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Discussion and Report from the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event Ad Hoc Subcommittee of the Proposed Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event; (2) Consider Approval Of The Report’s Recommendations; and (3) If So Desired, Determine Next Steps.
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Meeting Date: September 26, 2023
Contact Person/Dept: Michelle Hamilton / Human Resources
Phone Number: (310) 253-5640
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (9/20/23); (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Equity & Human Relations Advisory Committee (9/20/23); (E-Mail) All City Staff (9/20/23)
Department Approval: Dana Anderson, Human Resources Director (9/20/23)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee (EHRAC) discuss the report from the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event Ad Hoc Subcommittee on the Proposed Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event; (2) consider approval of the report’s recommendations; and (3) if so desired, determine next steps.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
At the July 25, 2023, regular meeting, there was consensus among the EHRAC members to create an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event Ad Hoc Subcommittee to which Member Rona and Member Haifaa were appointed. At the August 22, 2023, special meeting, Member Bano was added to the Indigenous People’s Day Event Ad Hoc Subcommittee and consensus was met to agendize the Indigenous People’s Day Event report for the September 26, 2023, special meeting.
Held on the second Monday of October, October 9, 2023, Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the histories, cultures, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples and their ancestors who lived on the land now known as North America.
The EHRAC previously held an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Event on-line on October 12, 2021, from 7:00-9:30pm. The on-line event featured Indigenous art, dance, and speakers. In 2022, EHRAC assisted in the development of a proclamation, recognizing October 10, 2022, as Indigenous Peoples’ Day and honoring the historic sacrifices of the indigenous peoples and their contributions to Culver City.
See attached Indigenous Peoples’ Day Ad Hoc Subcommittee report for proposed 2023 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration.
Please note: Staff observed the following inaccuracies with the following statements included in the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Report.
1. “The longer celebration will not occur October 10th because the Latino Heritage Month Celebration will take place that evening. The Latino Heritage Month Celebration would have taken place September 26. However, the City is holding a program about hate crime on September 26.”
Staff Observations:
In July 25, 2023 regular meeting Latino Heritage Month Celebration day was discussed however a final day was not chosen. In the EHRAC approved Bi-Annual Report and Work Plan the event was listed to take place in September/October 2023. In the August 22, 2023, special meeting EHRAC was informed of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations Hate Crimes Presentation to occur on September 26, 2023. The presentation did not preclude the Latino Heritage Month Celebration from happening on the same day. It was a recommendation from staff that both events occur on the same day to draw in a larger audience. However, EHRAC opted to and EHRAC achieved consensus to host the Latino Heritage Celebration Event on October 10. There had been no discussion at that point in time that there was any other event slated to take place that day.
2. “Staff reported at the August committee meeting that there are almost no dates available for new programming in October.”
Staff Observations:
In the July 25, 2023, event platform and/or date for an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event had not been agendized, discussed, decided nor approved. At the August 22, 2023, special meeting EHRAC was informed that staff could only support one event each month. Backed with this knowledge, EHRAC achieved consensus to hold the Latino Heritage Month Celebration in October.
3. “The 30-minute program discussed by the ad hoc subcommittee will not occur, according to staff, because the city does not allow presentations of this length to be made immediately before council meetings.”
Staff Observations:
Via an email on August 22, 2023, the morning prior to EHRAC’s Special Meeting, Member Rona first presented the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Ad Hoc Committee potential plans to staff thoughts with two options: Option 1: a Tuesday or Wednesday Night at the Senior Center with a more involved program yet to be determined. Option 2: would entail a 30-minute presentation that would take place between 6 PM and 7 PM at the October 9, 2023, council meeting. Staff responded that same afternoon that in order to inquire about a presentation at City Council staff would need be provided a sample of the presentation to forward to the City Clerks office to be vetted.
Member Rona responded on September 6, 2023, that there was no way the Indigenous People’s Ad Hoc Subcommittee could provide the content as it was a video tape that had not been taped yet and that she would look into the possibility of sharing the video during a different Council meeting at an appropriate time.
At which time, Staff responded shortly after and advised Member Rona that staff spoke to the City Clerk’s Office and found out that once EHRAC approved the Ad Hoc Committee’s content for sharing at a City Council meeting, staff would forward the information to the City Clerk’s office to determine if the item would be placed on an agenda. Staff also presented Member Rona, as another option, that with EHRAC’s approval, she could present information about Indigenous People’s Day during public comment. That she could receive two minutes and someone else could designate one minute of their time to her for a total of three minutes.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associate with this agenda item.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report 9.15.2023-Indigenous Peoples Day 2023
MOTION
That the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee:
1. If so desired, approve the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s report’s recommendations; and
2. Determine next steps.