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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-24 Ad Hoc Truth Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Meeting Thursday, February 1, 2024 5:30 Iowa City Senior Center, Assembly Room AGENDA: 1. 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. REPORT ON NATIVE PARTNERS HEALING CIRCLE HELD ON JANUARY 26, 27, AND 28 5. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY DEPUTY CITY MANAGER 6. UPDATES FOR PHASE 2 7. FIRST ROUND FACT-FINDING OUTCOMES AND TRAJECTORY A. PRESENTATION ON PRELIMINARY FACT-FINDING B. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA C. DETERMINATION OF ADDITIONAL AVENUES OF INQUIRY 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STAFF 10. 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-citv.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. LATE HANDOUTS —The following document/s were distributed after the meeting agenda was posted and prior to the meeting. Report on January Healing Circles, held the last weekend of January 2024 The TRC Native Partners, Manape LaMere, T Medina, and Donnielle Wanatee led three healing circles for the Iowa City community the last weekend of January 2024. The circles were held at the Eastside Recycling Center on Friday evening, January 26, from 5-9; and Saturday and Sunday, January 27&28, from 11 am to 4 pm. The circles were publicized to Potential Partner organizations, a list created by the TRC commissioners; through City connections; from individual to individual; and word of mouth. A meal and a variety of snacks and beverages were provided to participants at each circle. On Friday, there were 8 community members present, including 2 TRC commissioners, Wangui and Lou, and Annie. Manape was the primary facilitator. In the center of the circle, Manape had spread a beautiful blanket with buffalo and feathers represented. There was an abalone shell with sage and people were given a chance to smudge. Manape shared about circles, Native ways and understandings. There were multiple rounds where Manape asked a question and the talking piece was passed around the circle. When a person received the talking piece, they had the opportunity to speak in response to the question or to pass. There was a round on each of the following questions: Introduce yourself, Name a shortcoming you have and share what you would like to share about it; Name a person or people you wish you could talk about this/these shortcomings with, whether living or passed; Share what you are grateful for. Manape sang songs at different points in the evening, including a song welcome and of thanks and others. On Saturday, there were eight community members present, including Lou and City Councilor Laura Bergus, V and Annie. T was the primary facilitator. He shared much information and many anecdotes about circles and their use in wellbriety, recovery, mental health, and more. He also shared Native wisdom and understanding as context for that. His questions for the round for all of us were: What have you learned here? And what can you commit to 'from this day forward'? On Sunday, there were nine community members present, including TRC Commissioners Marie Krebs and Lou, Laura Bergus, V, and Annie. Donnielle and Manape shared the facilitation. All three of the Native Partners shared about Native ways and experiences and understandings and the Red Road. There were multiple rounds, including the following questions: Introduce yourself, Name a shortcoming you have and share what you would like to share about it; Name a person or people you wish you could talk with about this/these shortcomings —they may be living or passed; Share a prayer or intention you have; Share what you are grateful for. Although some people had been present on Friday when they were asked the same or similar questions, their answers on Sunday were not the same. Manape and T and Donnielle also opened discussion about what would be needed in the planned healing circles after truth telling events. The Native Partners each brought their skills, knowledge, lived experience, wisdom, heart, humor and candor to each of the circles. They created a space where people could take in the information they shared and express their reflections. We will provide the responses from the exit survey provided to the participants. Planning session: On Saturday, after the circle was done and participants had left, Manape, T, Donnielle, V and Annie began to discuss what's next, including the Commissioners' plan of having two culminating truth telling events, with a healing circle after each, and the additional two healing circle experiences in February. The desired dates for the culminating events were discussed, with a proposal that they be moved from Feb 3 and 10 to Feb 10 and 17. T will have to get back to us about his availability re those dates. We began to talk about the Concept Paper details for the culminating event healing circles. 