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Board agrees to consult American Indian advisory council before routinely reading land‑acknowledgement and adding tribal flags
Summary
Directors agreed to ask the district’s American Indian advisory council (APAC) whether the board may read the district’s land‑acknowledgement statement at meetings and whether tribal nation flags should be displayed in board chambers.
The Robbinsdale Area School Board on June 3 agreed to consult the district’s American Indian advisory council (APAC) about two requests raised at the work session: whether the board should read the district land‑acknowledgement at meetings and whether to display tribal nation flags in the board room.
Chair Evans Becker proposed the board read the land‑acknowledgement before meetings. Several board members said they supported the idea in principle but asked staff to consult APAC and the tribal representatives who helped craft the statement to make sure the council and community want the board to read the text and to confirm any preferred language or protocol.
On flags, board members discussed concerns about respectful protocol and whether a formal request from tribal representatives would be appropriate. Director Bassett asked for formal input from APAC before the district adds tribal nation flags to the board room; several directors echoed the need for consultation and consent.
Next steps
Chair Evans Becker said he would bring the board’s interest to APAC at its June 9 meeting and report back to the board. If APAC supports the steps, staff will coordinate implementation details with tribal partners and the district’s American Indian education staff.
Ending
Directors described the consultations as a respectful next step and asked staff to return a recommendation to the full board after APAC responds.
