HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-24 Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Regular Meeting
7 PM — Emma J. Harvat Hall
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CALL TO ORDER
2. READING OF NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
3. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (COMMISSIONERS
SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING
SAID ITEMS.) 5 MINUTE MAXIMUM FOR EACH SPEAKER.
Only in -person comments will be allowed for Public Comment. Public comment for
specific agenda items, which must be directly related to that agenda item, may be made
in -person or remotely.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 7, 2023, MEETING
5. MLK DAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 15
6. NATIVE PARTNERS HEALING CIRCLE TRAINING AND EVENTS
January 26, Friday evening: an experiential healing circle for community
members. Possible times: 5:30 or 6 to 8:30 or 9.
January 27 and 28, Saturday and Sunday: 2-day Circle training for the members of
the community that want to be trained. Possible times: 11 to 4, 10 to 5, 11 to 5.
Saturday Feb. 3 and Saturday Feb. 10: host 2 experiential healing circles for
people who want to be in a circle, want healing and/or for new trainees to help
facilitate. Possible times: 10 to 1 or 1 to 4.
7. NEXT STEPS FOR PHASE 2
A. PROPOSED PHASE 2 ROADMAP
8. UPDATE ON FACT-FINDING
9. DISCUSSION ON TRC MODEL PRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER SIMMONS
INCLUDING:
A. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL $250,000 FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS
11. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STAFF
12. ADJOURNMENT
In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer
the opportunity to participate in the meeting remotely. However, this meeting
is in -person, and those wishing to ensure their ability to participate should
attend the meeting in -person. If you instead wish to participate remotely, you
may attempt to do so by joining the below link. Please note that the meeting
link and ID for the first Thursday is different than the meeting link and ID for
the third Thursday.
First Thursday Meetings
ID: 867 2424 8095
Third Thursday Meetings
ID: 895 3695 0485
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all City of Iowa City -sponsored
events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in
order to participate in these events, please contact the Office of Equity and Human
Rights at 319-356-5022 or humanrights(diowa-city.org.
Native American land Acknowledgement
Prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human
Rights Commission
PURPOSE
Iowa City owes its existence to the many Indigenous Peoples who were the original stewards of this land
and who were subjected to manipulation and violence by non-native settlers, invaders, and governments
in order to make this moment possible. Acknowledgement of this truth is central to our work toward
reconciliation across all barriers of difference and injustice. Starting with a Native American Land
Acknowledgement, this Commission will bear witness to the legacies of violent displacement, migration,
and settlement that have marginalized those who were the first inhabitants of this land. We must also
address the mistreatment and exclusion that Native Americans continue to face today. The Ad Hoc Truth
and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission encourage the community and City of
Iowa City to join us in these efforts through the use of a Native American Land Acknowledgement.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To be read at all public meetings and events:
"We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of
Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of
Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk, and because
history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the
ancient connections of many other Indigenous Peoples here. The history of broken
treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands
was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we can not erase. We implore the
Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we
work toward equity, restoration, and reparations."
LEARN MORE
Native Governance Center Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
US Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land Virtual Resources and Guide
Meskwaki Nation - History
Special thanks to the University of Iowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as
members of the public, for their input.
Agenda Item #4
December 7, 2023
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Chastity Dillard, Louis Tassinary, Chad Simmons, Clif Johnson,
Wangui Gathua.
Commissioners not present: Sikowis Nobiss, Eric Harris, Marie Krebs, Lauren Merritt.
Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers.
Meeting called to order: 7:04 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Tassinary read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of minutes from the November 9 & 16, 2023 meeting: Dillard moved, and
Tassinary seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Next steps for Phase 2 and update on fact-finding by Kearns and West: The Comnssion
agreed that taking a deep dive into Phase 2 and fact-finding makes the most sense. The
categories for fact-finding are public safety/policing/law enforcement,
naming/memorialization/remembrances, economic development, health, environmental justice,
education, and other. Commissioners briefly defined what is intended by economic development
—job training and assistance and other opportunities that would assist communities in being
successful. Amos Kiche suggested that the TRC develop a process for handling topics that are
not on the current list or items marked 'other".
Discussion on the TRC model presented by Commissioner Simmons: Simmons would like to
see the TRC host an MLK Breakfast on January 15. Dillard suggested building upon existing
events being held in honor of MLK. The Commission opted to participate in the MLK Day of
Service, which is being held at Mercer Aquatic Center and sponsored by the City. They hope to
participate meaningfully, including a listening post for community members to meet with TRC
members. Additional outreach opportunities include hosting an event at ICOR Boxing in
February.
The Commission also noted that Phase 2 is supposed to be a model and that it would be
beneficial for them to have a detailed plan from the facilitators on what this plan would entail. It
was agreed that the facilitators would present a draft roadmap of Phase 2 for the Commission at
its January 4 meeting date. Facilitators pointed out that the resolution creating the Commission is
a good source for the roadmap.
Commissioners inquired into their current financial status. Staff provided an update: the
Commission can roll over funds not utilized in Phase 1 and add that to the $14,000 set aside for
Phase 2. Simmons moved that the TRC allocate $5000 for the upcoming MLK Day of Service,
Tassinary seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0-1, with Gathua abstaining.
It was requested of staff to order the TRC a table cover, t-shirts, and to create a brochure.
Discussion on whether to hold a meeting on December 21: A quorum of members is available to
meet on the 21 st but would prefer to cancel the meeting. Tassinaiy motioned to cancel the
second December meeting date and Gathua seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
The meeting adjoi teed at 9:52 PM.
