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2024-10-09 DEIA Commission Minutes Meeting Summary DEIA Commission October 9, 2024 Page 1 SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF EDMONDS EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION October 9, 2024 Meeting conducted via Zoom and in-person at the Brackett Meeting Room COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Elaine Helm, Co-Chair Jessie Owen, Co-Chair Dipti Chrastka Umrah Thomas Pam Iverson Patty Narváez-Wheeler Councilmember Chris Eck, ex-officio Sofia Marie Castillo, Student Representative COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Rebecca Perrault Rowan Soiset GUESTS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Todd Tatum, Director Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator 6:03 P.M. – Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement: "We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water." - City Council Land Acknowledgment 1. Roll Call and Absences: Elaine read the land acknowledgment. Rebecca and Rowan are absent. 2. Approval of Agenda: Dipti moves to approve the agenda; Pam seconds; approval by consensus. 3. Approval of September 4, 2024, Summary: Patty makes a motion to add context to Item 6.a; to include Barry’s comments that the City needs to stay in their lane and uses the city’s resolution against the Roe vs. Wade as not staying in their lane, Elaine seconds the amendment. Elaine moves to approve the summary as amended; Umrah seconds; approval by consensus. 4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker): None. 5. Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Councilmember Eck: Todd gives a budget update, including a brief overview of the Mayor’s budget address last week. Todd’s department budget has been cut by 25%; there will be layoffs across City departments. November 26th is the final budget deliberations on Council’s calendar. Both the draft Comp Plan Elements and the draft Environmental Impact Statement is out for public comment. Meeting Summary DEIA Commission October 9, 2024 Page 2 Councilmember Eck shares they’re looking at a MUGA Policy. A MUGA Policy addresses areas outside of city limits but have Edmonds addresses. This came up due to a meadowdale neighborhood wanting to incorporate. They’re also learning about flock cameras, a tool to aid in criminal activities. Admin Services presented their budget last night and Parks, Rec & Human Services also presented last night. Green building incentives for commercial buildings and residential buildings are being considered. Builders get breaks but the benefits to the city and the environment would cut greenhouse gas emissions. Patty asks if any budget cuts will impact our disadvantaged communities. Hwy 99 Office will close January 1, 2025, and the staff person will lose their position. Committee Updates: a. Community Engagement & Visibility: i. DEIA Commission Priority Check-In: Patty is seeking assistance with wrapping up the document. Actions need to be filled in. The goal is to add the document with our agendas. Elaine will pull accomplishments from the Council report that was presented earlier this year to get the ball rolling before the November meeting. Patty wants to know how the group feels about how the document is shaping up. Jessie is excited about the document and it’s a valuable piece for the Commission. It can be used at tabling events as well as a reference document to drive the initiatives and Commission decisions. ii. Calendar: 1. School Districts Partnership Opportunities; Snoco Pride Foundation; Pride 2025; Juneteenth: Megan shares the school districts equity theme events. Pride 2025 – Rowan is working to put together a non-profit to take the lead on Pride 2025. She explains that the Snoco Pride Foundation is a new non-profit that has been created to apply for large grant funding to distribute to the Pride organizations in the County. Juneteenth group is pulling meetings together at the end of October to coordinate celebrations for 2025. Elaine is meeting Donnie next week to catch up and chat about his MLK event. She’ll loop back once they meet, and she learns if or how the Commission can support the event. b. Executive: i. Follow-up on Mayor Rosen Discussion from September: Jessie met with the Mayor to talk about how the discussion went last month and share some feedback. Umrah thanks Jessie for taking on the conversation with the follow up with the Mayor. She suggests the group digesting the feedback and coming back to discuss further later. Patty highlights that she comprehensively put together the feedback to the Mayor. Councilmember Meeting Summary DEIA Commission October 9, 2024 Page 3 Eck, echoes the sentiment of thanks to Jessie. She suggests engaging additional council members in meetings. Elaine would like to share with council how the Commission is shifting decision making to be leveraged against the Strategic Priorities and how this could be used throughout the city when making decisions. Patty asks if the Commission by code is to engage with Council or just Mayor. She’s ready to build a stronger relationship with Council. She feels the Mayor doesn’t understand the