Commissioners in attendance:  Hull, Wehrbein, Slader, Williams, Stokes, Ruth, Curran, Mitchell, Johnson, Moulton and Smith

Commissioners, Sommer and gaiashkibos were absent. 

A quorum was satisfied.

Chairman Hull called the meeting to order at 9:10AM and welcomed the delegation from Oklahoma.  He then introduced Commissioner Smith to everyone and thanked him for all the hard work he has put in on fundraising.  Wehrbein moved and Williams seconded that the minutes from February and March be approved.  Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman’s report – Hull reminded the Commissioners that certain members could appoint a designee to attend meetings in their place.  Hull strongly encouraged Commissioners to attend all remaining meetings.  Ruth read the legislation establishing the Commission which stated that designees could be appointed for the positions held by Curran, gaiashkibos, Moulton, Slader and Sommer.  Hull went on to report that the drama advisors for First Tribal Council are Gary Moulton, Annette Arkeketa and Matt Jones.  Hull hoped to have a second draft available to FedEx to Arkeketa by Wednesday.  Hull reported that members of the Otoe-Missouria tribe have been invited to audition for the drama. 

Otoe-Missouria involvement committee report – Arkeketa stated that they were very happy to be in their homelands.  She reported that their tribal council selected their committee.  They submitted a proposal to the executive committee that they felt would be a good representation of their people.  She wanted the Commission to understand that the Otoe-Missouria want to be involved in the commemoration because this was their homeland.  Arketeta reported that the tribe intends on bring people to participate in panel discussions on the following topics: Education/History, Military Involvement, Princess and Youth, Otoe Dress and Leadership.  She reported they also would have an educational booth that the elder can take turns sitting in talking to the public.  Arkeketa stated that they were glad the Commission had taken the special needs of the elders into consideration and were working to accommodate them.  Dawn Briner addressed the budget for their proposal as well as representing the family of the historical documents that were donated to the Oklahoma Historical Society.  She stated that they want to make sure the family gets the recognition they deserve for the importance of their gift.  65 names were submitted in the proposal to share this moment in time.  The people selected are an incredible representation of their tribe.  The estimated cost of $56,985 covers meals, lodging, honorariums and mileage/airfare/bus.  Ruth asked Arkeketa what she thought of the sites. She stated that they really feel like this event will be a historical event for their people because some of their people have never been able to come here.  It will be a historical event for their tribe to bring a delegation like this back.  Hull thanked the committee for all their hard work putting this together.

Executive Director’s Report – Swenson stated that the Commission has worked with numerous individual over the years from Oklahoma and yesterday was a great day.  He commended Chairman Grant for appointing such a great committee.  We can now finalize the event schedule.  Swenson invited everyone to tour the grounds of the fort and presented a bill for grass seed for the site.  Ruth moved to approve the bill and Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote was taken:

Ayes: Hull, Wehrbein, Slader, Williams, Stokes, Ruth, Curran, Johnson, Moulton and Smith

Abstain: Mitchell

Absent, not voting: gaiashkibos, Sommer

Motion passed.

Swenson reported that work has been done on the bottom ground and Risk Management has been to the site.  They want us to rope off the perimeters, fill some holes and trim stumps.  He reported that the boy scouts might be assisting us in this.  Briner recommended stacking deadwood up for the campers this summer so they wouldn’t go off looking for their own.  Swenson reported that the Department of Roads has volunteered to overlay the roads in the Fort.  They are targeting June and Game and Parks is trying to get it moved to May if possible.  Swenson attended the Iowa Commission meeting and reported that they will be assisting us in staffing our booth at the event.  He handed out Passport Program fliers and stated that we should really support this, as it is a great program.  Swenson reported that he has toured the center in Nebraska City and that it will be a wonderful center.  He also announced that there would be a period ball at Arbor Lodge July 30th.  Swenson stated that there would be a COSA conference call next week.  He acknowledged Mouth of the Platte for the signs they have provided.  Swenson reported that he has been working with the Rediscovery Corps on their plans for camps in Nebraska.  He handed out fliers for lodging packages at Ponca and Niobrara State Parks centered on Lewis and Clark.  Swenson stated that we are still challenged to finish fund raising and should focus on raising a little extra for a contingency.  Hull asked Slader about the letter that went to the blasting company and Slader reported that there would be no explosions during the event.  Slader went on to report that Washington County roads has agreed to do the work on the entry points into the site and the quarry is donating the overburden shale.

10:10AM Break with Lewis and Clark ice cream provided by Moulton.

10:25AM meeting called back to order.