To view the recording or listen to the audio of this meeting, visit this link.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2023
(Meetinu Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
5/4
6/1
6/15
7/20
8/17
9/7
9/21
10/5
10/25
10/26
11/9
11/16
12/7
Dillard
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Cathua
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
P
P
P
A
A
P
Harris
12/31/24
P
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Johnson
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
A
P
P
P
P
Krebs
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
A
Merritt
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
Nobiss
12/31/24
P
A
P
P
P
P
A
P
A
A
A
P
A
Simmons
12/31/24
-
-
-
-
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Tassinary
12/31/24
-
-
-
A
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
KEY: P = Present
A = Absent
Agenda Item #7
Wee, Goals
12/1, f,/5 Draft Phase 2 Research
FImines and submit Phase 2 Roadmap
12/1812/22 Make plan for 1/4TRc meeting
12/2512/29 -Prepare roadmap presentation for'1/4TRc meeting
Present roadmap at 1/4 TRC meeting and Discuss Listening Posts and Witnessing elements of TT eventsand
Ask whether the March "Culminating Events" will satisfy the TRC§ request for doing "pilot" programs during
Phase 2 and Get commitment on "Colarinating Even, dates
1/1-1/5 TIC undertakes denningfor Listening Posts to start determining focus theater March everi
Create a list of target community organizations for Listening Past outreach by facts topic (Education,
Economic Development PubRCSafety/Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement)
1/8-1/12 TIC continues planning for 1/15 MLK Day event Listening Post
-Set Most ecrentls) date/time/length and obLatiyes
Attend 1/18 TRC meeting
1/15-1/19 -TRC completes planning for l/15 MILK Day event Listening Post
Aookveauefor March seems) and Create promotional calendar
Hold 1/265 Spar experiential community Healing Crde and 1/27-1/28 twoday Healing Circle tralnings for
mlsslaners
1/22-1/26 -TRC debrief, on 1115 MLK Day event Llxt,drA Port
-Present Public Safety findings at 2/1 TRC meeting
-Create document on Witnessing (how to hold and support persons providing testimony)
1/29-212Complete 'Concept Note' for March event plan
-Hold experiential community Healing Circle
2/5-2/9 -Share draft ofdocument on public hearings with the consuitantteam
-outline run of snow for March eventls) at 2/15 TRC meeting and Present Economic Development findings
and Present document on public hearings
2/12-2/16 -TRC Listening Posts progress check in and selects focus topic for March eventls)
2/19 2/23
2/29-3/1Create detailed facilitation guidefor March events)
3/43/8 -Review March events plan at 3/7 TRC accounted Present Education findings
-Hold 3/14 participant, Culminating Event
-Start to organize themes from ongoing internal feedback document (if that's established) for City Council
report
3/11-3/15 -outline report for City Council
-Hold 3/20 TruthTelling Culminating Eventwith Healing components
-Httentl 3/21 TRC meeting
3/183/22 -Draft reportfor City Council
-Hold 3/29 Healing Circle Culminating Event (MLand CA)
3/25-3/29 -Complete final reportfor CityCouncil and submit
-Debrief Culminating Events at 4/4 TRC meeting
4n>/5 -Draft presentation to ❑tyCouncil
-Complete presentation to City Council and Send to Chy Council by 4/10 target 4/n normal, 4/12last
convenient date
4/84/12 Conduct a dry run of the presentation to City Council (if team is Interested)
-Present to City Council on 4/16
4/154/19 Attend INC meeting on 4118
Completed Outputs
Phase 2 Roadmap
Roadmap presentation for 1/4 TRC meeting
1/4 Present road map and "pilot" question at TRC meeting, EG, IN, and
11Cto Discuss Listening Posts; LH to present slides on TT events
Listening Past planning
Listening Past planning
1/18 TRC meeting
TRC Listening Past at 1/15 MLK event
1/265-Rpm experimental community Healing Circle, 1127 & 1/2813am-
5pm two day Circle training IML, DAY, and TM)
Listening Post debrief
Public Safety data revieev at211 TRC meeting
211 MS to present document on Witnessing
Concept Note far March event plan
Experien im community Healing Leads213 and 2J10, Into lam or 1-
Arm (ME add OW)
Craft of document on public hearings to consultant team
Outline March events) run of show at 2/15 TRC meeting and and Each
Rev data review and Present document on Public Hearings
March eventls) facilitation guide
Education data and March eventsplan review at 3/2 TRC meeting
3/14 FactFnding Culminating Event
3/20 TruthTelling Culminating Event with Healing components
3/21 TRC meeting
Hold 3/29 Healing Circle Culminating Event ML and DW)
Final report for City Council
Debrief Culminating Events at4/4 INC meeting
4/10 Send completed presentation to City council
4/16 Presentation to City Council
4118 TRC meeting
Notes Key: All Consultants, Seems & Nett, Think Peace, Healing Par
Week Goals
12/11-12/15 Craft Phase 2 Road map
Find lee and submit Phase 2 Road map
12/18-12/22 Make plan for 1/4 TRC meeting
12/25-12/29 -Prepare maderap presentation for'1/4TRC meeting
Schedulelanuary FactFinding Interviews
Present roatl map at 114 TRC meeting
1/1-1/5 Outline tabine consultant brief on Publiewety
Research and Draft topllne consultant brief on Publo wfety
1/8-1/12 Conduct FaCkinding interviews
-Complete topllne consultant moron Public Safety
-Set March everri date/time/length and objectives
1/15-1/19 -Attend 1/18 TRC meeting
-Select ke/ Economic Development Indicators to research
-Outline toprme consultant brief on Economic Development
1122-1/26 book venue for March events) and Create promotional calendar
-Research and Draft topllne consultant brief on Economic Development
1/29-2/2 Present Public Safety findings at 2/1TRC meeting
-Complete topllne consultant hrief on Economic Development
2/5-2/9 -Select key Education indicators to research
-Outline opine consultant brief on Education
Outline run ofshow for March events) and Present Economic Development findings at
2/12-2/16 2,/15 TRC meeting
2/192/23 -Research and Draft t orm consultant brief on Education
Complete topllne consultant anchor Education
2/29-3/1 Create detailed facilitation guidefor March event)sl
3/43/8 -Review March events 'plan at3/] TRC meeting and Present Education findings
-Hold event OPTION 1
-Start to organize themes from ongoing internal feedback document (if that's
established) for City Council report
3/11-3/15 -Outline final report to City Council
-Hold event OPTION 2
-Draft final recom producers to City CouTel l for how to proceed with DUO using
-
Httentl 3/21 TRC peed ng
3/183/22 -Draft find l report to City Council
3/25-3/29 -Complete fins l report for City Count l a of submit
-Debrief Culminating Events at 4/4 TRC meeting
4p1/5 -Draft presentation to City Can ncu
-Complete presentation to City Can Tel l and Send to City Council by 4110 target, 4/1
4/12last convenient date
4/84/12 normal,Conduct a it ry run of the presentation to City Council (it team is Interested)
-Present to City Council on 4/16
4/154/19 -Attend TRC meeting on 4/18
Completed outputs Notes
Phase 2 Roadmap
Roadmap presentation for 114 TRC meeting
114 TRC meeting
Consultant brief on Public Safety
1/18 TRC meeting
Public safety data review at2/1 TRC meeting
Consultant brief on Economic Development
2/15 TRC meeting
Consultant brief on Education
