HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-24 Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Meeting
Thursday, February 15, 2024
7:00 Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
410 E. Washington Street
AGENDA:
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. READING OF NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM JANUARY 25 AND FEBRUARY 1
4. 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.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
6. DISCUSSION ON RACIAL PREFERENCES WITH CITY ATTORNEY
7. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
8. UPDATE ON NATIVE PARTNERS HEALING CIRCLES
9. UPDATE ON FACT-FINDING
10. CONCEPT NOTE
11. UPDATES ON TRUTH -TELLING
12. OTHER UPDATES FOR PHASE 2
13. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STAFF
15. 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 Meetinas
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.
Agenda Item #2
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 #3
January 25, 2024
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Marie Krebs, Clif Johnson, Chad Simmons, Wangui Gathua, Chastity
Dillard.
Commissioners on Zoom: Sikowis Nobiss, Lauren Merritt.
Commissioners not present: Louis Tassinary.
Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 7:13 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Dillard read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of minutes from the January 4 meeting: Dillard moved, and Krebs seconded. The
motion passed 7-0.
Public comment of items not on the agenda: No.
Conflict in Gaza:
Resolution 2411 passed by Iowa City City Council on ,Tan. 3 was reviewed and a vote was taken
for the commission to endorse the resolution it. Nobiss moved, the motion was seconded by
Gathua. Motion passed 6-0-1. Simmons abstained.
Native Partners Healing Circle Training and Events:
The event will be referred to as an experience rather than a training, and no participants' faces will
be photographed during the event unless a media release form is signed. It is agreed, updates from
the event will be discussed at the next commission meeting following the event.
Next Steps for Phase 2:
The commission was presented with community agreements from Think Peace that they could use
for truth telling events, at meetings, and at community events. The agreements centered around
listening, speaking, learning, language, trust and care, and confidentiality.
Road -Map Agenda
The layout of the roadmap is broken down with an explanation of how to navigate the agenda and
the formatting used. Scheduling was discussed with a focus on culminating events. Tentative dates
for upcoming TRC events for 2024 was discussed along with the itineraries.
Protocol on traumatic inform treatment for truth tellers was established, as well as protocol on
public hearings and public activities of the commission.
The commission will move its February 1 meeting time to 5:30 pm and the meet at the Iowa City
Senior Center. The meeting will focus on fact finding and be presented by Kearns and West.
The commission then spent time discussing its future including seeking additional funding that will
assist them in action and planning.
The meeting ended at 9:42 due to lack of quorum.
To view the recording or listen to the audio of this meeting, visit this link.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2024
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
1/4
1/25
2/1
2/15
3/7
3/21
4/4
4/18
5/2
5/16
6/6
6/20
7/18
Dillard
12/31/24
Z
P
Cathua
12/31/24
P
P
Vacant
12/31/24
-
-
Johnson
12/31/24
A
P
Krebs
12/31/24
P
P
Merritt
12/31/24
P
Z
Nobiss
12/31/24
Z
Z
Simmons
12/31/24
P
P
Tassinary
12/31/24
P
A
P = Present in person
A = Absent
Z = Zoom
Agenda Item 43
February 1, 2024
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Assembly Center, Iowa City Senior Center, City Hall
Commissioners present: Lauren Merritt, Marie Krebs, Louis Tassinary, Chad Simmons, Wangui
Gathua, Cliff Johnson, Chastity Dillard.
Commissioners on Zoom: Sikowis Nobiss.
Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 6:03 PM.
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Gathua read the Land Acknowledgement.
Public comment of items not on the agenda:
Kevin Perez, owner of Short's Burgers requests the support of the commission to help preserve the
building his business operates out of at 1820 S Clinton St. Iowa City. Focusing on the building's
history of ownership and qualifications for historical preservation under the City's standards.
Reports on Native Partners Healing Circle held on January 26, 27, and 28:
The event had 8 people in attendance both Friday and Saturday and 9 people in attendance on
Sunday. A presentation recapped the events including a survey pertaining to the event recapping
the participants' experience, age, ethnicity, and gender identity.
Included in the presentation was an announcement of upcoming talking circles. It is encouraged for
members to share the event and attend themselves. Feedback from participants present in the
meeting shared their experience and critiques on budget and intention of the event with
recommendations for future events.
Legislative Update by Deputy City Manager:
To be mindful of the time this item will be placed on a future agenda.
Updates for Phase 2:
First Round Fact -Finding Outcomes and Trajectory:
Larry Schooler of Kearns and West presented the fact-finding's preliminary findings. The
presentation started with important things to consider when reviewing the findings and reviews the
key questions to establish when beginning the work of fact-finding. Possible topics have been
revisited and the focus will be on public safety.
The data presented went over the statistics of Iowa City police department.
• Police Department Size
• Police Department Funding
• Arrests By Race
• Police Accountability
• Approach To Law Enforcement
• Stops & Outcomes
• Police Violence
Questions were taken from the commission to clarify the data and then the discussion broadened to
include what additional data will be needed -including personal accounts. This leads into additional
discussions about upcoming events, other organizations the TRC could work with to conduct
investigations including the NAACP, funding needs, marketing efforts, and future fact findings.
Announcement of Staff: None.
Announcement of Commissioners: Johnson apologized for having to leave the last meeting early
and noted he stayed as long as he could. Johnson also reported that he will be fighting in Vegas
later this month representing Towa City. Gathua will be attending the inaugural Black History Ball
this coming Saturday.
The meeting adjourned at 9:04 PM. To view the recording or listen to the audio of this meeting,
visit this link.
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Agenda Item #5
Dear Commissioners and community members,
This is my notice of resignation from the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission due to my
diminished capacityto devote the time necessaryto complete these tasks that have been set forth.
I have recently started the master's program for social work at the University of Iowa. That has
proven to be more work than I imagined. I also find it difficult to focus on truth and reconciliation as
our leaders in Iowa grow more fascist by the day. Quite literally. They are currently churning out
legislation in the industrialized style of mass production and I cannot get fully into one fight before
there are 3 more. It has been a valuable learning experience working amongst you all. I thinkthis
commission is made up of amazing and powerful people. I hope to workwith you as a community
member and look forward to watching you all make history.
