Above: Grand Portage Elders learned a lot and had a lot of fun at the Wisdom Steps Conference in White Earth June 11 – 13. At the awards banquet, Elvis put in an appearance. (L-R, front) Doris Blank, Carol Hackett, Vera Amyotte. (L-R, back) Carol Conrad, Dottie Griffith, Bernice LeGarde (getting a hug from Elvis!), Jaye Clearwater, Johnie Barton. Left: The karaoke performance in the evening at the Mustang Lounge was also fun. Carol Hackett was serenaded by one of the local performers.
Eighteen Grand Portage Elders attended the 13th annual Wisdom Steps Conference at White Earth June 11-13. Participants found breakout sessions very interesting.
They covered many subjects such as Food is Medicine, Estate Planning, Hearing Loss & its Impacts & What You Can Do, Kairos Alive! Dancing Heart, Stroke Prevention, Fun Hat Making and Information on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren just to name a few.
Wisdom Steps sponsors a walking team contest each year and this year Grand Portage teams won fourth and third place. The fourth place team now decides where we will walk for next year’s contest. In the past we have “walked” to Oregon, Washington, D.C. and this year, New Orleans. Wonder where it will be next year?
Once again Elvis was our entertainment at the awards banquet. He sure enjoys performing for us and we enjoy him!
Two of our Elders were big hits at the karaoke evening, entertaining everyone in the Mustang Lounge at the Shooting Star Casino. Way to go, Ralph and Nancy!
A Chi Miigwech to all our helpers, especially Bill and Jaye and to the Reservation Tribal Council for their continued support. We work hard to attend this conference each year and are grateful for the support.
Elders continue to participate in weekly water aerobics, chair exercise and Wisdom Steps.
Now that summer is here we are once again on the road checking out the county on our “Rez Rides.” These rides are looked forward to, as it is so nice to be mobile, out and about and enjoying pie and coffee at local restaurants.
Our greenhouse and raised gardens have been weeded and planted. Miigwech to Dama Vondall and Donovan and Lonan Dahmen for volunteering their time and energy. We look forward to this fresh produce in our daily meals.
July will be filled with Fourth of July activities, berry picking in Thunder Bay, grocery shopping in Two Harbors and getting ready for Rendezvous Days. Several Elder women are sewing quilts for this year’s raffle prizes. These are always treasured prizes, cherished for years to come. Tickets can be purchased from an Elder or at local stores. Should you need more information or would like to volunteer, please give Carol Hackett a call at (218) 475-2655.
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