Preserving O ur Anishinaabek Culture through the Generations:

2. Preserving Our Anishinaabek Culture through the Generations: Continuing the Tradition of Mentoring in the Great Lakes

3. Partners and Collaborators • Minnesota- • Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa • University of Minnesota Extension Wisconsin- • Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake • University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension-Brian Gauthier, Community Resources Development Educator

4. Partners and Collaborators • Michigan: • Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians • Michigan State University Extension: • Debra Gierke, 4-H National Tribal Mentorship Project Coordinator, School Craft County • Emily Proctor, Tribal Extension Educator, Emmet County • Lisa Bottomley, Mentoring Specialist

5. Tri-State Efforts • Family • Similar issues • Met in Washington DC • Quarterly calls • Information sharing • Grants

6. Our Youth • Suicide • Substance Abuse • Obesity • Diabetes • Decline of culture/language • High drop-out rates • High delinquency rates • Teen Pregnancy

7. Challenges • Inconsistent funding for programs • Organizing the program • Change in University structure • i.e. MSUE and Schoolcraft • Distrust • Socio-economic status • Skepticism • Adult male mentors • 14-17year old male mentees

8. Tradition and Mentorship • We don’t call it mentorship • Passing on of traditions • Intergenerational relationship have always been encouraged • Historical perspective • Mentoring is not ‘New” • A new method to include more people

9. Recruitment • Targeted audience • Multi-disciplinary team • Benefits for the Mentor • Cultural events and functions • Building on resources • “Just ask us”! • Utilize staff from Tribal Governments • Former mentors • Tribal community centers

10. Resources • 4-H Programs • Lack of funding and/or • Lack of consistent funding • Support from the local community • Support from Tribal Nations • Support from additional agencies • Tribal colleges • Volunteers • Tribal Government

11. Our Hopes • Healthier youth • Passing on of traditions • Make healthier choices • Realize their potential • Graduate high school • Have a positive adult to turn to • Positive connection to self, peers and their Anishinaabek communities • Identify their talents • Refrain from substance use SELF WORTH

12. Best Practices Develop and sustain collaborations and partnerships One-on-one conversations Reliability Non-judgmental Preferably Native mentors • Know the history of the Tribal community • Community input • Community by-in • Government to government • Relationship building • Consistency in funding

13. Miigwetch We appreciate your time. Please contact us with any questions you may have!! -Deb Gierke, 4-H Tribal Mentorship Site Coordinator, gierke@anr.msu.edu -Emily Proctor, Tribal Extension Educator proctor8@anr.msu.edu -Susan Beaulieu, Extension Educator, Volunteer and Partnership Development beau0181@umn.edu -Dawn Newman, American Indian and Tribal Partnerships Liaison danewman@umn.edu -Brian Gauthier Community Resource Development Educator Brian.gauthier@ces.uwex.edu

14. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.