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Flagstaff Indigenous Commission creates work group, sets Aug. 11 date for All-Indigenous Code Talkers event
Summary
The Flagstaff Indigenous Commission voted to establish a three-commissioner work group to plan an All-Indigenous Code Talkers celebration in August, agreeing to an Aug. 11 date and to begin regular planning meetings.
The Flagstaff Indigenous Commission on May 14 voted to establish a work group to plan an All‑Indigenous Code Talkers celebration and set the event for Aug. 11.
The commission approved the work group by motion and voice vote; Commissioner Mariah Zavala moved to approve and Commissioner Marks seconded the motion, and commissioners present voted in favor. Staff said the commission wanted three commissioners on the group to avoid a quorum and invited community members to join the planning process.
The work group—composed of Commissioners Moana, Mariah Zavala and Diana (last name not specified in the transcript)—will begin meeting before August. Commissioners scheduled an initial planning meeting for May 29 at 11 a.m. (one hour) and discussed holding biweekly or bimonthly check‑ins thereafter so the committee can finalize logistics by August.
Commissioners and staff discussed locations used in prior years and new options: the Flagstaff Aquaplex (previous site), the Market of Dreams site in Sunnyside, the Murdoch Center, and an outdoor area at the Indigenous Community Center site (the former public works yard near Thorpe Park). Staff provided capacity estimates mentioned in the meeting—approximately 80 for Market of Dreams and 89 for the Murdoch Center—and noted the Aquaplex had hosted the event previously from roughly 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Commissioners said attendance could range from about 50 up toward 80–100 people depending on venue choice.
Planning topics the group will address include: whether to hold the event indoors (for accessibility and shelter from heat/wind) or outdoors with tents; rental needs (tents, chairs, tables); porta‑potty quality and possible sponsorships; a light lunch and refreshments; emcee and keynote speaker arrangements; posting of colors and involvement of local ROTC or color guards; performances and veteran songs; veteran wreath placements at Belmont Cemetery; vendor tables for community organizations; and outreach to youth and local schools.
On budget, staff and commissioners said the city has sometimes covered venue costs when a city facility was used (the Aquaplex was provided at no charge previously), while non‑city venues have required payment. Past food costs were discussed: in one year a sponsor (Desert Financial) covered about $1,000 for food; another estimate for food was closer to $2,000. Commissioners said they expect to seek sponsors and partner with local vendors to keep the event affordable, and staff said they would request cost estimates for tents and other rentals to inform planning.
Staff told commissioners to send suggestions and vendor or performer contacts to the staff liaison so the work group can evaluate feasibility. The group will include community members as needed; staff emphasized meeting notices and materials will be distributed to the commission members on the work thread.
The commission formalized the work group during the meeting; staff will circulate meeting invitations and planning materials to the work group and the broader commission as appropriate.
