FARGO — City Hall was full of singing and celebration to honor a period of change on Fargo’s Native American Commission.
The entire commission rose and walked down off the dais to stand in the center of the room and recognize their outgoing chairperson, Whitney Johnson, during its meeting Thursday, Jan. 2.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to have served alongside Whitney on the Native American Commission,” said Ashely Littlewolf, the new chairperson.
Johnson “embodies” the mission of the Native American Commission and has enriched the community with her work, Littlewolf said.
Last month was Johnson’s final meeting on the commission after serving for six years, including terms as the vice chair and chair.
Littlewolf helped drape a star quilt over Johnson’s shoulders as a drum group performed an honor song for her, a prayer called "Spirit Bear."
Arland Littlewolf gave a speech and did a blessing to mark the occasion in Ojibwe, which he also translated into English.
Afterward, Whitney Johnson thanked those gathered as well as city staff for their work over the years.
Johnson was working in homeless health when she was urged to join the Native American Commission by her patients, many of them elders.
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“I really was very thankful for this opportunity,” Johnson said.
This service was a way to continue her family’s legacy of leadership, she said.
Her great-grandfather was the first Indigenous person elected to the commission of the county where she grew up.
At that time in South Dakota, Indigenous people weren’t allowed in bars so Johnson’s great-grandfather attended all the city commission meetings from a bar stool right outside of the door.
His work was vital, she said. The county had been “chopped up” by the Dawes Act — federal legislation from 1887 that broke up tribal lands in an attempt to harm Indigenous communities — so there were very few Indigenous people who owned land.
“There was no representation for them at that time,” Johnson said
Her great-grandmother was also the second female tribal council member from their district.
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Johnson, herself, was a tireless leader, Littlewolf said, who helped launch the Indigenous Association in Fargo, coordinated the city’s Navy Week and worked to build relationships throughout the community.
“We are so grateful for Whitney’s thoughtful leadership over the years,” Littlewolf said. “We are all better for it.”
“Over the years, Whitney has also played a vital role in leading us through several very challenging community conversations and decisions,” Littlewolf said. “Always approaching them with thoughtfulness and care.”
Johnson brought a “trusted and grounded approach” to the commission that “fostered collaboration.”
“We know that she is going to remain steadfast in her equity and advocacy work in other ways in the community,” Littlewolf said.
The room stood once again as the drum group performed a song to honor the board’s newest member, Daniel Frye.