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Committee hears that tribal consultation would require long-term, relationship-driven process
Summary
A committee member summarized written feedback from Representative Sabadosa cautioning that any municipal ordinance on indigenous rights would require extensive consultation with tribes and long-term relationship building rather than quick rulemaking.
A committee member summarized responses from state legislators and recommended starting with listening and relationship-building before pursuing an ordinance related to indigenous rights.
The committee member read from Representative Sabadosa's reply, noting several concerns: which tribes should be consulted, what would happen if consulted tribes disagreed, and whether federally recognized tribes not local to the city should have a decision-making role. "If I were taking this on, I would start with a great deal of conversation and listening," the member said, recounting the representative's view that consultation demands respect for tribal leaders' limited bandwidth and a slow, deliberative process.
The representative (as relayed by the committee member) also suggested Rhonda Anderson, director of Western Mass Indian Affairs, as a starting point for outreach. Committee members agreed the issue merits follow-up and recommended correspondence with the Human Rights Commission and possible referral to the reparations commission or community resources for longer-term work.
Councilor Moulton and Councilor Perry both said they supported further study rather than immediate action, and members agreed not to advance any ordinance changes without direct engagement with the communities the measures would affect.