Sincerely,
Marie Krebs
Agenda Item #9
ICPD Crime data (FBI/DOJ): Offenses, 2012-2016
• Please seek data:
o By ethnicity (data is already presented by race).
o Related to the Hispanic/Latine population.
o Related to Arab peoples and/or people of Middle Eastern origin.
o By nationality.
• Please find out where and how the demographic information attached to this data is
generated—i.e., does an officer ask someone
ICPD: Approach to Law Enforcement
• Please dig into this data to create comparisons between Iowa City and other college
communities —like Urbana -Champaign, State College, and other Big 10 cities of similar size —
rather than comparing Iowa City to all other locations.
• Please locate and annotate the most recent Iowa City Police Department budgets and highlight
expenditures related to Public Safety/Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice.
ICPD: Police Violence, Less -Lethal Force
• Please identify the types of arrests wherein force was used (i.e., nature of alleged offense, non -
discretionary stop vs. discretionary, etc.)
• Please identify the race of the person arrested wherein force was used.
General Feedback
• Please use the demographic data from the Iowa City Community School District to compare
population percentages with the most recent Census numbers for Iowa City overall.
• Please generate a heat map of calls for service by geography across the greater Iowa City area,
e.g. to examine nearby areas outside of Iowa City like Coralville & North Liberty.
• Please describe the training related to racial equity and/or diversity that ICPD police officers
have received.
• Please seek insight from Chief Krom about how Coralville purposely sought minority and women
applicants, and about trainings related to racial equity and/or diversity that he has requested or
seen for his officers over the years.
• Please describe the relationship -building undergone by the Sioux City PD with that area's Native
community, as well as the decolonization training area Natives have provided that PD.
• Please detail the demographic makeup of recruited candidates for the Iowa City PD and the
racial composition of the PD itself.
• Please repeat all analyses done for the Iowa City PD for U of I Public Safety and the Johnson
County Sherriff's Department.
• Please catalog the qualitative data associated with CPRB complaints, e.g. notes taken by CPRB
appointees.
• Please generate a breakdown by race of complainants to the CPRB.
• Please catalog all the cases of Iowa City residents taking officers to court instead of registering
complaints at the CPRB.
• Please index all cases of officers reporting other officers.
• Please generate a breakdown by race of those calling the police.
• Please generate a breakdown by race of people who are the subjects of calls to the police.
Agenda Item #io
Community Encounters for Truth and Reconciliation
Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
i. Definition and linkage to the legal mandate
The TRC will organize three Community Encounters for Truth and Reconciliation during 2024.
The Encounters are opportunities for a necessary and transformational dialogue on racial
injustice in our midst: their impact will be a direct reflection on accurate information, a
willingness to share experiences and the creation of a healing environment.
Each Community Encounter will be a set of sessions of the TRC covering each of the
components of its TRC work in an integrated manner (Resolution 20-228 art 11):
(a) Fact-finding, focused on the evidence we have about the multiple manifestations of
racial injustice in our community;
(b) Truth -seeking, to initiate constructive dialogue about community stories and
experiences about racial injustice;
(e) Reconciliation, to co -create a healing environment that honors personal and collective
experiences, addresses pain and trauma, and facilitates next steps of reparative systems
change and transformation.
From a thematic perspective, we have prioritized three aspects in which we believe racial
injustice manifests itself in our community: law enforcement and safety, economic development,
and education (Res 20-228, art 11C). We acknowledge that many other facets of historical and
structural injustice exist, including, for example, in the areas of housing and health care. To
build a strong foundation for future work, we will start with the three aspects mentioned.
This document is primarily focused on the first of these Encounters, to be held in several
sessions, from March 14 to 21, 2024.
The fact-finding component of this exercise will include a presentation by Kearns and West
(currently scheduled for Thursday, March 14th) of the complete data set collected on public
safety and criminal justice. It will be followed by a facilitated exercise for the TRC on Monday,
March 18th, at which time TRC Commissioners will work with facilitators on consensus
(preliminary) conclusions regarding the data presented. Specifically, the TRC will be asked to
consider the extent to which the data reveal racial injustice in the Iowa City community and how
to verify those hypotheses at truth -telling sessions.
The truth -telling and dialogue component, facilitated by Think Peace, will consist of testimonial
and dialogical sessions on March loth and 21st (the') between members of the community
sharing their experiences, positive and negative, regarding public safety and criminal justice.
Specifically, participants will have an opportunity to indicate how racial injustice impacts
concrete communities and individuals, and to reflect on what is needed to transform these
conditions.
1 to be confirmed
The Native Partners and Healing Partners are responsible for processes related to reconciliation.
Reconciliation is addressed in the third charge of the TRC in City Council Resolution 20-228,
article u. In addition to those charges, the TRC (and Native Partners/Healing Partners) are
responsible for providing spaces and processes which create healing environments that honor
the personal and collective experiences, and addresses the pain and trauma of the original
experience, as well as any additional trauma that may emerge from sharing stories. The Native
Partners will facilitate a healing circle to be conducted after each of the truth -telling sessions.
2. Some Key Definitions on Reconciliation
Reconciliation is probably the most important concept in the work of the TRC. It figures
prominently in its legal mandate and is the underlying motivation for the entire exercise. At the
same time, it is an extremely ambitious objective, so we need to be constantly reminded of how it
is defined in the founding Resolution and in our ongoing work.
The following are a few key reflections:
Reconciliation The TRC shall: r) Provide opportunity for and facilitate direct conversation
among and between community members of color, white community members and
representatives of various sectors in which people of color experience discrimination and
injustice (e.g. police and protesters, landlords and tenants, students and teachers, patients and
health care providers, business owners and staff); 2) Create a replicable model that provides a
structure for enabling these conversations throughout the city; 3) Make available opportunities
for a broad cross section of the community to learn about discrimination and racial injustice in
our community; and, 4) Identify and recommend to the City Council institutional and policy
reforms, new social practices, expectations, protocols, habits, rituals, conversations and
celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared experience of race and difference, justice
and equity and community and harmony. (From City Council Resolutions 20-228, Article u.)
