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Home My WebLink About11-04-2021 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Agenda Thursday, November 4, 20217PM Emma J. Harvat Hall Iowa City City Hall 410 E. Washington Street 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 of each month is different than the link and ID for the third Thursday of each month. First Thursday Meetings httl)s://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN cMlaaV6cTxGwO1Wu2-hFHg I D: 867 2424 8095 Third Thursday Meetings https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN ICII811PSRo1u0XPIL-1Ew 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. Meeting Agenda: 1. CALLTOORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & DISCUSSION 4. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 21, 2021 5. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (COMMENTATORS SHALL ADDRESS THE TRC FOR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING SAID ITEMS). 6. DISCUSS AND VOTE ON A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO EXTEND THE TRC'S TIMELINE 7. UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS OF THE FUND EXCLUDED WORKERS COALITION AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN 8. DISCUSSION ON POTENTIAL TRC LOCAL PARTNERS 9. CIRCLE INVITATION 10. ANNOUCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS/STAFF (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH ONE ANOTHER CONCERNING SAID ANNOUCEMENTS). 11. ADJOURNMENT If you will need a disability -related accommodation to participate in this meeting please contact the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your accessibility needs. I r i CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION NOVEMBER 4, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS AGENDA ITEM #3 • LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AGENDA ITEM #4 • DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 2021 AGENDA ITEM #6 • DRAFT TIMELINE OF EXTENSION FOR TRC'S RESOLUTION AGENDA ITEM #8 • POTENTIAL TRC LOCAL PARTNERS LIST AGENDA ITEM #9 • CIRCLE INVITATION 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. October 21, 2021 Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes Emma J. Harvat Hall City Hall Commissioners present: Amel Ali, Wangui Gathua, Mohamed Traore, Kevo Rivera, Clif Johnson. Commissioners via Zoom: Daniel Daphney, Eric Harris, Christine Nobiss (Sikowiss), Chastity Dillard. Staff present: Stefanie Bowers. Recommendations to City Council: No. Meeting Called to Order: 7:06. Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Ali read the Land Acknowledgement Vote to Approve the Meeting Minutes from October 7, 2021: Motion by Ali, seconded by Rivera. Motion passed 7-0. (Nobiss, Dillard not present). Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: None. Updates on the progress of the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition and the American Rescue Plan: Taking the lead from Johnson County, other counties have created their own Excluded Workers Coalitions. The Johnson County Coalition will be attending the final Johnson County Board of Supervisors' public input meeting on October 26 at 613M. The Catholic Workers House will be recognized for their work in the community at the Human Rights Awards Ceremony on October 27 at 7:3013M. TRC Framework: The TRC discussed the possibility of having a work session with the City Council prior to the end of the year. One item to consider for a work session is whether the resolution creating the TRC needs to be narrowed. The TRC may utilize the services of Eduardo Gonzalez to brainstorm on three topics that can be presented to the City Council. Subcommittees of the TRC will meet to discuss what they are seeking from the City Council so that they can be very concise in any requests. In the meantime, the TRC will work on compiling a list of organizations that they can partner with to hold listening sessions. Commissioners will email staff their suggestions. This list will be a core group of organizations that the TRC can work with to foster relationships. The TRC would also like to work with the City on promoting their meetings better to the community. Discussion on whether to recommend that City Council extend the timeline for the TRC to fulfill its charge: Currently the resolution creating the TRC dissolves it on June 30, 2022. The TRC discussed two options to recommend to the City Council: 1) Restart the timeline for November 30, 2021 with the end date being August 30, 2023. Report due July 2023; or 2) Back the start date to April 15, 2021 and run through January 31, 2023. Report due December 2022. It was mentioned that maybe a recommendation to the City Council should be to make the TRC a permanent Commission of the City. Traore made a motion and Ali seconded to wait on making this recommendation to