work that the Commission does and has a severe lack of understanding. It could be remedied by engaging with this group. Patty explains the need for best practices with how you engage communities. There is a lack of transparency in the Mayor’s intentions. Elaine is still feeling angry about how the conversation went. It was a demonstration of a bad faith effort. She would be reluctant to bring him back into our meeting without a facilitator and clear intention. The power dynamic was totally off. Todd makes a point of staff training would be good. He asks if there are resources that could be shared with staff. Dipti adds that there are challenges in having people implement the training if they don’t want to. She wonders what power we really have, you can’t force this on to people. She agrees with Jessie that it is important to continue the engagement with the Mayor. Patty hears her point and ultimately there needs to be policy change. Todd feels that a framework of a policy is an excellent idea. ii. Film Series Evolution Continued Discussion: Jessie developed a draft handout (Attachment A) outlining the strategy. She developed an example of what this could look like. She highlights that limiting the lift will lead to success of the program. It needs to be accessible and diverse to serve the full community. iii. Tree Lighting Update: Jessie met with Chamber to discuss the Tree Lighting event to broaden the cultural reach. They have asked the church partners to limit their religious focus. Jessie suggested that there this an opportunity to have an indigenous statement, Pam will reach out to Pamela Seamonster. Patty points out there should be a diversified approach to speakers. Megan will reach out to Dr. Guzman to see if she’s familiar with someone that would be appropriate to speak. The Chamber offered the Commission a table at the event. Umrah suggests renaming the event – for example, Holiday Lights. iv. Holiday Market Commitment: 1. 11/2; 11/9; 11/16; 11/23; 12/7; 12/14; 12/21: Megan will send out a Doodle Poll to identify dates that will work for the group. Meeting Summary DEIA Commission October 9, 2024 Page 4 c. City Engagement & Policy: Nothing. 6. Old Business: a. Grant Program Update & Application (Megan): Not ready, will bring item back next month. b. Land Acknowledgement Update: Pam provided two memos for review (Attachment B). She would like the group to review and potentially approve tonight. Elaine suggests including an “action” piece within the acknowledgement, or language within it that states the acknowledgement is not enough. Megan suggests adding action pieces to the memo to Council, perhaps adding Pamela Seamonster recommendations. Umrah counters that we don’t want to put the burden on indigenous community. Todd feels the memo is good and being concise with the recommendation will allow for a streamlined process through Council. Elaine suggests taking this now and going back to Council, during the annual report with next steps. Elaine motions that we add Pamela Seamonster’s, with her consent, suggestions as examples of how the city could act to honor indigenous people, Pam seconds, approval by consensus. Jessie moves to approve the memo as amended, Patty seconds, approval by consensus. 7. Commissioner’s Corner: Sofia Marie is starting a disability and pride group at Shoreline Community College. Patty shares the books are being distributed through the school district, big thanks to her, Pam & Rowan. Patty asks if there is any appetite for partnering with United Methodist Church in their screening of The Roots of the Olive Branch. We could promote it with the Commission’s channels. And possibly do an additional screening with the Commission. Patty will get the details and bring back to the next meeting. Megan shares that the Commission openings are being advertise as of today, as open until filled. Adjourn – 8:09PM Next meeting: November 6, 2024, at 6:00PM ATTACHMENT A Evolution of film series Current Situation and Goal - The film series, which focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, is evolving - We want to maintain the spirit of community engagement and education on these important topics. New Event Proposal - Event Type: Quarterly book club or community discussion series. - Duration: 1-2 hours per event. - Format: Hybrid (in-person and virtual options to ensure accessibility). The event should be low-effort for volunteer commissioners and not require heavy curriculum creation. Partnerships and Collaboration - Potential partners: Edmonds Washington Library, Snohomish County Library, Edmonds Civic Roundtable, Asian Service Center, Edmonds Food Bank, Edmonds Bookshop. - Consider subsidizing books purchased through local bookstores to encourage community support. - Use community input (surveys or suggestion boxes) to gauge interest in topics. Content and Topic Selection - Need a strategy for choosing relevant, inclusive, and accessible topics and materials. - Variety of Resources: Provide a list of books, movies, YouTube videos, podcasts, etc., for each topic. - Topics could be broad and open-ended (e.g., local Native history, cultural stories, social justice themes). - Criteria for Selection: - Topics must align with themes of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. - Ensure topics are broad enough to encourage diverse perspectives. - Materials must be accessible in multiple formats (print, audio, digital). Accessibility and Inclusion - Ensure all community members have access to chosen materials (books, movies, etc.). - Consider diverse formats to accommodate different needs (audiobooks, large print, videos, etc.). - Make use of free or low-cost resources to minimize barriers to participation. Discussion Format - Discussions should be led by a commissioner, but with pre-printed discussion topics to minimize preparation time. ATTACHMENT A Evolution of film series Logistics and Planning - Event Promotion: Use social media, community boards, and partner organizations to promote events. - Registration: Implement a simple registration process to estimate attendance and prepare materials. - Follow-Up: Gather feedback after each event to refine the format and topics for future sessions. Next Steps • Assign an individual or form a Planning Committee: Assemble a small group of commissioners and community volunteers to start planning. • Reach Out to Partners: Contact local libraries, bookstores, and community organizations to explore partnerships. • Develop a Topic and Material Selection Process: Create criteria for choosing topics and materials and develop a plan for accessibility. • Plan the First Event: Select a topic, gather resources, and schedule the first event. ATTACHMENT A Evolution of film series EXAMPLE Curriculum 1: "Understanding Native American History and Culture in Our Community" Objective: To explore and understand the history, culture, and contemporary issues of Native American communities, particularly focusing on the tribes local to our area. 1. Resources • Primary Book: ◦ "There There" by Tommy Orange – A novel that follows twelve Native characters from various tribes as they converge in Oakland, California, for a powwow, exploring complex histories and identities. • Additional Books: ◦ "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz – A version of the book specifically designed for younger audiences and general readers to understand the impact of colonization on Native communities. ◦ Children's Book: "We Are Water Protectors" by Carole Lindstrom – A children's book that illustrates the importance of protecting the earth and Native activism. • Film/Documentary: ◦ "Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World" – A documentary that explores the role of Native Americans in shaping popular music and culture. ◦ "Smoke Signals" – A film directed by Chris Eyre, based on Sherman Alexie's short stories, that portrays the lives and relationships of modern Native Americans. • Articles and Online Resources: ◦ "The Importance of Indigenous Land Acknowledgments" – An article from the Native Governance Center. ◦ YouTube Video: "Native Americans: We've Always Been Here" – A short documentary exploring the presence and contributions of Native Americans throughout U.S. history. • Local Focus: ATTACHMENT A Evolution of film series ◦ A presentation or talk from a local Native American historian or representative from a local tribe, focusing on the specific history and culture of the area. 2. Discussion Questions 1. What are some common misconceptions about Native American history and culture, and how can we address them in our community? 2. How do different forms of media (books, films, oral histories) shape our understanding of Native American experiences? What are the strengths and limitations of each? 3. What are the key challenges facing Native American communities today, both locally and nationally? How can our community support efforts toward justice and equity? 4. In what ways can learning about Native American history and culture influence our current community practices or policies? 5. How can we honor and integrate Native perspectives in our community events and education? What steps can we take to make our community more inclusive? 3. Accessibility Considerations • Ensure all books and films are available in multiple formats (e.g., print, digital, audio, large print). • Make use of public libraries or local resources to provide free or low-cost access to all materials. • Provide a summary of key themes and discussion points for participants who may have difficulty accessing or completing all resources. Curriculum 2: "Exploring Intersectionality: Gender, Race, and Disability" Objective: To explore the concept of intersectionality and understand how overlapping social identities (gender, race, disability, etc.) impact individuals' experiences and opportunities. 