Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Over the course of the granting period the primary audience was the community members and professionals from Leech Lake, White Earth andRed Lake. Community members were reached through partnerships and working relationships with the Leech Lake Tribal College, Leech Lake Division of Resource Management, Leech Lake Youth Division,Indian Councils of local communities within Leech Lake (Onigum and S-Lake),Cass Lake Bena HighSchool, local radio station KOJB,Minnesota Departments of Health State Health Improvement Program,White Earth Land Recovery project, White Earth Tribal and Community College, Wastewater professionals from Indian Health Services, Leech Lake, and Mille Lacsand community members from White Earth and Red Lake. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Extension Educator (EE) led the development of cohort of learners and actors focusing of food security issues and opportunities known as MOM (meeting of the minds). Participants represented a pluralistic approach to community engagement. Cohort members represented private and public organizations and individual community members from the White Earth, Leech Lake, Red Lake Region. Regarding specific gardening skills the EE mentored the 70 people by making regular calls to discuss issues and provide encouragement. The EE trained in 14 trainers about seed saving/garden skills from White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake. The EE also collaborated with the White Earth Land Recovery project on an Administration of Native American's grant. The EE offered on-going professional development opportunities for the 14 participants of the seed saving workshops and others as interested. To address knowledge within the non native communicty the EE led the folwwoing: Nordrum, S. (2014) Aaniin Enakamigak Omaa Anihsinaabe Akiig?- What's going on in Indian Country?" Developed a fact sheet for Extension Educators to serve as a resource to better understand Reservation communities in their service area. Outputs include distribution to Educators attending 2014 Extension Fall Conference and it is currently available on the American Indian Task Force intranet site. Nordrum, S., Newman, D., (2016) Onigamiising: We Belong to the Land. Duluth, Extension Fall Program Conference. A 90 minute interactive workshop prepared using the Awareness, Solidarity and Action educational model. The intent of this presentation was to raise awareness of the needs in Indian Country, create solidarity by collectively identifying barriers, solutions and reporting out of actions steps educators can apply the their work. Nordrum, S., Buckanaga, N., (2014) "Food Security: The True Determinate of Tribal Sovereignty" Indigenous Farmers Conference and Leech Lake Tribal College Staff and Faculty Inservice Building on a previous presentation titled "Nutricide: How the West was Won" Presentation outlining the concepts of nutricide using historic photographs and Ojibwe language to tell the story of the decline of Minnesota Ojibwe foods systems and traditional knowledge. Nordrum, S., Garbow, J., Buckanaga, N., Smith, H., Kingbird, V., Bratvold, L., "Best Practices to Establish Relationships and Outreach with Tribal Nations" (2014) Extension Fall Program Conference. Panel of tribal members from Red Lake, White Earth and Leech Lake to participate in a panel discussion on Anishinaabe worldviews and western education. Martenson, D., Skuza, J., Spainer, T., Meraz, A., Nordrum, S., (2014) Extension Webinar Series. "Working with Different Communities in Minnesota"Panel discussion of challenges to meeting the needs of underserved communities. Nordrum, S., Toft, B. " Food Sovereignty at Leech Lake" (2013) Indian Health Service Great Lakes Epidemiology Conference. Presention on Indigenous food initiatives at Leech Lake. St Paul Martenson, D., Skuza, J., Spainer, T., Meraz, A., Nordrum, S., (2013) Extension Program Conference. "Working with Different Communities in Minnesota" Panel discussing challenges to meeting the needs of underserved communities. Nordrum, S., Buckanaga, N., Kingbird, V., Harden, N., (2015 October) Ninandawaabandaamin (we are searching for it): Cooperation to improve Ojibwe-based Food Literacy. Annual Program Extension Conference, Bloomington, MN. Nordrum, S., Newman, D., Pardello R., (2015) Helping Solve Wastewater Problems in Indian Country (2010 October) Extension Program Conference, Bloomington, MN. Sam, D., Nordrum, S. Indigenous Science: Nibi and Manoomin. (2013) Nibi and Manoomin Bridging Worldviews Bi-Annual Conference. Our session provided an opportunity for participants to hear traditional ethical values of applied traditional ecological knowledge vs. western science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Overview: Extension Educator/Co-PI (EE) partnered with Tribal programs, State, Federal and private foundations to leverage $144,000.00 and a 24 x 36 foot high tunnel ($1,600) to advance goals beyond the original scope of the grant.Demonstration gardens were established in collaboration with Leech Lake Trial College (LLTC) Extension Coordinator utilizing the high tunnel, raised beds, in ground and straw bales methods. The economic value of heritage seed stock grown in the gardens includes the very rare Bear Island Flint Corn (100 pounds @ $12.00/lb) $1,200.00, Hadatsa Shield Beans ($5.00/lb) $200.00, very rare Bodawa Lima Beans ( $17.00/lb) $700.00 and very rare Gate Okosomin squash ( $12.00/LB) $1000.00. Seeds were distributed free of cost. The EE collaborated with the Leech Lake Forester to seek community input on the establishment of community orchards. Based on community input a one acre apple orchard was planted (300 trees). The third year the orchard produced approximately 18,000 pounds of apples at a modest $2.50 per pound having a huge ($45,000) economic impact for the community.Since 2015 over 750 fruiting trees and shrubs (blueberries 360, apples 600, plums 100, pears 25 and cherries 25) have been planted with fruit