March event(s) facilitation guide
Education data and March eventsplan review
at 3/2 TRC meeting
FacHinding Culminating Event option 1
Cartooning Culminating Event option 2
3/21 TRC meeting
Final report for City Council
Debrief Culminating Events at 4/4 TRC meeting
Pending decision'. Fact Finding week of 3/11-3/15 or the following week of 3118-3/22 (on 3/18 or3/19)
Pending decision'. Fact Finding week of 3/11-3/15 or the following week of 3/18-3/22 (on 3/18 or3/19)
4/10 Send completed presentation to City Council
4/16 Presentation to City Council
4/18 TRC meeting
The consultant team prepared a detailed roadmap for Phase 2 of the contracts, which
covers Q1. The roadmap shows, for each week, the objectives and associated deliverables,
color -coded by the team responsible (see the key at the top of the sheet). In January and
February, to support the work of the TRC, the consultants will be conducting research,
developing materials, holding training sessions, and giving presentations. Kearns & West will
investigate the three topics the TRC identified as priorities --Public Safety/Criminal Justice/Law
Enforcement, Economic Development, and Education --and give periodic presentations to the
TRC with their aggregated findings. Think Peace will create documents on Witnessing and
public hearings to guide the design and delivery of the Truth -Telling events, and will facilitate
discussions with the TRC about the content contained in those documents. The Native and
Healing Partners will offer experiential Healing Circles to introduce both commissioners and
interested community members to the medium, as well as provide commissioners with a
two-day training on how to conduct Healing Circles themselves, so they can continue to hold
Healing Circles in the community. All the while, the TRC will continue to meet on the first and
third Thursdays of each month; in addition, the roadmap entails the TRC holding "Listening
Posts" at the already -planned events of community partner organizations, starting with one on
January 15th at the event celebrating MLK Day.
As March approaches, the roadmap defines the focus of the combined efforts of the TRC
and the consultants to be the preparation for the "Culminating Events" (CEs) around the first
priority topic identified by the commission, Public Safety/Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement.
These events are proposed to fulfill the commission's stated expectation of "pilot" programs
covering each of the three legs of the stool of the TRC's mandate. There are three options for
how to time these events: all in one week with no break, all in one week with one day off, or one
CE per week (with the Truth -Telling CE in the same week as the regular March 21 st TRC
meeting). The final report and presentation to City Council will follow at the end of March and
early April, respectively.
Once the consultants' contracts are up, the TRC will take over full and sole responsibility
for brainstorming, planning, and executing Truth -Telling and Healing and Reconciliation Events
for the rest of the year. The consultants recommend that the commission replicate the structure
of Q1 in both Q2 and Q3. First, the consultants recommend that the TRC hold many more
Listening Posts to hear informally from community members what they find important to focus
on, especially in the warmer months when community events are much more frequent. Second,
the consultants recommend that the TRC brainstorm, plan, and execute one series of
Culminating Events per quarter, based on each of the remaining priority topics identified by the
commission, e.g. Economic Development in Q2 and Education in Q3.
Anticipating the need for the TRC to deliver a final report and presentation to the City
Council at the end of Q4, the consultants recommend that the TRC begin researching and
outlining the final report in 03. The final report will include findings and recommendations.
Then, in Q4, after the Culminating Events are complete, the consultants recommend that the
TRC focus on completing its final report; planning a ceremony for the presentation of the final
report; and holding the ceremony to present the final report to City Council and officially wrap up
the project, including Healing support for all involved in the presentation ceremony.
The following documents were handed
out during the meeting.
v Think Peace * NP 4
I UTH TF1UNG PROJECT
Truth & Reconciliation Commissions
Trauma -Informed Truth Telling and Witnessing Protocol
Adapted from The Truth Telling Project Working with Witnesses Document
By Melinda Salazar, Leo Hylton, David Ragland, and Eduardo Gonzalez
Prepared for the Iowa City Truth & Reconciliation Commission
January, 2024
Truth & Reconciliation Commissions
Trauma -Informed Truth Telling and Witnessing Protocol
Prepared for the Iowa City Truth & Reconciliation Commission by Think Peace & The Truth Telling Project
January, 2024
Table of Contents
TOPIC
PAGE
Background
2
Introduction to Truth Telling in the U.S.
2
What is a Truth Teller?
5
What is a Trauma -Informed Approach to Truth Telling?
5
What is the Role of a TRC Commissioner in Truth Telling?
6
How Are Truth Tellers Chosen?
6
Preparation for Truth Tellers
7
Notes on Conducting Testimony
8
Examples of Questions for Pre -Meetings and Listening Posts
8
Who is a Witness?
9
What is the Role of a Witness?
I0
What is Authentic or Radical Listening?
12
Post Truth Telling
12
Resources
13
Appendix A - TTP Community Agreements
14
Background
The term "testimony" is the English translation of the Spanish language expression testimonios which
originated in Latin America in the 1970s as a means of sharing spoken accounts of oppression. A testimony
is told in the first person by a narrator who is the individual directly involved in, or is a witness of, events or
experiences of mistreatment and who seeks empowerment through giving voice to those events or
experiences to active listeners. These listeners are referred to as "witnesses," who act on behalf of the
narrator to bring broader awareness to these accounts and achieve justice and repair from harm.
Historically, the origins of"giving testimony" are situated in a liberatory learning framework and contribute
to building a communication bridge of solidarity between and amongst other individuals and groups who
are marginalized. The collective goal of testimony is to name oppression and to bring it to an end, whether
as genocide, racism, classism, xenophobia, or any other type of institutionalized marginalization. Testimony
further demands justice for all crimes against humanity (K. Blackmer Reyes, J.E. Curry Rodr'1guez, 2012).
The terms "testimonial," "narrative," and "testimony" are recognized by the Library of Congress and are
used interchangeably in scholarship and in practice. The study and use of testimonial accounts have been
used in academic settings since the publication of The Pedagogy of the Oppressed in 1970 by Brazilian
popular education scholar and practitioner, Paulo Freire. Use of testimonial accounts has moved from the
periphery in academia to mainstream educational research in the classroom as a way to give voice to the lives
of those who experience war, violence, and displacement, and to serve as a tool to hear the individual points
of view of people who are marginalized as a result of race, gender, class, and sexuality discrimination.
