A list of attendees is attached. A quorum for this meeting was not satisfied.
Chairman Hull called meeting to order at 9:10 AM.
Williams moved to approve March minutes, Wehrbein seconded. Minutes were approved.
Hull asked Matt Jones if Charles Bethea had asked him about potential flautists for the concerto. Matt reported that they had talked the leading Native American flautists in the world and Matt gave Charles 6 names.
Hull introduced Sylvester Alley and Bat Shunatona from the Otoe-Missouria tribe.
Wehrbein reported on Signature event ideas and the booth she and Rhian staffed at the Nebraska Press Association April 11th. Stated that there was a good turnout and gave our press packet to smaller newspapers throughout the state. Our booth was voted the favorite by the attendees. We also made a good contact with the AP Bureau Chief Mike Holmes. The newspaper in your folders has the photo from Monticello that was included with an article Wehrbein wrote. She went on to report that Signature Event co-chairs (Slader and Wehrbein) met to discuss ideas for the daytime events. They want to include things to appeal to families, such as Native American areas, a Lewis and Clark encampment, food area, speakers throughout the day. They are hoping to have something different each day. Wehrbein stated the commission has hired Vic Gutman to do preliminary work on the Omaha event. The goal is that no one will be able to leave and say they weren’t close to any of the components. She also offered praise to Washington County for all the work they’ve done.
Hull clarified the difference between the day and night activities. Night will presented at the Shakespeare on the green location in Elmwood Park, Omaha, Nebraska. These negotiations are currently being carried out by Vic Gutman. That location has a stage and lighting. The Nebraska Repertory Theatre has hired a playwright for the First Tribal Council dramatization. They will be using professional actors and Native Americans. A Jeffersonian actor giving the history and background of the expedition will preface the dramatization. The event will be free, will include a portion of the Glass concerto and we would like to have the Otoe-Missouria dancers.
Executive director’s report – Swenson asked the commissioners to review the information provided in his handouts. These included a summary report of the Great Falls meeting and the Circle of State Advisors meeting, NPS cost share awards summary, copy of the Monticello event budget, letter from the trail heritage foundation, information about Montana’s step on guide training program, and a schedule for the Confluence of Cultures symposium. He asked Hal Stearns to give an update on the symposium to be held in Montana. Stearns reported on the confluence of cultures in Missoula that will be held the end of May. It will be the largest symposium held they know of. Montana invited every Native American studies program in the country. With the number of people that are coming there will be 6 presentations every hour for 3 days. Topics that will covered include living history, tribal relationships, impact of fur trade, how did the Nez Perce respond, why was York considered “Big Medicine”, three-fourths of the demonstrations will be on Native Americans. There will be a traditional meal for around 1000 people. Elders from all the Montana tribes have been invited. Stearns stated that he would like to see commission representation there. There will be many different presenters that are more grassroots. Good place to see who is available. Swenson reported that there are posters coming for the event but they haven’t arrived yet.
Williams asked about our missing MOU with the National Council. Swenson reported that Rhian sent a copy of it to National Council. Swenson went on to report that the National Lewis and Clark bicentennial Council has received a grant and the help of the national ad council. National is doing a new website and would like to have a picture from each of the signature events. The photo of the maquette was recommended with the mouth of the Platte, a prairie dog and the Otoe-Missouria as back-ups in case we can rotate our photo. Swenson showed everyone the Kansas Native American handbook and gave Rhian a copy of the grant related to it for the symposiums in the Midwest trail states, for future reference in planning of a possible event in Nebraska/Iowa. Williams reported that Gerard Baker really likes that handbook. Swenson stated that if anyone wants a copy to let him know. There will be a new brochure – Discover the Legacy of Lewis and Clark – produced by all the Federal Agencies involved and will be a compliment to the NPS brochure. Swenson reported that tour guide credential programs would be helpful. Stearns reported that few people in Montana had credentials to be a step on guide. He recommended getting someone local at each stop on the trail to meet that void. Super Host is a program that was started in Montana. It consisted of 3-hour trainings on how to meet the public with an added component on Lewis and Clark. Now they have come up with a 5-day program. When they pass they get listed on the state website as certified. Each day you attend you earn a diploma, the diplomas add up to get you licensed. Stearns reported he had talked to Nancy Hoch about this and she is looking into it for Nebraska City. He also mentioned that they have delivered classes by satellite to Illinois so partnerships are possible. Swenson encouraged local groups to do this. Tabled for inclusion as old business for next meeting. Swenson then went over the letter he received from the Heritage Trails Foundation that he handed out to everyone. He reported that the May Commission meeting will be at Niobrara State Park the 21st – 23rd, agendas will be sent out. Swenson stated he has a copy of the Iowa Commission’s minutes if anyone would like to see them. Hull stated that Judi wanted to bring dancers to the retreat. To support that we need to get a vote for honorariums. Email or phone votes were discussed.
