Human Rights Commission Meeting Date: October 8, 2020
To: Human Rights Commission
From: Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator
Title
Update on Land Acknowledgement Statement and Community Education
Body
Action Requested:
The Human Rights Commission receives update Land Acknowledgement Statement and Community Education.
Summary Report:
Land Acknowledgement Statement Update
The HRC request to City Council is being moved to November 10th Council meeting due to full agenda on Oct 6th.
After receiving some additional feedback from the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer at the Lower Sioux Community, the HRC subcommittee suggests that a modified version of this statement that includes of all Dakota peoples be presented in the resolution to City Council:
We stand on the homelands of the Wahpekute and other Bands of the Dakota Nation. We honor with gratitude the people who have stewarded the land throughout the generations and their ongoing contributions to this region. We acknowledge the ongoing injustices that we have committed against the Dakota Nation, and we wish to interrupt this legacy, beginning with acts of healing and honest storytelling about this place.
Community Education
The HRC hosted an online community presentation on September 23 to inform residents about Land Acknowledgement Statements. Professor Meredith McCoy shared the presentation she had given to HRC in July. There were 51 community members who participated. The video recording can be found at: <https://youtu.be/EM7RrkyG5hE>
Commissioner Fowler would like to discuss the idea of developing a skit that youth could perform to help provide additional community education.
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
November 10 - City Council meeting