Commission confirms Code Talkers event logistics for Aug. 11 at Market of Dreams; sponsors, speakers and cultural shares still being finalized

The Indigenous Code Talkers celebration work group updated the Flagstaff City Indigenous Commission on planning for an Aug. 11 event at Market of Dreams, listing confirmed venue logistics, sponsors, speakers and remaining items to finalize.

Mariah, co-lead for the work group, said the event will be Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with venue time blocked 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Sponsors Desert Financial and Arizona Complete Health committed to cover lunch (not to exceed $1,500) and breakfast (estimated under $900) respectively; Mariah said Artisan’s Kitchen and other local vendors had been contacted and that organizers plan roughly 125 lunches and 100 burritos as part of the catering plan.

The work group confirmed Jennifer Joseph as master of ceremonies and reported a confirmed Hopi Code Talkers presentation from Gino Tallis; Tallis indicated he does not require an honorarium. Several cultural shares and dance groups remain to be confirmed; one performer (Clark) requested a $400 honorarium (covering mileage, food and time), and organizers discussed seeking sponsors to cover honoraria if commission funds are not available. Mariah asked commissioners to secure cultural-share commitments and sponsor leads by July 18 so the program can be finalized for distribution July 21.

Other logistics: Desert Financial’s lunch pledge is “not to exceed $1,500”; Arizona Complete Health offered a breakfast sponsorship that organizers estimated will cover 100 burritos; a 50-sack-lunch order from Five Family Food Center was pending confirmation. Mariah said she will invoice and coordinate vendors and that tipping for small local vendors was under consideration. The commission reserved flexibility on honoraria and travel reimbursements: organizers preferred to avoid mileage reimbursements but could consider reduced honoraria for local performers.