Reconciliation involves a coming to agreement about truth. Consequently, engaging
in TRC-likened truth -telling processes in the U.S. supports opportunities for the oppressed and
the oppressors to come to agreement about the "original sins" and the perpetual harms of those
sins, i.e., theft of life, liberty and land, Jim Crow, redlining, gentrification, police violence and
other forms of structural racism. Along those same lines, truth -telling processes involve a
coming to agreement about ways to support healing and repair related to the consequences of
those harms. (From "Ten Lessons We Learned About Truth and Reconciliation" by The Truth
Telling Project, [David Ragland, Melinda Salazar, Imani Michelle Scott, Eduardo Gonzalez and
Arthur Romano], July 30, 2020.)
Healing Circles: The Native Partners will be offering Healing Circles as the reconciliation
process/space to the commission and community. Healing Circles provide a process and create
a space where harm can be shared, heard by others, and the community can move toward
coming to agreement about truth. Healing Circles also provide an opportunity to deal with, and
heal from, trauma and pain for those harmed and those hearing/Witnessing the expression of
harm. Healing or talking circles can also provide a process for coming to agreement about ways
to support healing and repair related to the consequences of those harms. Circles can also be a
process for learning and for generating recommendations for the City Council. Circles are a
replicable model for all of these conversations.
Circles and Trauma and Pain: Speaking truth or hearing it can trigger trauma and pain in
the speakers and listeners. The Native Partners provide Healing Circles to provide a safer space
for people to speak their truths and/or to sit in circles as a healing and restorative process.
People exiting community Healing Circles held in Iowa City reported they felt calmer and more
connected to themselves and others, and not judged.
Circles can intervene on effects of trauma. Circles, and the use of a talking piece, can
intervene on two possible outcomes of trauma. One possible outcome of trauma is
disempowerment: a person feels disempowered because they were not able to prevent the
trauma. In a healing circle or talking circle using a talking stick, the talking stick is passed
around the circle and when it reaches each person, they have the choice of speaking — saying
whatever they decide to share or not share — or passing, not speaking at all. In that moment, a
person has full choice, they are empowered to do what they choose. This intervenes on their
(potential) disempowerment due to trauma.
Another possible outcome of trauma is feeling disconnected: from the person/people that
harmed you, potentially somewhat disconnected from life in general, and potentially
disconnected from parts of yourself. In a circle, when the talking piece is passed, and others
speak, it is possible to feel connected to a speaker, whether you know them or not. In this way, a
talking piece in a circle can intervene on trauma -induced disconnection.
Native Partner T Medina has shared the following to convey more specifically how Healing
Circles work:
When I was last in Iowa City, and I conducted a Talking Circle on "Fatherhood/Motherhood Is
Sacred", that was the "topic" of The Circle. As the "Facilitator" I talked about how
fatherhood/motherhood is sacred. A "way of life" means walking that way of life.
There were many who shed tears, the start of healing their spirit and heart. Many relatives carry
feelings and emotions inside that come out in a good way, where the Circle is a place of equality
and safety. All about Respect and Compassion for the relatives. When we ended the Circle,
instead of hand shakes there were big hugs all around. Powerful.
During any "Circle," in order to learn something and become Teachable, you have to Listen, not
just with your ears, but with your eyes, your heart, and your spirit, observing the body language
of those in the Circle. The tears that come out are cleansing their Spirit and Soul of the person.
Conflict in Circle: If the TRC calls for a Circle, there will be a "reason why" they would want a
Circle, there could be conflict, disagreements, lack of communication or lack of respect, talking
behind someone's back ("backstabbing").
The facilitator would Speak first and express themselves, then the relatives in the Circle would
have time to express themselves. I feel it is important to have a Talking Stick, only one is
needed. One of the ground rules of the Circle is whoever has the Talking Stick has the floor. No
one speaks until after they have listened, and if there is a response or a clarification, that person
would ask for the Talking Stick.
When you end the Circle, the Talking Stick would go around one more time so that everyone in
the Circle would have the opportunity to Express themselves and/or give thanks. You could end
it with everyone going around and shaking hands, hugging, etc.
3. Objectives
The Encounters seek to "...stimulate difficult conversations, reach and engage a full cross-
section of the community including those in the community not inclined or resistant to
engagement' (Resolution 20-228, 7). To do so, they will combine different forms of knowledge
and wisdom, namely evidence, testimony, and ritual.
Specifically, the Encounters will (see Resolution 20-228, article u):
(a) Present evidence related to law enforcement and safety, economic development and
education to exchange informed opinion, assess our challenges, and envision
transformation.
(b) Hear testimony from community Truth Tellers, listening to actual individual experiences
from our neighbors, and inviting an exchange of views between our communities and
decision makers.
(c) Provide a safe and healing space for the community to present their experiences and
opinions in good faith, with acceptance and recognition.
Each of the Encounters will be faithfully recorded and synthesized in order to provide materials
for the TRC report to the City Council at the end of our tenure. Also, the testimonies and
dialogues received will be carefully organized to be the first stone of a city repository of
testimony. What we will hear and reflect on during these sessions will help the Commissioners
to formulate recommendations to the City on how to take effective, transformational action
against injustice (Resolution 20-228, art 14). Also, the truth -telling events will have all the
guarantees necessary for persons or institutions who feel adversely mentioned to engage in
constructive dialogue.
The goal of the first fact-finding portion of the culminating event on March 14th will be to
present data in full to allow for Commissioners to understand it fully, ask clarifying questions,
and perhaps offer some thoughts about how the data should be presented in a final report. For
the facilitated session on the 18th, the goal will be to reach consensus on what the data reveal
related to racial injustice in Iowa City, as well as to agree on prompts to offer to attendees at
truth -telling events as they offer testimony on this topic.
The Native Partners/Healing Partners will provide Healing Circles for Truth Tellers and their
support people after the truth -telling. It will be a space for hearing them, and an opportunity for
them to continue their healing from the traumas of their experiences and from any potential
retraumatization in telling about them.
4. Components - What will the event look like? How will its activities relate
to the different parts of the mandate? How will those parts be integrated
and feed into each other?
On March 18th, Commissioners will work with facilitators to formulate preliminary conclusions
about the evidence presented to them and agree on questions to offer to participants at truth -
telling events that they can choose to use for prompts. The idea is for TRC Commissioners to use
data shared during fact-finding sessions as a hypothesis for truth related to this topic, which can
be bolstered by, and/or contradicted by, testimony during truth -telling.
