Progress 08/01/09 to 07/31/10
Outputs
Yes SIR! (Sustain Indian Resources) Our Strength is in Indian Country, clearly reflects the accomplishments, confidence, and enthusiasm of Haskell Indian Nation University's Extension Program. Haskell's Youth Extension Program goal is to pursue three primary objectives: Establish a unified Extension office and leadership program, establish a network of volunteers in our Indian communities and establish a database of information that shows bests practices in Indian Extensions and pursue the theme that Indian communities already have strength to draw upon in outreach efforts. To accomplish this, our program provides the opportunity to improve academic, social, and leadership skills through participation in community based projects and activities. Haskell Extension is also providing our students and community members the opportunity volunteer and teach native youth, as well as sharing their skills with their own tribal communities. To further enhance leadership and volunteerism, Haskell Extension initiated development of online tutorials for service learning. This online tool will include leadership and community service modules. Additionally, subject matter experts and material resources were identified that helped Haskell expand the Best Practices database by 60 items this year. We further collected and cataloged over 340 types of materials including magazines, books, Kansas State publications, DVD's, VHS, and teacher kits into a database of Native Resource Materials. Both databases will be published on the Haskell website and can be loaned or checked out to all interested individuals and organizations. Haskell Extension has also doubled the number of registered volunteers since the start of the grant. We now have a total of 63 volunteers and a volunteer center was established adjacent to the Extension offices. Our volunteers have given instruction on Moccasin, Ribbon and Traditional Shawl, and Star Quilt making cultural classes and Tae Kwon Do. We have volunteers at many campus events including Safety and Health Fair, Student Enrollment, Highlight Night, 2010 Census campaign, and Go Red for Women. We have approached this year with our Yes, SIR! attitude despite the fact that that we were without a Director for most of the year. Diligently working with our Human Resource office to get the position filled was time consuming. The recruit to hire is finally being processed. That said, the PI, Program Assistant, student worker, and volunteers kept the program running. PRODUCTS: The three end products are the Database of Materials, Database of Volunteers, and Database of Best Practices. All three contain a wealth of information and resources for community outreach, leadership, and volunteer services. Through the Volunteer center, 63 individuals had the opportunity to not only provide a lending hand to our community partners, but had the opportunity to learn and expand their own knowledge and skill base. Through our cultural classes, our students and community youth have learned traditional ways of sewing and beading. This in itself is a great accomplishment. We have many students that come from urban areas and have no knowledge of the Native culture. By attending Extension classes and gatherings, many have expressed the feeling of connection to their culture and most times eagerly await the next set of classes. Also, in conjunction with Four Winds Native Center, we developed partnerships with Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kickapoo Nation School, University of Kansas Biological Survey and Native Medicinal Garden Project, Wetlands Preservation Organization, KU Medical Center Program in American Indian Community Health, Community Mercantile and entered into Phase II of a four-phase process of designing and maintaining a community garden. Phase II included the clean-up of the grounds at the Four Winds Center and nearby apartment buildings, tilling and fertilizing the ground, and conducting several community design workshops to develop an urban garden design. All work was completed by our student volunteers. Another successful volunteer project was Alternative Spring Break. This year our program cleaned and performed minor maintenance tasks for the Four Winds Center. This opportunity allowed students to help improve the quality of services offered at the Center. Leadership training allowed several of our students the opportunity to apply and be in contention for Camp Counselor positions at the Heart of America Indian Culture Camp. OUTCOMES: The outcomes of 2010 reflect our three primary objectives: Establish a unified Extension office and leadership program, establish a network of volunteers in our Indian communities and establish a database of information that shows best practices in Indian Extensions and pursue the theme that Indian communities already have strength to draw upon in outreach efforts. Although without a Director, the Extension office continued to provide quality services and programs to Native youth and Haskell students. Dedication by the Administrative Assistant, PI, student worker, and a host of volunteers the program flourished. Cultural classes were at capacity with waiting lists. The sharing of native history and sense of embracing culture is immeasurable. Dozens of handmade traditional and ribbon shawls, moccasins, star quilts, and beaded work are now proudly owned by students and community members. All other projects and programs provided students and community members positive experiences and understanding of leadership and volunteerism, as well as adding their resumes to our databases. