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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.04.29 PacketMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS COMMISSION March 25, 2014 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Seidman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. II. ROLL CALL Answering roll call were Commissioners Arsenault, Bigbee, Cashmore, Carter, Davis, Haeg, Harrington, Sanders, and Seidman. Staff present: MJ Lamon, Staff Liaison, and Annie Coyle, City Management Fellow. III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Arseneault to approve the meeting agenda of the March 25, 2014. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Davis. Motion carried. IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Arseneault to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 25, 2014; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Davis. Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT None. VI. SPECIAL GUEST: Jennifer Bennerotte and Krystal Caron, Communications Department Chair Seidman introduced Jennifer Bennerotte and Krystal Caron from the Communications Department. Bennerotte provided an overview of available communication tools to assist Boards and Commissions. Multiple handouts were passed out to Commissioners and are included in the commission meeting record. Krystal Caron will be providing most of the support for the commission's communication requests. Commissioners should work directly with Staff Liaison Lamon for all communications needs, including event planning and promotion. Communications staff is available to print and hang event flyers around town for $49.00. Any communications services that are not part of the communications work plan will be billed back to the commission. VII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS A. Bylaw Review/Conflict of Interest/Communications City Manager Scott Neal gave a PowerPoint presentation and covered information about city government and structure, duties of the HRRC, commission protocol, public meeting laws, and public meeting ethics. Edina is a Plan B Council -Manager city. The Council body may request action or provide direction to the HRRC, however, the HRRC does not take direction from a single member of Council. The HRRC must get Council approval to amend its workplan. Duties of the HRRC are outlined in the City Code. The City is currently working to determine how to implement electronic presence for official meetings. Working Group and Committees cannot have a quorum of the whole HRRC in attendance. Those groups are not staffed. Commissioners should not send group emails to each other, instead all emails should be sent via the staff liaison. Replying all to emails and corresponding with a group of commissioners via email may violate the Open Meeting Law. Individual commissioners may not speak on behalf of the HRRC without consent of the group. This is especially important with written correspondence. Staff Liaison Lamon passed out HRRC bylaws, information about Parliamentary Procedure and the Code of Ethics. B. Welcome New Members Chair Seidman asked the Commissioners to quickly introduce themselves and their passions. Staff Liaison Lamon captured commissioner passion information. C. General Work Plan Updates Community Outreach Working Group Commissioners Bigbee and Davis provided a written report to the Commission. Commissioner Bigbee reported that the training completed with the Advocates for Human Rights was used hundreds of times last year. Edina is the first community to take on this initiative separate from the One Voice Minnesota report. Bigbee has been invited to speak at the Advocates press conference at the State Building. He will find out more information from the Advocates and work with Communications staff to prepare, if appropriate. The Working Group will continue to meet and determine next steps to engage more people, including members of the different faith communities, business community, and school district. The Working Group will provide an update at the April meeting. ii. Days of Remembrance Chair Seidman reported that links for the public service announcements and information was sent to the Commission. She invited all commissioners to attend. Staff Liaison Lamon provided copies of the event flyers for commissioners to take and hang up around town. D. Shared Board/Commission Blog Staff Liaison Lamon reported that the commission needs to decide if HRRC will participate in the shared blog, as well as which commissioner would be responsible for ensuring content when it's HRRC turn. Commissioner Arseneault moved to appoint Commissioner Carter as the HRRC representative for the shared blog; motion was seconded by Commissioner Davis. Motion carried. E. Review subcommittee/ working groups/liaisons standing positions Management Fellow Coyle and Staff Liaison Lamon reported that the commission needs to have a record of which commissioners are serving on boards or groups outside of HRRC, and what the group does, term, and how appointment happens. Staff passed out an updated document, but there is still missing information. Commissioners were asked to provide information about groups that they know of, or serve on, to Lamon before the next meeting. Chair Seidman