), and confirm the 2026 meeting schedule. The meeting featured a detailed presentation on best practices for indigenous engagement, followed by discussions on protocol development, recruitment of tribal representation, and administrative logistics.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved unanimously following a motion by Member Selma and a second.
• The minutes from the October 9th meeting were approved unanimously following a motion and a second.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No specific public comments or testimony from external community members were recorded during this session; the discussion regarding "public" input was limited to internal deliberations about engaging with Oclutna and Parks & Rec.

Discussion Items

• Indigenous Naming Pathway Policy Consultation: Kevin presented a comparative analysis of naming policies from Alberta and Edmonton. He highlighted that Alberta treats indigenous names as intellectual property and prioritizes proposals from nations, while Edmonton utilizes an Indigenous Naming Advisory Circle for co-designing pathways. Kevin emphasized that policies must empower indigenous nations to appoint their own representatives rather than the municipality assuming representation.
• Honoraria and Tax Implications: Commissioners advised caution regarding honoraria for indigenous knowledge keepers. It was noted that payments exceeding a specific threshold could trigger 1099 tax reporting, potentially affecting elders' eligibility for essential programs like meals on wheels. The group recommended balancing fair compensation with careful accounting of annual payment totals.
• Strategic Preparations for Oclutna Meeting: The commission discussed a joint meeting scheduled for December 11, 2025. Objectives identified include inviting an Oclutna representative to join the Commission's seat and learning about Oclutna's existing consultation processes. There was a consensus to split the presentation among multiple commissioners to cover the Commission's purpose, the research findings, and the recruitment pitch.
• Parks & Rec Engagement: A meeting with Anchorage Parks & Recreation was proposed for the December session to foster relationships and discuss naming guidelines.
• 2026 Calendar: The commission confirmed that the regular meeting schedule (second Wednesday of the month) will remain in place for 2026, with virtual attendance options available for members with changing schedules.
• Commissioner Residency Update: Commissioner Jen announced that while she is currently seeking employment outside Anchorage, her primary residence remains in the municipality, ensuring her continued eligibility to serve on the commission as per municipal code.

Key Outcomes

• Adoption of Schedule: The commission maintained the current meeting schedule (second Wednesday of the month) for 2026.
• Meeting Strategy Formulated: A specific strategy was agreed upon for the December 11th joint meeting with Oclutna: a 5-minute presentation divided among commissioners to explain the Commission's purpose, share research recommendations, and recruit a tribal representative.
• Recruitment Goal: The commission prioritized the objective of securing a designated seat for the Native Village of Oclutna (Aknutna) on the Public Naming Commission.
• Administrative Task: Commissioner Jenny is drafting the minutes, with a plan to include the research recommendations in the meeting packet for the December session.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned unanimously, with the next session scheduled for the second Wednesday of December (subject to the holiday schedule).