1. Resources • Primary Book: ◦ "Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot" by Mikki Kendall – A collection of essays addressing how mainstream feminism has often overlooked the needs of marginalized groups, including women of color and women with disabilities. ATTACHMENT A Evolution of film series • Additional Books: ◦ "Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century" edited by Alice Wong – An anthology of essays written by disabled individuals, offering diverse perspectives on living with disabilities. ◦ Children's Book: "The Proudest Blue" by Ibtihaj Muhammad – A story of a young Muslim girl wearing her hijab for the first time and the reactions it elicits, focusing on identity and acceptance. • Film/Documentary: ◦ "Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution" – A documentary about a groundbreaking summer camp for disabled teens that helped spark the disability rights movement. ◦ "The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson" – A documentary that examines the life and mysterious death of LGBTQ activist Marsha P. Johnson, exploring themes of race, gender, and activism. • Articles and Online Resources: ◦ "The Urgency of Intersectionality" – TED Talk by Kimberlé Crenshaw explaining the concept of intersectionality and its relevance to contemporary social justice movements. ◦ YouTube Video: "What is Intersectionality?" – A short, animated video explaining the concept and its implications for understanding diverse experiences. • Local Focus: ◦ A panel discussion with local activists or leaders who work at the intersection of gender, race, and disability rights. 2. Discussion Questions 1. What does the term "intersectionality" mean to you, and why is it important when discussing social issues? 2. How can our community ensure that we are inclusive of all identities, especially those that face multiple forms of marginalization? What are some practical steps we can take? 3. In what ways do overlapping identities (like race, gender, and disability) affect a person’s experiences in society? Can you think of examples from your own life or the lives of people you know? 4. How do different resources (books, films, articles) help us understand the complexity of intersectionality? Which types of resources do you find most impactful, and why? ATTACHMENT A Evolution of film series 5. What are some ways we can foster greater empathy and understanding across different social identities in our community? How can we make sure that all voices are heard? Other types of questions • How does "Hood Feminism" challenge traditional feminist narratives? What does it suggest about the inclusivity of social movements? • What are some of the key takeaways from "Disability Visibility" regarding the diverse experiences of people with disabilities? How can these stories inform our approach to accessibility in our community? • How does "The Proudest Blue" illustrate the challenges of maintaining cultural identity in the face of prejudice? How can our community support diverse identities? • What lessons can we learn from "Crip Camp" about activism and building inclusive communities? • Discuss the contributions of Marsha P. Johnson to the LGBTQ movement. How do her experiences as a Black transgender woman reflect the importance of intersectionality in activism? • How can understanding intersectionality help us create more inclusive policies and programs in our community? 3. Accessibility Considerations • Provide all resources in multiple formats, including audiobooks and accessible PDFs. • Arrange for sign language interpreters or captioning for films and videos. • Offer summaries or simplified versions of texts for those with reading difficulties or limited time. • Ensure all venues are physically accessible and offer virtual participation options. ATTACHMENT B TO: Members of Edmonds DEIA Commission FROM: Pam Iverson, DEIA Commission member DATE: September 4, 2024 SUBJECT: Updating the Land Acknowledgement PROBLEM STATEMENT: The Land Acknowledgement used by City Council and other City groups does not accurately identify the Indigenous people who previously occupied the land now known as the City of Edmonds. The Statement refers to the “original inhabitants of this place” as “the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip tribes.” This does not accurately reflect the identity of the Indigenous people who previously lived here. According to My.Edmonds.News, the Land Acknowledgement was developed in 2019 after consultation with the Tulalip Tribes. While it appears that an effort was made to connect with the Snohomish Tribe, it does not appear that they had input. The City Council committed to start their meetings with the Land Acknowledgement (following the pledge of allegiance) and to encourage Boards and Commissions to also make this acknowledgement. The Planning Board, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Commission and Historic Preservation Commission are among the groups that regularly use the Council-approved Acknowledgement to start their meetings. In 2021 the Diversity Commission (as it was then called) submitted a proposal to City Council proposing a change to the Land Acknowledgement. It appears there was no follow-through on this, given the change in City Council members, including liaison to the Commission, and change in Commission members. At the November 2023 Commission meeting, we heard from Pamela SeaMonster, vice- chair of the Snohomish Tribal Council. We are incorporating her thoughts into our recommendations. The relationship between the Snohomish Tribe and the Tulalip Tribes is relevant. The 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott between the United