Your Vision, wisdom, voice and perspectives are valuable to this process. We're hoping to "do this in a good way," and also embrace principles of relationality, sense of Place, and honoring Indigenous knowledges and ways-of-life. We particularly welcome the participation of Tribal members, Elders, and Knowledge Holders who can guide us in this important work.

We will begin with welcomes and introductions, following our peacemaking circle protocols that honor every voice and create space for authentic sharing.

While this committee meeting does not require formal agenda approval and meeting minutes approval, review of prior meetings will occur, in particular to contextualize (and include additional as needed) norms & agreements and CEC mission.

• Speak Truth - Tell your story
• Every Voice is Heard
• Always have an Opening
• Always have a Closing
• No bad circles
• Share the Wisdom, but leave the Details

CEC Mission & Vision

Mission: The mission of the WIHS CEC is to help build a compassionate community within our school and world through multicultural education, awareness, and advocacy. We are committed to:
 

• Creating a sense of belonging
• Promoting equity
• Cultivating social responsibility
• Teaching and learning
• Fostering representation
• Advocating for inclusivity
• Being Authentically
• Healthy Communication
• Planting Seeds of Transformation

Vision: Create a just and inclusive society where every person is valued, empowered and equipped with the skills to be leaders, advocates, and allies.

Overview: The CEC meets to empower, accept, and celebrate all of the diverse people within our school and community. Through outreach to diverse local communities, we hope to strengthen our school and increase inclusive practices. Working with school leaders and community partners, the CEC will expand awareness of WIHS, grow partnerships with Indigenous, global majority, and peoples representing all of Whatcom County

As we engage in this work, it is essential to recognize that Tribal Nations are domestic dependent Nations in treaty with the United States of America, a relationship that supersedes local and state laws. While cultural and ethnic considerations are important, our work must be grounded in understanding the unique sociopolitical contexts of the Sovereign Nations we work with and the usual and accustomed territories we reside within.

These documents are fundamental laws and legal frameworks that constitute Treaty Rights to land, natural resources, and cultural sovereignty, and are important to understand:

• Lummi Nation Code of Laws https://www.lummi-nsn.gov/website.php?PageID=831/ 
• Treaty of Point Elliott 1855 https://goia.wa.gov/tribal-government/treaty-point-elliott-1855 
• United States v. Washington (Boldt Decision) https://lib.law.uw.edu/indian-tribal/boldt 

The core of our discussion will center on reviewing and revising the WIHS Land Acknowledgement. We will examine this through multiple lenses, including Lummi Nation resolutions, historical context, and ways to move "beyond land acknowledgement" toward meaningful engagement and relationship-building. We are seeking thoughtful input on ways to make our acknowledgement more meaningful, actionable, and strengthen our relationships and cultural connections with the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe and other Tribal communities in Whatcom County.

Pre-reading materials have been provided, including the Treaty of Point Elliott, the Lummi Nation Code of Laws, and other essential resources that will inform our discussion, however please do not feel obligated to have reviewed all of these materials in advance; also, additional recommendations for "Self Work," are encouraged. These materials will help ground our conversation in historical and sociopolitical contexts and current realities.

Key Terms

1. Sovereignty
2. In Common
3. Usual and Accustomed
4. From Time Immemorial
5. Being a “guest” in these lands

Critical Context

1. Lisa Cook Capstone Presentation - Time Immemorial
2. “Indians of the Pacific Northwest: From the Coming of the White Man to the Present Day” - Vine Deloria, Jr  
3. “Land Acknowledgement” - Lhaq’temish Foundation  
4. LIBC RESOLUTION #2021-060 

This review will be grounded in essential concepts including Tribal Sovereignty, rights held "in common," usual and accustomed territories, and the understanding of the Lhaq'temish People's presence on these lands since Time Immemorial. We recognize our position as guests on these lands and seek to align our acknowledgment with Lummi Nation's own articulation of their relationship to place, as formally expressed in LIBC Resolution #2021-060.

Our discussion will be informed by Indigenous scholarship and leadership, including Lisa Wilson's work at Northwest Indian College, Vine Deloria Jr.'s foundational writings on Indians of the Pacific Northwest, and the Lhaq'temish Foundation's guidance on Land Acknowledgement. 

Critical to this process is examining not just the language we use, but its purpose and impact, asking "Who is this for?" We will explore how our acknowledgment can move beyond words to meaningful action, following the Native Governance Center's guidance on going "beyond land acknowledgment." Together, we will consider fundamental questions about permissions, responsibilities, and the concrete steps our acknowledgment should inspire.

Several ideas have been proposed for the Cultural Engagement Committee to work on. This space will be to gather ideas, share upcoming events and opportunities, and to assign leaders for specific ideas and/or projects.

Events that have been proposed include:

• Partnerships with Whatcom Arts Community
• Murals within the school, outside of the school
• Expand Professional Connections
  • Lummi and Nooksack Tribe
  • Children of the Setting Sun Productions
  • Salmon Enhancement Partners
  • Downtown Bellingham Partnership
• First Friday Art Walks 
• Recruit Additional Committee Members
• Native American Heritage Month
• Connect with NWIC, WCC, and WWU Events
• Martin Luther King Day
• Identify Grants/Donations to support Cultural Engagement and WIHS

The Cultural Engagement Committee will review WIHS's potential membership in the Community Consortium for Cultural Recognitions (CCCR). After examining CCCR's mission and impact through their website (www.wwu.edu/community-consortium-cultural-recognitions), we will discuss and determine appropriate financial and programmatic commitments.

The baseline financial commitment is $1,000 annually, though most current consortium partners "contribute $6,000 to ensure equitable compensation for cultural knowledge holders, speakers, and event support, as confirmed by Chris Roselli, "this higher contribution allows allocation of approximately $2,000 per sponsored event." 

Committee members will identify any additional commitments to include in our proposal beyond financial obligations. Following consensus on commitments, a formal proposal will be drafted for submission to the Budget and Finance Committee for consideration in the annual budget planning process. Upon securing budget approval and establishing the designated line item, we will submit the comprehensive proposal to the WIHS Board for final review, seeking approval for both the budget amendment and formal inclusion in the CCCR.

1. Review CCCR https://www.wwu.edu/community-consortium-cultural-recognitions 
2. Affirm WIHS Board is open to proposal for WIHS joining consortium
3. Agree on Commitments
   1. $1000 Minimum; per Chris Roselli, “organizations contribute at least $1,000. It is important that we properly compensate speakers, caterers, and others appropriately, especially since so many have done this work with little to no compensation for many years. Currently, most partners are contributing $6,000 which allows for $2,000 to be spent at each event per sponsor.”
   2. Additional commitments to include in proposal?

1. Draft Proposal (PF) based on CEC committee feedback and recommendations
2. Submit to Budget and Finance Committee for inclusion into annual budget; upon budget approval and line item
3. Submit proposal to WIHS for budget amendment and formal  institutional inclusion into the CCCR

Reviewing Committee Development and housekeeping, gathering feedback from committee members, and finalizing tasks

1. Create Committee in BoardOnTrack; upload documents and information
2. Ensure Permissions
3. Set Regular Meeting Times/Locations (Hybrid recommended)
4. Set In-Person Peacemaking Circle Date(s)

Thank You to all who have participated in tonight's meeting!

Notes and follow-up will be shared via email as well as meeting invites for future scheduled meetings. Meeting minutes and documents uploaded to BoardOnTrack and made publicly available as needed.