available to community members at no cost. The EE mentored six new small scale maple sugar producers with an average additional income of $3,000-$4,000.00. It is important to note that the value of access to healthy food, mental wellness and community building is much greater than the economic value. Monthly programming focusing on wild harvesting and food preparation has resulted in more familieswild harvesting, resulting in improving their diet, access to food and healthand in some cause creatingvalue added products primarily to share and barter with a few marketing at local vendor events. The success of this is evident by more Tribal Health Programs focusing on similar types of programming across Red Lake, White Earth and Leech Lake. This was part of theMinongigewin Someone is Eating Good; Revitalizing Traditional Anishinaabeg Connections to FoodBush Community Innovation Grant. The Success of the natural resources guide titled "Nando-gikenimindwaa Nindinawemaaganidog; getting to know all of creation"has been phenomenal. The Deer River, Cass Lake, Red Lake, NayTahWash and Laporte School Districts have all incorporated it into courses ranging fromMinnesota Biology, Science, and Ojibwe Language to Indian Studies classes. It is being used by both Leech Lake and White Earth Tribal Colleges and was used as part of the required reading for the American Indian Higher Education Commission Science competition. Prairie Arts Museum and the 1845 Authority are using the guide in their summer youth programming as well. Demand remains high but fund for printing are unavailable, however the guide is on line in a downloadable format. Objective 1:Revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural Minongigewin Someone is Eating Good; Revitalizing Traditional Anishinaabeg Connections to Food.Bush Community Innovation Grant. Worked with three reservations coordinating activities and identifying mentors with traditional skill and teaching or co-teaching $97,500.00 Leech Lake Food Assessment.Indian Health Service. Outcomes include three community gardens, a food sovereignty plan. Presented at The Great Lakes Epidemiology Annual Conference. $17,800.00 Minongigewin (Someone is eating good)-(2015-2016). 18 month course with colleagues from Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake. Targeting multigenerational audiences to addressthe demise of knowledge around traditional food systems, customs, protocols and indigenous knowledge around food. Monthly on revitalizing knowledge and skills relating to traditional Ojibwe food harvesting, preparation and preservation. Reached 279 adults and 153 youth. Activity 1:Establish Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at the Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) The EE coordinated activities with LLTC Extension program for site preparation of the three sister's garden, provided technical assistance on seed varieties and worked with USDA NRCS to secure a large hoop house for the college. Tuesdays in the Garden, talked about relevant gardening practices, soil nutrients, compost, pest control, watering, rain barrels. 7 families, 8 events (35-40 youth). Activity 2:Pilot Community Three Sisters Gardens and Hoop House LLTChired staff to manage the garden and includes it in their wellness program. They offer garden spots to students and families. Of the 70 individual gardens 25 families maintaintheir garden and four families have enlarged their plots. Activity3: Establish a Heritage Seed Bank "Repatriating Indigenous Seed"Honoring the Seeds Workshop. Presentation about preserving the heritage Bear Island Flint Corn endosperm. White Earth Tribal College. Objective 2:Revive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices Ojibwe replacements for USDA standardized American dietary foods. Outcomes included boiler plate business plans for community members seeking USDA for Rabbitry startup funds. $4,800.00 Non-Timber Forest Products & Sustainability. A 7 minute video produced for the Master Woodland On-Line Curriculum Module 6 Non-Timber Forest Products. Treaty Rights A 7 minute video produced for the Master Woodland On-Line Curriculum Module 6 Non-Timber Forest Products. Aaniin Enikamigak-15 minute show for KOJB 91.5 on environmental issues and how they impact Anishinaabeg culturally, environmentally and socially. 2013 (26 productions), 2014 (26 productions). Environmental Voices- 10 minute episode on - KOJB 91.5 about how to lessen the environmental stress on the earth, 2013 (18 segments), 2014 (16 segment) Activity 1:Develop and Publish a Traditional Ecological Field Guide Nando-gikennimindwaa Nindinawemaaganidog Negotiated and secured funds from Leech Lake Tribal College and National Science Foundation to print 1,000 copies ofNando-gikennimindwaaNindinawemaaganidog.$30,000.00 Activity 2:Conduct Culture Camps Once Per Year Seasonal Culture Camps- Customized camps for community members, family and youth with staff and community members from White Earth and Leech Lake, covering seasonal natural resource activities from, harvesting wild edibles, berry harvesting, fishing, smoking fish, Archery, Bow making, drum making, Tanning hides. At least two camps are held each year. Take a Kid Ricing- Annual event with the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management staff. Goal was to increase the number of youth participating in wild rice harvesting and improve the knowledge about wild rice and wild rice ecosystems as well as their skill in harvesting. Selected additional teachings: The Legend of the Snow Snake- Year of workshops and participants: 2013 (80); 2014 (40); 2015 (35). Year of Invitational's and number of participants: 2013 (100), 2014 (125), 2015 Red Lake (200); 2015 Leech Lake (135) Septic Facts for Kids- This training was offered three times during culture camps in 2013 and reached a total of 113 youth participants. Getting Ready for Sugar Camp. 2013 (35), 2014 (10), 2015 (20), 2016 (27) Leech Lake -Every Day is Earth Day- 2013 (140), 2014 (210), 2015 (165), 2016 (200) Leech Lake- Red Lake Youth Days. 2013 (14), 2014 (8) Activity3: Continued Support and Education of Wastewater Professionals Wastewater Round Tables- Bi annual meetings for all Tribal Wastewater professionals from Red Lake, Leech Lake, White Earth, Mille Lacs and Indian Health Service focusing on how to improve wastewater management in Indian Country. Home Owner Septic Care and Maintenance classes on four reservations and surrounding communities. 2013 (14), 2014 (8) Technical assistance to Leech Lake Land department reviewing septic system designs and offering study sessions for Leech Lake wastewater staff who are preparing to take the licensure exam.

