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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 04/14/2022 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting – In Person/Virtual April 14, 2022 5:30 – 7:30 pm CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO CALL TO ORDER ● Meeting was called to order by Chair, Beth Jaeger, at 5:31 pm. ROLL CALL ● Present: Masood Ahmad Oscar Felix Beth Jaeger Barb Kistler Fabiola Pascual Luna Phil Walker ● Absent: Jean Runyon Claudia Menendez ● Staff Present: Rachael Johnson, Senior Equity Specialist, Office of Equity & Inclusion, HRC Liaison ● Public Participant: None AGENDA REVIEW  No changes were made to the meeting agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ● 3/10/22 HRC Meeting ● Motion to approve March minutes made by Fabiola Pascual Luna; se- conded by Masood Ahmad. All in favor 6-0. ● 3/31/22 Education Committee Meeting ● Motion to approve Committee minutes made by Fabiola Pascual Luna; seconded by Barb Kistler. All in favor 6-0. BUDGET REVIEW - POTENTIAL 2022 REQUESTS • HRC has $5,900 budget this year. If HRC desires a larger budget, requests must be sent to the City for consideration by April 20, 2022. NEW BUSINESS ● Update Re: City’s Connection with the Indigenous Community - Rachael Johnson ● Rachael has had a major focus on the indigenous community for the last three months. She comes from the Guna Tribe in Panama, and has been involved in the Fort Collins Indigenous Community since 2009. ● The U.S. has a unique relationship with the native community as they are viewed as sovereign nations. The relationship is well established at the federal level, but is more lacking on the state level. ● Colorado has three urban native communities: ● Tribal citizens ● Native Americans ● Indigenous ● Community Priorities: 1. Native American Community Center 2. Land Back and Hughes (the community is split with this proposition) 3. Street Renaming (offensive street names will be changed) 4. Soapstone/Bison (more management of the Bison) 5. Plant Gathering in Natural Areas (permit for gathering plants for ceremonial practices) 6. Land Acknowledgement and Action 7. Indigenous People’s Day Resolution ● City Priorities: 1. Learning Space 2. Tribal Consultation 3. Truth, Restoration, and Education Commission 4. Native American Advisory Council 5. Indigenous Community Relations Specialist 6. Connections at CSU • Native American Cultural Center • Native American Advisory Council • VP for Native American and Indigenous Relations • The Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow occurred on April 8-10, 2022 • Local resources available: • Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association • Tiyospaye Winyan Maka • Native American Cultural Center (CSU) • Black Mesa Colorado Caravan • The HRC can support this work in various ways, including sending a letter of sup- port to City Council regarding a Native American Community Center, participating in events such as the Powwow, and getting involved in the Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution. Also, there is an opportunity to host Indigenous community mem- bers at a future HRC meeting. Rachael will keep us informed about this work and the HRCʼs potential involvement. OLD BUSINESS ■ Committee Reports: Discussion RE: 2022 Focus Areas and Recom- mended Actions o Education Outreach: Fabiola Pascual Luna  Held a committee meeting on March 31st. Conducted research on the “Human Library” program. The Equity Indicators Community Forum will be held on April 28, 5:30-7:30pm at the Fort Collins Sen- ior Center. HRC members can help by facilitating table conversa- tions or taking notes.  The aim of the “Human Library” is to promote inclusion and diversity by challenging stereotypes and discrimination.  “Books” are specific people with different backgrounds, and are vet- ted and trained beforehand.  Conversations are typically 30 minutes and one-to-one, but small group discussions are also possible.  The event is free to all, but typically costs around $4,000 to host it.  Planning needs to begin seven months prior to the event.  Motion to support moving forward with the event application made by Oscar Felix; seconded by Masood Ahmad. All in favor 6-0. Barb and Fabiola to report more information about the program at our May 12th meeting before final program decisions are made. o Media/Community Recognition Committee: None o Government Relations: None o Executive: Beth Jaeger City Council approved a resolution supporting Ukraine. Two requests were made to the City Clerk regarding HRC membership: Decrease Commission quorum requirement, and advertise HRC membership to the public when vacancies occur, not just annually. Requests will be considered. NEXT STEPS: Meeting Action Items: Beth will send out action items for next meeting. Next Meeting- May 12, 2022- Agenda Ideas: Ideas are greatly appreciated. Beth to confirm when Jewish leaders wish to discuss antisemitism in Fort Collins with the HRC. ADJOURNMENT ● Motion to adjourn by Phil Walker; seconded by Masood Ahmad. All in favor 6-0. ● Meeting adjourned: 7:14pm.