1. Re: Site: There would need to be a room adjacent to or near the truth- telling room for the healing circle. It would need to be a room with a door. 2. Manape wondered about the possibility of having the healing in a tipi. While we did think of the field in Terry Trueblood, and Terry Trueblood does have the capacity for multiple meeting rooms, 3. There might also be use for an additional quiet room, where mobile crisis response people (from the local nonprofit CommUnity) could meet with truth tellers and their families after they speak, if they so desire. There might also be listeners/witnesses who would be triggered or retraumatized and in need of time with a trained mobile crisis response person in this quiet room. 4. Ideas to be considered: When would triggered people be guided to the healing circle? How and when would it start? This is a new experience and process, and we are working at imagining / creating it. We welcome ideas from folks in ThinkPeace who have experience with the needs of people speaking and witnessing at Truth -Telling events. Also discussed were ideas for holding the two additional circle experiences in February. 1. It was suggested the circle experience dates be pushed back a week to: Saturday, February 10 and February 17, from 11 to 4. 2. Those dates need to be confirmed with T, Manape and Donnielle. 3. It was suggested that there be a completely BIPOC circle. Annie agrees and would not be involved. She could help with set up and be gone before the participants arrive. 4. It was also suggested that the BIPOC circle be held in the South District. Annie has contacted Angie Jordan for her suggestions on a good circle space in the South of 6 district. To do's: 1. Confirm Feb. 10 and 17 dates for additional healing circle experience dates with T, Manape and Donnielle. 2. Discuss with the Commission or the Chair about having a BIPOC only circle and the possibility of having it in the South District. 3. Contact Angie Jordan for ideas on a South District venue. (Annie has texted her about this.) 4. Create a format/process for having a healing circle after a truth -telling event. Contact ThinkPeace for ideas or (meet with them via zoom?) 5. Contact CommUnity re: possibility of their mobile crisis response staffpeople present at the Truth -Telling site. 6. Find a venue with the three rooms: Truth -telling; healing circles; mobile crisis response room. 7. What kind of food and drink would be needed in each of those three rooms. The following documents were handed out during the meeting. TRC-Sponsored Talking Survey Results Hosted by: Terry Medina, Donnielle Wannatee, Manape LaMere Supported by: V Fixmer-Oraiz Annie Tucker Three Days: Friday, 1 /26 5-9pm (8 people present) Saturday, 1/27 11-4pm (8 people present) Sunday, 1 /28 11-4pm (9 people present) Location: Eastside Recycling Center Iowa City Survey Results Was this your first time experiencing Healing/Talking Circles? 8responses Yes 41 0 No Questions • Are you a Circle Practitioner? If so, how did you come to this work? o All answered'No' • How did you feel when you arrived at the event? o Hopeful, ready to take in the content. • Nervous. Skeptical. • Anxious • Open and curious • excited for a new experience • unsure of what to expect, a bit confused about who it was for, curious about how it would go, ready to engage with others during a group experience • Felt a little disorganized, but fine Questions How did you feel after the event? 0 1 felt that listening to others was the most important takeaway. 0 Calm. Thoughtful. Grateful. o Glad I participated o Connected, raw, changed o calm 0 1 appreciated meeting new people and also having the opportunity to remember the part loved ones (living /living dead) play in my wellbeing. 0 more connected, more ready to hold space, supported and connected to others who were there and others in the community. o Enlightened Would you attend another TRC-sponsored Healing/Talking Circle event? 8 responses No, I didn't enjoy this experience Yes, I would show up everytime! Are you interested in learning more? 8 responses 3 2 1 0 Iff-W Absolutely Yes Yes. • Yes since there is a lot of similarity between my African healing/talking ways with that of American Indigenous Peoples. • There was certainly more to experience, and to pay attention to as well. Demographics responsesWhat is your Age? 1 (14.3%) 1 (14.3%) 1 (14.3%) Demographics What is your ethnicity? 7responses Asian American European -American white Caucasian Latino white hispanic/latine Demographics What is your gender? 7 responses Cis female Female Male cis woman female "Listening to the stories of our circle lead, and hearing some humor. Hearing the reasons people attended, and learning about where they were from. I tried to keep all of this in mind when thinking about how this could all help Gun Violence survivors" "This experience is not easily summarized, as it caused a kind of seismic shift in my sense of connection, awareness and humility. It was an unexpected confronting and connecting to oneself, the other members of the circle and everything/everyone everywhere." "Humbling" Upcoming Talking Circle Experiences: Saturday, February 10th 1-4pm Wright House of Fashion Saturday, February 17th 1-4pm South District IC TRC Fact -Finding. Kearns & West Preliminary Findings February 1, 2024 2 Agenda for 2 / 1 Review preliminary information Regarding information, discuss Conclusions to draw from data Outstanding questions about the data Additional questions