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Our outreach is tremendous. We have partnered with many organizations to provide services to not only our students and Native youth, but to surrounding City of Lawrence, Douglas County, and neighboring Tribes. These organizations include Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kickapoo Nation School, University Of Kansas Biological Survey and Native Medicinal Garden Project, Wetlands Preservation Organization, University of Kansas Medical Center Program in American Indian Community Health, Lawrence Community Mercantile, Heart of America Indian Center, American Indian Health Research and Education Alliance, and Haskell Safety Office. Some of our highlights not previously mentioned are Co-hosted the American Indian Culture Camp with the Heart of America Indian Center and the Kansas City Rotary Club. Thirty-six volunteers participated as guest speakers, putting on workshops, and cultural activities. Workshop topics included wilderness survival, volunteerism in the community, and several small scale service projects at the Rotary Camp. Native Food Demonstrations and Native Harvest Food Festival were also successful events. Using some of the native foods from our garden, along with food from the Pacific region, the Extension program hosted a Native Food Demonstration. Meals were prepared by volunteers in the traditional way and participants were treated to a delicious meal, while listening to tribal stories about the food and plants. The participants also learned both traditional and modern planting, gathering, and storage methods. Our Native Harvest Food Festival invited the community to a dinner featuring Native foods from all over North America. The community was invited to bring a Native dish and asked to tell a story about or origination of the dish. Our volunteers participated in many service learning projects. We took the lead in the Haskell Indian Nations University American Heart Association Go Red for Women and the 2010 US Census campaigns. Our volunteers were given in-depth training on the cause itself and they planned campus activities and events to promote both heart disease in women and the importance of the 2010 US Census and civic responsibility. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Future Initiatives for the Haskell Extension Program include additional leadership and volunteer training and promotion. We plan on partnering with the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club for service learning projects. By placing our student volunteers in schools highly populated with Native youth and serving as staff and role models, we are positive the partnership will be successful. Further, the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club is also partnering with the City of Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program, so our volunteers will also have those learning opportunities. We plan on expanding our culturally relevant database by 80 items. Volunteers will take the lead in researching and organizing these materials. We plan on engaging in four new communities and/or organizations. By collaborating with additional communities and/or organizations, we are able expand our resource list and learn from others. We definitely plan on completing Phase III of our community garden project. This will entail conducting extensive research on Native traditional food and medicinal uses of plants, finalizing garden designs, and collecting seedlings of varieties of corn, beans, squash, okra, tomatoes, melons, and other native vegetables and fruits.
Impacts
Through the programs provided by the Haskell Extension, we anticipate our students, Native youth, and the community will utilize the skills and knowledge gained to help them become healthy, productive, community driven leaders in society. We further expect our relationships with the community, Tribal communities, and other organizations to continue to flourish as we become partners in meeting the goals of our Haskell Extension Program.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 08/01/08 to 07/31/09
Outputs
