I know the saying is “April showers bring May flowers,” but here it is May showers bring June flowers and hopefully summer weather. May has sped by with rainy days and blustery weather, which did not slow the Elders down. Elders enjoyed the meet and greet for the new National Park Service superintendent, Craig Hansen and his family at the old log building. We welcomed him and extended an invitation for lunch at the ENP any time. We enjoy hearing about upcoming activities and events at the national monument.
The annual Elders’ Pow Wow was wonderful! We enjoyed seeing old friends and family, the drums, the dancing, the thoughtful gift and the delicious meal. Once again the Pow Wow committee did an outstanding job. We wish you all a Chi Miigwech! We always hold a prize and 50/50 raffle in conjunction with the Pow Wow. This year the 50/50 raffle was won by Bun Gagnon. Agatha Armstrong won the first-place prize of a painting by Steven Standing Cloud and fourth-place prize of jewelry donated by Jayne Richards. The second-place prize of a $50 gift certificate to the Grand Portage Trading Post was won by Sally Zimmerman and the third-place prize of hand-embroidered daily dish towels donated by Kathy Skoog was won by Linda Stevens from Brainerd. A Chi Miigwech to all our winners and to the tribal council and community for supporting us and honoring us each year with this event.
It was a happy day when the Oshki Ogimaag students received their reading certificates. Appearing with the students are Elder volunteers Arvid Dahl, Agatha Armstrong and Patty Winchell-Dahl. Throughout the year Elders spend several hours per week helping in the classroom. Kids not only get help with reading but they learn to respect and value their Elders. Meanwhile the Elders, who help the children with many projects throughout the year, get to know the kids and experience the exuberance, energy, and excitement kids bring to pretty much everything they do.
Elders were able to take advantage of medical screenings for dental, vision, nutrition, and mammography provided by the Shakopee mobile medical bus. This is a yearly event sponsored by the Grand Portage Clinic. We all know the value of annual screenings and early detections for maintaining our health and our ability to remain in our own homes and communities. This partnership with the two tribes is greatly appreciated.
Elders were able to celebrate with the Grand Portage youth three times in May beginning with the award of the Minnesota Vikings Legacy Fund generous donation for new playground equipment and mini Pow Wow with feast, the JOM student awards banquet and a luncheon celebration to mark another successful “Reading w/ Kids” program. Miigwech to everyone who volunteered your efforts make Grand Portage a nurturing, supportive, healthy community for all to live in.
Above: ENP Cook’s Helper Cedar Denny at Pow Wow with his family, Alexis, Jade and Francis. Left: Elder Pow Wow winner Agatha Armstrong with her winning tickets.
June will be a full month. The ENP director will be picking up the new handicap 14-passenger bus and taking the old one to have it installed with a Better Ride suspension system. The community will now have two comfortable, safe, reliable buses for transporting community members to events and throughout the community.
The Wisdom Steps conference will be held the third week in June at Shooting Star Casino in White Earth. Eighteen Elders will be participating. Elders have an opportunity to volunteer at the annual Kids Day on June 10 as well as the annual Wellness Fair, June 17. Gardens are waiting to be planted and summer programs for children begin. We are off and running.
Hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day. Remember to thank a veteran!
Cook County has a vibrant and active community of elders. Each week we will offer Senior News to highlight our senior citizens. This week’s submission is about the Grand Portage Elder Nutrition Program courtesy of Patty Winchell-Dahl.
Leave a Reply