Two members added to Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission

IOWA CITY — Two new members will join Iowa City’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission this month.

During a brief meeting Monday morning, the Iowa City Council filled two vacancies on the commission. Christine Nobiss, aka Sikowis, will join the commission immediately. Nobiss is Plains Cree-Saulteaux of the George Gordon First Nation and is the commission’s first Indigenous member.

Joining Nobiss on the commission April 23 will be Daphney Daniel.

The City Council filled four vacancies on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission during last Tuesday’s meeting following a series of resignations and a temporary suspension of the group, which was created to hear evidence of discrimination and racial injustice and provide opportunities for those impacted to share their stories and feelings through art, theater and other avenues. However, one of those new members had asked to be removed from consideration and was inadvertently considered an applicant due to a “software glitch,” the city said.

The City Council was scheduled to fill that one vacancy Monday. However, commissioner Layana Navarre-Jackson tendered her resignation April 9, citing her “work schedule and family commitments.” With her departure, another vacancy needed to be addressed.

The commission is scheduled to meet with the City Council on Thursday to chart a path forward after an acrimonious start to its work.

Comments: 319-339-3155; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com