American Indian Grant Program
A new initiative has been launched to address the high prevalence of commercial tobacco use in nine tribal communities across the state, plus the Twin Cities urban American Indian community. It focuses on building strong, community-based tobacco control programs. Each community is focusing on either advocating for smoke-free policies in multiple settings or providing cessation services, or both. Each of these initiatives has achieved much success within their communities.
Ain Dah Yung (Our Home) Center
Ain Dah Yung works to train and empower metro area American Indian youth to promote and advance smoke-free spaces in the Saint Paul American Indian community. Ain Dah Yung uses cultural practice in a strength-based approach to prevent the initiation of commercial tobacco abuse among American Indian youth in the community. The youth in this program are currently attempting to pass a smoke-free policy within the Elders Lodge; a 42-unit assisted living facility serving American Indians living on fixed incomes
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
The Bois Forte community is operating a tobacco control program that includes an adult cessation program linked to their community clinic.
Division of Indian Works
Division of Indian Works trained a group of youth to promote the advancement of smoke-free policy in the Minneapolis American Indian community. The youth in this program have researched current policy regarding the premises of 15 Native-serving organizations in the Minneapolis area. They have been successful in advancing a smoke-free grounds policy for one organization, and it is expected they will advance three more similar policies by the end of the grant cycle.
Grand Portage Band of Chippewa
The Grand Portage community is operating a tobacco control program that includes an adult cessation program linked to the community clinic
Lower Sioux Indian Community
The Lower Sioux community has trained a group of youth to promote smoke-free spaces in many settings. As a result of the TFC funding, the Lower Sioux casino, Jackpot Junction, became smoke-free in all non-gaming areas of the facility. Youth also worked to pass a smoke-free policy in the community softball park.
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Leech Lake has trained a group of youth to promote smoke-free policy in outdoor recreational settings. These youth are conducting assessments of the readiness of pow-wow goers to accept the designation of smoke-free areas with the goal of implementing a smoke-free policy for at least one major community pow-wow.
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Mille Lacs is operating a tobacco control program that includes an adult cessation program that is linked to the community clinic system.
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
Red Lake has trained a group of youth to promote smoke-free policies in a variety of settings. These youth recently created and are now implementing a smoke-free policy for all Boys and Girls Club events, including adult softball tournaments and a highly visible golf tournament. Currently, the youth in this program are attempting to advance a smoke-free policy that will impact all tribal buildings.
Upper Sioux Community
The Upper Sioux Community is operating a tobacco control program that includes an adult cessation program. It is expected that the cessation program will be linked to the community health and human service systems.
White Earth Reservation Tribal Council
White Earth has a vibrant tobacco coalition. They recently implemented smoke-free policies for the tribal college campus, transportation building, and veteran’s community center. White Earth also supports a clinic-pharmacy tobacco cessation program, as well as smoke-free policies and programs in the community’s middle school and high school.
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