Swenson reported on the meeting held with Gerard Baker April 9th. Ways to share speakers and presenters between the Corps II tent and our tent were discussed. Corps II is dividing their presenters in three phases; local, native, and federal. Swenson then gave the projected schedule for Corps II and explained that they are making the best attempt possible to get to as many places as they can but with a 4-day tear down, travel and set up time between stops it does limit them. Tentative schedule is Nebraska City July 16-19, Omaha/Blair July 23-Aug 5, Macy Aug 9-12, Sioux City Aug 17-22. Swenson stated that Vic Gutman has been contracted to work through June on getting the Omaha activities set up. Vic reported that he has the preliminary okay from Parks and Rec and UNO. They will be having a meeting with Larry Foster, John Slader, Jeanene and Vic.
Coordinator’s report - Rhian reported that the National meeting in Montana was very instructional. Some of the ideas that came from that meeting include sending a one-year advance notice post card to your mailing and all media, putting banners in the airports, at the end of your signature event invite everyone to the next event. Offer the next event a free booth at yours; ours would be free in Kansas City. Monticello reported that they used radios to communicate with each other and in hindsight cell phones would have better. Research has shown that the average Lewis and Clark traveler have interest in local history and amenities such as bed and breakfasts, golf courses and wineries. Rhian is compiling a list, by county, of said attractions along the river. National Council wants to see the Honor Guard at all signature events and there has been talk about passing flags from event to event. The flags should include all local tribes and states (NE, IA, SD). The next signature event is the Falls of the Ohio in Kentucky. They have decided that they will have booths available but the registration forms aren’t finished yet. Rhian asked the commission if we want to have the booth there. Tabled until next meeting. Rhian stated that the TIA International Powwow would be held in St. Louis in May. They are having a special press day for Lewis and Clark. The cost is $250 and Nebraska will have 3-5 minutes to speak to 100 journalists. Paula Bohaty will be there and will read from a script we give her. We also have to send 100 copies to go in the journalist’s packets. Rhian reported that National Council is doing a new website and need information from us. She asked if we send them a picture what the commission would recommend. Swenson stated the maquette seemed a natural choice. Swenson and Rhian explained that at this time National doesn’t know if we only get one photo or if they can rotate photos. If they can rotate it was recommended to send the maquette, the mouth of the Platte, a prairie dog, and a photo of the Otoe-Missourias. Rhian reported on the budget and referred to the handout in the packets. She explained that due to the new accounting system the report is not accurate and she is tracking our dollars. Rhian shared that the executive committee had requested a bid on getting brochures printed. She had a quote from SnitlyCarr, for 25,000 brochures it would cost $7302.80. Tabled until next meeting. Rhian reported that the commission’s booth would be at the dedication of Lewis and Clark Landing on May 3rd. Kira Gale listed the events of the dedication and the Mouth of the Platte dinner the night before.
Gutman stated that he found a grant we can apply for to help with marketing costs for the Omaha portion of the event. The grant has a May 1 deadline so he will work with Rhian to get the information he needs.
Commissioner Round Table
Slader reported that he gave a program at Gretna, Rhian and Debbie Skinner brought the German travel writers to the Fort on the 19th of April, and that there will be living history activities at the Fort on May 2nd and 3rd.
Williams reported that the National Council 6 months ago was worried about being viable. They moved their headquarters to the Missouri State Historical Society in St. Louis. They received a $2 million from the Hewlett Foundation. Some of the money will be going to COTA for Indian involvement. Amy Mossett will be going to work with the National Council as well. Some of the funds will be used to transport tribal delegates to the events. Sammye Meadows and Bobbie Conner will be working with the council on the National Ad campaign. The campaign has $150 million of donated ad time. In 6 months there will be a flood of Lewis and Clark advertising in radio, TV, and print. The US mint is also doing commemorative coins.
Mitchell stated that he was invited to the meeting with the Otoe-Missouria, Ponca and Omaha tribal chairs. He reported that his tribe has people interested in selling arts and crafts during the commemoration.
