2021-11-4_PR_Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

learn about the history of Indigenous people in our State, so my knowledge is incomplete, but there are three things I know contributed to the fact that there are so few Indigenous people in our State and in our City. First, in 1862 then Governor Ramsey raised forces to fight the Dakoka saying “the Sioux Indians of Minnesota must be exterminated or driven forever beyond the borders of the state”, followed by the creation of 16 Indian Boarding Schools in Minnesota in the late 19th to early 20th century which “led to the deaths of thousands of students”, and most recently many properties in Roseville had racial covenants which, like this one from Sherry Sanders house on Lake McCarrons, said “The said premises shall not be sold, mortgaged, leased or occupied by any person or persons who are not a member or members of the Caucasian race, but this shall not prevent the keeping of domestic servants who are not members of the Caucasian race”. I have made the point before that there is no sign, no place, no street, nothing in Roseville (other than the new Apétu Téa Education Center), where we acknowledge that we are living on Dakota land, and the contributes to the lack of knowledge of the history of our City. I strongly support the creation of a committee, led by Indigenous people, to recommend the new name for the park. I am not surprised that no one you talked to suggested a name, not because it’s not important, but instead because to do so should be done with thoughtful consideration and cooperation. Even though it has not been our City’s practice to pay people to participate on any advisory commissions or groups, I believe this is a prime example of a case when we should pay for the expertise. There are a few reasons I think that. First of all, our City does not have a good track record for listening to people of color. In only one example, the City formed a multi-cultural group called Imagine Roseville after the killing of Philando Castile. They held 3 community listening sessions. While our City leaders say they were successful, I know at least four people who participated in those planning meetings who were angry that the meetings were stopped once the verdict was announced although they felt there was much more to be done. The City may be starting to turn the corner a little on that recently, but it takes a long time to re-build trust once it has been lost. Second given that fact that Indigenous people have been traumatized and marginalized for centuries, and there are resulting disparities in almost every measure, it is not right for us to continue to ask them to invest their time and emotional energy without compensation. I feel especially strongly about this one because our City’s track record is to take that effort and