Laserfiche WebLink
Attachment A - Page 1 <br />PocahontasParkName - CommunityEngagementandAnalysisPlan <br />UPDATEDMarch2021 <br />ProgresstrackedinBLUE <br />Background <br />Pocahontas Park,located on 2540 Pascal,hasbeenin the RosevilleParksandRecreationsystem <br />sincethe 1960s. Its original naming did utilize a community process. <br />Recently, some community members haveexpressed some concernthat the namemaycause <br />harmtoNativePopulations.Communitymembers noted the following concerns: <br />Pocahontas, the person, has no direct ties to Minnesota, Minnesota’s current Native <br />populations or the indigenous populations who originally inhabited Minnesota. <br />The popular, commonly told, narrative of Pocahontas’ life focuses primarily on her <br />assimilation toEuropean culture such as her conversion to Christianity andtaking a <br />European name. The version of events told by her tribe (The Powhatan) says that <br />Pocahontas was exploited andvictimized by the European settlers. <br />Although there have been some preliminary general comments from the community, the topic <br />has not been widely discussed in a formal way. In accordance with the Government Alliance on <br />Racial Equity (GARE) Toolkit, and City standards for engagement, ithasbeen suggestedby the <br />Parks and Recreation Commission that a comprehensive engagement process be undertaken to <br />ensure that the: <br />Issue is thoroughly understood. <br />Impacted populations are aware of the conversation and have the opportunity to <br />participate. <br />Recommendations are thoroughly vetted and that feedback of all Roseville residents <br />is considered. <br />I.Objective <br />To engage the impacted communities to assess the impact of the name on their feeling of being <br />“welcomed, included andrespected”in Roseville, including the: <br />NativeAmericanpeople wholivein Roseville <br />Indigenous populations of Minnesota <br />Neighbors of Pocahontas Park <br />EntireRoseville community <br />Utilize the process as a potential opportunity for education on Native Americans in Minnesota <br />for the Parks and RecreationCommission and the Community. <br />Develop relationships with the Native Community thatcanleadtogreater long term, ongoing <br />engagement. <br /> <br />