Fargo Native American Commission Meeting - January 4, 2024

The Fargo Native American Commission held its regular meeting on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 12:00 PM in the Commission Chambers at Fargo City Hall. Chairperson Whitney Johnson presided, with members Amanda Strauss and new member Lisa Ducheneaux present. Suzanne Senske and Vice Chair Ashley Littlewolf participated via phone. Members Emily Sargent and Dale Sayers were absent. City Commissioner John Strand and Fargo School Board Liaison Seth Holden were also in attendance. The meeting adjourned at 12:18 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda and Minutes: The agenda and the minutes from September 7, 2023, and November 2, 2023, were approved unanimously. A motion by Member Strauss, seconded by Member Ducheneaux, carried with all voting aye.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Indigenous Association Report: Executive Director Brandon Baity reported on 2023 activities, including the Bear Grease event at the Fargo Theater, the Native American Community picnic, and a New Year's Eve potluck and bingo night that drew approximately 50–60 people. For 2024, the Indigenous Association is transitioning from contracted workers to payroll employees and plans to hire part-time positions for events, activities, and volunteer coordination, with job descriptions expected by the end of January. An open craft night is held every Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Volunteers are needed; more information is available at indgns.org or the Indigenous Association Facebook page. Baity also noted a book drive organized by NDSU's Jamie Larson has filled two bookshelves at the association—one entirely with Indigenous authors and another with children's books and other works.
• Subcommittee Reports:
  • Education and Cultural Awareness Subcommittee (Suzanne Senske): The subcommittee attended a listening session with the Fargo Public Schools Superintendent. The Indian Education Program has a tutor position open, paying approximately $15–$17 per hour, posted on the Fargo Public Schools website.
  • Housing Subcommittee (Ashley Littlewolf): The subcommittee is identifying focus areas for the board to support or engage with in the new year.
  • Health and Wellness Subcommittee: No updates were provided.
• Staff Reports:
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Ahmed Schiil invited the community to the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Fargo Theater, with doors opening at 6:00 PM. The theme is "Emoja 55, Dreamers Unite."
  • City Commissioner John Strand reported that leaders of the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority have requested connections with the Native American community to incorporate cultural awareness into the diversion project. He has begun sharing contacts with the Indigenous Association.

Announcements

• Member Amanda Strauss announced a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) event will be held on February 14, 2024, at the Indigenous Association, likely around 12:00 PM. Additional details will be posted on the Indigenous Association's website.

Key Outcomes

• The meeting agenda and minutes from September 7 and November 2, 2023, were approved unanimously.
• The next regular meeting of the Native American Commission was scheduled for March 7, 2024.
• The meeting adjourned at 12:18 PM.