Shianna Lien, an eighth grader who lives in Grand Portage, participated in the Grand Portage Mentorship Program, a six-week program which places students from seventh to 11th grades in mentorship positions with business professionals in the community. The students receive oneon one mentoring and develop skills related to the various workplace environments.
Shianna has a “team” of mentors—Grand Portage Tribal SHIP Coordinator April McCormick; Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Joe Porter and Mentorship Coordinator Joyce Waswa. Her experience has ranged from writing documents, developing local publications, attending meetings with Tribal SHIP community partners, and participating in conference calls to attending the 2010 Statewide SHIP Conference.
Shianna and Mentor April McCormick, along with Kristin DeArruda-Wharton, the Cook County SHIP representative, attended the conference on August 3 – 4 in Minneapolis. At the event, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) staff and tribal and county SHIP coordinators convened for training in their communities’ initiatives toward increasing nutrition and physical activity and decreasing the use of commercial tobacco.
Shianna and April were invited to speak about Grand Portage and Tribal SHIP activities in a panel with three other county coordinators in front of a group of over 400 people. Their goal was to share the voices of Grand Portage, of the many community entities and people that work together for community health and wellbeing.
Some of the topics covered
P
were: Grand Portage Mentorship
(2 8) 7 1713
Program and Photovoice.
Community Nutrition: offering fresh produce, healthy menus and alternatives
ven Oj in programs such
( 34 57
as the Elderly Nutrition P O Box
MN 6 Program, Summer Meal
WatW WtCd Program, Grand Portage • Design & l tion of W er Pumping
aling & on t Lodge Dining, Rendezvous • Hydr acking
Grill &Trading Post, and Serv g the No th Sh from uth t
a i e
Community Garden.
Worksite Wellness and Health Care Referral
Oshki Ogimaag Community School Nutrition: Community-to-school gardening and 2010 May seedling sale partnership with Grand Portage Trust Lands, enhancing current breakfast promotion, lunch and snacks, promoting organic frozen produce and traditional
foods, and nutrition “F ll Servi e Ba king at
education. T
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In addition to taking part
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in the conference and taking
a seat on the panel, Shianna is
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the lead student for Photovoice
Sp es
in Grand Portage. She coordinates
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youth photography one (2 38 2233
and journaling activities. The
205 W Photovoice
project is provided
Gr dMari M 5560 by Minnesota Department
of Health Statewide Health teven Ojar
Improvement Program and (218 4 573
. Community Blueprint, which Knife Rive MN 5560
give local youth the opportunity • teWs•Wte ondi ners
a eP to show health and • We Seal & Aban nment
wellness in their community • ydrof cki
through photo journaling.
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C nad since 1943
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