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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-2023 Human Rights CommissionHuman Rights Commission June 27, 2023 Regular Meeting - 5:30 PM Emma J. Harvat Hall 410 E. Washington Street I'e[e] =1 Ll I17-131 1. Call to Order 2. Reading of Native American Land Acknowledgment 3. Approval of May 23, 2023, 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 or one another concerning said items.) 5. Updates on Outreach and Engagement from the Police Department 6. Follow up on a request to change the Native American Land Acknowledgment to the First Nations Land Acknowledgement 7. Statement on Sudan 8. 2023 Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit - Iowa City/Coralville August 8th 9. Partnership with the Parks and Recreation a. Hispanic Heritage Day- September 291', RAL social Hall b. Mental Health Celebration- October 14t'', RAL social Hall c. Indigenous Peoples Day- October 9t1, RAL social Hall d. All Around the World- November 18'", RAL social Hall 10. Commission Committees a. Building Bridges b. Reciprocal Relationships c. Breaking Bread 11. Correspondence 12. One Community One Book - The Farm: A Novel by Joanne Ramos 13. Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant 2022 & 2023 14. Commissioner Spotlights due June 21st 15. Staff Announcements 16. Commissioner Announcements (This item includes an opportunity for brief updates from staff and Commissioners. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion on updates.) 17. Adjournment If you will need disability -related accommodations to participate in this meeting, please call 319-356- 5022 or email humanrights@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. Agenda Item N2 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 Acknowledeement 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. Agenda Item 43 Draft Minutes Human Rights Commission May 23, 2023 Helling Conference Room Commissioners present: Bijou Maliabo, Jahnavi Pandya, Roger Lusala, Ahmed Ismail, Doug Kollasch, Kelsey Paul Shantz, Sylvia Jons (via Zoom). Commissioners absent: Suyun Channon. Staff present: Stefanie Bowers. Recommendation to City Council: No. Meeting called to order: 5:35 PM. Native American Land Acknowledgement: Maliabo read the Land Acknowledgement. Public comment of items not on the agenda: Mark Pries commented on an article in a recent edition of The Lens newsletter. Approval of meeting minutes of April 25, 2023: Paul Shantz moved, and Maliabo seconded. Motion passed 6-0. Outreach and Engagement Update from Police Department: This item was deferred until the June meeting date. Request to change the name of the Native American Land Acknowledgement to the First Nations Land Acknowledgement: Pries asked for the commission to work with members of the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission to change the name to First Nations, which Pries considers to be more accessible whereas Indigenous, in his opinion, is more professional. The commission will reach out to Great Plains Action Society and other local groups concerning this request. The commission will include Pries in any upcoming conversations regarding this matter. Commission Committees: Breaking Bread — Kollasch reported that the committee has not met but will be planning to meet by the next commission meeting. Reciprocal Relationships — Lusala mentioned that even though the committee has not met they did co- sponsor the first Asian American and Pacific Islander Awareness Festival and attended the Coralville Asian Festival. Both events were earlier in the month. Building Bridges — Paul Shantz reported that although the committee has been unable to meet up, they do have some initiatives planned that will be discussed at the June meeting date. Iowa City Pride and Correspondence: The Commission will participate in this year's Pride event being held on June 18. Lusala and Pandya are available and Maliabo and Ismail are tentative. Kollasch will be at the event representing Hawkeye Pride Alumni Network. The Commission will also participate in the Juneteenth expo on June 17. Ismail, Lusala, and Pandya will represent the Commission. Lusala will provide the table. Staff will prepare the giveaways and provide two chairs. Announcements of commissioners: Ismail mentioned the Sudan conflict. Kollasch will draft a statement for the commission's approval at the June meeting concerning the conflict. Kollasch mentioned the importance of showing support for this year's Pride event considering all the recent legislation against the LGBTQ+ community particularly against Trans persons. Maliabo spoke on the war in the Congo and a recent death in the Congolese community. Lusala spoke on the success of the Youth Human Rights Awards and the two Asian Festivals and on his coaching of boys soccer at South East Junior High. Paul Shantz spoke in support of a recently held event called the Repair Cafe. The event provides tools and materials for people interested in fixing things versus just throwing things away. Paul Shantz