4
On March loth, there will be truth -telling around the topic of law enforcement and safety.
During the truth -telling event (TT), there could be a circle of 4-6 people who have been
previously invited to share their views and experiences, followed by a discussion amongst the
group. For example, the composition of these 4-6 people could include:
• 1-3 community member(s) who may have been either mistreated by police or
experienced a situation that was escalated instead of de-escalated or where there was an
absence of restorative processes in the wake of harm;
• 1 Councilmember who is active on the topic of law enforcement and public safety;
• r City- government official who can speak to the topic; and,
• t retired or active law enforcement member.
These individuals would have around io minutes to share one experience meaningfully, gently
guided by prompting questions (e.g., "What have been any positive and/or negative experiences
with law enforcement?"). These questions can be asked by either TRC Commissioners or David
Ragland and Melinda Salazar from Think Peace, or a combination of both.
At the conclusion of individual sharing, there could be a facilitated dialogue for 30 minutes to
promote — among the group members and TRC members — discussion, clarification, or possible
solutions to mitigate harm in the future. During the dialogue, David Ragland and Melinda
Salazar will support the conversation by encouraging constructive engagement around topics
that emerge during the initial truth -telling. Some example questions could include, "What is
your perspective as a City Councilmember about how these could be improved?" or "What do
you think law enforcement would be receptive to in preventing this harm from happening
again?". The TRC Commissioners are welcome to lead, support, or Witness this and any part of
the process as Think Peace is in attendance to guide.
As described above, a Healing Circle will be offered after the truth -telling event to those who
speak at the truth -telling event, and their support people. It will be a space where they can share
any aspect of the original experience(s) shared as well as what has been activated by the sharing
and anything else. There will be multiple rounds using a talking piece, providing opportunities
for those in the circle to continue to move toward healing. It is possible that the Native Partners
will invite others to the Circle.
5. Participants - Who will participate (TRC, City officials, general public,
Truth Tellers and experts, other guests, etc)? What role will each participant
have? How will meeting rules apply?
The fact-finding portion of the event is designed for TRC Commissioners.
Regarding the Truth Telling event, the participants will include TRC Commissioners, "Truth
Tellers," and "Witnesses." Details which outline how Truth Tellers and Witnesses are defined
can be found in the "Trauma -informed Truth -Telling & Witnessing Protocol" delivered during
the January 4, 2024 TRC meeting as part of Think Peace's contract. The document is attached to
this Concept Note as an Addendum.
• TRC Commissioners: The role of TRC Commissioners is found on page 6 in the
"Trauma -informed Truth -Telling & Witnessing Protocol" presented at the January 4,
2024 TRC Meeting.
Truth Tellers (e.g., those selected to share their truth and will likely comprise of the
general public, City officials, and law enforcement): The background of Truth Tellers is
found on page 5, selection of Truth Tellers is covered on page 6, discussion around
preparing Truth Tellers is found on page 7, along with notes on conducting testimony
and sample questions for preparatory meetings are found on page 8.
Witnesses: The role of Witnesses and global and US -specific samples, found on pages
8-11, are provided to demonstrate visually how various Truth Telling events have been
structured in the past. It's important to note that TRC Commissioners will also serve as
Witnesses.
David Ragland and Melinda Salazar have extensive experiences with Truth Telling and will be in
person to provide facilitated guidance to the degree desired by the Commission. Their role could
be asking all of the supportive questions during the individual sharing component AND guiding
all of the facilitated dialogue for the group discussion. Or, it could mean they play a smaller,
supportive role whereby the Commissioners lead with questions during the individual sharing
and facilitated group conversation.
The Native Partners will provide the Healing Circle for the Truth Tellers and their support
people in a private space where smudging can occur. This is not a public event. It may be that
the Native Partners invite some members of the community who were at the Truth Telling event
and were moved. This may include Commissioners or City Council people. That will be up to the
Native Partners at that time.
As for the healing of the members of the public/the community, including Commissioners, who
may experience secondary trauma as listeners and Witnesses at the truth -telling event, the
Native Partners will offer invocation and support at the beginning and closing of the truth -
telling events.
6. Tasks - What are the tasks from here to the event to ensure its realization?
What is the timeline?
Regarding Fact -Finding, Facilitation Team members from Kearns & West are working to fulfill
research requests made by the TRC at their February ist meeting and prepare a comprehensive
report and presentation for the TRC's review prior to and at their March 14th meeting. The
Facilitation Team will also provide draft questions that the TRC could utilize, modify, or discard
for Truth -Telling events.
The preparatory work in advance of Truth Telling is vitally important to ensure the right people
are at the gathering and that those people have been adequately prepared before their truth -
telling experience. The key elements of the process include: 1) Identification of Truth Tellers; z)
Formal Invitation of Truth Tellers; 3) Support - prior to and during the Truth Telling
experience; and 4) Follow up after the Truth Telling experience.
1) Identification needs to happen as soon as possible, as there is a significant
discernment process to determine if there is a best mixture of perspectives or
experiences to be shared during TT.
During this phase, TRC Commissioners will:
A) Reach out to people who may have an experience they'd like to share regarding a
racial injustice connected to law enforcement, as that is the first topic for
dialogue.
B) During outreach, the TRC Commissioners share what the TT event will look like
and its purpose according to Resolution 20-228.
C) Commissioners will ask potential Truth Tellers if they want to participate at the
public event with their story, affirming their consent to be recorded.
Outreach should begin soon, in particular within the law enforcement community (e.g., former
judge/prosecutor/parole officer/social worker connected to law enforcement/police -
active/retired) as these may be harder to find.
2) Formal Invitation happens in written form after outreach has identified 4-6
individuals who would provide a well-rounded perspective of various experiences.
During this stage, there should be another conversation with participants to ask about
their needs for support in advance, during, and after the TT experience.
a) Recommendations:
i) Commissioners will read the document provided by TP: Trauma -
Informed Truth -Telling and Witnessing Protocol before any initial
interviews with community members/potential Truth Tellers.
ii) When Commissioners are conveying information about the TT events,
they will also let speakers know about the Healing Circles being offered to
them: its time and location, how it works, and encourage them and their
support people to attend. Contact information for the Healing Partners
will be provided, so any questions can be addressed.
