Greetings from Ashley Tuomi, Executive Director. . .

Volume 4—Issue 2

BabamadziwinBabamadziwinBabamadziwin “Healing Journey”“Healing Journey”“Healing Journey”

April-June 2012

Inside this issue:

Volunteers Spotlight 3

Native Healthy Start 4

Dream Seekers 6

Parenting Program 7

Sacred Bundle Project 8

AARP Conference 9

Medical Clinic Info 10

Vaccination Info 11

The AIHFS Board of Directors is looking for new members with backgrounds in:

Accounting, Finance

Development, Fundraising

Plus Community Members

In order to be considered please submit-

Letter of Intent and Resume to:

American Indian Health and Family Services,

ATTN: Nickole Fox, Director of Health Education & Prevention

PO Box 810

Dearborn, MI 48121 and/or email: nfox@aihfs.org

Now Accepting Applications for the AIHFS Board of Directors

Ashley Tuomi

Executive Director

Page 2 Babamadziwin

What a wonderful time we had! By John Marcus 2011

Once again the Winter Solstice turned out to

be a night to remember. From the opening

blessing to the traveling song, community

members were reconnecting and exchanging

pleasantries. There were plenty of activities

for everyone whether round dancing, eating,

shopping at the craft vendors, listening to the

Ogichidakweuk singers or watching Joanne

Shenandoah and her daughter Leah perform.

This night was also a chance for us to

recognize those that have contributed greatly

to our AIHFS community. The following

individuals were honored: Kirk Schuyler,

Mona Stonefish, Jose Marcus, Mrs. Jiminez,

Connie Pashenee, Michaelyn McLain, Evelyn

Morales, Jan Alford, Gabrielle D’Angelo,

Samantha Lewis and Julie Hong.

Thanks to everyone that came and we look

forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Opening blessing– Mona Stonefish

Everyone bringing gifts for the gift

exchange

All our staff that worked so hard that

night

Providing security– All Nations Vets

Hosting the event– Detroit Hispanic

Development Corporation

The vendors that brought crafts to sell

Performing– Joanne and Leah

Shenandoah

Performing– Ogichidakweuk singers

Being M.C.—Joe Reilly

Taking pictures– Brita Brookes

Livestreaming– Chris Yepez

Winter

Solstice

Page 3 Babamadziwin

Recognizing some of our

Volunteers… by John Marcus

Mrs. Jiminez

Maria Concepcion A Jiminez has been a part of this neighborhood for

18 years so she can recall that AIHFS was then a church known as

Maria Madre De La Iglesia. She will also warmly recall that she came

to our winter solstice gathering as a guest and was so impressed when

she was told to stay seated while her meal was served as is customary

in our culture for Elders. It was at this gathering where she learned of

our diabetes cooking class that she wanted to attend and learn about

since her husband is diabetic. It wasn’t long before she befriended

AIHFS’ Matilda Shannon and began helping prepare food for our

community events, even learning how to make traditional frybread!

She volunteers with our Healthy Start program and the Women’s Circle

preparing food that she says with pride is something different every

week. She will also share with you that she has been married for 58

years, has 7 children, 17 great grandchildren and 17 great-great

grandchildren.

Mrs Jiminez said, ―Nobody wants the old people, but here Elders are embraced. Isn’t that beautiful.‖

Mrs. Jiminez, you are beautiful and we thank you for all you do here at AIHFS.

Michaelyn McLain

Not many of our volunteers can be found working in both

administration and Health Education departments. Yet one volunteer

makes that transition, along with its varying demands, look

effortless. Michaelyn McLain is a Muscogee Creek from Oklahoma.

This is her second period of volunteering here at AIHFS. She

volunteered years ago and restarted this past October and continues

because, in her own words, ―It feels like more than a good fit. It

enriches my life physically, mentally and spiritually." She can be

found assisting Jackie Allison at the front desk of the administration

building, helping out Martha Hinojosa and Shiloh Maples prepare

for the youth program, as well as being a big help at community

advisory council meetings.

Although she was not born a Lakota, she is well versed in Lakota

culture having spent 30 years at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South

Dakota. Her knowledge came to my personal rescue on a recent occasion at former Executive Director Jerilyn

Church's Farewell Feast, when requested to prepare the fruit pudding Lakota dish, wojapi. I couldn't even spell it and

Michaelyn calmly said she knew how to prepare it both ways.

