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40 Utilizing the process as a potential opportunity to educate the Commission and community 41 on Native Americans in Minnesota 42 43 As part of the process it was identified to reach out to members of the Dakota Tribe as the land 44 would have been theirs historically. 45 46 Shannon Geshick, Executive Director of the MN Indian Affairs Council, founding member of the 47 Roseville Indian Affairs Parent Committee, a consultant with the St. Paul School District Indian 48 Education Program as well as a Roseville Resident was introduced to the Commission by staff. Ms. 49 Geshick thanked staff for the introduction and also added that she is a mother, grandmother and a 50 member of the Bois Forte Band from Northern Minnesota. Sherelayed that she was very 51 appreciative of the outreach that the Commission has already done. In addition, she reiterated that 52 the Dakota should be included in the discussion as Pocahontas Park would be on their ancestral land. 53 54 Geshick relayed that Pocahontas is not a villainous character. However, there is a concern of 55 historical inaccuracies, as the victor has the advantage of telling the story. To address this there has 56 been a push for updating stories withtruth telling that would highlight multiple perspectives. In 57 addition, she shared that a conquered people can sometimes be seen as “mythical people” instead of 58 modern people. However, indigenous peoples are doctors, lawyers, etc. allliving current lives. She 59 explained that this could be a good opportunity to tell a shared story and bring indigenous peoples 60 into modernity. 61 62 Commissioner Stoner asked if the name should honor an indigenous person. 63 64 Ms. Geshick relayed that she only speaks on behalf of herself, she acknowledged that she feels that 65 reclaiming the name and honoring what it once was is a good idea. She stated that she did not know 66 Roseville’s naming policy. However, she offered using the name of a Dakota person such as 67 Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan. She also added the idea of “#landback” which would give the 68 land back to the Dakota people. 69 70 Chair Hoag questioned if the name needed to be changed if an educational component was added at 71 the park. 72 73 Ms. Geshick responded that she does not find the name Pocahontas personally offensive. However, 74 she noted that there is a thriving Native American community/culture and history in MN that could 75 be reflected in the name and this could potentially be a good opportunity for this teaching. 76 77 Commissioner Dahlstrom asked Ms. Geshick how you give historical significance to a place without 78 losing the education of modern indigenous people. 79 2