3) Support will at the very least consist of selected individuals bringing a peer to be with
them during the TT dialogue, as well as the supportive presence of Commissioners and
facilitators. Ask if there are other needs that they may have, including accessibility needs,
to be supported before and during the experience. This stage also allows their questions
to be answered by TRC members and/or facilitation team to allay fears.
4) Follow-up involves TRC members checking in one week and one month after the TT
event. During these check -ins, TRC Commissioners could ask prompting questions (e.g.,
"Do you have anything to add to what you presented?" "What feedback could improve
this in the future?" "What did you want to say but didn't or felt you couldn't?"). Listen for
any recommendations to incorporate in the future. Share with these individuals ways
they could stay involved with the ongoing work of the TRC (e.g., attend meetings, attend
future events, or others).
7. Recommendations:
1. Commissioners will read the document provided by TP: Trauma -Informed Truth -Telling
and Witnessing Protocol before any initial interviews with community
members/potential Truth Tellers. Any clarification or discussion can be organized with
the plenary of Commissioners or individual members.
2. When Commissioners are conveying information about the TT events, they will also let
speakers know about the Healing Circles being offered to them: its time and location,
how it works, and encourage them and their support people to attend. Contact
information for the Healing Partners will be provided, so any questions can be
addressed.
8. Resources - What will be the resources needed? (Venue, materials, sound,
light, recording, services such as transportation, medical or psychosocial
support, security, etc., as appropriate)
For the Truth Telling portion of the Community Encounters, there are various logistics needs
required:
• Quality recording
• Good lighting
• Plants or flowers in entry and/or in room
• Backdrop printed with logo of Commission and name of event (e.g., "Community
Encounters for Truth & Reconciliation: Iowa City') to be placed behind Commission
would be beneficial, though not absolutely necessary
• Expressive therapeutic materials, such as newsprint on a wall, paper at table, colored
markers
• Transcript of the conversations (e.g., transcription software and a short-term hire to
review and edit for accuracy) to be documented and can be utilized with Fact Finding
• Mobile crisis counselors, at least two available who are representative of BIPOC
community members
• Separate quiet or private space for use if individuals or small groups utilize mobile crisis
counselor(s) before, during, or after TT
• Ambulance available
• Any street closures or parking notices, depending on if that's required by the location
• Building space which allows for Commissioners and facilitators (e.g., David Ragland and
Melinda Salazar) to sit in a circle shape with Truth Tellers
• Communications outreach — press release, media conference, media invitations for the
TT event.
• Dinner to feed 50 people
Location
Fact-finding will take place on the 14th at City Hall and the 18th at the Senior Center
Think Peace will hold two days of Truth Telling on March 20 and 21 (the), supported by Native
Partners who will offer the opening and closing of the event, as well as Healing Circles after the
TT portion has closed. Think Peace can host the TT events in a variety- of locations, including:
City Hall, university campus, public library, or another community space frequented by the
general public.
The Native/HealingPartners will hold the Healing Circle as a form to process, debrief, and heal
from the discussions held during the Truth Telling.
For the Healing Circle part of the Community Encounter, there are various logistics required:
• A space large enough for the Native/Healing Partners and speakers, their support
people, and perhaps others to sit in Circle.
• The space needs to be one of comfort to BIPOC community members.
• The space needs to be secure and provide privacy.
• The space needs to allow smudging.
• Dinner to feed 20-30 people.
Potential Questions:
• (Opening) Thank you for your courage and commitment.
• (Round 1, could go around more than once) How are you feeling now that you have
shared your truth?
• (Round 2, could go around more than once) What would be helpful for you and what do
you need to support you in your healing?
• (Round 3, could go around more than once) What intention do you have for your truth -
telling?
• (Round X) What do you think would be helpful in future TT events?
Run of Show
Chronologic script of activities detailing each part of the process, use of time, role of
participants.
Think Peace - Truth -telling draft schedule (Mar 20, 2024)
K&W - Fact-finding will occur on the 14th and 18th as described above.
Native/Healing Partners -
i. Room and food will be arranged in February.
2. Day of: Native/Healing partners will set up space so it is ready a half hour before
expected start time.
3. Native/Healing partners will be on site a half hour before expected start time, to
welcome any participants who come early.
4. Native/Healing partners will restore the room to its original condition after all the
participants have left.
5. Native/Healing partners will sit together in Circle to debrief and smudge.
Trauma -informed Truth -Telling & Witnessing Protocol -
OWz6W3Pga tbmRcn4apc/edit
Agenda Item #12
POTENTIAL PARTNER INDIVIDUALS
• Elizabeth Bernal — cultural liaison for Iowa City schools, founding member of Prairielands Freedom Fund (see below)
• Manny Galvez —founder and organizer of Iowa City Latino Festival
• Bram Elias — immigration attorney, UI Law Professor
• Peter Gerlach — UI International Studies adjunct assistant professor, Summer Institute Coordinator at the International Writing Program
• Teresa Stecker — Executive Director of IC Compassion (see below)
• Annie Tucker — Executive Director of Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa
POTENTIAL TRC PARTNER GROUPS
Name of Organization/Website/Contact
Contact info/ email
Target
TRC
TRC
Population/Services
Approved
Liaison
Provided
Black Voices Project
icblackyoices(c -gmail.com
Amplifying Black
❑
Chastity
https://www.facebook.com/icbvp/
voices and
culture in the
community.
Center for Worker Justice of Eastern
info@cwiiowa.ore
Assistance and
❑
Wangui
lowa.httr)s://cwliowa.org/
(319) 594-7593
education to
low -wage
workers,
including
immigrants
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food
admin@builtbvcommunitv.ore
Food bank,
❑
Bankhttps://builtbvcommunity.Org/
(319)351-2726
clothing vouchers
for low income
individuals and
households.
Mobile crisis
services.
Dream City
info@dreamcityia.org
Community
❑
https://www.dreamcitvia.org/
(319)594-1044
building,
youth
leadership
programs for
children and
families.
Great Plains Action Society
contact@ereatplainsaction.ore
Indigenous
❑
Sikowis
https://www.greatplainsaction.org/
organizers providing
programming to
educate,
empower, and
protect BIPOC
communities.