Publications

• Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Binesiikwe, (Nordrum,S.) (2015). Nando-gikennimindwaa Nindinawemaaganidog

Progress 07/01/16 to 06/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems:A community-led development process where the focus is on locally created, owned and achieved goals which involves community members as leaders in planning and implementing the work. It's important to understand and embrace this approach since the work may change based on the community, thus the ability to be flexible and adaptive is necessary. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to follow a community led process around the objectives to:Revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural andRevive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices. Much of this work contributes to new goals and reinforces past goals as all the work is connected.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Reporting from July 1, 2016- June 30, 2017 Objective 1: Revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural Cherries canning event. The purpose of this event was to demonstrate how fruit could be purchased in bulk when in season. Cherries from Washington were canned to feed throughout the year. Participants learned to can both pitted and un-pitted cherries and now they have persevered cherries to enjoy. 20 adults participated in this all day event. A half day Gathering of Gathers Walk focusng on Blue berries (checking readiness and ecosystem type) chock cherries and black berries. 18 adults and 5 youth attended. Presented at the Grand Rapids Extension Visitor days about Indigenous pollinators and habitat improvement. 20 people participated. Presented at the Remer School Forest Days and demonstrated eight different teas that can be made from local indigenous plants. 60 youth participated. In collaboration with the University of Minnesota Extension Forestry Team an on line video on Treaty Rights and Sustainable Harvests for the Master Woodland was created for their on line certification program. 20 people participated in this training. Hosted an apple picking event at Lavaliers, Grand Rapids. Families were invited to come see an apple orchard and harvest apples for our own Leech lake Apple festival. Five families participated. Apple Festival: The purpose of this event was to focus on the one acre apple orchard planted on Leech Lake and for people to celebrate apples even if the orchard was too young to produce apples. Participants learned from other community members how to make apple pie, how to make apple sauce and apple butter. Younger participants played apple bingo, apple bean bag toss and lacrosse. A community meal was shared and we played apple trivia. This event was attended by 56 youth and adults. All participants took home food they preserved and apples. In coordination with Betsy Johnson and Noelle Harden wrote and submitted a Blue Cross Blue Shield grant to bring together SNAP Ed Educators from Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth and five of their constituents to meet about current SNAP Ed Curriculum and a Traditional Foods SNAP Ed curriculum, to identify needs and partnerships. This event was attended by 18 people. Hosted a workshop on how to prune fruiting trees. Four families participated, helping to prune the 300 apple trees in the community of Prescott on Leech Lake. These families were given pruning tools and agreed to prune trees in outlying villages. Follow up showed that these families had followed through with their commitment to care of the trees they were assigned. In collaboration with Leech Lake Forester writing a grant to Trees for Tribes and received 60 more apples trees for Leech Lake. On June 20 and 21 we planted trees with community. 25 trees were planted at the Cass Lake Bena Hight School, 20 at the Bugoneygishig School and 15 at the Leech lake Tribal Government center. Hosted Monthly meeting of the Mind gathering where professionals and community members work toward food security and sovereignty gather to share ideas and information. Traditional skills like spoon carving, bowl making, basket weaving, canning and homey making are taught while the meeting is in session. 120 people participated over the course of the year. Activity: Pilot Community Three Sisters Gardens and Hoop House Garden Mentoring of five 5 adults with their gardens. Community garden planted. The site was offered very late in the season so a short growing season. Radishes, carrots, beets and summer squash were planted. Tomatoes, cabbage and brussel sprouts were started. The garden was planted with Students from the Cass Lake Bena Summer Program and the Leech Lake Area Boys and Girls Club. Activity: Establish a Heritage Seed Bank at the Leech Lake Tribal College. Presented a seed saving class at White Earth Tribal and Community college. Demonstrated seed saving of squash, beans, corn, tomatoes, cucumber and tobacco. 