Project Background   The Raising Healthy Anishinaabeg Children project was a three-year venture which brought together tribal elders to identify the key developmental assets necessary for raising healthy Anishinaabeg kids. Participants came from the Bois Forte and Leech Lake Bands of Ojibwe, as well as the Red Lake Nation in northern Minnesota. Staff from the American Indian Projects in the UMD Department of Social Work conducted focus groups on the Bois Forte reservation and personal interviews on the Leech Lake and Red Lake reservations. The project utilized the Search Institute's framework for identifying developmental assets in children. Study findings have been presented at several local and national conferences, and a poster has been developed which summarizes participants’ responses to the question “what does it take to raise healthy Anishinaabeg children?” This website is intended for tribal agencies, social workers, educators, parents, and extended family of Anishinaabeg children interested in learning how to raise healthy children from the perspective of Anishinaabeg elders. This project was funded by a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation, and was a collaborative effort betweenAmerican Indian Projects and the Search Institute. Description of a Healthy Anishinaabe Child The elders who participated in the interviews and focus groups identified what the phrase “healthy Anishinaabe child” means, and discussed the parenting and outside support that enables an Indian child to be healthy. They said healthy Anishinaabeg children make good decisions on their own and apply values to their own lives. They have positive self identifications, are comfortable with who they are, are spiritually connected, and are part of an extended family unit and a cultural community. Project Staff Research Team John Day, MSW

Project Support Team Muskadee Montano, MSW

Priscilla Day, MSW, Ed.D.

Erin Geary, MSW

Anne Tellett, MSW, Ed.D.

Trevor Swoverland, MSW Jackie Heytens

Cultural Advisor Larry Jourdain

 

Support

Definition of Support Support means family, extended family, and other caring adults are actively involved in a child's life. Adults communicate to and around the child in a positive way. The community and school show the child they care about him/her. Parents are involved in the child's education. The Elders Say... Anishinaabeg children should spend time with elders, especially their grandparents. “I do as much with my grandson as possible, even little things such as walks, rides, showing him bugs in the woods. Anything that is enjoyable to my grandson.” “When I grew up I was one of ten kids… in the summer time I would be picking berries and swimming… the old men taught me how to set nets in the spring for fish, how to clean the fish, and how to cook them in the fireplace… when my grandpa would go ricing, he would take us kids along… my grandma made mats out of cedar strips, and I was told to watch her.”

Families should spend time together, and parents should organize activities for this purpose. “Be home with your child. Always be home with your child for all those family activities, even if you are tired.” “One thing it takes to raise a healthy child is communication, even if it is by teasing. Small chit-chat while doing joint activities is quality time. Pay attention to them, especially the young ones, take them along with you everywhere. Include them as you do your chores and make sure they have some responsibility for the chore being completed.”

 

 

 

Empowerment

Definition of Empowerment Empowerment means that youth feel valued and safe in their community, know the importance of helping others and are involved in cultural activities. The Elders Say... Give children room to explore and create opportunities for them to succeed, allowing them to learn from their mistakes. “One of the important things a parent can do is to setup situations where your child can succeed... these activities are rehearsals for the real life activities they will face.” “It’s very important to praise children, tell them what they did was good to assure them that what they do has value, worth, and importance. Let children learn from their mistakes and let them know everyone makes them. It’s important that they learn to get back up after they fall down, don’t crucify themselves. Be willing to forgive them.”

Show kids you love them by being respectful to them, and by not putting them down. “A good role model loves their children, they are respectful to them and praise them. They also use discipline, but never any discipline that is harsh or cruel.” “Don’t put your kids down, and don’t let your anger be taken out on them.” “One of the most important things a parent can do for their children is to love them. Once the child feels loved, all the other needs fall into place.”

Provide children with knowledge of their Ojibwe culture, because it is a source of strength for them. "Those children that keep their culture do the best at staying healthy."

 

  Boundaries and Expectations

Definition of Boundaries and Expectations Having boundaries and expectations means that family, school, and community expectations are made clear to youth. Positive adult role models are made visible to and utilized by youth. Youth have high expectations for self. The Elders Say... Parents should be good role models for their children. “Parents are good role models when children see them working together. Parents must 'walk the walk' and also work with your child when necessary or needed.”

Provide stable and consistent parenting, with firm schedules, structures, routines, and responsibilities. “As a young child I had a regular schedule or routine. I also stress the same schedule or routine to my own children. I and my children went to bed early and were required to do chores. These were for their own good, so they would accept responsibility and accountability. Even when my sons participated in extracurricular activities they still had to complete their chores. Sometimes they would come home from school, do the dishes, and then run off to practice.”

Provide adequate supervision for children. “Parents should pay more attention to their kids. I see kids running around out there, they can do anything they want. They bump into people without excusing themselves. Even at powwows they act up and parents don’t tell them to behave.”