IC Compassion
info@iccompassion.org
ESL and citizenship
❑
Wangui
https://www.iccornpassion.org/
(319)330-9883
classes, food
assistance, free
legal clinic,
immigration
assistance and,
community meals,
refugee
counseling
services.
Inside Out Reentry Community
hello(@insideoutreentry.com
Support for
❑
httr)s://www.insideoutreentry.com/
(319) 338-7996
individuals
involved in
the criminal
legal system
International Women's Club of Iowa
iowa.iwc@gmail.com
Social events
❑
City
and English
https://iwciowacity.wordpress.com/
programs for
women.
Iowa City Catholic Worker
iowacitycatholicworker@Rmail.com
Immigrant and
❑
(515)729-6482
https://iowacitycatholicworker.org/
refugee led
community
providing food,
housing, rent
assistance,
accompaniment,
and deportation
defense.
Iowa City Free Medical and Dental
off icecoordinator(cDfreemedicalclinic.org
Health care to
❑
(319)337-4459
Clinic https://freemedicalclinic.org/
low income
individuals and
families.
Iowa City Mutual Aid Collective
info@iowacitymutualaid.com
Kitchens project,
❑
htti)s://iowamutualaid.org/iowa-city-mutual-aid
street medic
training
Iowa Freedom Riders
iowafreedomriders@gmail.com
Community
❑
https://www.facebook.com/iowafreedomrider/
organizing and
mobilization
Iowa Jobs for America's Graduate (iJag)
info@iiag.org (statewide info email)
Mentoring,
❑
https://www.iowacityschools.org/academics-
(515) 216-3140 (statewide #)
(319) 688-1000 (Iowa City school
school
retention, work
programs/iiag
district)
resources, skill -
building for 9-
12th grade
students.
igtRRPe
Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders
contact@ monsoon iowa.org
AAPI victims of
❑
Wangui
in Solidarity
(319)466-9000
gender -based
https://monsooniowa.org/
violence
Multicultural Development Center of
info@mdciowa.org
Asa nonprofit, we
❑
Chastity
lowa.https://www.mdciowa.org
(319)333-0600
provide free
community services
ranging from free
STEM training to
mentoring programs
and business
incubation to
underserved
communities. Learn
more about our
programs and find a
learning location
nearyou.
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson
ncic@ncjc.org
Before and
❑
Chastity
County https://ncic.org/index.html
(319)354-2886
after school
programs for
youth and
family support
services.
NISAA African Family Services
contact@nisaa-afs.org
Programs for
❑
Wangui
http://nisaa-afs.orgZ
(319)338-7617
African
immigrant and
refugee
women,
particularly
victims of
violence and
sexual assault
Path of Hope
info@path-of-hope.org
Refugee and
❑
https://path-of-hope.org/about/
(319) 338-5390
immigration services
Prairielands Freedom Fund
team@orairielandsfreedomfund.org
Immigration bonds
❑
(319) 535-2209
https://www.i)rairielandsfreedomfund.org/
and pretrial bail
Proteus
info@proteusinc.net
Health care,
❑
http://www.proteusinc.net/
(800) 372-6031
education
assistance, and job
training for
agricultural
workers, including
migrant workers.
Shelter House Community Shelter &
info@shelterhouseiowa.org
Housing,
❑
Chastity
Transition Services
(319) 351-0326
food,
https://shelterhouseiowa.org/
healthcare,
and case
management
services for
unhoused
individuals
and families
University of Iowa
Afro House:
African American
❑
Wangui
Diversity Councils
aacc@uiowa.edu
Council, Native
https://diversity.uiowa.edu/resources/dei
(319)335-8296
American Council,
Pan Asian Council,
across -campus
Latino Native American Cultural
Latinx Council
Cultural Centers
Center:
https://multicultural.uiowa.edu/culturalcenters
Inacc@uiowa.edu
(319) 335-8298
Afro-American
Cultural Center,
Asian Pacific American Cultural
Latino Native
Center:
American
kaynguyen@uiowa.edu
Cultural Center,
(319)335-2719
Asian Pacific
American
Pride Alliance Center:
Cultural Center;
pride-alliance-center@uiowa.edu
affiliations with
other cultural
International Student Support and
student
Engagement:
groups (Black
shuhui-Iin(@uiowa.edu
Student Union,
(319)335-0335
Asian
American
Student Union,
South Asia
Student
Association,
African Student
Association)
*Added At 11/4/21 Meeting*
Name of Organization/Website/Contact
Contact info/ email
Target
TRC
TRC
Population/Services
Approved
Liaison
Provided
Forest View Tenants Association
❑
Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD)
deener.matt@iowacitvschools.ore
❑
Wangui
(Superintendent of schools)
htti)s://www.lowacityschools.org/
(319)688-1000
ICCSD Equity Advisory Committee
gray.laura(a@iowacitvschools.org
❑
Wangui
(Exec. Director of Diversity & Cultural
https://www.lowacityschools.org/Page/1124
Responsiveness)
howard.eric@iowacityschools.org
(Director of Equity & Employee
Relations)
ICCSD Mental Health, Special Education and
❑
Wangui
Disability PTO http://autisrniowacity.org/iccsd-
mental-health-special education-and-disability-pto
https://www.facebook.com/groups/126384014744976/
Johnson County Interfaith Coalition
info@becominebelovedcommunitv.ore
❑
https://organizeiowa.com/
Sudanese Organizations
❑
Wangui
I Heart Black Businesses
https://www.iheartblack.biz/
❑
Clif
Humanize My Hoodie
allies.hmh@gmail.com
❑
Sikowis
https://www.humanizemvhoodie.com/
(Workshops, Trainings, Appearances,
Facilitated Conversations about Race)
humanizemyhoodie@gmail.com
(General Inquiries)
United Action for Youth
https://www.unitedactionforyouth.org/
mickey.hamoton@unitedactionforyouth.ore
afterschool
teen
programs,
teen
parents
programs,
❑
Chastity
(319)338-7518
Coralville Food Pantry
https://www.coralvillefoodpantrV.Org/
John@coralvillefoodpantry.or
Food
insecurity
❑
Chastity
Agenda Item #12
icblackvoices(cb_gmail.com, info@cw'iowa.org. admin@builtbycommunity.org,
info@dreamcityia.org, contact@�reatplainsaction.org, info@iccompassion.org,
hello@insideoutreentry.com, iowa.iwc@lgmail.com, iowacitycatholicworker@gmail com,
off icecoordinator@freemedicalclinic.org, info@iowacitymutualaid.com
iowafreedomriders@gmail.com, info@iiaag.org, contact@monsooniowa.org,
info@mdciowa.org, ncic@ncic.org, contact@nisaa-afs.org, info opathofhope.org,
team _prairielandsfreedomfund.org, info@proteusinc.net, info@shelterhouseiowa.org,
aacc@uiowa.edu, lnacc@uiowa.edu, kaynguyen@uiowa.edu, pride-alliance-
center@uiowa.edu, shuhui-lin@uiowa.edu, definer.matt@iowacityschools.org,
gray. tau ra@iowacityschoots. org, howard.ericCcbiowacityschools.org,
info@becomingbelovedcommunity.org, allies.hmh@�mail.com,
mickey. ham pton@unitedactionforyouth.org, iohn@coralvillefoodpantry.org
LATE HANDOUTS —The
following document/s
were distributed after
the meeting agenda
was posted and prior
to the meeting.
Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
Truth -Telling Hearings: Principles of Operation and Norms'
Introduction
After the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation
Commission (TRC) was created by the Iowa City Council to address the systemic nature of racial
violence by bearing witness to the truth of racial injustice in Iowa City and to carry out restorative
justice, through the collection of testimony and public Hearings, with such work to include a
recommendation to the Council of a plan for dedicating and/or renaming public spaces and/or
rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has decided to launch integrated events including the
three approaches under its legal mandate: fact-finding, truth -telling, and reconciliation. This
document applies to the truth -telling component of these events: Truth Telling Hearings.
Under its mandate, stated in City Council Resolution 20-228, the TRC will provide a public forum
to unearth untold stories of human rights violations and mistreatment to uplift voices of truth and
collective wisdom carried by the Iowa City community members, and seek to translate that truth
into structural change, transformation, and reconciliation.
'Adapted from the Public Hearings protocols of the TRC of Peru and the Trauma -Informed Truth -Telling and
Witnesing Protocol, by Eduardo Gonzalez, Melinda Salazar, and Leo Hylton, supporting the Ad Hoc Truth and
Reconciliation Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, USA, as consultants with Think Peace Learning & Support Hub.
1. Definition, objectives and purpose of Truth -Telling Hearings
1.1. Definition
The Truth Telling Hearings are public, solemn events focused on the giving of testimony
by people who have experienced systemic oppression and racial violence. Also vital to
these Hearings is the witnessing of testimony by members of the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission and protagonists in city government, businesses, and educational institutions.
The purpose of Truth Telling Hearings is to ensure the elimination of conditions that made
these acts possible and to secure ways to avoid their repetition in the future. A further
purpose is to facilitate racial healing and reconciliation within Iowa City.
1.2. Specific Objectives
The Truth -Telling Hearings seek to:
1.2.1. Create a public forum for truth -telling:
Co -creating a space of trauma -informed truth -telling and witnessing (see established
Protocol linked at the end of this document), Truth Tellers will be heard by: 1. fellow
communities of color; 2. a broad cross-section of the entire Iowa City community; and 3.
protagonists for change, key decision makers in city government, the business community,
and the University. These Hearings will provide materials for the creation of a repository
for community stories to educate and inform community members, and to leverage change
in policy and practice.
1.2.2. Facilitate racial healing and reconciliation:
Transitioning from truth -telling into racial healing and reconciliation, the TRC will provide
facilitators from Native Partners who use traditional, restorative and healing practices (i.e.,
healing circles, dialogue circles, etc) to hold spaces for direct conversation among and
between community members of color, white community members, and representatives of
various sectors in which people experience discrimination and injustice (i.e., police and
protestors, landlords and tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers,
business owners and staff).
1.3. Specific Purpose
1.3.1. The Truth -Telling Hearings: personal and factual truth
The Hearings, in general, do not uncover new information since the TRC is already
carrying out fact-finding through access to city data and documentation. Nevertheless,
public presentations, due to the direct presence of survivors, add a necessary level of lived
experience and trauma healing.
The mandate of the TRC contemplates the necessity of factual truth, that is, fact-finding.
Nevertheless, the Truth -Telling Hearings enrich fact-finding because they allow access to
personal truth, individual narratives, philosophies and histories. Each of these reveals the
subjective experience of trauma caused by racial violence and the meaning attributed to
that violence. This sharing will create solid ground upon which to build alternative versions
to the official truth. The TRC is granted access to this kind of truth by the process of
creating empathy through the expression of solidarity with the survivor and the validation
of his/her/their feelings. Uplifting this level of truth has the objective of initiating a process
of reparation and widening the public space for the voices and interests of survivors.
1.3.2. The Truth -Telling Hearings and Reconciliation
Hearings must be conducted in a responsible manner that does not generate false
expectations in relation to their ability to contribute to City-wide racial healing and
reconciliation. The Hearings are not automatic mechanisms for personal reconciliation
between victims, victimizers, and bystanders. Only a long-term therapeutic and spiritual
process can result in the free decision of people involved in establishing ties of confidence
and solidarity among themselves.
The Truth -Telling Hearings dignify and empower the voice of survivors by legitimizing
them within a public sphere that has been traditionally exclusionary of their concerns. The
Hearings initiate reconciliation at two levels: in the first place, a reconciliation of the
individual victim with him/her/their self, as a human being and as a citizen in full
enjoyment of his/her/their rights; secondly, a reconciliation understood as the elimination
of forms of discrimination and racial injustice that exclude and permanently victimize
certain sectors of society, and impede Iowa City community members from living free from
the expectation of racial violence.
2. Organizational Procedures of the Truth -Telling Hearings
2.1. Leading Principles for the Realization of the Truth telling Hearings
The realization of the Hearings guarantees the following principles:
2.1.1. Trauma -informed.
Truth -Telling Hearings will be spaces that adhere to the four R's of a trauma -informed
approach: Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand potential paths to
recovery; Recognize signs and symptoms of trauma within those involved in the system;
Respond by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies/practices; and actively
Resist re-traumatization.2
2.1.2. Healing -centered.
Truth -Telling Hearings will be spaces that support Truth Tellers in moving beyond their
trauma. Hearings will take an approach that honors the collective nature of trauma and
healing, namely that both happen in the context of community and systems. Remembering
our ancestral African concept of ubuntu, "I am because you are," Truth -Telling Hearings
will honor the whole person, seeing their culture, spirituality, civic action, and collective
healing.'
