Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2006
Mahoney State Park: Peter Kiewit Lodge, Cedar Room
Commissioners in attendance: Hull, Curran, Mitchell, Moulton, Slader, Schmidt, Stokes, Wehrbein, and Williams.
Staff in attendance: Emanuel, Swenson and Bastemeyer.
Special Guests/Advisors in attendance: Bat Shunantona, Ernie Ricehill, Matt Jones, Jeff Troupe, and Bob Pawloski.
Commissioners not in attendance: Johnson, gaiashkibos, Ruth, and Smith.
A quorum was satisfied.
Chairman Ron Hull called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.
Hull asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the September & November 2005 meetings. Wehrbein moved and Slader seconded. Unanimous voice approval.
Chairman Report:
Hull discussed evolution of the symphony concert in Omaha. In early December 2005 Hull called the National Parks Service in Omaha to confirm the date for the symphony concert. Hull had previously called the NPS in spring of 2005 and reserved the first two weeks in September 2006 for symphony concert on Lewis & Clark Landing. When Hull called to confirm the date of Saturday, September 9, 2006 for the night of the concert, Hull was told that Mr. Jeff Davis had already reserved that date for a Blues band concert. Through the wonderful efforts of Vic Gutman, Brook Bench of the National Parks Service and Jeff Davis, a compromise was worked out. The commission can hold the symphony concert on the night of September 9 and Jeff Davis will have his concert on the night of September 8, 2006.
Executive Director Report:
Swenson reported on the Peter Kiewit Grant, which was submitted on January 13, 2005. This grant application was prepared by VGA and reviewed by Commission members and staff. The grant proposal was for $115,000 to fund primarily the Lewis & Clark Symphony Concert, but also fireworks and educational programs on September 8 - 9, 2006.
Bastemeyer discussed the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Grant. The proposal is requesting $105,000 for educational programming in Ponca, Omaha, and Nebraska City. $30,000 would be given to Ponca & Nebraska City ($15,000 each), the rest would be used for programming and transportation costs to send school children to and from Omaha on September 8, and to cover the costs of having the Omaha facilities opened free to the public on September 8-9.
Hull also stated that a grant to the Nebraska Lottery was submitted in December before Christmas. Because of personnel changes at Nebraska Lottery, review of our grant has been placed on hold until the personnel issues have been resolved.
Budget Update:
Bastemeyer gave a conservative estimate of $121,829.73 could potentially be available for September event costs, if no new programming, events or commitments are approved by the Commission.
Native American Art Show Update:
Emanuel updated the commission on the progress of the Native American Art show. She met with Vic and Ernie Ricehill on Tuesday, January 10 in Omaha at the Nebraska Arts Council (Burlington Building, 10th and Farnham). The Nebraska Arts Council will allow the commission to use the gallery space free from Sept 5-16, 2006. It is a beautiful space close to the river, but not big.
There will be a small opening on September 8 and a grand opening on September 9.
Vic suggested that we contact the City of Omaha to inquire whether we can have Native American vendors outside the building.
Emanuel has contacted Judi gaiashkibos and she was very excited and offered to help when she can.
Roundtable Discussion:
Wehrbein suggested that a representative from the commission meet with the coordinators of the Apple Jack Festival in Nebraska City to make them aware of our plans. Swenson stated that he would meet with them.
Williams reminded the commission not to forget about Iowa when marketing the September events. Swenson indicated he would contact the Iowa Commission Chairman.
Hull asked the commission for help on finding scholars, performers, suggestions on types of programming for the September activities.
Dr. Mitchell stated that he is on the Macy Umonhon Nation Public School board. He will make sure to notify the school of the Field Trip Day on September 8.
Dr. Moulton asked for a timeline of the events in the three locations as well as Corps II schedule. Swenson stated that at Ponca the events will involve the Ponca community and likely include a 3-4 day symposium prior to Labor Day weekend. The Nebraska City plans are still unclear.
Swenson stated an inventory of assets needs to be created (i.e. written material, digital material, photos, etc.) for information and archiving purposes. The COSA group, which he is a member of, has drafted an outline for possible public events, which would serve to gather partners and compile a list of trail assets and infrastructure within the state. This program is being implemented in Missouri now. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has already compiled a small inventory list that can serve as a starting point. He asked the Commission to consider a possible event of this nature in the future so that Nebraska can identify all items and partners. Swenson also asked the Commission to consider keeping a small fund available within the Friends group that could be used to offset expenses of future Lewis and Calrk trail meetings or projects after the Commission sunsets in 2007. This would greatly assist those state agencies that may be charged with such legacy projects.
Jeff Troupe suggested that the commission ask the Joslyn Art Museum display their Bodmer collection. Troupe also presented Wehrbein a framed photo and thanked the commission for their sponsorship of the keelboat last April 2005.
Schmidt moved that the commission endorse the grants submitted by Friends of Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. Stokes seconded. Unanimous voice approval by the commission.
Stokes asked what Iowa’s plans were for the return of Corps II? Pawloski stated that Corps II will be in Council Bluffs the last week in August. Dr. Mitchell stated that there would be a ceremony at Macy when Corps II travels back down the Missouri. Corps II took an Omaha Tribal Flag with them to the Pacific and will return it to the tribe in August.
Ernie Ricehill answered the commission’s questions about the Native American Art Show. The commission asked if the exhibit should be opened to all Nebraska Native Americans, not just the four recognized Nebraska Tribes and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. Ricehill responded by stating that the Nebraska Art Council venue is not a large space. The facility will only be able to display about 30 pieces of art (paintings, sculptures, etc.). Furthermore, Ricehill has set a deadline of June 30 to have all the art submissions juried. Expanding on the number of participants will be more difficult to jury on that timeline. To hold a quality art show, Ricehill felt that it would be best to keep the participation limits on just the five stated tribes unless the commission wanted to find a different facility. However, in Ricehill’s opinion, the Nebraska Arts Council facility would be ideal for this type of exhibit.
Shunatona stated that Mr. Harwell sends his regrets for not being able to attend the meeting. He is planning to attend the meeting in February.
Curran stated that the Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism will give the commission $15,000 for marketing expenses.
The meeting adjourned at 10:54 a.m.