also mentioned the presentations at the last commission meeting by Better Together 2030 and Council member Harmsen and asked fellow commissioners to think about ways they can assist in putting plans into action. Paul Shantz ended by mentioning participation in the first Cities Summit of the Americas held in April in Colorado. Pandya spoke on the barriers refugees face in navigating social services including resources for the homeless here in the community Announcements of staff: Staff thanked the commission for a job well done at the annual Youth Human Rights Awards ceremony. Adjourned: 6:18 PM. The meeting can be viewed at https://citychannel4.com/video.html?series=Local%2OGovernment. N e N O N P N N a N r r N �L N K a M N R c=C R G 5W Q R 4 y R R A z R R 3 R R a O O L ti a � 0. C >' R C v atii p R a Agenda Item #8 IMMIGRANT TES) ENTREPRENEURS � SUMMIT Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit 3816 Ingersoll Ave, Dcs Moincs, IA 50312 (515) 732-8433 iesusa.org 2023 IES Exhibitor Registration Form The Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit's mission is to bring businesses of diverse backgrounds together to share, learn, and celebrate the immigrant entrepreneurship experience and its contribution to the overall community. Immigrant business owners will share ideas for business growth and keys to their success. Participants will learn from others in a non-competitive and supportive environment. Event information: 2023 IES Iowa City - Coralville Mini Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm Location: The Kirkwood Regional Center, 2301 Oakdale Blvd, Coralville, IA 52241 Exhibitor Rate: $150.00 Registration Information (listed in the program unless otherwise noted) Organization or Business Name: Lead Representative Name: Lead Email: Organization/Lead Phone number: Organization website: *Lead Cell Number (only for event day communication): Other attendees Full Name Email Phone Note: Tax Exempt EIN#: 20-5347868 Please return no later than 8/1/23 and make checks payable to: Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit 3816 Ingersoll Ave Des Moines IA 50312 Questions? Contact Catherine at catherine(wiesusa.org or 515-732-8433 (call or text). Decade of Growth, Bright Future nationwide The following documents were handed out during the meeting. IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE IN SUDAN The City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission is tasked with educating the public on issues that are part of the broad range of topics included within the rubric of human rights. As part of this effort, we are calling attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the needs of Sudanese - Americans in our community. As a result of political violence in Sudan, more than 250,000 people have fled as refugees and over one million persons are estimated to have been displaced internally within the country. The fighting has produced acute shortages of basic goods, such as food, water, medicines, and fuel. Most residents are unable to leave their homes for fear of getting caught in the crossfire between warring military factions. Basic needs, such as healthcare services, are severely limited. The World Health Organization has recorded over 26 attacks on healthcare facilities, and more than 70% of the hospitals in conflict areas are out of service. The City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission is tremendously saddened by the situation in Sudan and its tragic effects on the Sudanese people. The effects of this violence are also felt here in our own community. Our hearts are with the strong and vibrant Sudanese community here in Iowa City as they and their families struggle with this violence and unrest. We are proud of our local groups that are already responding with mutual care, bridge building, and supporting one another through this crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan, in both our local community and across the world, and ask for an end to the violence and killing of innocent civilians. We believe that all humans have the right to self -governance and we urge the international community to support Sudan in its process towards a free and democratic government. The City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission urges our local and national leaders to support the Sudanese people in their quest for the peace, freedom, and dignity that all people deserve. We welcome the Iowa City City Council's support of the Sudanese community in our city and urge them to continue calling attention to this issue and providing assistance to those affected in our community. The Human Rights Commission salutes the organizations in Iowa City that are working to provide aid and support to Sudanese Americans in our community. Below are just a few of the groups available in the area that are working to bring comfort to those in our area affected by the violence in Sudan. The Sudanese American Community Services of Iowa Sudanese American Public Affairs Association Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County