| Members Present: Sen. David P. Hinkins, Chair Rep. Christine F. Watkins, Chair Sen. Jani Iwamoto Rep. Lee B. Perry Rep. Angela Romero Rep. Douglas V. Sagers | Members Absent: Sen. Ronald Winterton Rep. Mark A. Wheatley Staff Present: Mr. Art L. Hunsaker, Policy Analyst Ms. Patricia Owen, Associate General Counsel Ms. Cherish Cosman, Administrative Assistant |
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the
meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| Chair Hinkins called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. |
| 1. Committee Business |
| Chair Hinkins excused absent committee members. |
| Members of the committee and staff introduced themselves. |
| MOTION: Rep. Watkins moved to approve the minutes from the September 5, 2018 meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-2. | |||
| Yeas - 6 | Nays-0 | Abs-2 | |
| Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. J. Iwamoto Rep. L. Perry Rep. A. Romero Rep. D. Sagers Rep. C. Watkins | Rep. M. Wheatley Sen. R. Winterton |
| 2. Native American Guardian's Association Presentation |
| 2 - Native American Guardian's Association Statement |
| Rep. Rex Shipp provided background information regarding the Cedar City School Board vote changing the "Red Man" name and introduced representatives from the Native American Guardian's Association. |
| Eunis Davidson, President, Native American Guardian's Association, Sioux, Spirit League Tribe, presented an overview of the Native American Guardian's Association's role in addressing Native American names and images being used in school districts and other issues Native Americans face nationally and responded to questions from the committee. |
| John Chaske, Native American Guardian's Association, Sioux, Spirit League Tribe, discussed the sacred nature and appropriate use of Native American names and imagery and answered committee questions with committee discussion following. |
| Robert Chamberlain, representing his niece, T. Henry, Paiut Tribe, and his own views, spoke to the impacts that changing images and symbols has on student and community culture and commented on the name change in Cedar City. |
| Rupert Steele, Chairman, Confederate Tribes of the Goshute, discussed the importance of preserving Native American culture through names and history and urged the committee to help. |
| Committee discussion continued. |
| Andrea Nelson, Cedar City, Voices Of Iron County Education (VOICE), discussed the process for the name change in Cedar City High School, advocated for listening to both sides, addressed the history of the "Red Man" name, and urged preserving Native American symbols, imagery, traditions, and names. |
| Committee discussion continued. |
| 3. Draft legislation, "Native American Legislative Liaison Committee Amendments" |
| 3 - 2020 General Session Draft Legislation "Native American Legislative Liaison Committee Amendments" (2020FL0120-005) |
| Sen. Iwamoto presented an overview of the draft legislation and detailed changes that were made with the assistance of James Toledo, Program Manager, Utah Division of Indian Affairs. |
| MOTION: Sen. Iwamoto moved to approve the draft legislation as a committee bill. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-3. | |||
| Yeas - 5 | Nays-0 | Abs-3 | |
| Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. J. Iwamoto Rep. A. Romero Rep. D. Sagers Rep. C. Watkins | Rep. L. Perry Rep. M. Wheatley Sen. R. Winterton |
| 4. Draft legislation, "Tribal Leaders Description Amendments" |
| 4 - 2020 General Session Draft Legislation "Tribal Leaders Description Amendments" (2020FL0126-005) |
| Sen. Iwamoto presented an overview of the draft legislation and its impacts with the assistance of James Toledo, Program Manager, Utah Division of Indian Affairs, and both responded to committee questions. |
| MOTION: Chair Hinkins moved to pass out the draft legislation as a committee bill. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-3. | |||
| Yeas - 5 | Nays-0 | Abs-3 | |
| Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. J. Iwamoto Rep. A. Romero Rep. D. Sagers Rep. C. Watkins | Rep. L. Perry Rep. M. Wheatley Sen. R. Winterton |
| 5. Draft Legislation, "American Indian-Alaska Native Related Amendments" |
| 5 - 2020 General Session Draft Legislation "American Indian-Alaska Native Related Amendments" (2020FL0259-009) |
| Sen. Iwamoto introduced other speakers assisting in the presentation of the draft legislation and explained the background information of the draft legislation. |
| Rupert Steele spoke favorably to the draft legislation. |
| Melissa Zito, Indian Health Liaison, Utah Department of Health, presented an overview of the Health Liaison's role and responsibilities in the current system. |
| Dr. Mark Babbits, Deputy Director, Utah Department of Health, spoke in favor of the draft legislation and discussed budget details with committee discussion following. |
| 6. Utah Navajo Health Systems Presentation |
| Willfred Jones, Board of Directors, Utah Navajo Health System, and Robert Whitehorse, Board of Directors, Utah Navajo Health System, presented an overview of the Navajo Health System, its recent expansion activities and needs, discussed its funding and revenue, urged the committee to support the Navajo Health System, and responded to questions and comments from the committee. |
| Committee discussion continued. |
| 7. Other Items/Adjourn |
| MOTION: Rep. Watkins moved to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-2. | |||
| Yeas - 6 | Nays-0 | Abs-2 | |
| Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. J. Iwamoto Rep. L. Perry Rep. A. Romero Rep. D. Sagers Rep. C. Watkins | Rep. M. Wheatley Sen. R. Winterton |
| Chair Hinkins adjourned the meeting at 11:53 p.m. |