August 11 is the deadline

Applications are now being accepted for schools and communities that are ready to host a Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum training during the Fall of 2017.

Applications can be found here and have a deadline of  midnight on Aug. 11.

To learn more about the curriculum and the training, visit walkbikefun.org.

VISTA application process now open

The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI), with help from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) through its Seeds of Native Health campaign, will award up to 20 VISTA positions to 10 tribal governments and tribal communities throughout the United States.

VISTA members who are Native Food Sovereignty Fellows receive ongoing training and assistance from IFAI to augment their local work.  In Minnesota, two tribal nations have received fellows- see Gem for details.

Visit this website for information and to apply.

Let's go for a walk

Date:  Thursday, July 27
Time:  12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

SHIP's Active Living unit has added an interactive session to learn how to plan for, and host, a walkability workshop that leads to local action planning.  This session will have attendees walk a 1-2 mile route to experience a walk audit, followed by discussion on how to bring this concept back to communities across Minnesota allowing more stakeholders to experience the barriers in their built environment. 

Space is limited.  Register on-site at the registration table.

To that point, please remember to bring comfortable walking shoes, dress in layers and, in our attempt to make this event more 'green,' your own water bottle or beverage container and other items you think will make your experience more enjoyable.

We will see you next Wednesday and Thursday at the Eagan Community Center.

As mentioned above, two Minnesota tribal communities have been awarded fellows to advance their work on increasing access to healthy food.

The Lower Sioux Indian Community and Red Lake Nation found out a few weeks ago they each were awarded a fellow.  Fellows will work in teams placed in Native American communities to contribute to and assist in efforts focused on food sovereignty, food systems, and tribal economies that build opportunities in food and agriculture.

Both tribes have focused recently on integrating traditional food classes in schools and in community cooking classes.  They hope to continue advancing the connection between indigenous foods and health with the assistance of the fellows.