25 adults attended this event. Objective 2: Revive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices Activity: Conduct Culture Camps Once Per Year The 4th annual White Earth Berry Camp. The purpose of this camp is a cultural immersion experience around seasonally available foods, in this case blueberries and how to find, harvest and preserve them. Participants learn about traditional nutrition, how to prepare meals, interact with elders, make traditional tools, such as baskets, spoons and bowls. There are opportunities to engage on other traditional activities such as archery, canoeing and lacrosse. This camp was attended by 60 youth and 20 adults over the two day event. In collaboration with Leech Lake Division of Resource Management hosted a winter archery camp. Participants learned about archery, tracking deer, using a compass, making dream catchers and survival bracelets, andhunter safety. They also heard star story's and played snow snakes and lacrosse. This event was attend by 60 youth. In collaboration with the Watermark Art Studio, Bemidji State University and Leech lake Tribal college I hosted a Snow Snake invitational with students from Red Lake Nation, Leech Lake Nation, White Earth Nation and Mille Lacs Nation. 120 youth participated. Additional Programming: In collaboration with the University Of Minnesota School Of Veterinary Medicine an all-day event for 16 Leech Lake Youth offered. The first half of the day participants attended Vet Camp, an interactive education program for high school students in grades 9-12, who are interested in learning more about the field of veterinary medicine as a career. The hands-on learning activities are developed and taught by students at the University Of Minnesota College Of Veterinary Medicine. The second half of the day participant shadowed Vet Med School students providing veterinary services to the Leech Lake Community. Hosted a two day artist retreat: The purpose of the meeting was to gather information about local artist's needs and to speak about healthy foods and how to weave woolen rugs. Artist could work on their own art in a large studio space and share their art with others. This event was attended by 28 adult artists.

Publications

Progress 07/01/15 to 06/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?See above under accomplishements How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The community members are intimatley invloved in the work. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A community member recently described FRTEP Program Bimaadiziwin as "growing leadership in our communities through our communities by promoting self-reliance and improving food access". Reached 279 adult producers and 153 youth. Objective 1: Revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural Activity 1: Establish Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at the Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) Tuesdays in the Garden, talked about relevant gardening practices, soil nutrients, compost, pest control, watering, rain barrels. 7 families consisting of 15 adult producers and 13 youth. We learned that Production and improving food access is also about traditional cooking and preservation and offered the following classes to increase overall skill and opportunity to produce salable products related to traditional foods. Five Canning events covering the differences between the needs to pressure cook some food vs water bathing. Canning squash, deer meat, carrots and tomato sauce. 58 adult producers learned this skill and took home 6 pints of each food. This will help them save on their food budget and improve self reliance. Activity 2: Pilot Community Three Sisters Gardens and Hoop House Mentoring two elders on growing Bear Island Corn at their homes. The three sister garden project has turned into a heritage germplasam project with Bear Island Corn, GeteOkisomin and several bean verities being the focus. 5 Adult Producers and 1 youth are involved Apples, Plums and Raspberries, 16 Adult potential producers visited the Nordrum home to learn about our apple, plum and raspberry gardening projects. Grow your own mushroom inoculation workshop. 12 adults and 4 youth participants learned how to inoculate logs to grow their own mushrooms. The community of Onigum and Weweyiyagamag have small community gardens and the two Elderly Housing complexes in Cass Lake have small hoop houses. Cooking and Sewing- Once a month we have an all-day gathering at Leech lake Tribal College. The goal of this gathering is to share a healthy recipe either prepared at the event. Recipes were collected for an upcoming cook book and it also offers a time for people to gather and create something while visiting and community building. January 18participants February 24participants March 10participants Activity3: Establish a Heritage Seed Bank at the Leech Lake Tribal College. Seed Saving, 29 Adult producers participant learned the skill of harvesting corn, beans and squash for seed saving improving their self reliance and food access skills. From our own gardens we now have a small quantity of Bear Island Flint corn, Hidatsa shield beans, Gete Okosomin (a banana squash) available for new gardeners. "Planning Your Garden for Seed Saving" workshop was offered at both Leech Lake and White Earth with a total of 24 participants learning about heirloom and heritage seed selection, germination testing, planting distances and plot size techniques. Objective 2: Revive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices Activity 1: Develop and Publish a Traditional Ecological Field Guide. The National Science Foundation provided funds to Leech Lake Tribal College to print 1000 copies which are being distributed at community gatherings. Extension educator led the creation of field guide Nando-gikenimindwaa Nindinawemaaganidog. Activity 2: Conduct Culture Camps Once Per Year Traditional Anishinaabe Berry teaching from Leech Lake Elders. 40 participants attended. Two Day Berry Camp focusing on teaching the knowledge of berry ecosystems, proper harvesting and preservation skills. 50 youth and 39 adults participated in producing a pint of berry sauce, a pint of jam and a bag of dried berries and the knowledge and skill to improve food self-reliance. Take a Kid Ricing, teaching the heritage of harvesting and preparing wild rice and about the wild rice ecosystem. 