The main highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Libby Fairchild, an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and Chaska resident, advocating for a proclamation to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 14th. Fairchild, with a background in human rights initiatives, emphasized the importance of this recognition in light of historical injustices against Indigenous peoples. She noted the significance of the name “Chaska,” a Dakota birth order name for first sons, and elaborated on the history of the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes in the area.

Fairchild argued that acknowledging Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day is important for honoring the contributions and history of Indigenous peoples. She cited examples from Minneapolis and St. Paul, where Indigenous Peoples’ Day is already recognized, and presented a draft proclamation detailing historical and contemporary contributions of Indigenous peoples in Minnesota. The proclamation also aimed to address systemic racism and discrimination.

The commission opened the floor for questions and discussed the support from city council members. There was general agreement on the importance of the proclamation, and a motion was made to conditionally approve it, allowing a one-week review period for absent members to provide input. This motion passed without opposition, and it was agreed that Fairchild would coordinate with the city council to present the proclamation at their first meeting in October.

Following the discussion on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the commission moved on to routine matters, including the approval of minutes from the previous meeting and the treasurer’s report. The treasurer detailed expenditures for the Pride Celebration, community artwork supplies, and River City Days, noting that approximately $150 of the $500 budget for River City Days had been spent, with the remainder returned to the balance. Discussions ensued on potential uses for the remaining budget, such as funding a cultural celebration and a veterans’ event. Additionally, there was a request from Latino Voices for support with their Day of the Dead celebration displays, and the commission considered participating in the upcoming Latin music and food festival.

The conversation then shifted to the Carver County Pride event, set for August 31. The commission confirmed their participation with a table at the event, with the fee waived. Members discussed logistics, including who would attend and volunteer. A proposal for tie-dyeing t-shirts at the event was debated, with concerns about logistics and water access. Ultimately, the commission decided to focus on distributing existing promotional items like Frisbees and bags, and to consider tie-dyeing for future events.

Further discussions highlighted the importance of enhancing partnerships with Carver County Pride and building deeper relationships in the upcoming year. There was a proposal to offer additional support beyond just having a table at the event, and a commitment was made to follow up on these options. Personal anecdotes were shared to reflect the commissioners’ personal connections and experiences.

The commission also discussed plans for the Dr. King celebration, including potential speakers and outreach efforts. They mentioned Karen Law, a dynamic speaker and woman of color, who had expressed interest in the event. Stacy Kumar Nelson, who had previously assisted with the commission’s initiatives, was also noted for her ongoing support in planning the MLK event.

Cultural Heritage Month was briefly mentioned, with the commission acknowledging a low response rate to a survey sent out to gauge interest in which cultures should be celebrated. The conversation then shifted to supporting Latino Voices’ Day of the Dead celebration, scheduled for November 1 and 2, and the possibility of coordinating efforts with the Parks and Recreation Department for a music and food festival.

A discussion arose regarding the need for a new banner to represent the commission at events, particularly noting that the existing banner features an outdated logo. Suggestions included a compact pull-up banner or incorporating the logo into a tablecloth. The idea of creating an inventory of materials needed for events was proposed, with a budget allocation of $1,000 suggested to develop this system gradually.

Attention then turned to the upcoming equity and human rights meeting in Brighton on September 26th, with discussions on logistics and attendance. The commission also reviewed the budget for the cultural heritage celebration, proposing an allocation of up to $2,000 for the event at the Chaska Event Center on October 4th. A motion to approve this allocation was made and seconded.