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Fall is upon us. Fall means change. Fall means the approaching of winter months that mark the beginning of a new year just around the next corner, and a natural time to take pause and reflect. We’ve always been conditioned to think that spring is the start of new life. Trees bud growing. Flowers bloom. Babies born. I once heard a Lakota elder speak of how we were always told that, but that fall is a time of regrowth. When the trees retreat for winter, that they’re actually beginning to regenerate their tiny buds for spring. Our hooved relatives, our deer relatives, our bear relatives are already carrying new life from fall through winter and into spring when they birth their gifts from the Creator.
Fall is a time of change here too. September and October have been incredibly busy and exciting months for all of us here at Ain Dah Yung Center. A time of reflection and a time of regrowth. I’m excited about the challenges put before me as the Interim Executive Director, alongside a wonderful, tremendous team of visionaries who carry a shared love and passion for our community. We work off the strengths of each other – our children, families, and communities to bring new energy and growth as we head into winter in preparation of spring when we emerge with a refreshed vision for Ain Dah Yung Center.
In final, I want to acknowledge the ADYC staff and community who don’t wait to make change. The change-makers inspired to act, those who noticed a need, identified what they could do to make a difference, and then made it happen. Finding creative ways to generate and foster positivity and growth for our children, families and community partners and supporters, those with the courage to take that leap of faith and move into action to make things better for us all. Chi miigwech!!
Miigwech, Pidamayaye, Pilamayaye (thank you)
Nindaanisequay | Sheri Riemers (she, her, hers)
White Earth Nation of Ojibwe | Bear Clan
Interim Executive Director
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Heart Crow - ADYC Princess
Odé’s Lemonade
Heart Crow has held the title as Ain Dah Yung Center’s princess since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she did not attend community events like those who held the title before her. Heart Crow is Kiikaapoa and Oglala Lakota. She is eight years old and from the bear clan. Heart is the eldest sibling in her family and has taken leadership roles in her home community. She plays softball, plays the violin, and dances fancy shawl. This summer, Heart debuted her lemonade stand in her community. Her lemonade stand is named Odé’s Lemonade and she is using the proceeds to host a youth dance special at Ain Dah Young’s next pow wow.
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Boarding School Survivor & Victim Memorial March
ADYC sponsored the march hosted by Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center. Around 300 people gathered and walked honoring victims and survivors of boarding schools.
Government run boarding schools attempted to strip all culture from American Indians through physical and mental abuse, indoctrination, neglect, forced labor, and family separation. Students were not allowed to speak their language, talk about their culture, or spirituality. Thousands of children never returned to their families. The scars of these schools are felt in the community that is hurting from the ripple-effect of intergenerational trauma.
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Oyate Nawajin Apple Orchard Trip
The Ain Dah Yung Center hosted a day at the apple orchard for families this October. Families and youth from two of our programs, Oyate Nawajin and Ninijanisag, participated. We traveled north to Pleasant Valley Orchard; this is our second season visiting this orchard. Participants were able to meet the orchard owner operators, learn about the orchard and its apples, operate an apple cleaning machine and help pack our apples, go on a hayride, hike a nature trail, pick their own pumpkins, and see farm animals.
It was a beautiful fall day to be out in nature. We shared a meal together and also tried some of the orchards treats; apple cider and apple flavored pastries! Everyone seemed to enjoy the fresh air and open spaces, and getting to meet new people and connect with their community in a new way! We thank Jim and Sam Birkholz, and Judy Erickson for their generosity and support of Ain Dah Yung Center families and youth.
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Community Education & Engagement
Early in the month, Alex McDougall, Ain Dah Yung Center’s Suicide Prevention Coordinator, attended a discussion regarding services and best practices targeted at Native youth with MENTOR Minnesota’s Bagels and Best Practice; Amplifying & Supporting Indigenous Youth! During this small panel discussion and introductory discussion regarding what we strive to do within our work in the community, we discussed ways to be supportive, uplifting and culturally humble; understanding there is great diversity in Native communities, and the importance of learning and connecting with elders and culturalists within your community and region for guidance and assistance in youth program development.
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HB Fuller Company
Youth Lodge Yard Day
H.B. Fuller Company helped us with a much needed cleanup at the Beverley A. Benjamin Youth Lodge! It was wonderful having a helpful and generous crew to work with our staff. It was also a perfect day for yard work. The crew even came back the next day to help take care of the clean-up. All-around great people to partner with and we couldn't be happier with the results from all the hard work!
Chi-miigwech to all involved in making this happen!
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Blood Memory Documentary
& Online Panel Discussion
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Battles over blood quantum and "best interests" reveal the untold history of America's Indian Adoption Era.
To raise awareness about the impact of American Indian child removal and the importance of ICWA, the Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee has partnered with First Nations Repatriation Institute (FNRI), the Ain Dah Yung Center, and Twin Cities PBS (TPT) to host a free online screening of Blood Memory: A Story of Removal and Return. The two-hour documentary will be available online for a limited period. An online panel discussion is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Blood Memory is available online for free to all registered attendees from October 29 through November 3, 2021. The panel discussion will be available online through Facebook Live and Zoom on Wednesday, November 3 at 6:00-7:30 p.m. (CST). Pre-registration to view the film and to participate in the online panel discussion is required. Visit here to register.
To learn more about Blood Memory, click the below to be redirected to the homepage.
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You can also find the registration links for the upcoming virtual events on our Linktree by clicking here.
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| Would you be interested in the following? | | | | |
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Mall of America is making Holiday shopping extra special for everyone this year with Holiday Rewards. Shop at Mall of America and redeem your receipts for passes to your favorite MOA attractions including Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE and Crayola Experience or donate your rewards to our local charity partner Ain Dah Yung Center and make a big impact to local American Indian youth and families this holiday season.
The process is simple, spend $150 at MOA from November 4 – December 24, 2021, and redeem for rewards on us! Download the Mall of America app, click on Holiday Rewards and upload your receipts. Select the reward you want to redeem or choose to donate your rewards to our charity partner Ain Dah Yung Center.
Thank you to Mall of America for being a great community partner!
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On behalf of the children and young adults in the care of Ain Dah Yung Center, thank you to each and every person, foundation, corporation or government entity that has made a contribution to the organization. Your support is appreciated. Every dollar and action keeps our rhythm going. Continually, we are inspired by the generosity of our community and beyond. | |
Chi-Miigwech United Healthcare for sponsoring this Newsletter! | | | | |
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