Office of the Law Director • 85 S. Main St. • Oberlin, OH 44074 • (P) 440.935.7570 • (F) 440.776.2210

www.cityofoberlin.com

Jon D. Clark, Law Director jclark@cityofoberlin.com

Frank S. Carlson, Assistant Law Director/Prosecutor

MEMO

DATE: August 18, 2017

TO: Ronnie J. Rimbert, Council President

Members of Council

CC: Rob Hillard, City Manager

Belinda Anderson, Clerk of Council

FROM: Jon D. Clark, Law Director

SUBJECT: Resolution Regarding Indigenous Peoples Day

Contained in your packet is the current version of the Resolution incorporating the amendments

approved to date. The redlined language suggests some additional revisions that you may wish to

consider prior to final passage. These revisions are not substantive but in my view improve the flow

and context of the Resolution. The revisions include a few miscellaneous punctuation corrections, a

consolidation of the existing second and third “Whereas” clauses and a new, third “Whereas” clause

that is based upon language provided by the original proponents of the Resolution.

The motion to amend, if there is to be one, would include a reading of the revised second Whereas

clause and the new third Whereas clause as follows:

WHEREAS, the City of Oberlin recognizes that the land claimed by John Shipherd and Philo

Stewart for the Oberlin Colony in 1833, was once part of land occupied by the Erielhona or Erie

Tribe, known as the Cat Nation and who were later overcome and absorbed by the Iroquois Nation;

and,

WHEREAS, the idea of observing what has been called a day of discovery as a day of solidarity with

indigenous people was first recommended in 1977 by the International NGO Conference on

Discrimination against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, sponsored by the United Nations,

which included participants and delegates from indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas;

An apostrophe has been inserted after “people” in the heading and in Section 1 and an “s” has been

added after “people” in the fifth Whereas clause.

CITY OF OBERLIN, OHIO

RESOLUTION No. R17-10 CMS

A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER TO BE

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY IN THE CITY OF OBERLIN

WHEREAS, the City of Oberlin recognizes that the lands that would become known as the

Americas have been occupied by indigenous peoples since time immemorial; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Oberlin recognizes that the land claimed by John Shipherd and Philo

Stewart for the Oberlin Colony in 1833,where it now stands was once part of land occupied by the

Erielhona or Erie Tribe, known as the Cat Nation and who were later overcome and absorbed by the

Iroquois Nation; and,

WHEREAS, The land claimed by When John Shipherd and Philo Stewart claimed the land for

the Oberlin Colony in 1833, it was part of the land once occupied by the Iroquois Nation; and,, the idea

of observing what has been called a day of discovery as a day of solidarity with indigenous people was

first recommended in 1977 by the International NGO Conference on Discrimination against Indigenous

Populations in the Americas, sponsored by the United Nations, which included participants and delegates

from indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Oberlin values the many contributions made to the community through

the labor, technology, science, philosophy, art and the deep cultural contributions of indigenous peoples

all of which have helped to shape the character of Oberlin; and,

WHEREAS, Council for the City of Oberlin wishes to memorialize its appreciation for the many

contributions that indigenous peoples have made to the City and the Country and to acknowledge the

sacrifices that have accompanied those contributions.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Oberlin, County of

Lorain, State of Ohio, a majority of all members elected thereto concurring:

SECTION 1. That the Second Monday of each October shall be and is hereby declared to be

Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Oberlin and shall be formally recognized as such by the City.

SECTION 2. That the City of Oberlin invites businesses, organizations and public entities to

join in the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and to celebrate the many contributions that

indigenous people have made to Oberlin and this Country.

SECTION 3. That the City of Oberlin encourages the Local School District Board of Education

and other educational providers to consider expanded coverage of the history of indigenous peoples in

its educational curriculum.

SECTION 4. That the City of Oberlin shall make revisions to its calendars and notices and shall

take such other actions as are necessary for the implementation of this Resolution.

SECTION 5. That it is hereby found and determined that all formal actions of this Council

concerning or relating to the adoption of this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Council

and that all deliberations of this Council and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal action,

were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements, including Section 121.22

of the Ohio Revised Code.

SECTION 6. That this Resolution shall take effect at the earliest date allowed by law.

PASSED: 1st Reading – ___________________

2nd Reading _ ___________________

3rd Reading – ___________________

ATTEST:

___________________________________ ________________________________

BELINDA B. ANDERSON, MMC RONNIE J. RIMBERT

CLERK OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL

POSTED: EFFECTIVE DATE: