Wow, it isn’t even summer yet and the Grand Portage Elders are busy and travelling like it is.
We enjoyed our last “Reading with Kids” gathering. All students received their reading certificates and ice cream cones. A Chi Miigwech to all the Elders who so generously gave their time weekly to listen to the Oshki Ogimaag School students practice their reading. We are looking forward to the fall when reading starts again.
Eight Elders took the first of the season “Rez Ride.” We visited the Grand Portage Heritage Center to view the new murals and meet some of the summer staff. Pie and coffee followed at the lodge. This is a wonderful way to get out and see all the changes in our community after winter.
Elders were able to receive mammogram screenings from the Shakopee Medical Bus. This is a great service for community members and completes one of the conditions for participation in Wisdom Steps. We greatly appreciate our Grand Portage Clinic staff for sponsoring this yearly event.
Summer has brought a flurry of activity to the Grand Portage Elder Nutrition Program. Above: The super Elders and readers who spent time together in the “Reading with Kids” program. The students and Elders had lunch together and the kids received their reading certificates and ice cream cones. Left: Carol Hackett enjoying lunch with reading students, Ashland Childs and Karianna Deschampe.
Several Elders volunteered at the annual Kids Day event. They helped with the bike rodeo, games, arts and crafts and pie eating contest. The Sons of the Legion once again grilled all the food for this event. Although numbers were down a bit, everyone had a great time and received this year’s special T-shirt.
The Wisdom Steps conference was held this year at Black Bear Casino & Resort from June 9 to June 11. Grand Portage had 20 Elders attending this year. They were able to participate in workshops that covered everything from Native Remedies, Traditional Teachings, Grief & Wellness, Diabetes, The Wisdom of Having an Advance Directive, Caregivers/ Cancer, Alcohol/Drugs and Historical Trauma. Elders received cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure checks from the Shakopee Medical Mobile Unit.
We even got the chance to laugh with Kevin Walsh and sing hymns in our Ojibwe and Dakota languages.
We ate, walked, visited with old and new friends and even danced to our local band Portage who were the entertainment at the banquet. Elders work all year to attend this conference. They walk, receive annual medical checkups and screenings, attend at least one wellness event and/or a medicine talk. Wisdom Steps is a preventive health program that encourages Elders to take simple steps to improve their health and the health of their communities. For more information about this program or to sign up call Carol Hackett at 475-2655.
Our greenhouse and raised beds are planted thanks to the generous help from visiting volunteers from the Central Baptist Church of St Paul. They partner every year with Mount Rose Church here in Grand Portage. Miigwech to Pastor Jake McCormick for organizing this. The ENP will enjoy the wonderful vegetables and the Elders at the Elder complex will enjoy their weeded and cleaned flower garden. Hopefully we can keep up with weeding and watering.
Some of the Elders who attended the Wisdom Steps Conference were (L-R) Judy Ranta, Marie Morrin, Doris Blank, Shirley Stevens, Vivian Carlson, Dido Swader, Johnie Barten and Ralph Tesser.
Coming up is the Grand Portage annual Wellness Fair, Saturday, June 20. Anyone needing more information or rides, please call the ENP at 475-2655 or 475- 2002.
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.
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