While the use of testimonials in Truth & Reconciliation Commissions are well documented elsewhere and
were presented to the Iowa City TRC Commissioners by Think Peace partner, Eduardo Gonzalez, the
focus of this document is to draw from our experiences in the United States.
Introduction to Truth Telling in the U.S.
The Beloved Community of Greensboro, NC, drew upon this testimony approach to tell the story of the
1979 Greensboro Massacre. Five people were murdered, ten people were wounded, and four women and
one man were widowed by members of the American Nazi Party and the Ku Klux Klan —some of whom
were employed as Greensboro police. In 2004, for the first time in the United States, a formal Truth and
Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was founded. The Greensboro Truth and Community Reconciliation
Project (GTCRP) launched a democratic process that engaged the community in nominating and selecting
seven members to serve on the Commission.' The TRC sought to examine the racialized conditions leading
' Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report - h ps//� reensbo�otreorv/
2
up to the Massacre,' the organizing of Black activists and grassroots organizers rising up in response to
increasing inequalities in the Jim Crow South,' and resistance from white supremacists. The TRC was also
tasked with making recommendations for community healing around the denial of this tragedy in
Greensboro, NC.
After the August 9, 2014 murder of Michael Brown Jr. by Officer Darren Wilson, people from the local
community protested on the streets of Ferguson and St. Louis, MO for months, along with peace educators,
peace studies scholars, families of those who also experienced police violence, community organizers, and
activists. Two individuals who participated in the uprising, Dave Ragland and Cori Bush, sought out the
expertise of practitioners from South Africa, Peru, and Greensboro, NC, to learn how to create a truth
telling process to seek the truth about Michael Brown's murder, and to provide a space for others in this
nation who had been brutalized by police violence. Drawing from these truth seeking events and
experiences and applying a Black Liberatory lens, The Truth Telling Project of Ferguson was founded for
the specific purpose of supporting and implementing grassroots, community -centered truth telling
processes to achieve Black liberation and BIPOC solidarity by amplifying traditionally silenced and
disenfranchised voices, and of abolishing white supremacy. Some anticipated goals of these truth telling
hearings included: 1. to create a sacred and safe public space for people to come forth to express their anger
and outrage about state -sanctioned police violence; 2. to amplify personal, first-hand accounts of people's
experience with police brutality; 3. to contribute to healing individual and communal trauma from police
violence and the loss of loved ones; 4. to stand in solidarity with other communities that have experienced
state -sanctioned oppression: 5. to use Restorative Justice principles to create a Truth and Reconciliation
process to address this nation's racial divide and repair past harms.
The Truth Telling Project (TTP) held a series of Truth Hearings in St. Louis, inviting individuals and family
members who experienced direct or indirect police brutality to share testimony that would be witnessed by
members of the community. While many of those who shared testimony were local, many others came from
around the U.S. and also shared their story. These testimonial accounts are documented on The Truth
Telling Project website on an online educators resource called "It's Time to Listen,"' and housed at the
StoryCorps Archive in the U.S. Library of Congress.
The story of the original The Truth Telling Project is well documented in books, academic papers, courses
in Higher Education, national presentations, podcasts and social media-, this documentation also includes
TTP's evolution to include education about building a culture for reparations, rooting a reparations
'Not unlike most urban communities, racialized conditions included: social inequalities, manifestations of racism, poor housing,
and inadequate education and public services for the Black residents of Greensboro.
a The. most notable and historic events are the public "Sit -In" demonstrations held at Woolworth's and Kress department stores,
where Black students, known as the "Greensboro Four," refused to leave the "White Only" lunch counter after being refused
service.
'The site holds testimonies as well as a Discussion & Activity Guide for each, i.e., Mike Brown Sr. -
hhtns://itstimetolistenoro.wpcomsta�ing.com/790-2/
movement of faith -based communities and ethically -oriented organizations that is rapidly growing, and
contributing to organizations working on black liberation, in the areas of transitional and reparative justice.'
The purpose of this document is to provide clear definition, context, and action steps about a
trauma -informed approach to truth telling and witnessing testimony.
After the murder of George Floyd, a national movement strengthened demands for accountability and
historical justice, and many cities and states started using the instruments of truth -telling and reparation in
the form of local truth and reconciliation commissions and programs for economic empowerment. Over 70
local initiatives now exist across the United States, some established by State governors or legislatures and
some by city mayors or city councils. Some notable examples include The Maryland Lynching Truth and
Reconciliation Commission and the California Truth & Healing Council, as well as the Asheville, NC
Community Reparations Commission and the recent New York State Community Commission on
Reparations Remedies. Iowa City is part of this historic development.
This groundswell of activity is creating a critical mass of knowledge and restorative justice practice. Still, no
country -wide truth -telling initiative has succeeded yet, as proposals for a Truth. Racial Healing and
Transformation Commission and a bill to establish a study group on reparations (H.R.40) have not
gathered enough support in Washington, DC. However, it is possible that the emergence of truth and
reparation processes around the country will change patterns of passivity and inaction, and that the power
of testimony will contribute to transforming our society.
50 Bush, C., Ragland, D., & Salazar, M. (2017). "In Truth and Reconciliation, First Things First —The Truth" (Magazine
article). httos://www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2017/08/16/in-truth-and-reconciliation-first-things-first-the-truth
• Davis, Angela (2016). Freedom is a Constant Struggle, Haymarket Books
• Freeman-Woolpert, S (2020). "How Black -led resistance movements are paving the way for reparations" (News Q&A).
httos:/Lya ingnonviolence.orgZ2020/09/reparations-truth-tening_12roiect-david-ragland/
• Nagy, R. (2020) "Settler Witnessing at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• Ragland, D. (2018). "Radical Truth Telling from the Ferguson Uprising: An Educational Intervention to Shift the
Narrative, Build Political Efficacy, Claim Power, and Transform Communities" (Book chapter).
hups://onlinclibraW.wiley-.com/doi/abs/ 10.1002/9781118966709.ch26
• Ragland, D. (2020). "Truth -Telling in a Time of Polarization" (Keynote).
httus://www.12eacejusticestudies.org/video/keynote-david-ragland-truth-telling-in-a-time-of-polarization-2020-pisa-con
ference
• Rizk, E. (2015). "Dialogue Project Founders Tackle Police Brutality" (College news article).
httos://thehgya.com/dialogue-12roiect-founders-tackle-Police-brutality(
• Scott, I. (2016). "The Ferguson Truth Initiative: Building on the Legacies of South Africa and Greensboro" (blog).
httos://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-frguson-truth-initia b 8512156
• Segalovich, I. - (graphic art) - https://w .isasegalovich.com/truth-telling_12roiect
4
What is a 'Truth Teller?
