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Utilizingthe process as a potential opportunity to educate the Commission and community on Native Americans in Minnesota As part of the process it was identified to reach out to members of the Dakota Tribe as the land would have been theirs historically. Shannon Geshick, Executive Director of the MN Indian Affairs Council, founding member of the Roseville Indian Affairs Parent Committee, aconsultant with the St. Paul School District Indian Education Program as well as a Roseville Resident was introducedto the Commission by staff. Ms. Geshick thanked staff for the introduction and also added that she is a mother, grandmother and a member of the Bois Forte Band from NorthernMinnesota. Sherelayed that she was very appreciative of the outreach that the Commission has already done. In addition, she reiterated that the Dakota should be included in the discussion as Pocahontas Park would be on their ancestral land. Geshick relayed that Pocahontas is not a villainous character. However, there is a concern of historical inaccuracies, as the victor has the advantage of telling the story. To address this there has been a push for updating stories with truth telling that would highlight multiple perspectives. In addition, she shared that a conquered people can sometimes be seen as “mythical people” instead of modern people. However, indigenous peoples are doctors, lawyers, etc. all living current lives. She explained that this could be a good opportunity to tell a shared story and bring indigenous peoples into modernity. Commissioner Stoner asked if the name should honor an indigenous person. Ms. Geshick relayed that she only speaks on behalf of herself, she acknowledged that she feels that reclaiming the name and honoring what it once was is a good idea. She stated that she did not know Roseville’s naming policy. However, she offered using the name of a Dakota person such as Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan. She also added the idea of “#landback” which would give the land back to the Dakota people. Chair Hoag questioned if the name needed to be changed if an educational component was addedat the park. Ms. Geshick responded that she does not find the name Pocahontas personally offensive. However, she noted that there is a thriving Native American community/culture and history in MN that could be reflected in the name and this could potentially be a good opportunity for this teaching. Commissioner Dahlstrom asked Ms. Geshick how you give historical significance to a place without losing the education of modern indigenous people. 2