reminded commissioners to be thinking of which new members they can train/orientate to the groups before their terms expire. VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS Included in the packet. IX. CHAIR, COMMISSION MEMBER, AND STUDENT COMMENTS i. Chair Seidman reported that she went to Taste of Southview and was able to learn a great deal and taste a variety of foods. She also attended Energy and Environment Commission (EEC) which also has an Outreach Working Group. They are showing a movie about bees next week. Commissioner Davis reported that EEC is showing a movie monthly. ii. Commissioner Arseneault attended the Outreach Working Group Training Session and was impressed by the trainer. iii. Commissioner Harrington reported that Edina HS Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) is talking with Southview GSA about working together, and potentially helping Valley View create a GSA Group. iv. Commissioner Haeg reported that she was part of a survey to decide if the schools should remodel how grades are structured. X. STAFF COMMENTS i. The HRRC April meeting will be immediately following the Annual Volunteer Awards Reception April 29 at 7:15pm at Braemar Clubhouse. Staff passed around a sign up to attend the Volunteer Reception where the Tom Oye Award will be presented. ii. Staff was presented with an anti -bullying proposal by a member of the community. Bob Haben created 'Be Better Today', an anti -bullying initiative targeted for the schools. The commission has already completed its anti -bullying initiative workplan for 2014. Commissioners suggested that he present his initiative to the school district. iii. A Human Rights City proposal was included as part of correspondence in the packet. Staff and Chair Seidman met with Jessie Wyatt and learned that Edina meets all UN criteria to become a UN recognized Human Rights City. Staff will do some additional research and report back to the Commission in May. iv. Mayor's Award Nominations are open and Commissioners are invited to submit nominations. Staff has nomination forms available. v. A draft HRRC 2014 roster was provided to commissioners. Commissioners are only required to have one public means of contact, either phone or email. Commissioners can choose to provide both. vi. Staff Liaison Lamon provided a handout on Google Groups, which is an information sharing platform for the group. All HRRC Commissioners are already enrolled in the group and will automatically receive all posts. If commissioners want to see the history of the account, they need to sign in. vii. Although there are no recent updates to the Resource File, staff reminded commissioners that the file is located in their office and that Commissioners submit articles and pieces of information they think other commissioners may be interested in reading. Commissioners can contact either Coyle or Lamon to come to City Hall and see the files. XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Davis moved adjournment; seconded by Commissioner Bigbee. Chair Seidman declared the meeting adjourned at 9:2013M. Respectfully submitted, M1 Lamon, HRRC Staff Liaison Minutes approved by HRRC April 29, 2014 Jan Seidman, HRRC Chair To: HRRC From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison Date: April 29, 2014 Subject: Approval of Meeting Agenda �9ZNA, o e Cn URP(]RAI��� HO Agenda Item #: Ill. Action M Discussion ❑ Information ❑ Action Requested: Approve the meeting agenda for the April 29, 2014 regular meeting of the Human Rights and Relations Commission. Information / Background: Attachment: Meeting Agenda; 2014 Schedule City of Edina • 4801 W. 501h St. • Edina, MN 55424 1 AGENDA CITY OF EDINA, MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS COMMISSION Braemar Clubhouse Harry Cooper Lounge APRIL 29, 2014 7:15 P.M. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA IV. APPROVAL OF March 25, 2014 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES V. COMMUNITY COMMENT During "Community Comment" the Human Rights & Relations Commission will invite residents to share relevant issues or concerns. Individuals must limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit the number of speakers on the some issue in the interest of time and topic Generally speaking, items that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment Individuals should not expect the Chair or Commission Members to respond to their comments tonight Instead, the Commission might refer the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting. VI. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS A. 2014 Workplan Review i. Community Conversations UPDATE (Bigbee/Davis: 10 mins) 1. Summary 2. Next Steps (Meeting dates, Marketing, etc) 3. Member Changes (motion required) ii. Day of Remembrance/Genocide Awareness (Seidman: 5 mins) 1. Summary and Review iii. Special Needs Awareness (Seidman: 3 mins) 1. Discussion/Motion iv. Immigration Reform (Seidman/Arseneault: 3 mins) 1. Discussion/Motion B. Prep for May 20 Council Work Session i. Draft Agenda Review (Seidman: 10 mins) VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS VIII. CHAIR, COMMISSION MEMBER, AND STUDENT COMMENTS A. Next Meeting May 27 i. Guest Speaker: ii. Review identified subcommittee and working group responsibilities with updated chart iii. Event/Meeting Commission Report IX. STAFF COMMENTS X. ADJOURNMENT The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large -print documents or something else, please call 952-927- 8861 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. 