2020-11-5_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pocahontas Park Name - Community Engagement and Analysis Plan November 5, 2020 Note: Items with a red question mark require additional feedback from Commissioners. Background Pocahontas Park, located on 2540 Pascal, has been in the Roseville Parks and Recreation system since the 1960s. Its original naming did utilize a community process. Recently, some community members have expressed some concern that the name may cause harm to Native Populations. Community members noted the following concerns: Pocahontas, the person, has no direct ties to Minnesota, Minnesota’s current Native populations or the indigenous populations who originally inhabited Minnesota. The popular, commonly told, narrative of Pocahontas’ life focuses primarily on her assimilation to European culture such as her conversion to Christianity and taking a European name. The version of events told by her tribe (The Powhatan) says that Pocahontas was exploited and victimized by the European settlers. Although there have been some preliminary general comments from the community, the topic has not been widely discussed in a formal way. In accordance with the Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE) Toolkit, and City standards for engagement, it has been suggested by the Parks and Recreation Commission that a comprehensive engagement process be undertaken to ensure that the: Issue is thoroughly understood. Impacted populations are aware of the conversation and have the opportunity to participate. Recommendations are thoroughly vetted and that feedback of all Roseville residents is considered. Other ??? I. Objective To engage the impacted communitiesto assess the impact of the name on their feeling of being “welcomed, included and respected” in Roseville, including the: Native American people who live in Roseville Indigenous populations of Minnesota Neighbors of Pocahontas Park Entire Roseville community Other??