HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-24 Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Regular Meeting
7 PM — Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
410 E. Washington Street
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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 madein-person or remotely.
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM AUGUST 15, 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 human rights aniowa-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 15, 2024
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Louis Tassinary, Lauren Merritt.
Commissioners on Zoom: Lubna Mohamed.
Commissioners not present: Chad Simmons, Chastity Dillard, Wangui Gathua, Kayla Rossi.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 7:05 PM
Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Tassinary read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of minutes from August 1, 2024: Johnson moved, and Kiche seconded. Motion passed
5-0.
Next steps for phase three and four including upcoming events and engagement: Johnson
commented on the success of the latest event (National Night Out) the commission participated in,
stating they were able to talk to community members and get people to sign up for more
information. Upcoming events (Summer Jam and Iowa Latino Festival) were discussed. ft was
confirmed Johnson and Kiche would be attending the Latino Festival to represent the commission.
Tassinary and Kiche agreed to attend the Sommer Jam event to represent the commission.
The commission was reminded by staff to reach out to Simmons regarding any ideas they have as
it relates to the documentary being made about the commission.
Kiche suggested the commission get Spanish translated version of the TRC brochure and sign for
the Latino Festival on the 24 of August. It was confirmed a summarized version of the
commission's name and general mission could be translated in time for the event, but more
detailed translated brochures will not be ready in time.
Announcements of commissioners: Kiche informed the commissioners that he and Mohamed
have arranged a meeting with community members Sunday, 8/18 at 3:00 at Java House where they
will have an open discussion with the Sudanese community on employment discrimination. All
commissioners were encouraged to attend.
Announcements of staff. None.
The meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM.
The full meeting video can be viewed at this link.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2024
(Meetins Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
2/1
2/15
3/7
3/14
3118
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
Kiche
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