that require additional data gathering February 1, 202 Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission Listening Speaking Learning Language Trust and Care Discretion Important Considerations • What does fact-finding What makes something mean to you? 0 factual? What standards should this How should we define the TRC use to identify a piece facts that need to be found of information as fact? to fulfill your standards? Key questions Where can we go for How should we present the What do we want to know? information? data? What context should we have as What else should we consider? we search for the facts and review them? February 1, 202 Iowa My Tmh and Reconciliation Commission Possible topics Unemployment, professional Stops, arrests, conviction rates, development, poverty, small sentencing business investments Representationin elected and appointed office Rates of disease, causes of death Rates of homeownership, homelessness February 1, 202 Iowa My Tmh and Reconciliation Commission Comparison Table Selected City State Average National Average Similar Populatlon OO population 77390 13,431 21,029 77,306 Total Officers 85 23 49 142 Total Civilians 23 13 21 94 Total Employees 108 36 70 236 Officers rate per 1,000 1.10 1.75 2.31 1.34 Source: Police Department Size Calculator Iowa Gty Tr ¢h and Reconciliation Commission Rbruary 1, 2ou 7 POLICE FUNDING o POLICE FUNDING BY YEAR NUMBER OF OFFICERS PER IK POPULATION $13.43M 75,964Residents $179per Resident More Police Funding per Capita than 10%of Depts i Polltt i NeilU -! NOYSIng +COnecdOro $15M $10m s5M ryp ryas ry0 ryp ryQ ryQ 1� rya � ry0 bi vbti $OIIY.' Llti Cc'IISL�i BI/I'EdL� 73 Officers 9.6 per 10k Residents More Officers Per Population than 11%of Depts 100 I I I I I I I I I '..a. Federal LEOKA Database Source: Police Srorscard February 1, 2024 Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission � White 401,420 78% 75.9% Black or African American 97,899 19% 8.5% American Indian or Alaska 8,629 2% 0.3% Native Asian 4,007 1% 7.9% Native Hawaiian 0 0% 0% Sources. Pederal Bureau oflnvestigation; Census Bureau IowaGty Tmh and Reconciliation Commission Rb,..y 1, 202 White 2,540 44% 75.9% Black or African American 3,023 52% 8.5% American Indian or Alaska 4 .0007% 0.3% Native Asian 52 .009% 7.9% Native Hawaiian 0 0% 0% Sources. Pederal Bureau oflnvestigation; Census Bureau IowaGty Tmh and Reconciliation Commission Rb,..y 1, 202 10 ICPD: Police Accountability POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY: 31% Misconduct Complaints Upheld Excessive Force Complaints Upheld 50TH WORSE PERCENTILE BETTER 110 Discrimination Complaints Upheld 0% ICPD: Approach to Law Enforcement 50TH WORSE PERCENTILE BETTER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT: 43% Arrest Rate for Low Level Offenses 24% Homicides Solved 0 Racial Disparities in Drug Arrests 15% ICPD: Stops & Outcomes (City Stops Study) Percent of Stops by Race Percent of Arrests by Race Arrests Native Other Unknown Native Wier Unknown Hispanic 0% 1% 2% Hispanic ON. 1% 1% 6 11% Black is% Black White Asian 30% 53% 6% While Asian 4% n White • Asian • Black • Hispanic • Native • Other • Unknown • White • Asian • Black 0 Hispanic • Native • Other m Unkru wn Source: Iowa City Disprobortionate Minozity Con tactStudv! February 1, 202 Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission Source: Police Scorecard IowaGty Tmh and Reconciliation Commission Rbruacy 1, 202 14 LESS -LETHAL FORCE Used More Force per Arrest than 72%of Depts 297 Incidents 117 every 10k arrests Taser 0 Impact Weapons • Chemical 5pray • K9 Deployments 50 40 30 20 10 44 42 40 3 36 8 I I � 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Source: Police Department February 1, 2024 Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission Soul -cc: Police "o card 16 TRUTH Thank You, �f R C Commissioners & ICPD Chief Liston! C r 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I�bc.y 1, 202 Iowa CGty Tmh and Recondhadon Commission Report on January Healing Circles, held the last weekend ofJanuaa y jInJ � J 2024 The TRC Native Partners, Manape LaMere, T Medina, and Donnielle Wanatee led three healing circles for the Iowa City community the last weekend of January 2024. The circles were held at the Eastside Recycling Center on Friday evening, January 26, from 5-9; and Saturday and Sunday, January 27&28, from 11 am to 4 pm. The circles were publicized to Potential Partner organizations, a list created by the TRC commissioners; through City connections; from individual to individual; and word of mouth. A meal and a variety of snacks and beverages were provided to participants at each circle. On Friday, there were 8 community members present, including 2 TRC commissioners, Wangui and Lou, and Annie. Manape was the primary facilitator. In the center of the circle, Manape had spread a beautiful blanket with buffalo and feathers represented. There was an abalone shell with sage and people were given a chance to smudge. Manape shared about circles, Native ways and understandings. There were multiple rounds where Manape asked a question and the talking piece was passed around the circle. When a person received the talking piece, they had the opportunity to speak in response to the question or to pass. There was a round on each of the following questions: Introduce yourself; Name a shortcoming you have and share what you would like to share about it; Name a person or people you wish you could talk about this/these shortcomings with, whether living or passed; Share what you are grateful for. Manape sang songs at different points in the evening, including a song welcome and of thanks and others. On Saturday, there were eight community members present, including Lou and City Councilor Laura Bergus, V and Annie. T was the primary facilitator. He shared much information and many anecdotes about circles and their use in wellbriety, recovery, mental health, and more. He also shared Native wisdom and understanding as context for that. His questions for the round for all of us were: What have you learned here? And what can you commit to 'from this day forward'? On Sunday, there were nine community members present, including TRC Commissioners Marie Krebs and Lou, Laura Bergus, V, and Annie. Donnielle and Manape shared the facilitation. All three of the Native Partners shared about Native ways and experiences and understandings and the Red Road. There were multiple rounds, including the following questions: Introduce yourself; Name a shortcoming you have and share what you would like to share about it; Name a person or people you wish you could talk with about this/these shortcomings —they may be living or passed; Share a prayer or intention you have; Share what you are grateful for. Although some people had been present on Friday when they were asked the same or similar questions, their answers on Sunday were not the same. Manape and T and Donnielle also opened discussion about what would be needed in the planned healing circles after truth telling events. The Native Partners each brought their skills, knowledge, lived experience, wisdom, heart, humor and candor to each of the circles. They created a space where people could take in the information they shared and express their reflections. We will provide the responses from the exit survey provided to the participants. Planning session: On Saturday, after the circle was done and participants had left, Manape, T, Donnielle, V and Annie began to discuss what's next, including the Commissioners' plan of having two culminating truth telling events, with a healing circle after each, and the additional two healing circle experiences in February. The desired dates for the culminating events were discussed, with a proposal that they be moved from Feb 3 and 10 to Feb 10 and 17. T will have to get back to us about his availability re those dates. We began to talk about the Concept Paper details for the culminating event healing circles. 1. Re: Site: There would need to be a room adjacent to or near the truth- telling room for the healing circle. It would need to be a room with a door. 2. Manape wondered about the possibility of having the healing in a tipi. While we did think of the field in Terry Trueblood, and Terry Trueblood does have the capacity for multiple meeting rooms, 3. There might also be use for an additional quiet room, where mobile crisis response people (from the local nonprofit CommUnity) could meet with truth tellers and their families afterthey speak, if they so desire. There might also be listeners/witnesses who would be triggered or retraumatized and in need of time with a trained mobile crisis response person in this quiet room. 4. Ideas to be considered: When would triggered people be guided to the healing circle? How and when would it start? This is a new experience and process, and we are working at imagining / creating it. We welcome ideas from folks in ThinkPeace who have experience with the needs of people speaking and witnessing at Truth -Telling events. Also discussed were ideas for holding the two additional circle experiences in February. 1. It was suggested the circle experience dates be pushed back a week to: Saturday, February 10 and February 17, from 11 to 4. 2. Those dates need to be confirmed with T, Manape and Donnielle. 3. It was suggested that there be a completely BIPOC circle. Annie agrees and would not be involved. She could help with set up and be gone before the participants arrive. 4. It was also suggested that the BIPOC circle be held in the South District. Annie has contacted Angie Jordan for her suggestions on a good circle space in the South of 6 district. To do's: 1. Confirm Feb. 10 and 17 dates for additional healing circle experience dates with T, Manape and Donnielle. 2. Discuss with the Commission or the Chair about having a BIPOC only circle and the possibility of having it in the South District. 3. Contact Angie Jordan for ideas on a South District venue. (Annie has texted her about this.) 4. Create a format/process for having a healing circle after a truth -telling event. Contact ThinkPeace for ideas or (meet with them via zoom?) S. Contact CommUnity re: possibility of their mobile crisis response staffpeople present at the Truth -Telling site. 6. Find a venue with the three rooms: Truth -telling; healing circles; mobile crisis response room. 7. What kind of food and drink would be needed in each of those three rooms.