Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tribal Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eugene Human Rights Commission explores Native American seat and revising land acknowledgment
Summary
The commission opened a formal discussion on adding a Native American seat to ensure tribal representation and whether to adopt 'land honoring' language. Staff urged consultation with tribes and legal review; commissioners asked staff to raise the issue with tribal relations and report back.
The Eugene Human Rights Commission began a substantive discussion about whether to add a Native American seat and whether to change its land-acknowledgement wording.
Chair Dr. Silky Booker framed the idea as a practical complement to the commission’s ritual land acknowledgement: "We acknowledge something without giving something back," she said, arguing that representation or advisory participation could deepen the city’s relationship with indigenous communities. Staff counsel emphasized the legal and procedural steps required, noting that the HRC’s membership is established in city code and that any change would likely require a city council code amendment.
Staff said the city’s land statement was originally developed with tribal input and recommended for use by boards and commissions. Staff also noted the intergovernmental tribal relations team has recently discussed a separate Native community advisory committee and that tribes have said they do not want a single individual speaking for an entire nation.
Commissioners agreed the next steps are consultation and legal review rather than immediate structural change. Commissioner Cynthia Poindexter suggested starting with the city’s existing tribal contacts: "I don't think we should go forward without first checking with your tribal connections," she said. Another commissioner recommended asking whether tribes prefer the phrase 'land honoring' rather than 'land acknowledgement.'
Staff volunteered to place the topic on the tribal relations meeting agenda and to return with the tribes’ input and any guidance from the city attorney. The commission did not vote on a code change; members instead asked staff to report back with tribal feedback and legal options before taking further action.
The commission also discussed adding a labor acknowledgement to recognize forced or unpaid labor in the city's history; the idea was welcomed and assigned to the existing work group for further consideration.
What’s next: Staff will raise the Native-seat question at the next intergovernmental tribal relations meeting and report results to the HRC; any code changes would move to city council for consideration.
