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Council committee reviews ordinance to establish Spokane Urban Native Advisory Council
Summary
Alex Scott told the committee the proposed Spokane Urban Native Advisory Council (SUNAT) formalizes years of community work to give urban Native residents a standing advisory body; the initial slate would include 10 appointments (three‑year terms) with a plan to expand to 12, and a sponsorship motion was deferred to Monday.
Alex Scott presented an ordinance to create a Spokane Urban Native Advisory Council, saying the proposal grew out of multiple years of community meetings and grassroots leadership.
"Introducing this legislation is really the culmination of, multiple years of conversations and meetings and work," Alex said, and he stressed that the initiative came from local indigenous leaders rather than being an administration‑driven item.
The presentation outlined the proposed membership rules and selection process. The initial slate is 10 appointments with three‑year terms; the plan is to stagger initial terms so some members serve two years and others three to establish rotation, and the eventual council would include two youth seats for a total of 12. Selection would follow the usual model: an application and review process conducted by the group, a mayoral appointment, and council confirmation.
A council member moved to add all council members as sponsors for the ordinance. The motion was discussed but not acted on at the meeting; the body agreed the sponsor additions would be handled at the Monday agenda and in the formal vote sequence then.
Council members expressed support for the concept and asked for an introduction of some of the initial appointees (the presenters said they expect many of the 10 to attend a future meeting). Alex said he would serve as the initial administrative liaison and that the group ultimately hopes to establish an official tribal liaison position.
The committee did not take final action; council members asked staff and the subcommittee to return with introductions of prospective appointees and to address any procedural questions before the ordinance moves to a formal vote.