City Council, the motion passed 9-0. Discussion on whether to select a Facilitator by posting a Request for Proposals (RFP): Rivera made a This meeting can be viewed at https://citychannel4.com/cai-bin/vdb/vtp.pl?id=F21815. motion for the TRC to bypass the RFP process for now, the motion was seconded by Ali. Motion passed 8-0 (Nobiss not present). Reports of Commissioners: Traore read a letter from Ousmane Ouramou Sidibe, the president of the Commander of the National Order in Mali. Rivera noted that October is Filipino Heritage Month. Harris was recently hired by Dream City. Daniel reported on the Cady Day of Service to the public or pro bono work. Gathua noted the holiday recognizing Kenya's Freedom Fighters. Adjourn: 8:56 PM This meeting can be viewed at https://citychannel4.com/cai-bin/vdb/vtp.pl?id=F21815. A O U v iyi N �Q WN A z� /�1 W d W �.{ Q N O Yti r� r"ti �i �C SS �. "f. � �-+ r � iS � ii� r� � X � � i� O ie � � x x x x x x �� ie x x x o x x ;, N O� �C r�C �C �%C r�C O X X X � � � �5 � N N DC DC DC DC Df k C DG DG r DC o DC DC DG k DG DG DG 7 N � � � � � r� �C O � � Q � � r� K. N Y DS �S �S � � DG DG DG M x i i i x x x x y. �n YC DC DS DC k `re O S�G SC N e '+ R N N N N N N N N N � �" 1p 'J 'J 'J �O li �G �G �G L� F' Q � 'O � C ti m u R � Z G O L' C � R Y O s R A A x z � �7 h iz F W DECEMBER (2021) Goals: Draft Process design for public events - Draft discussion/interview guide for receiving truth telling testimony - TRC and staff need to discuss logistics and coordination for in -person events - Work on developing a script for how then - Decide ways in which we are conducting JANUARY (2022) processes will go interviews (video, phone, surveys, 1 on 1, etc.) - Start prepping/planning for events (where, when, logistics, topics) helpful to work with other organizations!! - Prepare infographics/posters/fliers depicting the event and TRC - Develop content for possible PSA's broadcasts on radio, etc MARCH-OCTOBER (2022) - Lots of testimony and collaboration on events should happen during these months - Our goals shouldn't be to record every single testimony but to pick compelling ones that we can later record. OCTOBER-NOVEMBER - LOTS of rewatching and analyzing - Do we want to collectively work on recommendations together? I think it would be great to have community input in some form as well. Identify: Trends, ideas, among citizens. Someone taking notes during testimonies. When it comes to writing the report this will be helpful as it will help us envision/structure the entire report (ex. Do we want different sections of policing, housing, etc. and a conclusion? What would this look like?) 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 Target Population/Services Provided TRC TRC Liaison Or anization/Website/Contact Approved Black Voices Project Amplifying Black voices and culture in the ❑ httos://www.facebook.com/icbvo/ community. Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Assistance and education to low -wage workers, ❑ Iowa including immigrants htti)s://cwiiowa.org/ CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Food bank, clothing vouchers for low-income ❑ Bank individuals and households. Mobile crisis services. https://bu i Itbvcommunity.org/ Dream City Community building, youth leadership programs ❑ https://www.dreamcityia.org/ for children and families. Great Plains Action Society Indigenous organizers providing programming to ❑ https://www.greatolainsaction.org/ educate, empower, and protect BIPOC communities. IC Compassion ESL and citizenship classes, food assistance, free ❑ https://www.iccompassion.org/ legal clinic, immigration assistance and, community meals, refugee counseling services. Inside Out Reentry Community Support for individuals involved in the criminal ❑ https://www.insideoutreentry.com/ legal system International Women's Club of Iowa Social events and English programs for women. ❑ City https://iwciowacity.wordr)ress.com/ Iowa City Catholic Worker Immigrant and refugee led community providing ❑ htti)s://iowacitycatholicworker.org/ food, housing, rent assistance, accompaniment, and deportation defense. Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Health care to low income individuals and families. ❑ Clinic htt s: freemedicalclinic.or Iowa City Mutual Aid Collective Kitchens project, street medic training ❑ htti2si//iowacit)tmutualaid.com/ Iowa Freedom Riders Community organizing and mobilization ❑ https://www.face book. comhowaf ree domrider Iowa Jobs for America's Graduate Mentoring, school retention, work resources, ❑ (iJag) skill -building for 9-12`h grade students. https://Www.iowacityschools.org/Pag e 16080 Iowa Legal Aid Free civil legal assistance. htti)s://www.iowaleLalaid.orgL Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders AAPI victims of gender -based violence ❑ in Solidarity https://monsoon iowa.ore/ Multicultural Development