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Board agrees to consult American Indian advisory council before formally reading land acknowledgement or displaying tribal flags
Summary
Board members debated whether to read the district's land acknowledgement at meetings and whether to display 11 tribal nation flags in board chambers. Directors voted to ask the American Indian advisory council (APAC) for input; the chair plans to bring the matter to APAC's June 9 meeting.
Robbinsdale board members spent part of their June 3 work session discussing whether the district should read a land-acknowledgement statement at board meetings and whether to display tribal nation flags in board chambers.
The land-acknowledgement text, which the superintendent said was developed with American Indian education staff and community members, acknowledges Dakota and Ojibwe nations and affirms support for language preservation, land-based education and tribal sovereignty. Some directors expressed support for the board reading the statement at the start of meetings and rotating who reads it; others said the board should first consult the American Indian advisory council (APAC) and obtain permission and guidance from community tribal representatives before adopting a routine practice.
Board chair Evans Becker said he would raise the proposal at the next APAC meeting on June 9. Director Bassett and others said they favored a respectful, consultative approach so APAC and tribal elders would have the opportunity to advise on wording, context and any ceremonial protocol. Directors also discussed display of the 11 tribal nation flags; several suggested the same consultative step.
Ending: The board voted to have the chair consult APAC and report back, rather than unilaterally adopting a reading or flag display. The chair said he would attend the APAC meeting on June 9 and return to the board with APAC's guidance.