It was at a sundance where she met a family that introduced her to their son who became her husband. During this

period she enjoyed learning from the Elders. She said, "I found you learned the most from the Elders in the 'in-

between' times. Such as, for Give-away's, you give away your best."

Michaelyn, we at AIHFS are so fortunate that you give away so freely of your time and we say thank you very

much.

Page 4 Babamadziwin

Healthy Start has had a wonderful start to 2012! In March, Rosebud Schneider-Bear was given the honor to represent

American Indian Health at the 13th Annual National Healthy Start Conference, where she was given the opportunity

to sit on a panel of her peers of national experts and renowned Native midwives who have paved the way for

programs like ours! Rosebud had the chance to report the huge success Healthy Start has had, speak about her

experience as a mother in the community and provide some ideas about what she feels other parents need to be

successful and healthy!

We are excited to welcome spring! Healthy Start has some great events lined up! First, we’d like to announce our

2nd annual Baby Celebration. This will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 5-8 p.m. We will be honoring all babies

born in 2011, and all of our families. All are welcome! Our awesome volunteers helped make this event amazing last

year, so if you’d like to help out this year, or need more information, please contact Rosebud Schneider-Bear.

Did you know that injuries are the number one cause of death for children? Parents, grandparents, and others who

care for children can prepare themselves for accidents by getting trained in Pediatric First Aid. Healthy Start, the

ANA Parenting Program, the Youth Program, and the Sacred Bundle Project are offering a Parent First Aid Training

on May 17, 11-2:30 p.m. This will take the place of our monthly Playgroup. Parents and others who care for children

will learn Basic First Aid, Injury Emergencies, Medical Emergencies, and Environmental Emergencies. At the end

of the training you will be certified for two years. This is a great thing to put on your resume, and of course you will

know you are prepared to help keep your family and your community safe! We will provide lunch and limited

transportation, as well as play activities for children. To register, please contact Rosebud Schneider-Bear or Chantel

Henry.

To celebrate National Women’s Health Week, we will be having our first Anishinabekweuk: Women's Wellness

Retreat on May 18th 5 p.m. - May 19th 4 p.m. All Women over 18 are invited and are welcome to stay overnight at

AIHFS. Activities will include shawl making, cooking class, health teachings and traditional teachings. All meals

will be provided. If you have special dietary needs, a refrigerator is available for you to bring additional food. Please

RSVP by Monday May 7th. For more information, to volunteer or to register, please contact Nickole Fox at (313)

846-3718 x1212

We’d like to announce a few events to look out for. We plan to have our second spring session of childbirth

preparation classes. This is a five week class, topics will include nutrition during pregnancy, labor prep and support

during labor, breastfeeding and parenting. We have not picked dates yet but if you or someone you know is

interested and would like more information please contact Nina or Rosebud. Another exciting new development is

that starting in June we will be offering Zumba classes at AIHFS! Stay tuned for more information on these events!

Page 5 Babamadziwin

Lastly, we ask you to join us in welcoming our newest babies born into Healthy Start; Amari Mahan born on 2/13 to

Kerry and Vanessa Mahan and Izzabella Jackson born on 2/15 to Kenny Jackson and Felissia Brown. Both families

are doing great!

Calendar of events – April-June

April:

Yoga Class, Wednesdays, 4/4-18

Women’s Circle, Wednesdays, 4/4-25

Playgroup 4/19

Community cooking class 4/25

May:

Yoga Class, Wednesdays, 5/2 & 5/16

Women’s Circle, Wednesdays, 5/2-30

Parent First Aid training/Playgroup 5/17

Community cooking class 5/23

2nd Annual Baby Celebration 5/30

Anishinabekweuk: Women's Wellness Retreat 5/18-19

June:

Yoga Class, Wednesdays, 6/6-13

Women’s Circle, Wednesdays, 6/6-27

Playgroup 6/14

Community cooking class 6/27

Page 6 Babamadziwin

Dream Seekers by Shiloh Maples

Spring is upon us, and with it brings change and growth. Recently, the youth

program has started a new curriculum, which aims at giving our young

people the knowledge and skills to lead healthy, drug-free lives. The youth

also started having mini Ojibwe language lessons during each group

session.