2.1.3. Anti -racist.
Truth telling Hearings aim to actively identify and oppose the social system of racism that
has been consciously and systematically erected to benefit some populations at the expense
of others. The underlying assumption of Truth -Telling Hearings is that racist practices can
be undone through the process of understanding what racism is, its origins, how it
functions, and why it is perpetuated. The goal of engaging key decision makers in City
government, local businesses and educational institutions in Hearings is to actively change
policies, behaviors, and beliefs that keep racist ideas and actions in place.
2.1.4. Emotional and social support.
Survivors and witnesses will have the right to be accompanied by their family and support
groups, as well as the right to all forms of protection from harassment and lack of respect
that increases the emotional cost of giving testimony in public. In the same manner, the
public Hearings seek to present cases of victims who can rely on the solidarity of their
family and community during and after giving their testimony.
2.1.5. Right to respond.
The respect for the dignity of the person includes those who are adversely mentioned. For
this reason, no one will deny these persons the possibility to render their version of the
facts during the regular course of the TRC's fact-finding work.
2.2. Criteria for inviting Truth Tellers
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
2 Adapted from SAMHSA model: https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/userfiles/files/SAMHSA Trauma.pdf
' Adopted from Ginwright: https://Qinwright.medium.conVthe-future-of-healing-shifting-from-trauma-
informed-care-to-hea ling-cente red -engage ment-634f557ce69c
to the current conditions. In order for the community -at -large to come forth to give
testimony, all members of the community must be 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: civic associations, school groups, non profits, 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;
• Seek to include Truth Tellers of all genders;
• 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.
2.3. Preparation of Truth Tellers
Giving testimony at a Truth Telling Hearing is unlike testifying in a court setting where a
witness aids or counters a criminal indictment, is cross-examined by a defense or
prosecuting attorney, or where a jury or judge pronounces innocence or guilt. A TRC is
not a criminal justice process, and its center is not an accused, but the survivor. 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 -Hearing 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 Ascertain whether they are interested in participate in a public Hearing to
provide testimony and enter in dialogue with other members of the
community;
o Learn about the content of their potential narrative;
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 narrative;
o Engage in informal conversation;
o Check up on Truth Tellers to see how they are doing;
o Invite Truth Tellers to formal, semi -formal, and informal Hearings /
community gatherings;
o Ask truth -tellers in advance whether there is any special support they need
during the act of telling their stories (e.g. not to be interrupted, words of
affirmation, more prompts/ no prompts / invitations to share more, etc).
• 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.
2.4. Programming and Realization ofHearings
The Hearings require the following tasks:
2.4.1. Infrastructure
This task includes the preparation of the technical infrastructure that must be used,
including availability of separate space for the gathering of Truth -Tellers and the public,
devices for appropriate recording and broadcasting, as well as space for the media.
2.4.2. Security
Since the situation of racism has resulted in BIPOC communities distrusting the regular
security institutions, a Truth -Telling Hearing needs to ensure the safety and security of
participants through community collaboration, empathy, and support. Truth Tellers and
Witnesses do not just have to be safe, they need to feel safe. Therefore, it will be important
to have the presence of community members, relatives, friends, spiritual leaders, and others
who are there for them.
2.4.3 Symbols and Rituals
The TRC carries out the Truth -Telling Hearings in close linkage with the Healing Circles
led by Native Partners. The TRC recognizes that Healing Circles have a long ancestry and
that Native American nations have a unique wisdom about them and generosity to share it.
2.4.4. Media
The TRC will invite traditional and new media to participate in the Hearings, informing
them in advance about what is to be expected, and indicating forms to respect the space of
truth -telling and the Truth Tellers.
2.4.5. Transcripts and publication
The TRC will ensure that the public Truth -Telling Hearings are accurately recorded, in line
with all appropriate Iowa legislation. The TRC will strive to ensure that the Hearings are
transcribed and are part of a repository of information, testimony, art, artifacts and other
sources of information, reflection, and reconciliation.
2.5. Protocol of the Hearings
The Truth -telling Hearings are meetings of the TRC and must assure the presence of a
quorum. The TRC will conduct the regular aspects of its Hearings, and also include the
following:
• Remind the public of the nature of the TRC's mission according to Resolution 20-
228
• The commissioners will invite Truth Tellers to affirm their commitment to tell the
truth to the best of their abilities, and to effectively tell their stories.
• The public will maintain a respectful attitude at all moments.
• The press invited by the TRC will remain respectful during the testimonies.
• The Truth Tellers will be accompanied by their families, support groups and other
forms of support provided by the TRC.
• The commissioners will invite the Truth Teller to introduce her/him/themselves in
whatever way they feel comfortable, including name, pronouns, and place of origin;
• The commissioners will ask if there is anything the Truth Teller would like to share
before offering their testimony;
• The commissioners will not cross examine the witnesses, but will, as appropriate,
provide prompts to facilitate the flow of the narrative.
• The commissioners will ensure that truth -tellers will, if necessary, interrupt public
narratives if there are informations that should be protected, and that could be
communicated in a private session, in compatibility with applicable Iowa law and
constitutional rights (e.g. privileged lawyer -defendant information, trade secrets,
issues regarding the right to privacy of survivors, issues regarding the rights of
minors, etc)
• The commissioners will allow spaces of silence for the Truth Teller to breathe,
emote however they need to, compose themselves, process or engage with new /
emergent remembrances, etc.;
• The commissioners will respect the narrative style of each person and not impose
an expectation of performed civility (i.e., allow Truth Tellers to use profanity, utter
inarticulable language, scream, etc. if they are so moved by emotion);
• The commissioners will offer occasional words of affirmation and encouragement
when the Truth Teller seems to be struggling to continue;
• The commissioners will be gentle and patient in speech, compassionate in
responses offered;
• The commissioners will suspend any personal judgments that arise based upon your
personal life experience or worldview;
• The commissioners will 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).
• The commissioners will thank each truth -teller individually for having shared their
experience with the city and will express their solidarity with the survivors.