Coordinator’s Report- Rhian reported that the Commission has received a grant for $25,000 from Qwest, and a grant for $10,000 from the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council.  She referred the Commissioners to their packets for this month’s budget report.  Rhian stated that at the March meeting there was a proposal to hire a work-study student to assist in the office.  This proposal is in the Commission packets this month.  Williams moved to approve the proposal, Johnson seconded.  Ruth stated that we must be cautious with our funds.  Curran stated that Tourism would pay for the position.  Motion cancelled.  Rhian reported that bids came in for the Commemorative Programs from Snitily Carr and Oxide Design.  The bids for 16 pages were $15,280 and $7,529 respectively.  Williams moved to approve the low bid, Wehrbein seconded.  It was agreed to include a page of information on the Otoe-Missouria tribe, which may cause a slight change in the cost.  Wehrbein called the question.  Point of order, Moulton.  Hull asked if all discussion had ceased.  Unanimous vote of yes.  Roll call vote:

Ayes: Hull, Wehrbein, Slader, Williams, Stokes, Ruth, Curran, Mitchell, Johnson, Moulton and Smith

Absent, not voting:  gaiashkibos, Sommer

Motion passed.

Commissioner Round Table

Johnson reported that Matt Jones spoke at Wayne two weeks ago; Mary Green Vickery performed this week.  She showed everyone the Wayne Chicken T-shirt: Lewis and Cluck, Eggsploring Wayne America.

Curran reported that tourism is finalizing promotional material for the summer.

Smith reported that there is still work to do on the fund-raising.

Ruth thanked Smith for his assistance to raise funds and Williams for the National Park Service funding.  Ruth stated that our logo has been registered as a trademark and the executive committee has been approving its use by non-profit organizations for marketing.  Ruth has been working with Shunatona on using the logo on products for resale.  The executive committee has been working on a standard percentage for usage with a reduced rate for the Otoe-Missouria.

Wehrbein handed out informational sheets on the Kansas City event.  She reported that the St. Charles group would be in Plattsmouth July 25-26 with the keelboat and 2 pirogues. She is working on getting good media coverage for the Shallow River Festival July 16-17th.  Wehrbein will be giving 7 talks in the next few weeks and is working on a guest list with the Governor’s office for the Burlington Northern dinner.

Williams reported that Corps II is back on the road and has a 1/3-size keelboat as part of the exhibit.  He stated that 122 projects were funded this year in the 2004 Challenge Cost Share program but that the $5million request in next year’s federal budget could be a target for reduction.

Moulton reported the June 3-5 in Nebraska City would be the Great Plains Symposium.  He urged people to sign up now, as there are only 220 spots available.

Stokes commented on the energy in the room today and how good it was to be a part of it.  He reported that he has been checking with the Salem Baptist Church gospel choir for the Elmwood Park event.

Mitchell welcome his Otoe relatives and reported that he was in Washington DC last week.  He stated that Congressmen Bereuter and Nelson are looking very forward to our event.  Mitchell professed interest in attending the St. Charles signature event.  As he hasn’t used his $600 stipend to attend a national event he will work with Rhian on getting airline tickets.

Slader reported that Iowa Public Television would be filming at the Fort in May.  He reminded everyone that the stamp issue will be May 14th at Lewis and Clark Landing, Decatur has an event August 10th and the living history weekends start May 1st at the Fort.

Emanuel reported that she attended the Passport familiarization tour and saw all 10 sites that will be hosting educational activities for children and adults this summer.

Special Advisor Roundtable

Maddux thanked the Otoe-Missouria for coming to Nebraska and she will be finalizing the schedule.  She reported that the Sheriff and Road’s departments are working together so that everyone knows what’s going on.  The awareness of Lewis and Clark is growing every day.  She showed an example of the entry signs for the 26 acres.

Pawloski handed out a website visitation report.  He reported that he spoke to students at Dana College last week.  Swenson asked about the fund-raising button for the site.  Ruth interjected that he still needs to get the correct language for that button to Pawloski.  Pawloski stated that the volunteer sign forms have been updated.  Williams pointed out that tracing volunteer hours will be vital and can be used as match and great for publicity.

Hastert reported that the May program for Mouth of the Platte will be on the new signs going up.  He stated that he has one of the new nickels for those who have not seen one.

Jones welcomed his relatives to their homeland.

Jensen reported that people in Fort Calhoun are really getting enthused.  She stated that tonight would be their third humanities speaker, last week they had Matt Jones and tonight Dr. Howard Marshall would be speaking on fiddling.

Alley reported that Curran had contacted him so that Idaho PBS could use the footage tourism had paid for that was shot at Ponca.  He is hopeful they will include it in the final cuts.

Hull thanked everyone for coming and asked Gawhega to send us out on our mission with a prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 11:40AM

List of Attendees

Commissioners

Ron Hull

Jeanene Wehrbein

Dan Curran

Judy Johnson

Dr. Rudi Mitchell

Gary Moulton

Larry Ruth

John Slader

Roy Smith

Leroy Stokes

Dick Williams

Staff

Mary Ethel Emanuel

Jim Swenson

Paula Rhian

Randy Yates

Matt Jones

Bob Hastert

Linda Welsher

Diane Jensen

W N Bender

Art Nicolai

Steve Whitemore

Aaron Gawhega

Louise Gawhega

Annette Arketeta

Dawn Briner

Pat Ruth

Stacy Maddux

Bat Shunatona

Sylvester Alley

David Hendee