 

 

Constructive Use of Time

Definition of Constructive Use of Time Constructive use of time means that the child engages in creative cultural, community, or school activities; the child is engaged in spiritual and/or religious activities; the child has a valued role in their family, community, and school. The Elders Say... Provide opportunities for children to be outside and in the woods to learn about medicines and survival skills. “The cultural teachings involve many medicines, and the children should experience time in the woods to locate these medicines. In the Anishinaabe teachings, there is a natural medicine for any sickness we encounter. A medicine man would fast and he would be told what medicines would help the sick individual.”

Involve children in helpful activities and play. “Have children take responsibility for, for example, watering the house plants. Be sure to explain how the activity contributes to the plants’ growth. Play games with your child, games that involve the mind and physical activity. These activities are rehearsals for the real-life activities they will face.”

Limit the time kids spend watching TV and playing video games, and instead involve them in cultural programs and ceremonies. “A good kid will not have too many bad influences, such as too much TV watching. TVs open up subjects never talked about in traditional times, such as subjects on sexual activity, random killings of others, etc. The more children see, the more they want to do themselves. Kids need to be limited on how much they watch TV or play video games, and what they watch.”  

 

Commitment to Learning Definition of Commitment to Learning Commitment to learning means that the child has goals and believes that s/he can achieve them, has a positive relationship with their school, enjoys being read to, and cultural activities (crafts, language, ceremonies, etc.) are integrated in their life. The Elders Say... Make opportunities for children to learn to speak the Ojibwe language. “The language keeps people straight because the meanings and feelings of the language stress the good life – the red road.” “They have to have the language spoken to them” “Maintaining the culture is important to survival, and we have to use our Ojibwemowin language when we talk to the Creator.”

Help children to understand their connection to the living world. “Today the kids do not grow up with knowledge on how to raise, love, or care for animals. When kids are allowed to disrespect the animals, we as a people lose a lot. Those kids are unaware of the connection between the animals and us. Many kids are unaware that the food they eat and the clothes they wear come from the animals.”

Parents should be involved as their children are engaged in school learning as well as traditional Ojibwe learning. “As a healthy person, my formal education gave a foundation to live by. However, my real education came from my grandparents’ traditional teachings. They taught me things that formal education never taught.” “Be firm – make sure your kids get their schoolwork done. ‘Get your homework done or I’m coming to class with you!’”

 

Positive Values

Definition of Positive Values Positive values means that the child shows concern for the wellbeing of others. Kids understand how they are connected to the plants, animals, and human beings around them and the impacts their actions have on the world around them. Children exhibit traditional traits of honesty, integrity, humility, humor, responsibility, respect, kindness, and love. The Elders Say... Children should be grounded in their community and in Anishinaabe cultural values. “The traditional religion gives children security and a sense of belonging in the community, a sense of having a community that will accept them.” Anishinaabeg children should be given an Indian name, and should be taught about the clans. “Dreams can’t be fulfilled until you know who you are and why you are here. The clans offer these teachings.” “Make sure to use your Indian name and clan to be recognized.” Parents should model a healthy lifestyle for their children. “Kids copy parents, so if you have bad or unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and using drugs, they will see that.” “One of the most important things parents can do for their kids is to keep them chemically free. You must be a role model, and be chemically free yourself to be effective and believable. You have to walk the walk.” Model humility, sharing, respect for elders, and humor so kids can learn them. “Show kids how to take care of others first, then themselves. They should know how to forgive even when it’s hard and they should not talk down to people. Talk about healing in a good way, that is an important teaching.” “Humor is a main connecting fiber that helps us defuse personal stuff, it is a good survival mechanism. Humor helps us connect and show affection.” “Humor and optimism can turn children into becoming healthy adults .”  

Social Competencies

Definition of Social Competencies Social competencies means that the youth is able to plan and make good decisions, they get along well with others, understand and appreciate their own culture as well as the cultures of others, they demonstrate leadership and healthy conflict resolution skills.

The Elders Say... Young Anishinaabeg children need to be familiar with ceremonies and spiritual practices. “I remember seeing my grandfather use tobacco for ceremonial purposes. I remember my grandmother and great-grandmother smoking their pipes for ceremonial purposes and for praying. Those two women always made sure tobacco was purchased when someone went to town to buy something.” “Ceremonial practices are good. I teach my kids about the proper use of tobacco, and when and where to pray with tobacco. My children also participate in other ceremonies and see the amount of work required to conduct a ceremony.”

Help children learn by listening to their questions and by being patient with them.        

“Be patient with your child because they ask a lot of questions."

 

 

Positive Identity

Definition of Positive Identity Positive identity means that children feel good about themselves, are hopeful about their future, believe they can make a difference in the world around them, and feel connected to their family, culture, and tribe. The Elders say... Tell your children when you are pleased with them. “To help your children develop positive self-esteem, praise them. Don’t condemn them for mistakes, but rather assure them that they are learning and that they are not expected to be experts the first time. Really praise them when they accomplish something.”

Encourage the interests children discover on their own, and teach kids to be authentic and true to themselves. “When a child wants to be someone else rather than who they are, tell them” no” and “just be yourself”.” “To help kids develop positive self-esteem, we have to encourage them to be themselves, and that who they are is ok. Help the children succeed, even if it is only in small successes, and be sure to praise them…. Spend time with them to help them discover the uniqueness and strengths.”