Program Introduction:

The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes that Type 2 diabetes did not become epidemic among Indian people until the 1950’s.  Up until then, a diet of their own traditional foods protected Indian people from the onset of the disease.  In order to help combat the epidemic of diabetes in Indian country, the CDC funds projects that utilize traditional foods, practices and activities to prevent and control diabetes among Indian people.  The Red Lake Ojibwe Language and Culture Preservation Department has received funding for one of these projects: Old Ways for Today’s Health. 

Primary Function of Project Coordinator:

To provide leadership and direction in the overall operation of Old Ways for Today’s Health, and to incorporate the language and traditions of the Red Lake Ojibwe into all project activities. The program Goal is for the Red Lake Reservation community to re-establish its use of traditional foods and Anishinaabe ecological approaches to health promotion, to result in the decrease of type-2 diabetes at Red Lake.  Reports to Executive Administrator and Bill May, Director of the Red Lake Nation Ojibwe Language and Culture Preservation Department

Essential Responsibilities & Duties:

• Refine Five Year Plan:  Recruit a planning committee of Elders, gardeners, gatherers, harvesters, fishers, maple syrup tappers, hunters, youth, diabetes program staff, and a Red Lake College representative to refine the program’s five year plan and to serve as an advisory committee thereafter.
• Community Education:  Create and coordinate a Fish and Wild Rice Festival and other feasts/gatherings designed to educate people about the benefits of traditional foods and healthy activities.
• Re-establish Traditional Gardening:  Assist local family to establish gardens. Establish a community garden.  Gardens will include traditional food among the harvests
• Wild Harvesting: Conduct gathering expeditions for harvesting wild berries, herbs, nuts, and vegetables.
• Wild Rice Camp: Conduct wild rice camps in collaboration with other Red Lake programs.
• Hunting and Fishing: Conduct hunting and fishing camps in collaboration with other Red Lake programs, ensure game is cooked and served and Elders conduct story telling.
• Maple Sugar: Conduct maple sugar processing in collaboration with other Red Lake programs.

• Traditional Physical Activities: Collaborate with other Red Lake programs to recruit people interested in pow-wow dancing as an enjoyable, healthy exercise.
• Policy Development: Work with Advisory Committee to create policies that support healthy nutrition, physical activity and social support at Red Lake.
• Develop Ojibwe language curriculum for all project activities
• Collaborates and communicates with the tribal programs, and other agencies involved in the care of diabetes and diabetes prevention.
• Plans, implements, and schedules all meetings and training for the project
• Designs the gathering and interpreting of required data.
• Responsible for assuring the overall evaluation of the project.
• Responsible for the completion of all data and reports to the CDC.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Must possess excellent computer skills
• Master Gardener preferred
• Knowledge of gardening, harvesting, food preparation and preservation.
• At least 10 years experience working with Red Lake community members.
• Experience in management and supervision.
• Knowledge of programmatic expectations such as goals and objectives, evaluation and reporting.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Traditional Tribal Education, i.e. the cultural practices of the Red Lake Anishinaabe.
• Must have knowledge of diabetes and its effects, as well as how it specifically affects Red Lake people.
• Must be able to work with Elders of the reservation.