Center of As a nonprofit, we provide free community ❑ Iowa services ranging from free STEM training to httos://www.mdciowa.org/ mentoring programs and business incubation to underserved communities. Learn more about our programs and find a learning location near you. Neighborhood Centers of Johnson Before and after school programs for youth and ❑ County family support services. https://ncic.orgLindex.html NISAA African Family Services Programs for African immigrant and refugee ❑ http://nisaa-ats.orz/ women, particularly victims of violence and sexual assault Path of Hope Refugee and immigration services ❑ https://Path-of-hope.org/about/ Prairielands Freedom Fund Immigration bonds and pretrial bail ❑ https://www.i)rairielandsfreedomfun d.or Proteus Health care, education assistance, and job training ❑ httr)://www.i)roteusinc.net/ foragricultural workers, including migrant workers. Shelter House Community Shelter & Housing, food, healthcare, and case management ❑ Transition Services services for unhoused individuals and families h tt p s: //s h e l t e rhouseiowa.org/ South District Neighborhood This Neighborhood Association is comprised of ❑ Association neighbors working together to stay informed & https://southdistrictneiehborhood.or collaborate on ways to encourage positive community engagement. University of Iowa African American Council, Native American ❑ Diversity Councils Council, Pan Asian Council, Latinx Council htti)s://diversity.uiowa.edu/resources Afro-American Cultural Center, Latino Native /dei-across-campus Cultural Centers American Cultural Center, Asian Pacific American https://multicultural.uiowa.edu/cultu Cultural Center; affiliations with other cultural student groups (Black Student Union, Asian ralcenters American Student Union, South Asia Student Association, African Student Association From: Anoie Jordan To: Mohamed Traore; Amel Ali; Eric Harris; Kevin Rivera Cc: Stefanie Bowers; Annie Tucker; V Fixmer-Omit Subject: Resubmission of the Circle Invitation Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 9:19:43 AM A Good Morning Stefanie and others. Could this message please be passed along to all TRC members for discussion? We appreciate your help to get this to the commissioners and also are available for any questions or clarifications. I hope you all have a wonderful day! Dear Members of the TRC, It is exciting and uplifting to navigate possible options for exploring truth telling in Iowa City. Last week I sent a proposal within an email outlining a series of Circles, and since then have been learning so much about what goes into setting up and creating a Circle. In my new found knowledge, I am now resubmitting an evolved proposal more in line with creating a safe space that is informed by those present in it. So, we are no longer proposing a specific series of Circles, and we are glad to provide any Circles the TRC or others request. We are still offering a Circle for TRC members. We want to make it clear that the goal of the Circle/meeting for TRC members is to create a safe space for them to explore truth -telling through Circles and provide them with an opportunity to engage in this process first hand. There will not be any TRC issues discussed or decisions made there. We hope that will make it possible for all interested TRC members to join this meeting In a Circle, the facilitator asks for a question and we pass a talking piece around. Each person gets a chance to answer the question, or to pass when the talking piece somes to them. In this Circle, the questions will be about personal memories or experiences. There will be no questions related to TRC issues. Here are the kind of questions that will be asked: Name a value you think would be helpful in making this circle a safe space. • Name a person who has made a positive difference in your life and how they did. Tell about a time when someone listened to you tell your truth. What made that possible and how did it affect you? Tell about a time when you listened to someone tell their truth and how it affected you. The Circle invitation details remain the same: Tuesday, November 16th @ 6pm-8pm at Dream City--611 Southgate Avenue Iowa City. All TRC members are invited. Again, the goal of the meeting is to create a safe space to explore truth telling through the Circle process and provide TRC members an opportunity to engage this process first hand. Discussion and decisions about TRC issues or other circles will not happen at that time. I appreciate your patience and kindness as I continue to learn and grow in my understanding of how to engage truth telling methods and also working together on a new team alongside V Fixmer-Oraiz and Annie Tucker. If you have any questions, please contact any of us, we are all included in this email. Angle Jordan, she ler/he. BanjoKnnt Empowerment LLC Ewsystem Builder & Consultant CEO & Founder