Flagstaff Indigenous Commission Meeting - May 14, 2026

The City of Flagstaff Indigenous Commission held a meeting on May 14, 2026, primarily discussing the Graduate Project involving the redevelopment of the old city hall building at 19 West Birch. The commission reviewed updates on the cultural resource studies and interpretive mitigation plans related to the project, which includes demolition and construction of a new hotel. The commission expressed consensus support for preserving the indigenous human rights history associated with the site, supporting the use of new building materials rather than reusing existing stone, and emphasized the importance of blessing and healing the land prior to construction. They also agreed to remain involved in ongoing collaboration and provide input on interpretive elements such as signage and community outreach. Additionally, the commission discussed upcoming event planning, including the Indigenous People's Day and Code Talkers celebration, and scheduled future meetings and a potential retreat. No formal votes on procurement or contract awards were taken, but the discussion centered on heritage preservation and project mitigation related to the redevelopment effort.