2 ��Z,lA,1l�I oke HUMAN RIGHTS & �0 RELATIONS COMMISSION 2014 Meetings and Events Day Tues Date Jan -28 Event Meeting Time 7:00 p.m. Location Community Room Sat Feb -8 Edina Reads 10:30 a.m. Fireside Room (SeniorCenter) Tues Feb -25 Meeting 7:00 p.m. Community Room Thurs Mar -13 :South View's 4th Annual Taste of South View 6:30 p.m. South View Middle School Mone.. Mar -17 Boards and Commission Recognition Event ` 5:00 P.M. Hughes Pavillion (Centennial Lakes) Tues Mar -25 Meeting 7:00 p.m. Community Room Tues April -8 Days of Remembrance: Play 7:00 p.m. Fireside Room (SeniorCenter) Thurs April -10 Genocide Awareness: Rwanda/Congo 7:00 P.M. City Hall Sun April -13 Holocaust Remembrance/Yom HaShoah 2:00 p.m. City Hall Tues April -29 Volunteer Recognition Reception and HRRC Meeting 5:00 P.M.Braemar Clubhouse des A941-22 meeting Tues May -20 Council Work Session 6:00pm Community Room Tues May -27 Meeting 7:00 p.m. Community Room Tues June -24 Meeting 7:00 p.m. Community Room Tues July -22 Meeting 7:00 p.m. Community Room Tues Aug -26 Meeting 7:00 p.m. Community Room Tues Sept -23 Meeting 7:00 p.m. Community Room Tues Oct -28 Meeting 7:00 p.m. Community Room Tues Nov P5 T^le„ 7LG� 0961 ,Gil Cha.,.,bpri- Thurs Dec 11 Televised Meeting 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers Tues Dee 23 meetii4g9A-p-p} To: HRRC From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison Date: April 29, 2014 Subject: Adoption of Meeting Minutes Agenda Item A. IV. Action Discussion ❑ Information ❑ Action Requested: Approve the minutes for the March 24, 2014 meeting of the Human Rights and Relations Commission. Information / Background: Attachment: Draft meeting minutes from the March 24, 2014 HRRC meeting; Attendance Roster City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424 3 Liaisons: Report attendance monthly and attach this report to the Commission minutes for the packet. Do not enter numbers into the last two columns. Meeting numbers & attendance percentages will calculate automatically. INSTRUCTIONS: Counted as Meeting Held (ON MEETINGS' LINE) Attendance Recorded (ON MEMBER'S LINE) Regular Meeting w/Quorum Type "1" under the month on the meetings' line. Type "1" under the month for each attending member. Regular Meeting w/o Quorum Type "l under the month on the meetings' line. Type "l under the month for each attending member. Joint Work Session Type "l under "Work Session" on the meetings' line. Type "l under "Work Session" for each attending member. Rescheduled Meeting* Type "1" under the month on the meetings' line. Type "1" under the month for each attending member. Cancelled Meeting Type "1" under the month on the meetings' line. Type "1" under the month for ALL members. Special Meeting There is no number typed on the meetings' line. There is no number typed on the members' lines. *A rescheduled meeting occurs when members are notified of a new meeting date/time at a prior meeting. If shorter notice is given, the previously -scheduled meeting is considered to have been cancelled and replaced with a special meeting. To: HRRC From: MJ Lamon Staff Liaison Date: April 29, 2014 Subject: 2014 Workplan Review SNA, 'Fe : o i V o ,axa Agenda Item #: VI. A. Action Discussion M Information M Action Requested: i. Motion for change in Community Outreach working group members. Information / Background: i. Community Conversations I. Next Meeting Dates/ Participants Involved 2. Member Changes 3. Next Steps and Marketing ii. Days of Remembrance/Genocide Awareness I. Summary iii. Special Needs Awareness I. Discussion/Motion iv. Immigration Reform I. Discussion/Motion Attachment: Community convsersations summary. Days of Remembrance/Genocide Awareness summary. City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424 8 Annie Coyle From: Arnold Bigbee <arniebl@me.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 3:22 PM To: Seidman Janet Cc: Arseneault Patrice; Annie Coyle; MJ Lamon; Davis Laura; Meehan Katie; Kruger Rick; Rodgers Judith; Meagher Ann Subject: Community Conversations Workgroup Update Jan, This is the update from our group - and it is from Laura Davis and me, co-chairs of this group. I have also sent along separately, three items: 1 notes from our Working Group meetings on March 28/29 2j notes from our Working Group meeting on April 10th. 3 a copy of my note to the Working Group regarding my falling behind schedule after our April 10th meeting. Next steps: *We will be using Doodle calendars to set our next meeting. *We have scheduled the Helen Young Room at Southdale Library for our first Community Conversation from 6 - 9 pm on Tuesday, May 13th. *We are reviewing a draft of the "invitation" to join the first Community Conversation. This will be shared with the full Commission when the Working Group members have shared their thoughts about it. *We may need other Commission members, who attended the training offered by the Advocates in March, to provide support at the time of the first Conversation . *Budget support will be very modest to include