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Home My WebLink About05-02-24 Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Thursday, May 2, 2024 Regular Meeting 7 PM — Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall 410 E. Washington Street 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. 0n1v in person comments will be alloived fbr 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 THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 4, 2024 5. FOLLOW UP & DEBRIEF FROM THE TRC PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL 6. FACILITATOR'S FINAL REPORT UPDATE 7. TRC BUDGET UPDATE & REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS 8. NEXT STEPS FOR PHASE THREE AND FOUR 9. ANNOUNCEMENTSOF 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STAFF 11. ADJOURNMENT In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer the opportunity to participate in the meeting remotely. However, this meetingis in -person, and those wishing to ensure their ability to participate should attend the meeting in -person. If you instead wish to participate remotely, youmay attempt to do so by joining the below link. First Thursday Meetings ID: 867 2424 8095 Third Thursday Meetings ID: 895 3695 0485 If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call in by phone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID when prompted. 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 humanriahtsna Iowa-citv.ora. 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 April 4, 2024 Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes The Assembly Room, Iowa City Senior Center Commissioners present: Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Chastity Dillard, Lauren Merritt, Wangui Gathua. Commissioners on Zoom: Chad Simmons. Commissioners not present: Louis Tassinary. Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers. Recommendation to City Council: No. Meeting called to order: Approximately: 7:15 PM. Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Merritt read the Land Acknowledgements. Debrief from Fact -Finding and Truth -Telling Events: Commissioner Johnsons shared his thoughts on the truth -telling events, stating he thought the event(s) went well and there was growth with the work that was done. Johnson also mentioned the idea of expanding these events into the community to get others involved. Commissioner Kiche shared that he learned a lot from those who participated in the events. Kiche was able to learn more about what goes on in the community including how small business owners are affected and how systems (school system, legal system) have failed individuals. Kiche suggested vetting people who will be speaking at truth -telling events with more detail and communication to avoid surprises during the events. Kiche also suggested sticking to guidelines on how the events should operate. Commissioner Merritt agreed on the idea of a vetting process for the purpose of safety and productivity in future events. Merritt also shared that there is potential to do more with these events in the future. Commissioner Simmons spoke about the positive aspects of the events, including the process of events (fact finding, truth telling, and healing circles). Simmons shared that the event was not consistent with the model discussed regarding how the events would operate. Simmons also shared that there is a need for better understanding of the systems (police, education, housing) that the commission is working to fix to come up with solutions they can present to the city to bring about improvements for the community. Merritt suggested implementing time to process each tenth -telling and putting aside additional time to brainstorm options for solutions. Johnson recommended more advertisement to get more people involved. Commissioner Gathua suggested implementing a stricter time limit where people stop speaking once the time is up (like what is done in city meetings). Gathua also suggested being better prepared and tentative to any rising tension during the events. Commissioner Dillard shared the need for community involvement and for the commission to go to community members and share what they have learned to help the con unity. Dillard shared strengths from the meeting including the process, mobile -crisis partners, and healing circles. Dillard also suggested providing more healing circles for the community and a vetting process for future truth -tellers. Dillard mentioned the need for the commission to present as a united front centered around the message of racial injustice. Facilitator Dr. Lary Schooler acknowledged the work the commission has done and shared he agrees with the need for separate time to absorb the stories told at each event. Phase 2: Budget Update, Request for Additional Funds from the City Council, Nest Steps & Follow-up: Johnson suggested reaching out to community members through churches to get more involvement at truth -telling events. Dillard revisited the commissioners north star framing question that represents the commission's guiding vision. Dillard suggested taking what the commission has learned, along with the model of the north star framing question and using it to reconnect with the community and gather data/ information to use for the recommendation they will present to the council. Simmons asked what the overall message is that the commission is intending to deliver to the council on April 16th. Dillard answered that the commission will share that there is still work to be done. Simmons followed up by asking if the commission does not receive funding will it stop the work they are currently doing. Dillard answered that if the city wants the commission to do the work that they have asked them to do then the commission will need the money to move forward. Johnson agreed that The City needs to be held accountable for what they set out to achieve with this commission. Johnson also mentioned the possibility of sponsorships for funding. Commissioners discussed the importance of city involvement and what the future of the commission would look like without it. Dillard then brought up the need for increased community support. A solution presented was providing more healing circles to the community which would then lead to people who may be interested in the commission work. Merritt suggested an advertising budget. Dillard emphasized the importance of word of mouth to get community members involved. Johnson suggested a digital billboard advertising. Dillard brought up the upcoming April 16'h meeting with council and proposed moving the meeting back to give more time to provide an itemized list of what the proposed increase budget would be used for. Facilitator Annie Tucker brought up the importance of the April 16Ih meeting regarding the facilitation team that reports to council. Schooler asked for clarification on what the city believes to be the commissions obligations under the contract relative to the presentation planned for April 16`h. Redmond Jones clarified that the contract speaks to a joint effort to put together a closing of the activities and recommendations that the facilitators have brought to the commission. Dillard stated the need for the commission to present on progress on April 16rh and to then schedule an additional meeting where budget and funding is discussed in detail. Schooler clarified that the facilitators' role is to both report on the TRC's progress and to provide a set of recommendations to allow the TRC to continue once their contract with the facilitators ends. Simmons shared that he does not think it is a good idea for the commission to go to the April 16`h meeting without a full presentation including budget. Simmons shared the political nature of the meeting suggests what the commission is bringing to the meeting will benefit the city rather than simply updating them on progress. Simmons suggested to go to the city and ask to move back the date. Simmons agreed to support whatever final decision is made by the commission. 2 The commission had to consider contractual obligations regarding the date of the meeting with council and infornation presented by Jones resulting in a final decision to present a progress report and highlights of their plans moving forward with a promise of additional budget information in May. Commissioners discussed who would oversee giving the presentation to the council at the April 16th meeting. It was decided Simmons and Merritt will present to the City Council. Announcements of Commissioners: None. Announcements of Staff: Jones stated there will be a budget report available at a future date. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 PM. The full meeting video can be viewed at this link. AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2024 (Mectine Date) NAME TERM EXP. 1/4 1/25 2/1 2/15 3/7 1114 1111 3/20 3/21 4/4 4/18 5/2 5/16 6/6 6/20 Dillard 12/31/24 Z P P P P P P P P P Gathua 12/31/24 P P P P A P P P P P Kiche 12/31/24 - - - P P P P P P P Johnson 12/31/24 A P P P P P P P P P Vacant 12/31/24 - - - - - - - - - - Merritt 12/31/24 P Z P P Z P P P P P Nobiss 12/31/24 Z Z Z A A A A P P R Simmons 12/31/24 P P P P P P P A P Z Tassinary 12/31/24 P A P P P P P P P A P = Present in person A = Absent Z = Zoom Agenda Item #7 Truth &Reconciliation Commission Chastity Dillard - Chair Wangui Gathua Clifton Johnson Amos Kiche Lauren Merritt - Vice Chair Chad Simmons Louis Tassinary Revised April 14, 2024 Phase One: System Design Learning August 2023 - October 2023 Traininc sessions Opening Session (Aug) Strategic Doing (Sep) Fact Finding (Sep) TRC Worldwide Models (Oc- Healing Circles (Feb 2024) Phase Two: System Design Practice January 2024 - April 2024 Developing Our Story in Public r"I Organization /Community Support (Mar) " Will be incorporated during Phase Four Phase Three: Subject Matter Experts May 2024 - August 2024 Part 1: Areas of Interest Part II: Community Projects U Social Justice Mkl Economic Development • Public Presentation • Educator's Work Group Education 9 Housing Work Group • Social Justice Work Group • Small Business Work Group Ip Phase Four: Execute Truth Telling Model September 2024 - December 2024 Developing Our Story r � Organizati /Communit Sponsor Final Report Film Documentary Final TRC Public Meeting Public Forum Truth &Reconciliation Commission Questions &Answers Chastity Dillard - Chair Wangui Gathua Clifton Johnson Amos Kiche Lauren Merritt - Vice Chair Chad Simmons Louis Tassinary Revised April 14, 2024