A Truth Teller is someone who:
• Is directly involved or is a witness of events or experiences of mistreatment related to a particular
focus;
• Seeks empowerment through giving voice to those events or experiences to active listeners;
• Desires to come forth to tell his/her/their story and who Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners
have reviewed as credible, i.e. via news story from reputable source, witnesses, or other forms of
documentation; and/or
• May represent a community, neighborhood, street, school, local business, etc.
What is a "Trauma -Informed Approach to Truth Telling?
An understanding of trauma, multigenerational trauma, re -traumatization in the truth telling process and
how it impacts giving and witnessing testimony, as well as how to create spaces that are culturally sensitive, is
imperative in working respectfully with Black and BIPOC communities. The term, "trauma -informed
care," originated in healthcare and mental health agencies to help clinicians and care workers better
understand how adverse childhood experiences (ACES), adverse community environments, and other
situational events impact brain development, social, emotional and cognitive impairment, short and
long-term health issues; and early death. Trauma -informed truth telling specifically acknowledges how
members of the African -American and Indigenous communities develop adaptive behaviors as a
consequence of multi -generational oppression resulting from centuries of chattel slavery, forced removal
from ancestral lands, immigration, colonization, and other manifestations of pervasive systemic racism.
Understanding what Dr. Joy Degruy names "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" (PTSS) can signal to
Commissioners key patterns of behaviors in truth tellers, witnesses, as well as the public.'
Commissioners will:
• Cultivate an awareness of trauma and its impact into all aspects of organizational functioning;
• Review materials provided in educational training on trauma, retraumatization, and healing;
• Offer support for truth tellers and witnesses by providing community -based resources for self -care;
• Exercise sensitivity to truth tellers as they give testimony and to witnesses while listening to
testimony, observing and taking cues from spoken and unspoken body language;
• Exercise their own self -care during the organizing process and truth telling hearings; and
These patterns may include: 1) Vacant Esteem.- feelings of hopelessness, depression and a general self-destructive outlook; 2)
Marked Propensity for Anger and Violence - extreme feelings of suspicion, perceived negative motivations of others, i.e., friends,
relatives, or acquaintances; 3) Racist Socialization/Internalized Racism - Learned helplessness, literacy deprivation, distorted
self-concept, antipathy or aversion for one's own identified cultural/ethnic group, the mores and customs associated with one's
own identified cultural/ethnic heritage, the physical characteristics of one's own identified cultural/ethnic group.
hhttttps,//w .jQ ruyTom//post-tra=atic-slave-syndrome
• Understand that trauma from lived experiences in a racist nation is pervasive, impacts us all, and
trauma memory is held in the body.
What is the Role of a TRC Commissioner in Truth T le ling,?
Commissioners serve as "witnesses for the truth" for their fellow citizens in Iowa City. That means they
serve not only as TRC civil servants who are truth seekers, but they also are witnesses to truth telling along
with members of the public.
Responsibilities of Commissioners are to:
• Carry out duties of Commission as articulated in Resolution 20-228;
• Be present at all or most truth telling hearings, meetings, and follow-up engagements;
• Represent and stand in as a cross -sectional authority on the related experiences of communities
across the country;
• Participate actively in educational trainings to gain an understanding of the historical context,
methods, and importance of Truth Telling hearings at this juncture in time;
• Consult with one another to design culturally relevant and trauma -informed Truth Telling
hearings;
• Be aware of the conditions and needs of the community;
• Listen to, and witness, testimony on behalf of communities across the U.S.;
• Provide resources for Truth Tellers to support their physical, emotional, and/or mental health needs;
• Check in with self and fellow witnesses about healing processes, experiences, and needs
• Provide analysis of testimony and offer recommendations for report to the City Council or relevant
authority, including outcomes of hearings and follow-up evaluation;
• Assist in dissemination of findings.
How Are Truth Tellers Chosen?
Truth Tellers are members of the community who have a story of mistreatment to tell for the purpose of
self -empowerment and healing, and who desire social and policy changes to the current conditions. In
order for the community -at -large to come forth to give testimony, all members of the community must be
made informed of the Commission and what the steps are for coming forth.
Commissioners will:
• Identify local organizations, community groups and associations (formal and informal), and school
groups and associations (formal and informal) involved in social justice issues;
o These might include: special interest school groups, nonprofits, health organizations,
mutual aid groups of formerly incarcerated people, social / racial / restorative /
transformative justice / abolitionist activists (individuals and groups), etc;
• Reach out to leaders and members of the identified organizations, groups, and associations, seeking
those who might consider speaking on issues related to the commission's focus;
• Ask for at least 1 reference from the community;
• Schedule a time for a brief meeting to initiate and establish relationship, learn about the testimony a
potential Truth Teller might give, and encourage them to identify a support person to accompany
them to the Truth Telling Hearing; and
• Have a clear and explicit reason why someone does not qualify as a Truth Teller, including how their
presence or testimony will cause harm to another individual, group, or to the Hearing itself, if it
were to be included.
Preparation for Truth Tellers
Giving testimony at a Truth Telling Hearing is unlike testifying in a court setting where a witness is
cross-examined by a defense or prosecuting attorney, or where a jury or judge pronounces innocence or
guilt; here, a Truth Teller may have privacy, protection, and validation of any fear of retraumatization.
Commissioners play an important role in assuaging Truth Tellers' concerns. Time taken to prepare Truth
Tellers about what to expect, to affirm their human dignity, to feed their spirits and comfort them as they
prepare to engage in difficult and painful conversation is tantamount to the truth telling process.
