Human Relations Commission

Human Relations Commission Monday, February 28th, 2022 6:30pm Virtual via Zoom Meetings MINUTES Present: Deborah Arnold, Daphnee Camilien, Alexander Chaparro, Sheila Crumrine, David Donegan, Marcos Levy, Jim McVane, Amy Memis-Foler, Louis Mercer, Michelle Reitman, Jeremy Segall, Karen Sherman, Chair: Maria Monastero Bueno, Trustee Khemarey Khoeun and Staff: Iris Barrios Not Present/Excused: Jaili Fajardo, Krishna Goyal, Anwar Haq, Jonathan Lavin, Swarupa Pahan, Pearl Rubenzik, James Specker, and Maureen Yanes I. Call to Order: 6:36pm live on YouTube for public meetings II. Approval of Agenda and approval of Minutes: January 24th, 2022 Motion was made by Sheila. Seconds was made by Maureen III. February Presentation, Jasmine Gurneau, Native American and Indigenous Initiatives of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at Northwestern University and Kim Vigue, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian i. Jasmine presented a short slide show on impact examples on the racial trauma on mental health, financial impact and the social and community impact that serotypes and erasure can have on Native Americans. A discussion was had on awareness of the Native American community, experiences students have who are Native American in the community and who Native Americans are now in 2022. More was spoken about data collection and reporting Native American data even if that is zero (0) in order for erasure to not happen for the Native American community. Maureen brought up the population of the Native American in Skokie and next year’s Coming Together event and their focus being the Native American focus. Trustee Khem added it was 2020 census was 0.23% in Skokie was Native American. Kim Vigue from the Mitchell Museum and had worked on a more federal level in Public Health and Education. She spoke about the impact and the trauma that can affect not only the Native community but especially the Native youth. She spoke about the media, tv, costumes and cartoons and the imagery have an impact on the community psychologically. She spoke about how the reflection of the youth being able to see themselves culturally and spiritually. Kim gave additional details about the population is present but somehow not being accurately presented by the census because of how the questions are being asked as well as tribal identity and self-identity on the 2020 census. Both Jasmine and Kim contributed to the conversation but did speak about  that they cannot speak for the whole community for the Native community. Chair Maria brought up that this is also the case for the Village of Skokie. That we are having this conversation as the Human Relations Commission but as a whole, the Board and the Village would also be having to be a part of the bigger conversation for the Skokie community. Jasmine brought up land acknowledgement and more action needed on top of acknowledgment. Chair Maria asked the question about the media shift and both Kim and Jasmine brought up some changes to tv due to Native Americans becoming producers, directors and actors who are changing the narrative and telling their story. Niles West was brought up as well because they changed their mascot to Niles Wolves from a previous Native name. Skokie is moving towards a progressive change and a continued conversation. Kim did invite the Human Relations to the Mitchell Museum for a possible future visit. More to come for that. IV. Chair’s Report, Maria Monastero Bueno Chair A. Maria and Iris let the Human Relations Commissioners know that the next meeting will be March 28th in person at Village Hall B. Sub Co-Chairs from Committees a. Block Party Forum: Alex spoke and stated that he met with Sheila. He spoke about fair housing about state programs and awareness on fair housing around the state and around the country. He talked about possibly bringing in a speaker to the meetings about housing. He also talked about an idea that Sheila had about first-time homeowner and sustainable housing for a first-time homeowner. Next was block party award. Looking at the award and possible looking how to vote in the future and how to distribute the award, how to make it more efficient when judging the award, the application process and working with Iris on the next steps on the this. Working on reaching out to past applicants for a future forum. b. Coming Together: Amy spoke about the Coming Together 2022 brochure that are coming out and how to get them. Lincolnwood library will have the books and to reach out to Chris R. at the Lincolnwood library or anyone there for the brochures. They can be distributed to friends, families, or local business. Amy also shared the Coming Together website for the monthly events starting in March going into April. A discussion was had about March 25th for the Douglas Center and volunteering as it is co-sponsored by the Human Relations Commission. If one cannot volunteer on the 25th, please consider joining any other event or stopping by the Douglas Center from 10am-6pm on the 25th. c. Equity and Diversity: Updated the list. Stand Against Racism was brought up as the event is coming up in April. Iris updated the commissioners on where the current event stands. The event will be on Wednesday, April 27th and the YWCA will be on Thursday, April 28th. Iris let the commission know of the changes. Time pending from 10:30am or Noon. V. Old/New Items of Business: Part of new business i. Ukraine Efforts: raise funds for Ukraine refugees and where residents can go to donate funds. A conversation was had about the organizations and the population of Skokie and  the Ukraine population. Further conversation on the effort toward Afghan refugee and the resources there. Local resources, people being hosts for the refugees and where to go as a trusted resource. Some of the commissioners are more connected to organizations that are more engaged, and the question was more for people who might not be as connected to an organization already or a religious affiliated organization and they may not know where to go in order to donate and feel trusted that their donations are going to help people. VI. Public Comments: Between the January 2022 and the February 2022 meeting, the Human Relations liaison received no public comments to go over. Iris did mention that the January meeting did have over 100 views on YouTube. VII. Adjournment: Motion for adjournment was made at 8:33pm by Sheila and was second by Maureen.