Date: February 14, 2019
To: Members of the Human Rights Commission
From:
Title
Indigenous People Day Resolution Discussion.
Body
Action Requested:
Discussion only.
Summary Report:
Mayor Pownell has had discussions with St. Olaf President Anderson and Carleton President Poskanzer to consider a collaborative approach across Northfield including our college campuses to express support for diversity and encouraging words and conduct consistent with being an open safe and welcoming community. Moving forward with a formal ceremony or something similar recognizing indigenous peoples was suggested as a possible way to continue with this goal.
Bruce King, St. Olaf Assistant to the President for Institutional Diversity has followed up with Mayor Pownell and Councilor Grabau (Council liaison to the Human Rights Commission) to further explore discussions of planning for some celebration in 2019 for Indigenous Peoples Day. Concilor Grabau has assisted in coordinating Mr. King to attend the Human Rights Commission for this item to have this initial discussion.
Background
In 2018, the City of Northfield approved a Resolution Recognizing the Second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day (see attachment). There was little time to prepare in 2018 but the Human Rights Commission did host a small gathering to celebrate the first Indigenous Peoples Day in 2018. The event was Monday, October 8th at 6:30 p.m. at the Cannon Valley Friends Meeting house at 512 Washington Street.
Additionally, the Human Rights Commission has hosted an annual “International Day of Peace” event in September. In 2018, the Northfield Celebration of the International Day of Peace was on Friday, September 21 and included a presentation at Carleton College from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The focus of this event for 2018 was to highlight cultural elements of Indigenous Peoples in our region with speeches and musical performances. The following are some highlights of the event:
• Opening remarks will be provided by City Councilor Suzie Nakasian (Council President Pro Tem as Mayor Pownell was unavailable) and the Human Rights Commission representative.
• Carleton student Charlie Kilman's short film "Who Are You Now."
• Dorothea Hrossowyc presentation about the people that lived in the area before European settlement, Minnesota's forced removal and ethnic cleansing, the Dakota War of 1862 and "Rescinding the Doctrine of Discovery."
• Larry Johnson of Veterans for Peace spoke about the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice that ended WWI.
• Daisy Leonard read her award-winning peace essay, "Becoming Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable."
• Clarita Kell will spoke on the commitment to maintaining indigenous traditions and the creation of the Aztec Dancers Group.
• Carleton students of indigenous studies gave presentations.
• Daisy, Coco and Sunny of DCS Academy spoke on the topic of youth as peacemakers.
• Music provided by traditional Irish performers, Bill McGrath and the Justice Choir.
Bruce King, St. Olaf Assistant to the President for Institutional Diversity bio (from St. Olaf website)
Before coming to St. Olaf, Bruce King served as assistant vice president for academic affairs and chief diversity officer at the University of South Dakota. He also served as adviser to the president on multicultural affairs at Carleton College from 1993 to 1997, system director for diversity and recruitment for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and school administrator with the Bloomington Public Schools and Northwest Suburban Integration School District in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
He has attended Harvard University's Graduate School of Education Management Development Program and served as a public policy fellow with the University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. He has chaired the Associated Colleges of the Midwest's Committee on Minority Concerns and earned a national reputation as a founding member and second vice president of the National Association for Diversity Officers in Higher Education.
Alternative Options:
Not applicable
Financial Impacts:
None
Tentative Timelines:
Monday, October 14, 2019 - Indigenous Peoples Day