HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-28-2022 Human Rights CommissionHuman Rights Commission
June 28, 2022
Formal Meeting —5:30 PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
Agenda:
1. Call the meeting to order and roll call
2. Reading of Land Acknowledgement
3. Approval of May 24, 2022, meeting minutes
4. Public comment of items not on the agenda. (Commentators shall address the Commission for
no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with the public
concerning said items)
5. Conversation and Collaborations with the University of Iowa College of Public Health
6. Funding Request: University of Iowa Center for Human Rights
7. Update on Race -Based Calls Campaign
8. Social Justice & Racial Equity Grant Updates
a. Request for Extension Iowa City Area Chinese Association
9. Strategic Planning Updates
a. Check in on Subcommittees (Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 5:30-7PM)
10. Discussion on whether to participate in Climate Fest (September 23 at Wetherby Park)
11. Discussion on whether to hold a July meeting
12. Staff/Commission Announcements (Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one
another concerning said announcements)
13. Adjournment
If you will need disability -related accommodations to participate in this meeting please contact Human
Rights Coordinator, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early
requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Native American land Acknowledgement
Prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human
Rights Commission
PURPOSE
Iowa City owes its existence to the many Indigenous Peoples who were the original stewards of this land
and who were subjected to manipulation and violence by non-native settlers, invaders, and governments
in order to make this moment possible. Acknowledgement of this truth is central to our work toward
reconciliation across all barriers of difference and injustice. Starting with a Native American Land
Acknowledgement, this Commission will bear witness to the legacies of violent displacement, migration,
and settlement that have marginalized those who were the first inhabitants of this land. We must also
address the mistreatment and exclusion that Native Americans continue to face today. The Ad Hoc Truth
and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission encourage the community and City of
Iowa City to join us in these efforts through the use of a Native American Land Acknowledgement.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To be read at all public meetings and events:
"We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of
Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of
Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk, and because
history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the
ancient connections of many other Indigenous Peoples here. The history of broken
treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands
was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we can not erase. We implore the
Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we
work toward equity, restoration, and reparations."
LEARN MORE
Native Governance Center Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
US Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land Virtual Resources and Guide
Meskwaki Nation - History
Special thanks to the University of Iowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as
members of the public, for their input.
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
May 24, 2022
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Commissioners present: Mark Pries, Jason Glass, Roger Lusala, Ashley Lindley, Bijou Maliabo, Sylvia Jons,
Sid Felker, Ali Ahmed (via Zoom).
Commissioners not present: None.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers, Daisy Torres.
Others present who spoke: Ivan Rossi, Mike Wayrick, Lexi Kohl, Melvin Herrera, Jeff Briones.
Recommendation to City Council: Yes.
Meeting called to order: 5:30 PM.
Native American Land Acknowledgement: Lusala read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of the minutes from April 26, 2022, meeting: moved by Lusala, the motion was seconded
by Jens. Motion passed 7-0. (Maliabo not present for vote).
Public comment of items not on the agenda: None.
Update on Race -Based Calls Campaign: Glass, Maliabo, and Jens will be participating in this video that
includes the Police Chief. The script has been completed and the segments are being recorded. Once all
the taping is completed this public service announcement will run on City Channel 4 and social media. The
Commission hopes to work with Iowa City Community School District to get it played in student
classrooms. Possibly, on local television networks too.
Introduction of New Officers with the Police Department: Four officers who recently graduated the
Academy were introduced to the Commission. They included Officers Briones, Rossi, Kohl, and Herrera
Amnesty International Cedar Rapids Chapter: Mike Wayrick is the Area Coordinator of Amnesty
International. Wayrick is surveying similar -minded organizations to gauge rather there is any interest in
starting an Amnesty International here in Iowa City. Amnesty is the largest grassroots human rights
organization in the world.
Iowa City Pride Vendor: Commissioners Lusala, Lindley, Felker, and possibly Jens will represent the
Commission at this annual event. Lusala has a folding table that can be used, and staff will try to locate a
few chairs.
Strategic Planning Sessions: The Commission met on May 12 and May 17 to work on their strategic plan.
Two subcommittees were formed. The Commission will hold one further planning session in July to review
the strategic plan and to check in on the progress of the subcommittees.
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Reports for FY21 and Updates for FY22: City Council added an
additional $25,000 to the grant for FY22. Two organizations responded to the staff inquiry Iowa City
Catholic Worker and Iowa Chapter of American Student Dental Association. The Commission decided to
recommend $19,560.00 (partial funding) to Iowa City Catholic Worker and $5,440.00 (full funding) to the
American Student Dental Association. Pries moved; the motion was seconded by Felker. Motion passed
8-0.
