Human Rights Commission Meeting Date: January 14, 2021
To: Human Rights Commission
From: Beth Kallestad, Program Coordinator
Title
Welcome and Introductions
Body
Action Requested:
As new members are joining the HRC will spend a few minutes on welcome and introductions
Summary Report:
HRC members are asked to share:
* Name
* What are some things you do when not participating in HRC? (ex - work (where,what), school, exercise, etc.)
* What's one thing people would not know by looking at you?
* Why did you join HRC?
The February meeting will include an orientation, process/roles, review of bylaws, etc. For now some brief background on HRC work in 2020:
The Human Rights Commission (HRC), along with everyone working through the pandemic, has had a challenging year. We have appreciated the support from staff as we have transitioned to online meetings. Before closing person-to-person meetings, the HRC hosted the annual Martin Luther King Celebration in January. We then turned our attention to the Land Acknowledgement Statement, developed last year by a group of community members including several from the HRC. The City Council adopted the statement on November 17, 2020. Prior to its adoption, the HRC hosted a virtual presentation with Dr. Meredith McCoy (Carleton Professor) to share her expertise on the background and importance of Land Acknowledgement statements with interested community members. We were delighted to have a discussion with over 50 community members attending.
We have recently encouraged and supported changing the names of our public schools. We also
participated in racial equity work within the City of Northfield and enjoyed reading "A Good Time for The Truth: Race in Minnesota" and sharing that discussion with others in our community. We have greatly appreciated many respectful conversations within the commission and thank the speakers who have joined us to share their work in Northfield, including School Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillma...
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