48 youth and 21 adults produced one pound of wild rice and now have the knowledge and skill to improve food self-reliance. Youth Winter Archery Camp- a one-day event teaching hunter safety and archery skills. 21 youth participated and over the past three years 12 youth from our archery events have reported harvesting deer and rabbit. Community Sugar Camp, 10 adults and 5 youth learned all aspects of operating and managing a Sugar Bush, from site selection, tapping trees to producing the final products of Maple Syrup, Maple, Cream, Taffy, Sugar Cakesand Maple sugar. Self Reliance, while not an original goal of the grant has been a desired track for all three communities. The following events were offered to help the community regain knowledge and skill around traditional activities. Some are related to food others are not but all produce salable products that cane be sold at farmers markets. Carving Fish Decoys, we have continued to work with our community to produce spear fishing decoys with a value of $50.00 each. These can be sold or used for harvesting fish in winter months. Over 20 Adult and 16 youth producers . Stitch a Gift- in collaboration with LLTC we offered and open sewing event where participants could create their own gifts. Twenty six people sewed Log Cabin quilted pot holders, table runners and pillows. Fabric for this event was donated and resulting in participants gaining news skills and creating $1,300.00 worth of holiday gifts. Clay Pottery- Anishinaabe used clay for cooking participants learned to gather. Clean, shape and fire water proof pottery for cooking. 14 adult producers. Winter Market- a one day market space at Leech Lake Tribal College for Artisans and producers to sell their products. This was marketed as a "shop at home and support your neighbor". Seven producers participated and a total of $1,700.00 of product were sold. Winter market in February. Eleven vendors offered locally produced foods or art. Total vendor revenue generated was $2,200.00. At these events I offered a space for community organizations to fund raise Gaa Miskowaakokag School of Tae Kwon Do raise $300.00 offering chili and corn bread. Tables were set up community style so people could shop, eat and visit with many elders hanging out for the entire 4 hour event and a total of 86 people attended. Spring market onApril 1event had 8 vendors with a total revenue of $1,800.00 and the Leech Lake Tribal College Student Senate provided wild rice soup raising $200.00 and a total of 63 people attended. Activity3: Continued Support and Education of Wastewater Professionals 3 wastewater professionals were tutored prior to attending Introduction to Septic System and Septic System Installation courses and all three passed their exams. These communities tend to resist the terminology "farmer" possibly from bygone days of "setting aside the bow and laying hands on the plow" However the terminology "producer" seems to be well accepted and even exciting so we op out of using the tern farmer. We have also had to refine some activities to generate broad community interest. For example there seems to be great interest in preservation of food rather than producing garden food, so classes were offered as a means to start the conversation about production.

Publications

• Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Nanod-gikenimindwaa Nindinawemaaganidog

Progress 07/01/14 to 06/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Yes. The community is involved in the project on a regualr basis. The Extension Educator has presented the project at Univeristy of Minnesota Extension annual conference, local Pow Wows, shared on the radio, and with colleagues and students at the Leech Lake Tribal College. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Objective 1: Revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural Activity 1: Establish Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at the Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) In 2015 the EE will provide technical assistance to LLTC for the community garden. LLTC has invested in hiring a staff member to manage the community garden which will allow the EE to work on the pilot gardens and the 70 individual gardens not originally in the proposal. Evaluation will be simply a change in yields and a change in the number of community members and students involved in gardening and agriculture. Activity 2: Pilot Community Three Sisters Gardens and Hoop House In 2015 the EE will continue to work with Onigum and S-Lake and the 70 families. The EE will also work with Kego Lake, Prescott and at the local community radio station KOJB. These additional gardens are a result of the $8,000 mini-grant from the State Health Improvement Program (SHIP). In addition to the hoop house at the LLTC two smaller units will be constructed by May 15 and planted as soon as the soil warms. The smaller units will be located in Prescott and KOJB. Evaluation will be simply a change in yields and a change in the number of community members. Activity3: Establish a Heritage Seed Bank at the Leech Lake Tribal College. The EE will continue to collect and distribute seeds. The EE will build on the new regional seed saving alliance that is being led by the White Earth Land Recovery Project leveraging resources. The EE will offer on-going professional development opportunities for the 14 participants of the seed saving workshops and others as interested. Evaluation will be based on the number of participants and the number and variety of seeds in the bank (we are now calling it a seed library). Objective 2: Revive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices Activity 1: Develop and Publish a Traditional Ecological Field Guide. The EE will focus on distribution and continue building resources and contribute to the website the LLTC is creating. Activity 2: Conduct Culture Camps Once Per Year The EE will conduct a maple sugar and berry camp in 2015. The EE is also leading monthly day-long gatherings focusing on food and traditional knowledge and