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Supervisors approve community‑initiative funds for Museum of Northern Arizona Dia de los Muertos and for Indigenous 'Voices Unheard' event
Summary
The Board unanimously approved small community initiative allocations to support the Museum of Northern Arizona's Dia de los Muertos celebration and a separate transfer to support a 'Voices Unheard' event focused on missing and murdered Indigenous relatives and domestic violence prevention.
Coconino County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved two community initiative funding items on the consent calendar: a small allocation to support the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Dia de los Muertos celebration and a larger transfer to help the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council stage an event titled "Voices Unheard: Breaking the Silence."
Museum of Northern Arizona: The board approved a district community‑initiative allocation to support the museum’s two‑day Día de los Muertos programming (decorations, flowers, musicians and public workshops). Museum representative Teresa described the program as a long‑running public cultural event with hands‑on workshops (sugar‑skull decorating and altars). Supervisor Ontiveras moved the motion to approve with a second by Supervisor Begay; the vote was unanimous.
Voices Unheard / Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council (IPAC): Supervisors also voted to transfer community initiative funds to the Coconino County Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council to support an event addressing stalking, harassment and domestic violence as potential precursors to missing and murdered Indigenous relatives (MMIR). Community organizers, including Rose Tohi (IPAC) and Sheryl (a survivor and organizer), described a grassroots program of film screenings, lived‑experience panels, and speakers such as Lynette Grama (Not Our Native Daughters), Savannah Sanders (Applejack Ranch) and Detective Bethany Hyde. The board approved the transfer by unanimous vote; the money will cover venue and audio‑visual costs and related expenses.
Votes at a glance: - Item (Consent) — Museum of Northern Arizona Dia de los Muertos funding: Motion by Supervisor Tammy Ontiveras; second Supervisor Judy Begay; outcome: approved (unanimous). Description: community initiative funds to support two‑day cultural event. Amount: specified in consent packet (see county records). - Item (Consent) — Transfer to Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council for 'Voices Unheard' event: Motion by Supervisor Judy Begay; second Supervisor Lena Fowler; outcome: approved (unanimous). Purpose: venue and AV for event addressing stalking, harassment, domestic violence and MMIR; amounts allocated from district community initiative funds as described on the agenda packet (details cited there).
Closing: County staff and the board emphasized community support for cultural events and for public education about missing and murdered Indigenous relatives; organizers urged residents to attend the scheduled film screenings and the Nov. 22 event in Flagstaff. The agenda packet and county minutes list the formal dollar amounts and district breakdowns.
