HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-24 Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation CommissionEX1:04h ff Mi1FTiflIC•••o IkSNMT •uu •r
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Regular Meeting
7 PM — Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
410 E. Washington Street
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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,
maybe mad in -person or remotely.
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM August 1, 2024
5. NEXT STEPS FOR PHASE THREE AND FOUR INCLUDING UPCOMING
EVENTS AND ENGAGEMENT
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STAFF
8. 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
I D: 867 2424 8095
Third Thursday Meetings
I D: 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 inorder 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.
August 1, 2024
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
MinutesEmma Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Chastity Dillard, Lauren Merritt, Louis
Tassinary.
Commissioners on Zoom: Lubna Mohamed, Wangui Gathua.
Commissioners not present: Kayla Rossi, Chad Simmons.
Staff present: Geoff Fruin, Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 7:20 PM
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Merritt read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of minutes from July 18, 2024: Merritt moved, and Tassinary seconded.
Motionpassed 7-0.
Public comment of items not on the agenda: Maha Mohamed brought up the concern of
landlords not accepting Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). The rejection by so many landlords has
affected many families. Mohamed offered some solutions. One solution was to provide the total rent
assistance to the tenant and not the landlord to avoid late rent charges. Another solution was to split
units that allow a certain number of apartments to be used for section 8 housing and the rest remain as
standard units. The final recommendation was a long-term solution of buying/ providing land that
would allow for specialized housing to be built strictly for section 8 housing by the city.
Next steps for phase three and four: Dillard spoke of upcoming events she would like the
commission to attend and asked for commissioners to volunteer for tabling at them. Johnson
and Kiche volunteered for National Night Out being held on August 6. Another event is the
End of Summer Jam at Willow Creek Park on Saturday, August 17th from 2:00-5:00 PM.
Merritt volunteered her time for half of the event with Tassinary volunteering for the other half
of the time. Latino Fest happening at the end of August was also mentioned as a potential
event to table and raise awareness of the commission. Dillard mentioned utilizing volunteers to
help with tabling and breaking up the hours.
The African Festival is an event happening in September that Dillard suggests the colmnission
table at too. The final event mentioned was the University of Iowa's Student Fair in
September. Dillard volunteered to attend the event and asked for other commissioners to share
any events they may hear of in the future for potential tabling opportunities. Dillard suggested
acting on the idea of visiting churches to talk more with community members. Both the Iowa
City and Coralville Farmer's Market were noted as places the commission should also attend
to increase community engagement.
Dillard brought up the previously discussed TRC documentary and the expectations for it.
Tassinary mentioned including both the high and low points the commission has faced within
the documentary. Kiche mentioned keeping the documentary within budget and creating a
potential contract to avoid additional/ unexpected charges. Dillard suggested commissioners
mention any specific footage they would like included in the documentary. Tassinary suggested
pulling together articles published in local newspapers to provide the documentarian. Johnson
asked what the debut would be for the finished documentary. Johnson suggested sitting down
with the documentarian to discuss the TRC's expectations for the film and being sure to all be
on the same page. Johnson would like to see Iowa City residents be interviewed with questions
of what they enjoy about Iowa City and their concerns with the city.
Dillard would like the film to be authentic and to accurately depict the back and forth of the
commission's work to showcase the full journey. Johnson asked if there will be any sort of
narration needed for the documentary. Kiche shared he would like transparency in the creation
of the documentary so there are no surprises or last-minute changes. Tassinary suggested the
documentarian organize the materials in a way that is continuously accessible. There was
consensus for the film to highlight the important aspects of the commission's journey rather
than every detail.
Kiche raised concerns of the calendar catching up with the commission and the need to act on
ideas and outreach efforts. Dillard agreed there is a need to get started on outreach and
suggested working with the schedules of those community members they will be meeting with.
It was clarified among the commission that the outreach efforts are for the purpose of
community engagement and to raise awareness of the commission and their mission. Tassinary
raised concerns of the timeline mentioned in the previous meeting. He suggested using the
information they have now and some information from upcoming engagement for the report as
part of the recommendation for the future section of the report. The possibility of recording
during parts of the public engagement was discussed.
It was recapped that the commission would like to do more tabling and community outreach.
Merritt suggested a question list or conversation engagement points for each commissioner to
consider when doing community outreach. Kiche and Dillard discussed what the community
engagement conversation should look like. Dillard suggested a personal conversation that
allows the community member(s) to speak openly without recording due to unpredictability. It
was also suggested that if something of importance arises in these one-on-one conversations to
then suggest bringing that information forward in a more formal setting that does not hold the
commission liable for what is said or shared. Kiche has community members willing to talk
with the commission and will provide dates for when they are available to speak.
Dillard confirmed she would work on a calendar for the community events discussed in the
meeting along with a poll for dates/availabilities that the commissioners can share with each
other. Johnson shared he would like to push for the TRC to be permanent. Tassinary will try to
draft the first half of the final report for city council. It would be a summary of the initial report
made by the consultants for the commission and their earlier work/research.
2
Kiche questioned the previously discussed idea of getting help with writing the report. It was
agreed to follow up with Simmons, who had volunteered to investigate getting potential
assistance for the report.
Annie Tucker gave suggestions for improvements to the website. Tucker believes there should
be more information front and center on the website of what the commission is doing and
looking for due to the lack of information currently present.
Announcements of commissioners:
Kiche shared he attended some of the public meetings on housing needs here in Iowa City.
Kiche reported it is a major concern in the community that may align with the commission's
efforts.
Johnson reiterated his desire for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be a permanent
commission due to ongoing injustices like the recent incident of police violence leading to the
death of Sonya Massey.
Announcements of staff: None.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29PM.
The fall meeting video can be viewed at this link.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2024
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
2/1
2/15
3/7
3/14
3/18
3/20
3/21
4/4
5/2
5/16
6/20
7/18
8/1
Dillard
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Gathua
12/31/24
P
P
A
P
P
P
P
P
A
A
Z
Z
Z
Kiehe
12/31/24
-
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Johnson
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Merritt
12/31/24
P
P
Z
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
P
P
Mohamed
12/31/24
-
Z
Z
Z
Z
Simmons
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
Z
P
P
A
P
A
Tassinary
12/31/24
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
P
P
A
P
Rossi
12/31/24
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
A
Z
A
P = Present in person
A = Absent
Z = Zoom
Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Approved Budget for Phases Three and Four
Category
Amount
Description
Special Meeting
$5,000
Special meeting accommodations to include food,
Accommodations (outside
participation supplies (paper, pens, flip charts, etc.),
of typical TRC business
rental fees, any other expenses to encourage
meetings)
participation and efficient proceedings
Community Marketing
$2,500
Social media, radio and other marketing outlets to
promote TRC mission and encourage participation from
a broad representation of the public
Special Event Promotion
$5,000
Identifiable clothing for TRC Commissioners (e.g. t-
shirts, sweatshirts) for representation at community
events. Table runners, banners and small promotional
items topromote TRC mission and participation
Miscellaneous Pilot
$7,500
Allows TRC to create and test efforts to help the
Programs, Report
community move towards reconciliation prior to final
Writing,
recommendations being made. Examples may include
Facilitation and
book purchases for a small group healing session,
Shared Services
contracting with a subject matter expert for a
community lecture / community event, etc. Also
includes professional assistance activities such as
event planning, report writing, research, and
documentation of TRC activities.
Total
$20,000
Approved July 18, 2024