Wehrbein reported that she and Rhian were invited to a meeting with the AP from Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota in September.
Hull stated that we would be having more meetings outside of the monthly commission meeting. Hull reported that he, Wehrbein, and Rhian met Wednesday and discussed their fundraising plan. Hull stated that we need to raise at least $200,000 more.
Stearns stated he felt we should definitely have representation at the Falls of the Ohio. Hull stated that each commissioner has $600 to travel to a signature event. Slader and Swenson reported that they would be attending. Stearns also stated that we should have someone at the Montana symposium in addition to himself. Stearns stated we should invite locals to the meeting in Niobrara. Rhian said she has received his email with a list of recommended people to invite and will do so.
Alley was given the floor. He referred to Mitchell bringing up the meeting between the Otoe-Missouria, Ponca, and Omaha. Alley reported that he sat down with Chairman grant when he returned to Oklahoma. He stated the meeting was about the tribes in Nebraska offering their support to the Otoe-Missourias. Alley reported that Grant told him all anyone is going to get is what they pay for. They don’t stand to benefit financially because they are not located on the trail anymore. The whole reason they agreed to be involved was solely for economic development. Alley stated that they have an MOU with the commission and not with anyone else. He urged people to be cautious whom you use as demonstrators or speakers. As a tribe, they are very careful about things like this. Alley reported he is working with Missouri right now. He stated that he is the person to go to.
Wehrbein asked if we could have a list of the event in Missouri he is working on. Alley said yes but he doesn’t have it with him. Wehrbein inquired what they were working on. Alley replied they are looking into symposiums, speakers, and cultural groups at Fort Osage, Columbia and St. Louis. Wehrbein asked if he could get the site listing to Rhian. Alley stated he would see if it was public information and would release it if it were. Alley ended by saying that we can’t rewrite history but we can try to educate.
Advisor Round Table
Kira Gale invited everyone to the dedication of Lewis and Clark Landing on Saturday.
Mitchell asked Alley that since the evening event will now be in Omaha would they do a smaller ceremony at the fort as well? Alley replied that no one had brought that up, nothing is concrete yet. He stated that they generally do the ceremony before anyone arrives. Mitchell said it would be nice to have a cedar ceremony. Alley stated it would be nice to be asked. Mitchell asked if they would mind if the ceremony had TV coverage. Alley replied they had just had a meeting about that topic and decided if the taping was for archival purposes it was okay. Williams inquired if we could pursue talks with the tribe about this. Alley stated that we could. Alley went on to say that Nebraska has something unique that no one else can claim. The expedition was the first to meet a group of Native Americans west of the Mississippi.
Morley reported on the monument. He said it takes approximately 40 pieces to make the whole monument. They are 80% finished. The casting will start in May. July 15th is the expected delivery date. He handed out flyers for the dedication in August.
Alan Doll reported that there would be improvements made to the river road along the fort and they have hopes that it will be finished by 2004.
Debbie Skinner introduced herself as the point of contact for the Omaha area.
Bob Vrana reported that the National Guard wants to be involved. They are the uniformed presence in Nebraska and they have a color guard.
Stearns asked who from the commission would be at the dedication in August.
Dan Hunt stated that Hull and Stearns are both booked that weekend. He invited the other commissioners to participate. He offered a 2-minute spot to a commissioner if anyone was interested.
Hull adjourned the meeting at 11:35AM.
Attendees
Commissioners
Ron Hull
Jeanene Wehrbein
Dr. Rudi Mitchell
John Slader
Hal Stearns
Dick Williams
Advisors
Matt Jones, UNL
Sylvester Alley, Otoe-Missouria
Bat Shunatona, Otoe-Missouria
Dan Hunt, Washington County
Staff
Paula Rhian
Jim Swenson
Others
Jacqueline Quigley, OPPD
Marilyn Hawes, Washington County Historical Society
Tony Costanzo, OPPD
Peg Townley, MOP
Enid Hadg
Kira Gale, MOP
Lee Myers, MOP
David Genoways
Diane Jensen, Washington County Historical Society
Jim Morley, Washing County
Vic Gutman
Debbie Skinner, Greater Omaha CVB
Keith Rydberg, Washington County Enterprise and Pilot-Tribune
Alan Doll, Washington County Highway Superintendent
Wes Petznick, Washington County Board of Supervisors
Ernie Abariztes, Washington Count Board of Supervisors
Lt. Col. Bob Vrana, Nebraska National Guard