skills (i.e., carving fish decoys, wooden spoons, baking bread) that is open to all community members. Activity3: Continued Support and Education of Wastewater Professionals This is an on-going challenge due to two main factors: 1) Change in staffing across Reservations; 2) The cost to provide effective on-going training for tribal wastewater professionals. With that in mind the EE will continue to reach out across reservations to provide technical assistance and work with other to seek funding to offer training. Evaluation: The EE will conduct a ripple-map evaluation to capture positive changes in knowledge, skills, and practices in relationship to revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural and revive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Accomplishments and Program Effectiveness: The goal of this Project is to improve the health and well-being of the Band's members by securing indigenous food supplies, reviving traditional Anishinaabe agricultural practices and protecting the Reservation's natural resources. Securing the $97,400 from the Bush Foundation Community Innovations grant to bridge the social capital of Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth tribal community reinforces the work of the food system and security work of Extension Educator (EE). All Community activities have revolved around traditional food skill building ranging from making traditional tools to preservation, storage and cooking. In addition the MOM (meeting of the minds) cohort established by the EE has continued to grow members representing a broadening community of food and sustainability initiatives. The EE will be changing office space at Leech Lake Tribal College. The EE will now share an office with the Leech Lake Tribal College Extension program, this should allow for both programs to collaborate and offer more effective programming in the future. Objective 1: Revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural Activity 1: Establish Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at the Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC)The EE coordinated the securing of high tunnel through USDA NRCS. The high tunnel is being raised at this writing (June 1, 2015) and will be planted with tomatoes, watermelon and cantaloupe by the close of the week. The EE has provided additional technical assistance on seed varieties and soils for the college. The 2014 harvest was minimal due to a variety of factors ranging from extremes of unusually long wet to dry periods, snaps of cold and extreme heat to wildlife. A fence has been secured for the 2015 planting to address the wildlife issue. Activity 2: Pilot Community Three Sisters Gardens and Hoop House Community gardens got a slow start. Onigum and S-Lake gardens were both scheduled to have new community centers constructed thus determining the locations of the gardens became a challenge; along with deer and other wildlife eating anything that sprouted. Due to this the EE shifted focus to securing funds to fence the gardens. The EE secured $8,000 from the Minnesota Departments of Health State Health Improvement Program (SHIP) to fence all three original community gardens and add one garden in the community of Kego Lake. There were enough funds to provide garden sheds, garden tools and soil amendments for each garden site. Garden site work is scheduled to be completed by June 10, 2015. The EE continues to remain available for technical assistance for the 70 individual home sites tilled with the aid of five volunteers (two are master gardeners) in the spring of 2014. While harvest were low in 2014 primarily due to weather extremes calls for technical assistance regarding soil amendments, testing, seeds and verity types are coming in and people seem excited about 2015 growing season. Activity3: Establish a Heritage Seed Bank at the Leech Lake Tribal College. The EE trained in 14 trainers about seed saving/garden skills from White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake. The EE also collaborated with the White Earth Land Recovery project on an Administration of Native American's grant. The grant proposal is collaboration with 12 other Tribal entities within the Region to empower tribal seed keepers and build strong tribal seed keeping networks. The seed bank of heritage seeds is small consisting of Bear Island and Hopi Blue corn, Gate Okosomin (old squash) and Hidatsa shield, Indian Runner, and little brown beans. The EE distributed seeds to 48 people from the 70 gardens that were tilled in the spring of 2014 and was able to provide seed for some of the 2015 gardens. Objective 2: Revive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices Activity 1: Develop and Publish a Traditional Ecological Field Guide. The Field Guide has gone to print. The EE guaranteed that the guide is inclusive and useful as possible. With the guidance and support of the LLTC Vice President of Academic Affairs it was decided that LLTC would continue collaboration with the FRTEP EE and develop an interactive Web Page that would support the initial Guide and allow for the addition of new and updated information to capture the target audience and retain their interest. The launch date for the web site is July 20, 2015. Activity 2: Conduct Culture Camps Once Per Year The EE led two camps in 2014, Berry Camp at White Earth and Wild Rice Camp with Leech Lake. Berry Camp was collaboration with White Earth Tribal College and Boys and Girls Club, Dream Of Wild Health and LLTC. Youth, adults and Elders spent three days picking berries, canning sauces and jams, cooking meals family style, fishing, smoking fish, learning to weave, playing Lacrosse, making wild rice knockers and sharing our lives. Leech Lake Wild Rice Camp was collaboration with Leech Lake Division of Resource Management, and Leech Lake Youth Division. Camp was three days harvesting materials from the woods to make rice poles and knockers, harvesting rice, learning about the wild rice ecosystem, sharing stories of ricing and cooking family style meals. 