States government and the Native American tribes of the Puget Sound area set forth the relationship between these nations. Several reservations were established, including one at an area known as Tulalip (the Lushootseed word for the deep bay by the reservation) for the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, and Skykomish tribes, and other people in the area. There were Snohomish tribal members who did not move to this area and so were not formally recognized as a tribe. They are still not federally ATTACHMENT B recognized. However, there are people in our area who continue to identify themselves as Snohomish. The tribe lists its address on Edmonds Way in Edmonds, and the Tribal Council meets at an Edmonds location. Thus it feels disrespectful of these people to call the Tulalip Tribes the successors of the Snohomish. According to Ms. SeaMonster, the Snohomish did not have a permanent residence within Edmonds city limits because they followed their food sources through the year. She also described how they invited other tribes to come when the shellfish were plentiful. Mike Evans, chair of the Snohomish Tribal Council, said that his ancestors did not want to move to the Tulalip reservation because they wanted to stay farther away from the warlike tribes farther north. They were told that they would receive their own reservation land, but the government reneged on this promise. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Land Acknowledgement remove the reference to the Tulalip tribes as the successors to the Snohomish tribe. While initially the proposal was to change the wording to “Coast Salish people”, Pamela SeaMonster recently said that was too broad. The proposed change would focus on the Snohomish people as the ones who lived in the Edmonds area. Thus the Land Acknowledgement would become: We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohomish (Snohomish), who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water. However, I do not know if there could be repercussions from the Tulalip tribe for not including them in the Land Acknowledgement. Finally, we do not want this to be a pro forma statement. Rather we recognize that “acknowledgement” is the first step toward being in ongoing mutually beneficial relationship with the Indigenous people in our community. We encourage the City Council, mayor, and others to become more active in cultivating relationships with existing communities and including their voices so that we honor the legacy and culture of those whose land support us all. ATTACHMENT B TO: Members of Edmonds City Council FROM: City of Edmonds Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Commission DATE: October 7, 2024 SUBJECT: Updating the Land Acknowledgement PROBLEM STATEMENT: The Land Acknowledgement used by City Council and other City groups does not accurately identify the Indigenous people who previously occupied the land now known as the City of Edmonds. The Statement refers to the “original inhabitants of this place” as “the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip tribes.” This does not accurately reflect the identity of the Indigenous people who previously lived here and who continue to have a presence here. BACKGROUND: The Land Acknowledgement was developed in 2019 after consultation with the Tulalip Tribes. While it appears that an effort was made to connect with the Snohomish Tribe, it does not appear that they had input. The City Council committed to start their meetings with the Land Acknowledgement (following the pledge of allegiance) and to encourage Boards and Commissions to also make this acknowledgement. It continues to be used regularly at City Council meetings and others. The Tulalip Tribes are federally recognized and include descendants of the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and other tribes. However, there are non-federally recognized tribes who have also lived in this area since time immemorial. The Snohomish Tribal Council, for instance, meets regularly in this area. This recommendation is based on conversations with Mike Evans, chair of the Snohomish Tribal Council, Pamela SeaMonster, vice-chair of the Snohomish Tribal Council, and representatives of the Tulalip tribes at Hibulb Cultural Center. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that the Land Acknowledgement remove the reference to the Tulalip tribes as the successors to the Snohomish tribe. Members of both tribes continue to live here. Thus the Land Acknowledgement would become: ATTACHMENT B We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohomish (Snohomish) and Tulalip tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self- determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water. We also do not want this to be a pro forma statement. Rather we recognize that “acknowledgement” is the first step toward being in ongoing mutually beneficial relationship with the Indigenous people in our community. We encourage the City Council, mayor, and others to become more active in cultivating relationships with existing communities and including their voices so that we honor the legacy and culture of those whose land support us all.