Commissioners will;
• Prepare at least one pre -meeting with truth tellers to check in with their comfort level and need for
support;
o Acknowledge the existence and lasting impact of trauma
o Address need for internal preparation and protection against retraumatization
• Meet with Truth Tellers;
o Initiate and establish relationship;
o Learn about the content of their testimony;
o Encourage them to identify a support person to accompany them to the Truth Telling
Hearing;
• Build relationship with truth tellers;
o Get to know them beyond their testimony;
o Engage in informal conversation;
o Checkup on truth tellers to see how they are doing;
o Invite truth tellers to formal, semi -formal, and informal events / community gatherings;
• Take special care for youth / young adult truth tellers;
o Inquire about community supports / access to mental health support;
o Gather and offer list of community resources for support;
o Foreshadow possibility of painful new / emergent memories in sharing testimony;
o Make sure they have a plan for care / support to be available after providing testimony.
Notes on Conducting Testimony
• Provide water so that Truth Tellers may stay hydrated to mitigate the negative physiological and
emotional impacts of stress on the nervous system;
• Thank each Truth Teller for choosing to show up and share their testimony, honoring the strength
and courage required to do so;
• Invite the Truth Teller to introduce her/him/themselves in whatever way they feel comfortable,
including name, pronouns, and place of origin;
• Ask if there is anything the Truth Teller would like to share before offering their testimony;
• Ask if there is anything the Truth Teller needs in order to feel supported in sharing their testimony
(not to be interrupted, words of affirmation, more / no prompts / invitations to share more);
• Provide a gentle invitation for the Truth Teller to share her/his/their experience, starting with the
topic or theme of what they will share (i.e., police violence, housing discrimination, etc.);
• Engage with curiosity, asking follow up questions like "can you clarify or say more about...;
• Allow spaces of silence (even if they feel uncomfortable for you) for the Truth Teller to breathe,
emote however they need to, compose themselves, process or engage with new / emergent
remembrances, etc.;
• Do not impose an expectation of performed civility (Le., allow Truth Tellers to use profanity, utter
inarticulable language, scream, etc. if they are so moved by emotion);
• Offer occasional words of affirmation and encouragement when the Truth Teller seems to be
struggling to continue;
• Be gentle and patient in speech, compassionate in responses offered;
• Suspend any personal judgments that arise based upon your personal life experience or worldview;
• Make sure to thank each truth teller for the gift of their sharing;
• Allow a moment of breath between each testimony, encouraging all participants to take care of
themselves and each other throughout the hearing (i.e., drink water, remember to breathe, touch
base with their bodies, engage in whatever personal grounding practice they may have, step out of
the room and/or engage with a fellow community member outside of the room if they are feeling
too activated / triggered to stay in the space).
Examples of Questions for Pre -Meetings and Listening Posts
Provide potential Truth Tellers with a brief overview of the TRC's purpose and areas of focus:
Fact -Finding, Truth Telling, and Reconciliation. Briefly explain the nature of Truth Telling Hearings and
how they will provide a supportive opportunity for silenced, oppressed, and marginalized people to have a
voice in creating change in the systems that have been harming their communities for generations. When
multiple people are gathered, Commissioners might open with a brief formal greeting: "Thank you for
participating in this (event / conversation). We are trying to find out how racial injustice impacts the
experience of services and experiences in the life of our city. We will pose a series of questions to the group
and encourage you to be as open as you are able. The more clearly we hear and understand the broad,
painful, and widespread impact of this injustice, the more we can do to change it."
• What has been your experience with "police / school / healthcare?"
• Can you identify positive aspects of that interaction?
• Can you identify negative aspects of that interaction?
• Did anyone intervene on your behalf?
• How would you have wanted support?
• Were you harmed as a result of that interaction? Please describe the harms that were inflicted.
• What would you need to experience harm repair?
• In the context of interactions with police/school/health care what does justice look like for you?
Who is a Witness?
Witnesses can include a broad cross-section of society, such as those who are interested in learning more
about the experiences of individuals who experienced racialized police violence, city council leaders and
policymakers, family members, healers, and neighbors. A witness also has the desire to expose a
community's harm against its other members and is passionate about social and racial justice change. A
witness is a person who is aware that listening to testimony about sensitive and emotional material may
trigger emotion or retrigger past experiences of their own mistreatment. Witnesses are invited to take care of
themselves however they need to, trying as much as possible to stay and remain present to what is being
shared.
Witnesses will:
• Acknowledge that their perceptions of experiences are filtered through culture, politics, bias,
stereotypes, etc.,
• Understand bearing witness to testimony from those who have experienced director indirect
oppression, violence, racism and/or other forms of discrimination may be unsettling,
uncomfortable, and triggering; and
• Maintain the confidentiality and privacy of Truth Tellers.
What is the Role of a Witness?
People who bear witness to truth telling make a conscious decision to open their hearts and minds to the
lived experiences of those whose communities and bodies have been targeted for elimination, erasure.
The testimony may lead a witness to cultivate an awareness or reckoning of decolonizing change by
dismantling colonial attitudes, beliefs, institutions, and structures that can transform policy (Nagy,
R.2020). Becoming a witness to truth telling is to actively engage in a process alongside and with the Truth
Teller. TRC Commissioners know witnesses also require preparation that is just as important as
preparation for Truth Tellers.
Commissioners will:
• Account for the needs of those bearing witness by providing tissues on the table and slips of paper
and pens if they want to make a note of something that was said or keep track of a thought or
question to discuss later;
• Provide water so that those witnessing trauma may stay hydrated to mitigate the negative
physiological and emotional impacts of stress on the nervous system;
• Take the opportunity in preparing witnesses to watch just a few or several videos from The Truth
Telling Project website. Visit TheTruthTellingProject.org/ITTL to find recordings and hear from
our truth tellers. Other informative videos include:
o Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing in Kamloops (Canada) -
httns://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZsldE WAd2o
■ Jeanette Jules testifies about a reverend known as Hawkeye who was often drunk
and once punched and kicked a student unconscious.
■ Important to have tissues and water readily available to truth tellers
o TRC (South Africa): Episode 01, Part 04 -
htips://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oylugd6ZPfM&list=PLjxBiEEg_lO5X cA4kIlo211E1
Bsi8Ysgr&index=5
■ Powerful testimony and revelations shared of State -sanctioned killings carried out by
security forces.
