2023.11.14 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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acknowledgement would be a step towards healing. Staff commented further on the next steps for the land acknowledgement and requested feedback from the Commission. Discussion included: •The Commission asked if the burial mound was still located on private property in New Brighton. Staff noted several decades there were remnants but at this point, the burial mound was gone. •Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas commented further on the history of Indigenous people in New Brighton as reported by the New Brighton Historical Society. •The Commission hoped the land acknowledge would also be used to educate the public. •Staff commented on how the Indigenous people did not believe in land ownership but rather were stewards of the land. •The Commission discussed how Indigenous people were wronged in other countries and how these countries are addressing this matter. •The Commission liked the idea of the ESAT team further investigating remembrance. •The Commission supported there being a recognition and celebration of culture while also looking forward and encouraging people to learn from the past. •The Commission discussed how all people have different backgrounds. •The Commission recommended the land acknowledgement not be the final step but the first in a journey. •The value native people place on land was further discussed. •It was noted staff would like to have the land acknowledgement approved by Indigenous People’s Day in October. •Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas recommended the land acknowledgement recognize Ojibwe along with Dakota. In addition, she wanted the “we” within the statement be clarified. She suggested another sentence be added to note these past historical things will not happen again. The Commission recommended “we” be replaced with “City leaders”. •The Commission commented on the policies that would have to be put in place regarding when and how often the land acknowledgement would be utilized. •The Commission suggested the statement be amended to read Indigenous people are still here and will continue to enrich our community. •A Commission Member highly recommended the Commission members attend a sacred land tour. •The Commission supported using Dakota language on park signs throughout the community, especially within Hansen Park. •Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas supported Representative Mary Kunesh-Podein being a resource for future efforts such as speaking at an Indigenous Peoples’ Day event •The Commission further discussed how to roll out the land acknowledgement statement and how to influence others to use and pursue land acknowledgements. •The Commission supported this item moving forward to the City Council with the changes as discussed. •The Commission thanked staff for all of their efforts on this topic and for bringing this item forward. VI. Chair Update – Lindsay Spooner proposed land acknowledgement in full and further discussed how the proposed land