Commission seeks Gladys Rae Award nominations, highlights Indigenous Peoples' Day events and community partnerships

FARGO, N.D. — The Fargo Native American Commission used its Sept. 4 meeting to publicize several community events, request nominations for the Gladys Rae Award and highlight partnerships supporting Indigenous residents.

Nominations for the Gladys Rae Award — which recognizes outstanding contributions to Indigenous peoples in Fargo — are due Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. The one-page nomination form is available at fargond.gov/nac and in hard copy at City Hall’s planning department. The award recipient will be recognized during Indigenous Peoples' Day programming on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.

Library staff reported outreach at the Native American community picnic on Aug. 17, where staff spoke with 67 people and distributed 28 of the library’s "read and share" books. Nicole and Caitlin acknowledged the Indigenous Association’s planning for an Oct. 13 housing resource fair and a possible breakfast tied to the award presentation.

Commissioners also heard that the Indigenous Association is partnering with a Sanford Research program — the Treatment Collaborative for Traumatized Use in North Dakota — to host culturally appropriate training space and cultural humility training for service providers in the region. Commission member Susan reported the Indian Education for Fargo parent night went well but that backpack donations fell short: "I think we raised about $500 but we're still confirming with the city," she said, adding the program still needs more backpacks for students. Emily Sargent offered to connect Susan with Sanford-sponsored backpack drives.

Members were asked to monitor the Indigenous Association Facebook page and city web pages for event details and to submit nominations for the Gladys Rae Award by Oct. 3.