48 youth slept over and completed the three-day camp. During the days there were over 60 additional community members that participated and contributed to the camps. The 2015 Sugar Camp was successful with two new producers and 20 regular participants. Planning meetings for the 2015 Berry Camp are in progress and we look forward to providing more quality programming. Activity3: Continued Support and Education of Wastewater Professionals There has been a lot of change among wastewater professionals on Leech Lake, Red Lake and Mille Lacs Reservations. This has caused some concern from wastewater professionals that went through sewer camp. The EE and Leech Lake Division of Resource Management sought out ways to have a new sewer camp. However there was little response from other tribes. The EE remains active and has provided technical assistance and tutorials for tribal wastewater professional who are taking the core wastewater courses independently. The EE continues to provide technical support to Leech Lake and Mille Lacs staff. Sewer camp and the awareness of wastewater challenges do remain on the radar of Indian Health Service since sewer camp and Bemidji Area staffhave submitted a proposal to help inspect 300 septic systems on Leech Lake in 2015. The EE provided study sessions for Leech Lake wastewater staff who are preparing to take the five core wastewater courses provided by the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Publications

Progress 07/01/13 to 06/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: During this period community members from Onigum, Prescott and S-Lake were tagetted in deveopling community gardens. Students from the Leech Lake Tribal College and youth from Leech Lake and White Earth participated in culture camps with professionals from the Divsion of Resource Managment and local elders. Changes/Problems: The establishment of a communicty garden at the Tribal College did not occure due to issues out of our control. Therefore a communicty garden was planted next to the local radio station where Extension Educator Shirley Nordrum has a radio show. This location is in a location easily visited by community members. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The Extension Educator participated on a seed keeper workshop with a community member to increase her knowledge, shills and abilites in deveoping a seed bank and harvesting seeds for fduture generations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 2014 POW (7/1/14- 5/15/15) Objective 1: Revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural The LL Green Team (acoalition ofLeech Lake divisionsdedicated to sound conservation and ecologically respectful practices) secured Indian Health Services (IHS) funds to undertake several projects in 2014 to advance the Traditional food focuses to advance and reinforce FRTEP Bimaadiziwin – A HealthyWay of Life. This work included mapping soils of LL to identify lands suitable for agricultural production. Only 279 acres were identified and those lands were not owned by LL. Much of LL owned land soils are sand or clay. Based on this analysis the EE will focus some educational efforts on home owner composting and soil education. A concept mapping project and subsequent food assessment survey around the problem “LL Band Members do not have access to healthy local grown or harvested foods.” Identified a need for educational programs and mentors/volunteers to help people regain skills around use of natural resource and traditional agriculture including growing, harvesting, preservation, storage and cooking. Activity 1: Establish Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at the Leech Lake Tribal College The demonstration garden will be planted, maintained, and harvested. It will serve as a living classroom for students and Band members. In 2013 the EE worked with LLTC Vice President Sharon Marcotte and Jessica Wise, NRCS to secure funding for a 20x40 high tunnel, this will demonstrate extended growing season methods and increase awareness of NRCS programs for individual producers. The EE will work closely with elders, the newly formed Leech Lake Master Gardeners, and LLTC faculty to provide educational opportunities to students, youth groups and community members. Produce harvested from the garden will be used in community celebrations at the LLTC. Activity 2: Pilot Community Three Sisters Gardens and Hoop House Onigum, Prescott, S-Lake communities gardens will be tilled, planted, maintained and harvested. Equipment will be purchased. Based on the increased interest in gardening over 70 community members have requested assistance in garden prep. To address this high interest two tillers have been secured (one donated and the other on loan) to assist. Master gardeners have been identified and will assist with specific questions and troubleshoot issues that arise. Activity3: Establish a Heritage Seed Bank at the Leech Lake Tribal College The EE and a community member are attending the Seed Keepers workshop on May 11-16th, 2014 to learn about culture, practice and the science of seed keeping. They will develop the protocol and processes necessary to guarantee the success of the seed bank. In addition they will educate LLTC staff on how to manage the bank and community members on how to make “withdrawls” and “deposits” and most importantly the techniques to save seeds and ensure there is no cross-breeding. Objective 2: Revive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices In Year 1 the EE led Gathering of Gatherers walks to address the interest in revitalizing traditional use of plants for food, fiber and crafts. These events will occur in Year 2 in the forests and wetlands of LL to provide an opportunity to educate participants on broad range of environmental issues ranging from global challenges such as climate change to more local topics like wastewater management while revitalizing and sharing traditional ecological knowledge. The EE will continue