Flagstaff Indigenous Commission settles venue, food and program details for Aug. 11 Code Talkers celebration

The Flagstaff Indigenous Commission on June 13 confirmed logistics for its Indigenous Code Talkers celebration set for Monday, Aug. 11, agreeing to hold the event at the Market of Dreams in Sunnyside and to pursue sponsors for catered meals and supplemental sack lunches.

The event planning working group lead, Commissioner Mariah Zavala, told the commission, “We are hoping that in this section with the commissioners here, we can dial in the location of the venue.” The group chose Market of Dreams as the preferred site because of its location, indoor capacity and nearby transit access.

Why it matters: the commission uses the annual Code Talkers program to honor Indigenous veterans and to reach local community members. Finalizing a site, food plan and performers now allows staff and volunteers to secure sponsors, speakers and culturally appropriate presenters before the city’s agenda and publicity deadlines.

Key details and decisions

- Venue: Market of Dreams (Sunnyside). Staff reported a tier-1 rental rate of about $37 per hour and a daily rate shown on the venue list of about $225; staff estimated a total venue cost under $300 for the commission’s needs if the full day is booked. The working group plans to block the site for setup, event and breakdown (setup ~7:45–9:00 a.m., event 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., breakdown 1:00–3:00 p.m.; the day will be held roughly 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.). The venue’s stated seated capacity was roughly 100 (112 seated plus standing room noted); working-group members said the space can possibly accommodate up to about 150 with rearrangement.

- Food and sponsors: the commission agreed to seek sponsors to cover up to 125 breakfasts and 125 lunches, and to request 50 sack lunches from Flag Family Food Center to serve unsheltered relatives who arrive after the catered meals run out. Staff estimated the earlier year’s food budget (~$2,400) and said the 2025 food estimate could be closer to $3,000 depending on sponsor discounts. Commissioner Rose (staff liaison) reported: “I finally talked to Kim yesterday … she quoted me $37 an hour.”

- Vendors, storage and logistics: commissioners noted limited on-site refrigeration (one small fridge reported); the working group will confirm whether the venue’s community kitchen and PA system are available and, if not, will arrange coolers and a PA. The group also discussed using local Indigenous food entrepreneurs and food trucks if needed; the commission prioritized hiring local, Indigenous vendors where feasible.

- Programming and performers: the commission prioritized traditional and youth groups. The working group ranked potential cultural shares and proposed a performance slate that gives priority to traditional Hopi performers this year. A keynote speaker slot of 30–45 minutes will be reserved, with youth and student speakers given shorter slots (10–15 minutes). A deadline of July 14 was set for cultural shares, knowledge holders and speaker confirmations so staff can meet the final agenda deadline (July 21).

- Accessibility and community distribution: the working group discussed a plan for leftover food distribution (partnering with local community assistance teams) and set expectations for restroom, parking and transit access near the Sunnyside site.

Discussion and next steps

Commissioners emphasized local hiring and culturally specific menu sourcing. The working group will: finalize sponsor outreach; confirm venue technical and refrigeration capacity; obtain final quotes from Artisan’s Kitchen, Mayan Winds and local vendors; and circulate a final agenda after July 14. The commission asked staff to post vendor/logo assets for the event flyer and to confirm the Market of Dreams booking.

Ending

Organizers said they will return to the commission with sponsor commitments and finalized vendor contracts before the July 21 agenda deadline so the event can be publicized in July.