water and perhaps tea/coffee and some sweet treats. As we refine our plans for contacts and target groups to invite, we will work with the City communications staff for guidance. Our collective sense at this point is that we will have a wealth of ideas about how to proceed after we complete our first Community Conversation. Laura and I will answer any questions at the April 29th meeting. Arnie Bigbee arniebl@me.com 612 804 4660 EHRRC Community Outreach Working Group Next meeting will be 5:45 - 7:00 pm, Thursday April 10th, City Hall (just prior to the 7:00 pm Days of Remembrance event). Draft notes consolidated from meetings of March 28 and 29 Our group met in two sections to keep our conversation and momentum of the recent training moving forward. Arnie, Judith and Katie on 3/28 Arnie and Rick on 3/29 (Laura was unable to meet at either of these times) The consensus of our conversations was that there are several activities we need to undertake, including: • Recruiting a diverse group of volunteers • Recruiting a diverse group of community participants. With 5 of us active on the Working Group, we believe it will be good to add 2-3 more members to our group. • Training additional volunteers as needed (not an immediate priority) • Move ahead with activities so we are able to schedule the first community listening session in May of 2014, with attention to day of week, location, time of day, etc. We are especially sensitive to location (public, easily accessible). In some cases, transportation will need to be arranged. • Crafting invitations that reach intended audiences using whatever mechanisms that give us the best access to invitees and which request a reservation. • We need to begin devising some criteria or measures which help us determine if we are achieving our goals through this activity. Draft 3/31/14 10 HRRC Working Group Meeting Notes (Draft) April 10, 2014 Present: Judith Rodgers, Katie Meehan, Laura Davis, Arnie Bigbee Absent: Rick Kruger, Ann Meagher We reaffirmed that we want to have the first "Community Conversation" in May of 2014. Arnie will determine the availability of a meeting room at the Southdale Public Library for the dates of May 13, 15, 20 or 22 for two hours between 6:30 and 9:00 pm. Katie has drafted an "invitation" which she will circulate via email for suggestions from other working group members by 4/12. We expect to have the Invitation finalized by 4/18. Final Invitation will be shared with Ric Dressen as a way to request partnership with the School District and to request direction about how best to circulate the Invitation to students and family members. We identified the following groups/organizations with which we could communicate to encourage community member participation: (we still need volunteers to contact some of these to learn how we can work with them to get the word out about our community conversations events) • Edina Welcome Center • ESL/ELL teachers and volunteers in schools and libraries • Edina Resource Center • Saturday School (Laura) • Edina Community Education • Southdale Hospital ER • Fire Dept (Arnie) • Police Dept (Arnie) • Richfield Schools (Arnie) • Park and Rec Dept (Arnie) • Hopkins Schools (Arnie) IE •YMCA • Public Library • Edina Senior Center (Katie) Arnie will work with Edina support staff to get our working group set up with a Google Docs site for our use. We will want to continue to push our meeting schedule as aggressively as possible so we can have one Community Conversation event before schools adjourn for the summer. Arnie will send out a Doodle Calendar to see if we can set another meeting to occur by April 18th. 4/10/14 12 Days of Remembrance and Genocide Awareness 2014 City of Edina - April 8, 10 and 13. To mark National Days of Remembrance and Genocide Awareness month, the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission in partnership with World Without Genocide hosted a series of human rights events in April to remember the victims and honor the survivors and liberators of the Holocaust during WWII and other genocides around the world. Why the City of Edina and Edina Human Rights and Relations hosts these events: • In 2007, Edina became the third City in the country to pass anti -genocide legislation. • In 2012, Edina supported a resolution against using "conflict minerals" from the Congo. • In 2012, the City of Edina approved a proclamation indicating the City of Edina would annually acknowledge National Days of Remembrance (to coincide within the month of the National Holocaust Museum's observation). We encourage our community members to continue to reflect on the need for respect for all people. In 2013, Governor Dayton signed into law a bill that designated every April to be Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month. The bill encourages organizations to sponsor events in April to educate the public and to remember those whose lives and cultures have changed forever. EHRRC April Human Rights Events The first part of the series on April 8, included two interactive play: 1)"Upstanders: Ten who Dared". This play describes individuals from around the world who stood up to genocide: including rescuer Oskar Schindler during the Holocaust, Betty Bigombe from Uganda and, General Romeo Dallaire, commander of the United