VAN e-Bulletin March 2026

March 2026

Kipitaakii (Old Coyotes)

Embracing my foolishness, my creativity, my strength, and my knowledge

By Mia Bremer, VAN Contributor

Kipitaaki, translated from the Blackfoot language, means “old-lady” or “old-coyote.” Kipitaaki is a legendary figure who shows up in other native cultures under different names. She is often portrayed as a foolish being or even a troublemaker, but she is also a benevolent creator who frequently helps people or teaches them important knowledge.

Molly and Zeonia were two old coyotes whose lives intersected mine. One, a Broadway dancer from New York, and the other, a preacher’s daughter from Mississippi. Each showed up in my life by way of the other, without ever meeting, and altered my being.

VAN Forum: Artificial Intelligence, Information, and Trust

How AI Can Help Us, and What to Watch For

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly part of everyday life, from online searches and email to healthcare tools, financial services, and news and social media platforms.

Photo by Sanket Mishra: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-a-person-holding-a-smartphone-displaying-chatgpt-16461434/

Lana Medina, an award-winning journalist and a faculty member at the University of St. Thomas, will lead this exploration of how AI can make daily tasks easier and improve access to information.

The session will also discuss important things to be aware of, including AI-driven misinformation and disinformation, deepfakes, online scams, and how algorithms influence the information we see.

Participants will gain practical strategies for evaluating information and using AI tools thoughtfully.

Saturday, May 2

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Ramsey County Library - Roseville

Community Room

2180 North Hamline Ave

Roseville, MN 55113

This forum is almost full. Register today if you would like to join us.

Vital Voices

VAN’s Vital Voices is about sharing views, listening to one another and supporting each other in taking action to make a better world.

VAN has held three sessions of Vital Voices in St. Paul. We’re going strong, meeting once a month.

Do you want to join us?

We’re considering adding additional groups in other locations and we want to know if you might be interested in joining us. If you are, add your name to our wait list.

Please share the link with others you think might be interested.

Join the Wait List

Liam Conejo Ramos, who with his father, was detained by ICE in Columbia Heights, MN

Spotlight on Art

Pam Guzi is an artist from Saint Paul.

She is a retired teacher who previously taught at Valley View Elementary in Columbia Heights, the school from which Liam Conejo Ramos was detained by ICE.

According to Pam, “I was inspired by the little boy in the bunny hat that touched the world.”

Upcoming VAN Events

Wellness 50+ Oakdale

Master Gardener Presentation

Tuesday, April 7 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Oakdale Library, 1010 Heron Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128

A Washington County Master Gardener will give a presentation on late winter sowing of pollinator-friendly annuals. This will be a hands on activity and you will take home seeds to grow in a milk jug. Register by calling 651-747-3860.

Planning for Aging

Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 to 11:00 am

Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave N · Oakdale, MN

Beyond legal documents, this class will help to inform to create a decision-making road map to assist loved ones of personal choices. The session will be led by Tracy Keibler, Founder and Executive Director of non-profit START Senior Solutions. Register on Meetup or call 651-747-3860.

Find info about our regularly scheduled events on the Vital Aging Network calendar.

Wellness 50+ Twin Cities

Adopt a Road Clean up

Thursday, April 23 | 1 – 3 pm

In honor of Earth Day (April 22nd) we will have our first clean up session of our adopted section of a Washington county highway. We will walk the shoulder of Inwood Ave. and pick up litter and garbage. Safety vests and bags are provided by the county. Register on Meetup

Aging with Gusto

Aging with Gusto is a series of facilitated discussions that ignite more positive views of aging. Would you like to host an Aging with Gusto series in your community? Contact us at awg@vital-aging-network.org.

Good to Know

Click the title to learn more.

Make Minnesota the main stage for thoughtful engagement about America’s future

MinnPost

As a closely divided state with a diversity of views and backgrounds, the state is uniquely positioned to model what it looks like to engage honestly across difference.

Yale study challenges notion that aging means decline, finds many older adults improve over time

Yale School of Public Health

Aging in later life is often portrayed as a steady slide toward physical and cognitive decline. But a new study by scientists at Yale University suggests an alternate narrative — that older individuals can and do improve over time, and their mindset toward aging plays a major part in their success.

Age-Friendly Minnesota Regional Exchanges 2025 Statewide Summary (PDF)

Age-Friendly Minnesota and partners across the state hosted six Regional

Exchanges in fall 2025. This summary report shares community priorities and perspectives.

Care Ecosystem with Maren Levad (Podcast)

Live Well with Juniper podcast guest, Maren Levad, joins host Rachel Bremness to talk about Trellis' Care Ecosystem program to support caregivers and people living with dementia.

Help Sustain VAN's Work

Since 2001, the Vital Aging Network has been creating opportunities for older adults to gather and engage in the shared purpose of making our lives and our communities stronger and healthier.

Will you help put the Vital Aging Network on a path of strength for 2026?

Donate today!

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