Indigenous Commission outlines cultural clothing and regalia segment for Sept. 28 community event

The Flagstaff City Indigenous Commission discussed planning for the city’s “Get to Know Your Neighbor” community event scheduled for Sept. 28 at the Market of Dreams, including a 30-minute cultural clothing and regalia segment that commissioners will staff.

Rose (city staff) told commissioners the event will run Sept. 28 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature a “human library” of lived-experience conversations, food vendors, music and performances. Commissioner Rose said she plans to recruit roughly five people for the regalia segment, each speaking about their clothing or regalia for about five minutes in a rotating table format with Q&A.

Commissioners discussed outreach to Hopi, Navajo, Hualapai and Havasupai representatives and to local youth ambassadors from Northern Arizona University and the high school. Commissioner Marks said she could contact people who make and fry frybread; other commissioners offered to contact community dance groups and school ambassadors. Organizers said they plan to request raffle donations and to recruit cultural shares and performers; one commissioner asked that contacts be provided in the meeting chat.

No formal city funding decisions were made at the July 10 meeting. Organizers said vendors and sponsors are being sought; food and volunteer coordination are being managed by the event committee. Rose said contact for donations and coordination is Rebecca Durenberger (email shared during the meeting). The commission asked volunteers to provide final confirmations by Friday, July 18 so the event agenda can be finalized for a planned release on July 21.