Nations troops in Rwanda during the genocide; 2) "the Line" - the story of Sophie Scholl, a young German who was influential in White Rose, a youth resistance movement during WWII. Also included in the evening was resistance music from the holocaust and a candle that was lit to honor victims of genocide around the world. The second part of the human rights events on Thursday, April 8 featured Dr. Ellen Kennedy. Twenty years ago, more than 800,000 people were killed in a genocide that lasted only a hundred days. Ellen discussed the Rwandan genocide on its 20th anniversary and spoke about current situations in Congo. The event also included a guest appearance from a native of Congo who presented a poem about her experiences both in Congo and here in Minnesota. The third part of the series on Sunday, April 13 featured guest speaker Fred Amram, retired emeritus professor from University of Minnesota and holocaust survivor. Fred spoke about the atrocities of the Holocaust during WWII and other genocides around the world: Darfur, Congo, Rwanda, North Korea. He brought to life the stories of the Holocaust and genocide victims, heroes and liberators and the impact of the Holocaust on his family. During his presentation, Fred also explained the difference of Upstander vs. Bystanders and the effects of bystanders throughout history. Attendance and Marketing: • Over 100 people attended the Days of Remembrance and Genocide Awareness events. In the audience were both survivors and liberators of genocide events. • Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission partnered with World Without Genocide. • Starbuck's at Edina Galleria donated coffee urns, cups and accessories for all three events. • Jerry's In Edina donated cookies for all events. • Mayor Hovland spoke at two of the events, opening and closing our human rights April series. • With Annie and MJ's support, we worked with Jennifer Bennerotte and her staff, Krystal Caron, Scott Denfeld and Dietrich Nissen to market the events using several types of media: 13 1. Posters were designed and posted throughout Edina, e.g. coffee shops and libraries. 2. Teachers in Edina High School and Valley View Middle school were approached and offered to put posters up in their classrooms and offer extra credit for showing up at our events. 3. Programs and agendas were designed by our communications department and provided during the day of the events. 4. A PSA announcement describing the Days of Remembrance and Genocide Awareness events was videotaped, with Commissioners Seidman and Winnick — which showed throughout the month of April 5. A WWII veteran and liberator, Gene Sylvestre was videotaped and shown on Channel 16 6. Five Holocaust survivor videos are showing on Channel 16 throughout the month of April 7. On our April 13 event, several Holocaust survivors were interviewed. Our goal is to put together a video of their stories for posterity. The most recent event has already appeared on Channel 16. 8. Marketing of our events were posted on: Edina's Facebook; written up in "Edina" magazine and "About Town" as well as in the Sun Current. 14 A eetit Cn o •'1���FRF'OI��Y�` • iHst; item#: VI. B. Action ❑ Discussion iformation ❑ AGENDA CITY OF EDINA, MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS & RELATIONS COMMISSION City Council Work Session, City Hall, Community Room MAY 20, 2014 6:00 P.M. 1. HRRC INTRODUCTION (Seidman) II. AGENDA PRESENTATION/WORKPLAN REVIEW (Seidman) A. Quasquicentennial (Seidman) B. Immigration Reform (Arseneault) C. Special Needs Awareness (?) D. Anti — Bullying at Edina Library/Nancy Carlson (Seidman) E. Days of Remembrance/Genocide Awareness Events (Seidman) F. Tom Oye Award and PSA announcement with Gene Sylvestre (Winnick) G. Bias Offense Response Plan (Seidman) H. Community Conversations (Bigbee/Davis) III. ADJOURNMENT 16 Human Rights and Relations Commission (HRRC) 2014 Annual Work Plan UPDATED April 28, 2014 Anti -bullying event and/or education — Edina Reads By 2na Quarter 2014 $800 Video, publicity and communications. Progress Report: Bully Prevention Event with Children's Book Author Nancy Carlson - Feb 8, 2014 at Edina Senior Center Autographed copies of Nancy's book, "Henry and the Bully" were given to guests. Approximately 60 guests attended the Edina Reads Event. Support2014 New Initiative Target Completion Budget Staff Date Required Approval Community Outreach- Developing cross 9/30/14 $500 Admin support and organizational partnerships to gain an communication. understanding of community needs related to census demographic changes. Conduct Community Listening Sessions Reach out to those that live and work in Edina, including Somali, Hispanic, African-American, and South Asian populations. Potential Partners- Edina Resource Center, Edina Police, Somali and Asian Community leaders. Progress Report: o e V •'VroRPO1iPl�'9� IP9M Human Rights and Relations Commission (HRRC) 2014 Annual Work Plan Proposed Month for Joint Work Session: Staff Comments: Council ents: StarTribune - Print Page * StarTribune Columbus? It's 'Indigenous People's Day' in Mpls. Article by: Eric Roper Star Tribune April 26, 2014 - 1:23 PM Columbus Day brings up bad childhood memories for Sandi Mason, an American Indian woman who recalls classmates calling her Pocahontas