Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

Club members at the Little Earth Unit of the Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities have been enjoying two special programs. They love learning about healthy eating through the T.R.A.I.L. diabetes prevention program. They are also learning the Ojibwe language through the Anishinaabe Language Program.

T.R.A.I.L. teaches youth how to prevent type 2 diabetes through healthy eating and exercise. During the program, Club members learn how to cook healthy meals and snacks. Using the recipes they learned in class, participants created a healthy cookbook to share with their families. They also invited their families to the Club for a healthy dinner.

"Boozhoo!" ("Hello!") is one of the words Club members have learned in the Anishinaabe Language Program. The program is taught by an Ojibwe language speaker. Club members are learning to speak the language through practice and videos. Many of the youth can already say phrases and give answers to questions. Program participants also engage in traditional activities such as singing, drumming, and burning sage. Youth recently made cultural collages using pictures and words from the Ojibwe language. Ojibwe words are posted all over the Club to help kids learn outside of the program, too.