During February, the Youth Advisory Council celebrated Valentine’s Day by

asking a community elder to come speak on one of the Seven Grandfather

teachings, Zaagidiwin (Love). After the teaching, everyone shared with the

group someone they love and why—it was very heartwarming to hear all of

the love in the room!

Looking towards the upcoming summer, we will be having a 3-week summer program during July.

During this time, we will be using another new curriculum called American Indian Lifeskills—

which is aimed at raising self-esteem as well as developing problem solving and social skills. This

new curriculum is very interactive, and includes several role-plays and activities to keep everyone

engaged. The youth program will also be working on some traditional crafts and continuing with

our Ojibwe language lessons. In addition, youth will have an opportunity to work in the garden

again and sell our produce at Eastern Market with a program called Youth Growing Detroit.

We hope that the program will continue to change and grow as we welcome new Dream Seekers to

the program—if you know a youth between 8-18 years old that might be interested in our after-

school program or upcoming summer program, please contact Martha or Shiloh at (313)846-3718 x

1113.

AIHFS

went to the

MSU

Pow-wow

of

Love! Thanks for stopping by

and saying hi this past

February 18th.

Pictured here, left to

right: Chantel Henry,

Rosebud Bear,

Krystyna Yepez, Jackie

Lajza and Chantel’s

daughter, Dasia.

Page 7 Babamadziwin

G’daa Minobimaadzimi- We Should Live Well Together

A Curriculum to Improve Co-parenting Relationships By Chantel Henry

April (Sap Boiling Moon) - Iskigamizige-Giizis

Parents let’s please be mindful of what our children are involved in outside and inside our

homes! According to a report about online victimization produced in 2000 by the National Center

for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 20 percent of children, ages 10 to 17, who use the

Internet have received a sexual solicitation online. In addition, 14 percent freely give out their E-

mail address and 29 percent freely give out their home address if asked. The report also states that

most children are willing to meet an Internet friend face-to-face without a parent’s knowledge.

Additional Internet safety educational materials and resources for parents can be found online at

www.webwisekids.org, www.ikeepsafe.org, and www.missingkids.com.

Our Parenting Program wrapped up February with the last sessions with our families in Algonac

and we are looking forward to our new sessions. Our new sessions started on Monday March 5th 5-7

pm and we are excited to have new parents joining the sessions. We also have our monthly

Parenting Talking Circle that allows for our parents to have an outlet to express their parenting

challenges. The talking circles occur the 3rd Friday of every month. Please feel free to join in on our

talking circles. The next talking circle will be on April 20, 2012.

We are also planning and looking forward to two new workshops. We are planning a weekend

for our elders April 21-22, 2012 and Cultural Competency event: Seventh Generation Native

Americans: Developing an understanding of today’s Native Peoples that will take place May 4th

2012 from 8:30 am to 4 pm and is open to the Community. These events will be held at the Double

Tree by Hilton, 5801 Southfield Rd., Detroit, MI 48228. Look for more information coming soon or

contact Joshua or Chantel for more information Ph. 313-846-6030 x1205

Native Quote ~ "I simply kept my goal in mind and persisted. Perseverance is a large

part of writing." N. Scott Momaday, Kiowa ~ 1969 Pulitzer prize winner for House

Made of Dawn.

http://www.youtube.com/user/aihfsmich

http://www.twitter.com/AIHFS_Detroit https://www.facebook.com/aihfs

Follow AIHFS!

Page 8 Babamadziwin

Manidookewigashkibjigan (Sacred Bundle) Project- By Christy Bieber

Youth suicide has become a public health issue of growing concern in Native

American communities over the years.

The rate of suicide is 70% higher for American Indians and Alaskan

Natives than for any other ethnic group (IHS, 2008).

When comparing youth of different racial groups, the average suicide

rate is 2.2 times higher for Native American Youth (CDC, 2005).

With the funding awarded by the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal grant, AIHFS has

been given the opportunity to develop the Manidookewigashkibjigan (Sacred

Bundle) project!

Sacred Bundle Project Update-

We will be having GONA (Gathering of Native Americans) community events on the evenings of July 23rd and

July 24th

GONA is a program that involves all members of the community (youth, elders, and adults) and is of great value.