and squaw at her Minneapolis school. "It wasn't a good day for us; she said Friday at Minneapolis City Hall. "We got teased." But future generations may have a different vision of the second Monday in October, following a City Council vote Friday to recognize Indigenous People's Day on what is now Columbus Day. The city will still recognize Columbus Day for legal purposes, but the new holiday will be reflected on all official city communications — such as the city calendar and website. The thump of traditional drumming rang through the halls as hundreds of activists gathered to commemorate the change. About 7,600 residents of Minneapolis — or 2 percent of the population — are American Indian, according to the 2010 census. "It's been a long time coming," said Clyde Bellecourt, a civil rights organizer. "For me, it's been almost 50 years that we've been talking about this pirate." The action may have sparked a statewide and national movement. And similar action is happening elsewhere. The Red Wing City Council is slated to vote next week on a resolution to redesignate the holiday as First Peoples Day. State Rep. Susan Allen, the first American Indian woman elected to the Legislature, and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison expressed interest Friday in recognizing another holiday on Columbus Day at the state and federal level. The celebration of Columbus Day has long been a raw issue for Native Americans, who point to the explorers violence toward indigenous people upon arrival in the New World. Plus, some note, Columbus never reached the mainland of North America. It has been a federal holiday since 1934. "It's difficult to imagine, If you are from a mainstream experience, how to it feels to sit in a classroom and be told, 'Oh yeah, well there was this darkness. Then Columbus came. Then there was light,'" Ellison said. "How dehumanizing it is to feel that way." Ellison said his interest in changing the federal holiday was piqued by someone who asked him about it at the City Hall gathering. "I said, 'That's an idea,'" Ellison said in an interview. "So we're going to be thinking about it now." 'Setting the record straight' Bellecourt recalled Friday that his brother, Vernon Bellecourt, threw a pint of his own blood on a replica of Columbus' ship NifSa at the St. Paul science museum in 1992. "He did that for all the blood that was drained from our community and our nation across the western hemisphere," Clyde Bellecourt said. The Ringing Shield Drum circle sang before the Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to recognize Indigenous People's Day At left. Mary Delorie and others wiped away tears during the prayer. The final resolution does not rename Columbus Day, but rather recognizes Indigenous People's Day on the same date. COURTNEY PERRY. Clyde BelleCOLIft held a condor feather while praying before the Minneapolis City Council voted Friday. Courtney Perry • Special to the Star Tribune, Mary Delorie and others wiped away tears during a prayer led by Clyde Bellecourt before the Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted Friday to call what has been known as Columbus Day "Indigenous People's Day' Allen, speaking to the gathering of activists, thanked everyone Courtney Perry. 'who year after year have protested the celebration of Columbus' legacy of enslavement and massacre." New council member Alondra Canto introduced the change, with support from the Native American Community Development Institute. "This is not necessarily about Columbus. He is not the center of our existence," she told a gathering before the vote. "This is about the power of the American Indian people and indigenous communities all over the world. We are setting the record straight.- http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=256788831 Page 1 of 2 4/29/2014 StarTribune - Print Page Cano added that the initiative was merely a first step toward ensuring more Native Americans own homes, practice urban agriculture and succeed in academics. "There is so much work to do," she said. The final resolution was scaled back from another version earlier in the week, which stated that the city should rename Columbus Day itself. The final resolution does not rename Columbus Day, but rather recognizes Indigenous People's Day on the same date. Several city ordinances and collective bargaining agreements still reference Columbus Day, said city attorney Susan Segal. The council vote, which fell one day after Mayor Betsy Hodges held her first state of the city address at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, was unanimous. "I represent people that have Italian history. They're somewhat offended by this change, this recognition; said Council President Barbara Johnson. "But I think it's about all of us moving forward, understanding the strength that we have because of all the different groups that have impacted this community, both long ago and today — ongoing." Minneapolis isn't the first city to recognize Indigenous People's Day. The city of Berkeley, Calif., has celebrated Indigenous People's Day since 1992- Several states also do not recognize Columbus Day. Eric Roper " 612-673-1732 Twitter. @StribRoper ® 2014 Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=256788831 Page 2 of 2 4/29/2014