Juneteenth Proclamation: Pries and Felker will accept the proclamation on behalf of the Commission at
the City Council meeting of Monday, June 6.
Staff Announcements: Torres provided an update on the Public Works Open House the previous
Saturday. It is reported that there were over 1300 persons in attendance throughout the day.
Commission Announcements: Glass and his family recently prepared a meal for the Iowa City Catholic
Worker House. Pries visited and toured a home that was part of the Underground Railroad in Salem, Iowa.
The event was convened by the Beloved Community Initiative. Jons had the opportunity to speak with
Tyson Worth of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) at the Youth Awards. Jons noted that BBBS is interested in
collaborations with the Human Rights Commission. Lindley mentioned both the fun and success of the
Youth Awards and the Public Works Open House. Lusala also spoke on the overall success of the Youth
Awards. In closing, Lusala mentioned that he recently presented on implicit bias to the senior leadership
at Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center. Felker was able to speak with the Mayor at the Public Works
Open House and also recently had a great lunch at the Jabez Cafe. The Cafe works with immigrant and
refugee populations to gain economic stability and to help people with disabilities get job experiences.
Adjourned: 7:08 PM.
N
N
ti
N
N
ti
N
N
O
r
N
M
N
G\C
N
r
x
N
�L
N
e
c
M
N
N
y
O
9
Cover Letter (required reading)
Thank you for your interest in seeking sponsorship from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. The Commission provides
funding to organizations to offset the costs of organizing, planning, and facilitating educational public forums or programs and
activities that are designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup tensions.
Please note that this sponsorship is for reimbursement of expenses. If an organization is awarded funding they must:
1. Submit invoices and/or statements of items/services paid prior to receiving reimbursement.
2. Send their W9 to staff prior to receiving reimbursement.
3. Submit a full (one page) summary of funding impact, including but not limited to, number of persons involved in your
project, anecdotal stories to share about the event, frequency of the event, and other essential information.
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
319-356-5022 or Stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Sponsorship requests are due by 5PM on the third Monday of each month.
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission will review the request at their monthly meeting and staff will contact you to let you
know whether the request has been approved.
Please sign here to verify you have read the cover letter to this form. *
Application
Date"
6/14/2022
Group/Organizaton Name*
University of Iowa Center for Human Rights
Contact person'
Erika Christiansen
Phone number*
319-335-3900
Email*
erika-christiansen@uiowa.edu
Date of activity/event/program*
10/7/2022
If your event occurs on multiple dates, list here
Event location and address*
W10 PBB
Is the event wheelchair accessible?*
• Yes
No
Is the event accessible to individuals with visual impairments?*
• Yes
U No
Describe the activity/event/program and how it contributes to Human Rights. x
UICHR is hosting the 2022 One Community, One Book program in fall. "An American
Summer: Love and Death in Chicago" by best-selling author, journalist, and documentary
filmmaker Alex Koflowitz will bring the author to Iowa City for a keynote lecture. This is a
captivating collection of stories that will transform the way readers think about gun violence
in America. Additional book clubs and programming are being scheduled with One
Community, One Book.
Amount of funds requested. Attach an itemized budget (field below).
$ 2,000.00
Attach itemized budget.'
Budget for OCOB.xlsx 14.14KB
List other funders below:
City of Literature $1000 co-sponsorship, currently seeking
donations from other UI departments and community
organizations.
Has this organization applied for any other City of Iowa City funding for this activity/event/program?
O Yes
O• No
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
Was this request granted?
U Yes
O No
Has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City in the last year?*
O Yes
O No
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
How will this activity/evenUprogram be marketed?
We will make and distribute posters for community boards around Iowa City, electronic
flyers to distribute to stakeholders and partners, emailing list -serves, posting through UI
digital signage and UI social media.
Will sponsors be mentioned and/or logos be used in the marketing of the activity/event/program?
• Yes
No
Is the activity/event/program a fundraiser?"
Yes
• No
Budget line item
Author Contract for Keynote Lecture
Travel for author
Pre -lecture reception
Books for community use
Cost
10,000
1,500
500
1000
13,000
Stefanie Bowers
From: na li <naliiowa@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Stefanie Bowers
A
Dear Members of the Human Rights Commission
Our original plan was to celebrate Lunar New Year at Hancher in 2023 but it turns out that the Hancher is not available
during LNY. So our current plan is to postpone the celebration at Hancher till the February of 2024, therefore we humbly
request an extension of the terms of the grant $3,000.00 till 2024, If that doesn't work out, we will do whatever the
commission decides to do. Thank you!
Nina Na Li
President
shd. hrr. herc
Iowa Citv Area Chinese Association
319-331-7487
1"111I AD"
CH
I'll ASSODAM