■ Be prepared for strong displays of emotion (4:32)
o Truth Teller Testimonials: Mike Brown, Sr. (Ferguson)-
httns://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlOrzRQneHs&list=PLOh2 M2x7misBMv7-O_v4nr
i7mCdsi94XU&index=12& c
■ Truth Teller Mike Brown Sr. is the father of Michael Brown Jr., the youth who was
fatally shot by police officers in Ferguson, MO on August, 9, 2014. His son's killing
spawned a social and political movement against police brutality throughout the
nation, including birthing a generation of social justice community activists who are
working tirelessly for criminal justice reform and transformation.
10
o Mali: la Commission Verite, justice et Reconciliation organise des audiences publiques ("In
Mali, the Truth, justice and Reconciliation Commission is organizing public hearings of
testimonies from victims of abuses by independence and jihadist rebels in the north of the
country") - httos://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGNnncq TwY
■ (Not in English) Women sharing about sexual violence, veiled and sitting in
darkness as a form of comfort and protection, with the Commission on the other
side of the room.
o Truth Teller Testimonials: Armani Brown (Ferguson) -
httns://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18-j9K-mmBX4&list=PLOh2 M2x7misBMv7-Ov4nr
i7mCdsi94XU&index=l
■ Truth Teller Armani Brown talks about her father, who was shot by police. Her
experience with her loving father differs from the perception police officers hold of
Black men and also addresses how police brutality against other members of the
Black community retriggers the original trauma of violence and loss.
■ Example of how Commissioners can set up a projector screen for truth tellers to
share images and other media to support them in their testimony.
o Tunisia's victims of abuse testify on television -
httos://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tbns-WQOAE
■ Victims of rape and torture in Tunisia, along with the relatives of murder victims,
are giving evidence in televised hearings. The Truth and Dignity Commission aims
to help Tunisians come to terms with a brutal period in history.
■ Example that shows the presence of the public / witnesses to the truth
o State of Fear: The Truth about Terrorism (Peru's War on Terror 1980-2000) -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCIhATOi6BE
■ 13 Commissioners were empowered by the new Peruvian government to uncover
the truth about the 20-year war.
■ This section includes reflections from Commissioner Beatriz Alva Hart, a witness to
the truth, on what it meant to listen to testimony, including new understandings
attained (1:19:18-1:23:43).
o Ferguson: As Told By Us (short film) -
https,//www.putube.com/watch?v—hpY5ZaLsEHM&Iist—PLOh2 M2x7misBMv7-Ov4n
ri7mCdsi94XU&index=21
■ Over the course of 10 days, an activist group of four young protesters —Angel
Noland, Destiny Moore, Valanah Smith, and Myjia Smith, 14-17 years of
age —worked with The Babel Project in partnership with The Truth Telling Project
to make a film about Ferguson from their perspective.
■ The Babel Project works with youth activists around the world to teach them how
to document injustice and share their stories with the world.
11
■ This stands as an example of how community members, especially young people,
can utilize creative forms of media to share their experiences and engage in truth
telling outside of formal hearings.
o Greensboro Truth & Reconciliation Commission Findings -
htt_ps:////youtu.be/h47zdTdxflM?si=18tHRpiisk3DzFXB
■ The first Truth & Reconciliation Commission in the US holds a public ceremony
for their findings and recommendations for The Greensboro Massacre on
November 3,1979. After reviewing documents, evidence from the trials and
countless hours of public and private statements with people that came forward
about that day. This is what they conclude. A brief summary.
o Greensboro Truth & Reconciliation Commission Records -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvIDH7FglOoGihxI3mgHMgGfEl2LdODNNe
■ The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Collection, housed at the Thomas F.
Holgate Library of Bennett College, contains documents concerning the fatal clash
between members of the Communist Workers Party (CWP) and members of the
Ku Klux Klan and the Nazi Party which occurred on November 3,1979, as well as
the subsequent investigation and findings of the Greensboro Truth and
Reconciliation Commission. Digitization of this collection is in progress through
the first six months of 2024.
What is Authentic or Radical Listening?
A witness listens with authenticity in order to hear the fullness of what the truth teller is saying. Authentic,
radical listening is a term that emerged in social and racial justice circles, and is called for in truth telling
hearings. In this way, radical listening is like a prayer. In Western culture, this deep and respectful listening is
a skill in need of cultivation, as iris not historically taught. To develop empathy, to develop the capacity to
take multiple perspectives, and to feel —all in order to act —we must learn how to listen.
Listening begins when we allow the mind to find comfort in quiet, still awareness. We wait. We wait for
understanding to reveal itself. We come together in a circle in the spirit of harmony instead of power,
cooperation, and patience instead of competition, and privacy instead of control.
Post Truth Telling
Lessons learned from fruitful TRCs emphasize the importance of what happens directly after a Truth
Telling Hearing and over time for both those giving testimony and those bearing witness. Truth Tellers have
opened up wounds from remembering suffering and loss that may or may not have healed, including loss
12
and resilience, anger and acceptance, denial and remorse, shame and pride, despair and hope. Witnesses may
experience a myriad of conflicting emotions shaped by their own positionality and relationship to historic
complicity, including feelings of guilt, shame, responsibility, and accountability.
Commissioners will:
• Provide support immediately after the Truth Telling Hearing;
• Develop a method for feedback and continued learning (i.e., how was your experience of the
hearing; did you feel supported, heard, and affirmed; what would you like to see done differently;
etc.);
• Determine a method to collect responses and protect responders;
• Use survey responses to guide future hearings;
• Develop and send an emerging needs survey three months after hearing (i.e., after participating in
the hearing, are there any needs that have arisen for you or your community);
• Maintain relationships (i.e., reach out via phone, text, or email);
• Update truth tellers of outcomes of the hearings;
• Invite truth tellers to TRC events and gathering commissioners attend.