The purpose is to provide a culturally relevant and fun space to empower our community to address issues such as

substance abuse, bullying, etc. as well as to plan ways to continue prevention efforts in a good way.

We will also be having a GONA Training of the Trainers from July 20th – July 22nd

Here we will be inviting youth and community members to be involved with learning how to be leaders for our

upcoming community events and to prepare to help facilitate those events.

We are planning to send 2 staff members to ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills) training in June so that we

can have workshops in the future geared towards parents to develop skills in noticing the signs of suicide risk in their

own youth or other youth they encounter and how to approach those situations.

If you are interested in getting involved and being a part of this please contact the Sacred Bundle Program

Coordinator (Christy Bieber) at (313)-846-3718 X1217 or cbieber@aihfs.org

Page 9 Babamadziwin

Wellbriety by Lisa Brunk

For those seeking recovery from addictions, AIHFS continues to provide Wellbriety meetings every

Monday at 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Using the Red Road to Wellbriety book, it is a journey of hope and healing for Native Americans

seeking recovery from addictions. The Wellbriety book and meetings draw on the philosophies and

practices of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous utilizing the Twelve Steps because

it has similarities with traditional Native ways.

Please contact Lisa Brunk for more information at (313) 846-6030

How to support

AIHFS! Only with your support

can AIHFS continue to try

to meet the physical,

spiritual, emotional and

mental well being needs of

Native American families

and other underserved

populations in

Southeastern Michigan.

Additionally, as a 501(c)

(3) your generous support

is tax-deductable. Won't

you make a donation

today to help us get closer

to meeting these needs?

To donate by check or

money order, please send

payable to:

American Indian Health &

Family Services of

Southeastern MI, Inc.

P.O. Box 810

Dearborn, MI. 48121-0810

To donate online:

www.aihfs.org/donate

We will be here and

are on the planning

committee. For more

info call John Marcus

ph. 313-846-3718

x1217

Page 10 Babamadziwin

March 5, 2012

Dear AIHFS Community,

I would like to thank you for the trust you have given me over the years as your physician.

I am writing today to inform you that I have accepted a new administrative position at

American Indian Health & Family Services. I will be working on our many grants, quality

assurance protocols, and standards of care. In addition, I will be working to expand our

diabetes program and services. I am very excited to be able to focus my efforts on

developing strategies to improve the health of the entire community.

I know this may come as a surprise to you. I also know choosing a new physician can be difficult. I want to assure

you that American Indian Health & Family Services will be hiring a new provider in the near future. Fortunately, I

am not leaving American Indian Health and will be in close communication with the new provider in order to make

your transition as easy as possible.

Although I hope you will choose to continue your care with American Indian Health, I realize you may choose

another physician. If you choose to go elsewhere, I would like you to know that you may have a copy of your

medical record sent to your new physician by signing a release form in our office.

I will continue to provide care to my patients until June 1, 2012. I hope you will schedule an appointment with me

before then.

Thank you for having chosen me as your physician. It has been my pleasure to serve you. I wish you continued

health and wellness.

Sincerely,

Josette M. French, MD

Entryway painted! ~As we get nearer to having our remodeling complete, here is the new look of the main entry to our

clinic, seen above on left, and the entry to our social hall, seen above on right.

Page 11 Babamadziwin

American Indian Health &

Family Services, Inc P.O. Box 810

Dearborn, MI 48121

Medical Hours: Monday 8:30 - 5:30 p.m. Tuesday 8:30 - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday 8:30 - 5:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Clinic: 313-846-6030

Services Provided at AIHFS

Medical Services

Women's Care

Maternal Health

Diabetes Health & Education

Substance Abuse Counseling

Behavioral Health Counseling

Dream Seekers Youth Program

Parent Support Program

Tobacco Cessation Program

ATOD Prevention

Native Healthy Start (Pre & Post Natal & Children 2 yrs & under)

(CHIPRA) Medicaid Outreach

Health Education & Outreach

Immunizations & Flu Shots

HIV/AIDS Testing & Referrals

System of Care Expansion

Sweat Lodge

Community Garden

Dental Referrals

Annual Events (Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, Health Fair, Winter Solstice, Pow-wow)

We are on the web: www.aihfs.org

Here at

American Indian Health

we offer great care & services

for your Health Care Needs.

If there is anything we can be more

helpful with, please let us know!!

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