Finally, we ask all citizens of Iowa City to lend aid to those suffering amidst the chaos in Sudan. Consider making a donation to one of the following international organizations and share with your networks to help raise awareness of this tragic crisis. Stefanie Bowers From: Si Kowis Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 1:24 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Cc: rlusala@hotmail.com; Kelsey Paul Shantz Subject: Re: Question and consult A ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Sorry for the delay, I've been in a very heavy, organizing cycle. I did not use the term First Nation when putting this together because folks down here don't use it. Though I actually call myself First Nation because I'm from Canada. I think the term for the actual tribes would be best. So, you can call it the loway, Sac and Fox Land Acknowledgement of that works. we are often grouped into this pan American idea, but all of our tribes were very unique. If this is still an issue, please let me know and we can have a meeting. Ay hai kitatamihin, Sikowis (Fierce), aka, Christine Nobiss, she/her Plains Cree%Saulteaux, George Gordon First Nation Decolonizer, Great Plains Action Society siko wis@ greatplainsoction. org Web-greatplainsaction.org FB - @GreatPlainsActionSociety IG - @greatpiainsactionsociety Tw - @ PlainsAction ❑© On Jun 6, 2023, at 8:46 AM, Stefanie Bowers <SBowers@iowa-city.org> wrote: Apologies, I used the wrong email for Roger. Please use this one. rlusala@hotmall.com From: Stefanie Bowers Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 8:37 AM To: Si Kowis <sikowis@greatplainsaction.org> Cc: Roger Lusala <r.lusala@myep.us>; Kelsey Paul Shantz <kelseynshantz@gmail.com> Subject: FW: Question and consult From: Roger Lusala <rlusalat@hotmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 7:59 AM To: Stefanie Bowers <SBowerstaiowa-citv.ore>; Kelsey Paul -Shantz <kelsevnshantzPgmail.com,> Subject: Fwd: Question and consult ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Good Morning Stefanie, I sent the email below to Commissioner Sikowis, but I have heard from her. Maybe my email went to her junk. Can you forward it to her please. Thank you. Chair, City of Iowa City, Human Rights Commission. South East Junior High Boys Head Soccer Coach. The most important trip you take in life is meeting people half way -Henry Boyle CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential andfor privileged information and maybe legally protected from disclosure. if you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. Begin forwarded message: Stefanie Bowers From: Mark Pries <pries.mark@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2023 9:47 PM To: Si Kowis; Roger Lusala Cc: Kelsey Paul Shantz; Stefanie Bowers Subject: An example Attachments: We sent you safe versions of your files; Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro, MN Land Ackn owl edg em ent.d ocx RISK ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when opening files. Good evening Christine and Roger Attached is the Land Acknowledgement I received from the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro, MN. Distinctive is the absence of the label "Native American" and recognize the Dakota Nation rather than tribal language. The naming of the people and groups contributing to the Land Acknowledgment adds standing to the acknowledgement. Then too, is the inclusion of the graphic art with the acknowledgement. I'm not suggesting the attached Land Acknowledgement is perfect; however, it brings a distinctive voice and character I appreciate. Thank you for your continuing consideration. Mark Pries 319-321-5263 This Land Acknowledgement is printed on the inside cover of programs at the Commonweal Theatre. The page also includes original art and coloring consistent with the culture of the Dakota Nation. Commonweal Theatre 208 Parkway Avenue North, P.O. Box 15 Lanesboro, Minnesota 55949 (507) 467-2525 Land Acknowledgement "We at the Commonweal Theatre acknowledge that we work and gather on the ancestral lands of the Dakota Nation and other indigenous peoples. We recognize these Nations as the original caretakers of this land and acknowledge the injustices committed against them. We strive to promotes healing and inclusion through storytelling, which is fundamental to our mission. "As artists in our community we have a responsibility to create a welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment where visitors and community members can gather and explore big ideas through live theatre. Fostering such an environment begins with education and reflection. Our Land Acknowledgement is just one way the Commonweal exercises our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. "Thank you to the Minnesota Historical Society, Lanesboro Historical Society, Prairie Island Indian Community, Mississippi Valley Archeology Center and Mower County Historical Society for assisting in the research that led to to formation of our Land Acknowledgment."