Resources
• A Truth Hearing: Siblings of those killed by police or community violence share stories (1:06 listen;
several short audio clips in the article) -
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2016-08-05/a-truth-hearing-siblings-of-those-kill
ed-by-police-or-community-violence-share-stories#stream/0
• Eduardo Gonzalez — Howard Varney: Truth -Seeking. Elements for Creating an Effective Truth
Commission - https://www.ict.i.org/sites/default/files/ICTJ-Book-Truth-Seeking-2013-Enoish.pdf
• TTP Toolkit - available upon request from The Truth Telling Project
• Legal mandates for truth commissions that organized public hearings
o Canada-https://www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca/SCHEDULE N.pdf
o Greensboro - https://greensborotrc.org/mandate.phhp
o Kenya-httpps://www.usip.orgZpublications/2009/07/truth-commission-kenya
o Peru- httn://www.cverdad.orgpe/lacomision/cnormas/normasOl."hp
o SouthAfrica-https://www.usip.orgZpubfications/1995/12/truth-commission-south-africa
• Documentary film (fragments)
o Adam Mazo: Dawnland -
htil2s://www.12bs.org/indel2endentlens/documentaries/dawnland/
o Max Du Preez: TRCSpecial Report series - hhups://sabctrc.saha.org.za/egisodes.htm
o Pamela Yates: State ofFean• The Truth about Terrorism (Peru's War on Terror 1980-2000) -
httns://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC 1hAlOi6BE&t=4836s
13
Appendix A - TTP Community Agreements
Community Agreements
We share agreements to build understanding as we navigate meaningful and difficult
conversations grounded in co -creating spaces for racial justice and healing together. We invite
us all to contribute to and agree to follow our guidelines.
1. Listening: We listen fully, listen from our heart, and we allow space for silence. We
bear witness, but do not provide advice or argue with others.
2. Speaking: We respect one person speaking at a time without verbal or non-verbal
Interruption. We speak for ourselves from the "I" perspective, from our own
experiences and perspectives, and avoid generalizing for others in the room.
3. Learning: We are a community of learners and we are growing. We take risks and are
courageous, honest, and open with our own stories with faith that we may make
mistakes. We learn when we need to move up and move back, and we know when we
need to pass. We know this work may be difficult and we are curious about discomfort
when it arises. We take responsibility if we are hurt by others' words and use hurt as an
opportunity to learn more about ourselves and each other.
4. Language: We use inclusive and non-gendered language and use each person's chosen
pronouns. We investigate decoloniality language and literacy and interrogate our own
positionality in regards to the words and concepts we use and its impact on others in
the BIPOC community.
S. Trust and Care: We aim to build trusting relationships and know we move at the speed
of trust. We care for ourselves and each other's physical, spiritual and emotional
energy needs.
6. Confidentiality: We honor what others say with confidentiality and integrity, sharing
only with context and in relevance to your own life and learning, not as gossip. What is
said in our meetings stays in our meetings.
What agreements would you like for our time together to make you feel that you can speak honestly and
respectfully?
14
IT'S TIME TO LISTEN _ Truth & Reconciliation
Commissions
'It LEARNING AND SUPPORT HUB
,,ik Peace Learning and Support Hub • The Truth Telling
Project
Truth & Reconciliation
Commissions
Trauma -Informed Truth Telling
and Witnessing Protocol
(Comprehensive document:
https://docs.google.com/document
/d/1sc3n6rCKR5i8OhJZWfgZBE-
QWz6W3Pga_tbmRcn4gpc/edit?pli
=1)
Trauma Basics & Trauma -Informed Truth
Telling
• Triggers, Impact, PTSS, and Somatic
Abolitionism
Prepare Truth Tellers
• Pre -meeting and build relationship
Conduct Testimony
• Thank, affirm, and invite
• Do not interrogate or impose
• Allow space and offer support
• Provide and encourage care
Prepare Witnesses
• Psychological, Physiological
Post Truth Telling
• Follow up and maintain relationship
Trauma Basics
• Triggers: a condition that
makes the body become
physically and/or emotionally
reactive to something that
relates to the trauma you have
experienced
• Indirect Triggers: hearing and
witnessing stories of violence
and mistreatment, workplace
harassment (microaggressions,
bullying, other forms of
injustice)
• Impacts: heart rate variability;
excessive sweating; alterations
in threat perception;
(agitation); lack of threat
reactivity (numbness,
immobility, shock -like
appearance); lack of trust in
self & people around me;
avoidance of trauma
reminders; empathetic
processing diminished
Trauma -informed Truth Telling
• "Post -Traumatic Slave
Syndrome" (PTSS)
(Dr. Joy DeGruy)
o Vacant Esteem,
o Marked Propensity for
Anger and Violence,
o Racist
Socialization/Internalized
Racism
• "Somatic Abolitionism"
Trauma decontextualized
(Resmaa Menakem)
• Psychological, Economic &
Spiritual Case for Reparations
(Drs. Nichols & Connelly)
(Dr. Dave Ragland, Grassroots
Reparations Campaign)
Prepare Truth Tellers
Pre -meeting
• Prepare pre -meeting with
truth tellers to check in
with comfort level
• Address trauma and need
for prep / protection
against re -traumatization
• Meet with Truth Tellers to
hear what they will say
Build relationship
• Get to know them beyond
their testimony
• Take special care for youth
/ young adult truth tellers
o Community support
o Aftercare plan
Prepare Witnesses
Psychological
• Provide information about
trauma, PTSD & PTSS
• Offer resources for various
mental coping mechanisms
• Normalize strong emotion
and feelings of overwhelm
• Honor feelings of apathy
Physiological
• Provide resources on
approaches to physical
coping mechanisms
• Make water readily
available (stress in kidneys)
• Pause for breath,
meditation, and/or prayer
Conduct Testimony
• Thank each truth teller for
choosing to show up and share
their testimony
• Ask if there is anything the
truth teller would like to share
before offering their testimony
• Provide a gentle invitation for
the truth teller to share their
experience
• Invite and honor the presence
• Engage with curiosity, asking
follow up questions like "can
you clarify or say more
about..."
• Allow spaces of silence for the
truth teller to breathe, emote
however they need to, process
or engage with new /
emergent remembrances, etc.
• Be gentle and patient in
of a support person speech, compassionate in
responses offered
Post Truth Telling
Follow-up
• Provide support
immediately after the truth
telling hearing
• Develop a method for
feedback and continued
learning
• Develop and send an
emerging needs survey
three months after hearing
Maintain Relationship
• Reach out via phone, text,
or email to check on truth
tellers
• Update truth tellers of
outcomes of the hearings
• Invite truth tellers to TRC
events and gathering
commissioners attend
Q( op
TH G PROJECT
LEARNING AND SUPPORT HUB
Questid
elinda@thetruthtellingproje
leo@thinkpeacehub.org
idiraelandPjzmail.com
uardoOthinkoeacehu