CHAPTER 2-26
INDIGENOUS COMMISSION
SECTIONS:
2-26-001-0001 CREATION OF COMMISSION
2-26-001-0002 MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
2-26-001-0003 TERMS OF OFFICER
2-26-001-0004 PURPOSE AND DUTIES
2-26-001-0005 MEETINGS; ATTENDANCE
2-26-001-0001 CREATION OF COMMISSION
An Indigenous Commission is hereby created. (Ord. 2020-24, Enacted, 10/06/2020)
2-26-001-0002 MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
The Indigenous Commission shall have seven (7) voting members appointed by the City Council and three (3) ex-officio (nonvoting) members from the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council appointed by the City Council in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between the City of Flagstaff and the Coconino County Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council. All voting members shall reside within the Flagstaff City limits.
A. Members must have a tribal affiliation as enrolled members of a tribe/nation recognized by the Federal and/or State governments. Members will have interest in the issues presented in the Strategic Plan as presented to City Council by the Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives. (Ord. 2020-24, Enacted, 10/06/2020)
2-26-001-0003 TERMS OF OFFICE
A. Terms shall be for three (3) years except for the first appointments to create staggered terms. The City Council shall appoint three (3) members for three (3) year terms, two (2) members for two (2) year terms, and two (2) members for one (1) year terms. After the initial appointment all terms thereafter will be three (3) year terms.
B. The City Council will make every effort to recruit and appoint those individuals that represent the diverse indigenous population of Flagstaff and who have demonstrated an interest in the recommendations as directed at the October 10, 2017, City Council meeting by the Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff.
C. Two (2) Co–Chairpersons from among the seven (7) voting members shall be selected by a majority vote of those members at a meeting called for that purpose. (Ord. 2020-24, Enacted, 10/06/2020)
2-26-001-0004 PURPOSE AND DUTIES
A. The Indigenous Commission serves as an advisory board to City Council, makes recommendations with respect to certain policies, needs, issues, and methods in promoting the Strategic Plan and recommendations accepted by City Council and furnishes the City Council with information through the Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives.
B. The duties of the Indigenous Commission shall include:
1. Fostering mutual understanding, respect and awareness among all citizens within the City of Flagstaff; recognizing the different economic, cultural, social, racial, religious and ethnic groups within the City; cooperating in the development of educational programs dedicated to improvement of community relations with and to enlist the support of various groups to foster understanding of the Strategic Plan.
2. Developing recommendations for the Mayor and City Council to assist in developing certain policies required to respond to the concerns and needs of those in the community and on the Commission in the promotion of the Strategic Plan.
3. Advising and assisting the City Council on ways to educate the community and developing ways to disseminate such information through surveys, studies, forums, workshops, brochures or other events.
4. Developing and providing public forums for identifying and discussing issues of interest relating to the area of indigenous-related awareness.
5. Acting as an information or referral group to assist individuals, organizations and employers in an effort to aid the community towards greater understanding and respect for diversity awareness among all individuals.
C. The Indigenous Commission shall not advise or make recommendations to the City Council regarding:
1. Any litigation involving any indigenous peoples or tribes.
2. Any water matters or issues.
3. Any land matters or issues.
D. Strategic Plan and Recommendations.
1. Visibility. To build visibility of indigenous presence and contributions through public art, street and place names, public advertising, and possible support for a Flagstaff powwow.
2. Economic Inclusion. Finance and promote a study to quantify indigenous contribution to Flagstaff’s economy. Create a directory of and promote indigenous-owned businesses in Flagstaff. Feasibility study for a public marketplace for indigenous artists.
3. Community Cultural Center. Develop a vision statement, and identify a location, administrative structure, and funding partners for an Indigenous Community Cultural Center. This is the costliest of the recommendations and also the most frequently articulated.
4. Education. Work with Flagstaff Unified School District to support expanded curricula and staff training on indigenous histories, cultures, and contributions.
5. Public Safety and Criminal Justice. Work with Police, Fire Departments and the Courts to include conversations and input on public safety.
6. Wellness. Take initiative in identifying, assisting, and supporting indigenous organizations to build culturally grounded resources for the treatment of intergenerational trauma and other sources of damage expressed by means of substance abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, and suicide. Including positive programs such as indigenous community gardens and youth-elder programs ideally based within Community Cultural Center. Explore ways to show consideration and respect for lands that are revered, beloved, and sacred for indigenous people. This is a paramount issue of physical, mental, and spiritual health for the indigenous people of Flagstaff.
7. Housing. Work with indigenous organizations to further support affordable housing for indigenous people. Identify and recommend ways the City can ease the burden of Flagstaff’s restrictive price levels for housing and utilities.
8. Transportation. Explore solutions to regional transportation deficits that place particular obstacles in the path of native indigenous people who travel between the City and nearby homes or additional family homes for work, shopping, family connections, and health services. (Ord. 2020-24, Enacted, 10/06/2020)
2-26-001-0005 MEETINGS; ATTENDANCE
A. The Commission shall hold regular meetings at such dates and times as determined by the members except that the Chairperson may call a special meeting with not less than twenty-four (24) hours’ notice as properly posted under the Arizona Open Meeting Law.
B. The Indigenous Commission shall not conduct any business at a meeting unless a quorum is present. A quorum shall consist of four (4) voting members of the Commission.
C. Official business shall be conducted pursuant to the Board and Commission Members’ Rules and Operations Manual adopted by Resolution No. 2019-38 of the City Council, as may be amended from time to time, and in accordance with meeting procedures, if any, adopted by the Commission insofar as they are not in conflict with the Board and Commission Members’ Rules and Operations Manual. In the event of any such conflict, the provisions of the Board and Commission Members’ Rules and Operations Manual shall prevail. (Ord. 2020-24, Enacted, 10/06/2020)