to produce and be a guest on KOJB radio programs that traditional agriculture, traditional ecological knowledge and sustainable practices to protect and improve water quality and land use practices. Activity 1: Develop and Publish a Traditional Ecological Field Guide The EE will complete the first draft of the guide, seek a minimum of two reviews and revise. The LLTC Vice President Sharon Marcotte has been working with the EE to use content from the guide to develop and host an interactive web page for community members to share knowledge, observation and stories. The web site will host an Internet Forum to engage community around discussions about traditional agriculture and traditional ecological knowledge and the EE has been asked to consult throughout web site development and be a moderator for the on- line forum to assure information exchanges are culturally relevant and scientifically sound. The EE will continue developing guide content for a supplement to the guide. LLTC and the community feedback indicate a desire for the guide to be an ongoing project. LLTC staff is translating portions of the field guide into Ojibwe. The goal is for the first guide to be printed and in use by August 2014. Activity 2: Conduct Culture Camps Once Per Year The EE is working with White Earth Tribal College Extension, LL DRM, Red Lake Traditional Foods and Dream of Wild Health (MPLS based Ojibwe Farm) to host a two day Wild Harvesting Summit for 60 youth. Participants will receive traditional teaching about berries and other wild foods, learn about the ecosystems that support these plants, the importance of water quality on wild foods, safe food preparation, preservation and cooking. The EE is working with LL DRM to plan a three day Wild Rice Camp. The goal is to offer educational opportunities to prior to the camp for people to learn how to harvest materials and make ricing poles and knockers in preparation for the harvest. The camp itself will teach participants about the wild rice ecosystem, how to harvest, parch, jig and winnow wild rice for storage. Activity3: Continued Support and Education of Wastewater Professionals The EE will continue to facilitate two roundtables per year designed with guidance, input and the assistance of the Tribal wastewater professionals from all seven Minnesota Ojibwe Bands and IHS. LL and Red Lake have expressed interest in host another customized wastewater professional’s educational series (sewer camp), The EE will be explore options to make sewer camp more frequent and sustainable.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Revive traditional knowledge of Anishinaabe agricultural*Due to the start date of July 1, 2014 activity 1 and 2 are just beginning. Activity 1: Establish Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at the Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) The garden has been tilled and volunteers secured for planting and maintenance. Activity 2: Pilot Community Three Sisters Gardens and Hoop House Onigum, Prescott, S-Lake communities have decided to focus on heritage crops of Bear Island Corn (originally from Leech Lake (LL)), Gete Okosomin (800 year old variety of Banana squash) and Hidatsa Shield Beans. Other vegetables will be grown and the focus will remain on heritage varieties that will grow successfully in the LL area. Activity 3: Establish a Heritage Seed Bank at the Leech Lake Tribal College In collaboration with the White Earth Land Recovery a Seed Savers workshop occurred at LLTC for 16 community members on seed identification, germination, pollination, plant diversity, seed harvesting and storage, hybrids and heirlooms and record keeping. Traditional seed stories and local seed solutions were included. A seed matters toolkit and a seed search scholarship secured for EE and one community member to attend the Seed Keeper workshop May 2014. Objective 2: Revive Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Water Quality and Land Use Practices Activity 1: Develop and Publish a Traditional Ecological Field Guide Components of Mitigwakiing Minawaa Ziibing - Into the Woods and In the Rivers field guide drafted include a list of traditional place names on the reservation, creation story, 24 trees, 24 plants, 4 fish, and 17 birds. The EE worked with elders and community members to ensure the stories can be told and written down. Activity 2: Conduct Culture Camps Once Per Year The EE have has collaborated with the Division of Resource Management (DRM) to provide Culture Camps on the LL and White Earth reservation to connect youth with opportunities to revive traditional ecological knowledge of water quality, land use practices and traditional foods. The EE hosted two Fish Smoking Camps; one at LL and White Earth. Participants learned how to clean, prepare and smoke fish. They made wild rice knockers and poles (in preparation for a future camp). Throughout the camps there were discussions and traditional teachings about water, wild rice, and fish and current environmental protection measure to assure these gifts are always present. The EE participated in a Berry Camp hosted by Bob Schimak, White Earth Elder. At Berry Camp participants received traditional teaching about berries, learned about ecosystems supporting blue berries, and choke cherries, safe food preparation, watersheds and the importance of water and Ojibwe language instruction. A Total of 110 youth participated in these camps. Activity3: Continued Support and Education of Wastewater Professionals The EE mentored LL Staff by assisting with the assessments of both septic system function and home owner operation and maintenance of 47 homes that were constructed in 2010. These homes generate 7.7 million gallons of wastewater annually and results indicate proper function and maintenance is occurring. In combination with the small community project in 2011, which improved treatment of 9 million gallons of wastewater, FRTEP funds have resulted in proper treatment of 16.7 million gallons of wastewater.

Publications