Haskell Extension Program established a Haskell Indian Nations University Volunteer Center and built a database of volunteers to strengthen community participation in youth programs and community empowerment. We are in Minoka Hall. We hold our Cultural Community Classes in our classroom taught by volunteers from Haskell Indian Nations University and the community. Wellbriety Journey for Forgiveness. Our students hosted the event, greeted visitors served refreshments, lunch and participated in the ceremony. Extension Cultural Classes Tae Kwon Do Star Quilt Class Moccasin Making Class Flute Making Class Shawl Making Class GRE Prep Course Beading Guild Archery class Junior Dance Troupe Native Food Harvest Great Pumpkin Party Irish and Russian Cultural Exchange Feast Veteran Remembrance Day Co-hosted Safety Fair on campus Tree Blessing Ceremony Extension Office hosted a self defense seminar. Extension hosted a The Great Pumpkin Party. Haskell Little Nations Academy and Lawrence Elementary students were participants of our Halloween activities. Haskell Extension volunteers aided the Haskell Rascals and elem students with their pumpkin carving and paint their own pumpkin, turkey shooting using bean bags for points, brownie decorating for the older students, costume runway pageants and elders sharing Native American scary stories. Native Harvest Food Festival. The initiative was to teach students about native foods. Where and how the foods are grown, different foods in native areas consumed by people indigenous to the area, where and how they are gathered and how they are processed for long-term storage. Archery Classes on the Haskell softball field. Archery basics were taught to elementary students in the Lawrence Community. Applique Beadwork Classes. Participants had to be 10 yrs or older and there was a ten dollars materials cost. Limited scholarships were available provided by Native American Student Services. Flute Classes taught by a Haskell student. Participants had to be 12 year or older and there was a ten dollar materials cost. Limited scholarships were available provided by Native American Student Services. Extension began to sponsor the Haskell Indian Nations University Study Abroad Club. Students who are enrolled in International Language classes available at HINU, students who are enrolled in the Study Abroad class, students have applied to an International trip and those who participate in fundraising events on behalf of the Study Abroad Club. We are co-hosting the 2009 American Indian Culture Camp with Heart of America Indian Center and the Kansas City Rotary Club. This year's theme is Live in Harmony. We have enlisted the help of 30 volunteers throughout the week as camp directors, nurses, guest speakers, counselors, and general staff. Extension is involved with children's exercise programs through the Healthier Haskell initiative. This is an initiative to promote exercise and healthy eating to native people. We also developed program surveys to send out to all Natives community members. Training Agent Representative Conference; Manhattan, Kansas Galaxy III Conference Kansas State Kansas Health Summit PRODUCTS: DVD and Cd's were produced for distribution to the families of the children that participated in the Extension activities. A group of Native students have and will continue to acquire native skills and practice traditions gained with their involvement in the Native dance group. Students will have a lasting knowledge of regalia making and care of the heirloom they have made or acquired as part of the cultural classes. OUTCOMES: We had a booth at Haskell Fall enrollment to present the Volunteer Center to new, returning and transfer students. The outcome of Wellbriety Journey of Forgiveness event was empowering for Haskell students and local youth. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Talking Feather Newsletter Tae Kwon Do Flyer Summer Activities Flyer Haskell Extension Volunteer Center Postcard Russian and Irish Cultural Exchange Feast Interactive Website FUTURE INITIATIVES: We are also in the planning phase of a Haskell Extension CEU program partnered with the University of Kansas. We are planning a center and classroom for Native Amer Language Speakers to teach their Native American Languages. Training and teaching accommodations will allow community people will to have language classes, prepare materials and develop a curriculum that can be presented as a community learning experience.
Impacts
The Language Center will impact the Students in way that will help raise awareness of American Indian language loss locally and globally. It will provide native speakers with tools and resources to teach their respective languages in a classroom environment.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 08/01/07 to 07/31/08
Outputs
Haskell Extension Program established a Haskell Indian Nations University Volunteer Center to build a database of volunteers to strengthen community participation in youth programs and community empowerment. Our initial target was student clubs and organizations, then the Haskell community at large. Using student resources enabled us to have access to at least 200 volunteers. We have partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence to offer students an opportunity to mentor Native youth in the community. The program is called PriceLESS Pals Mentoring Program and reaches out to local Lawrence Junior High School sites. The grade level of the mentees is from 4th-8th grade. Haskell Indian Nations University students will have their volunteer hours and job duties recorded. At graduation a volunteer resume will be written for them to include this volunteer program. On 05/07/ 2008 we hosted a one day Disaster Camp called Working Together for a Safer Tomorrow. We had 10 elders and 30 4th-6th graders in attendance. Instruction included presentations by the Lawrence Fire Department on fire safety, Lawrence/Douglas County Emergency Response on first aid, Lawrence Police Department on personal safety, and Channel 6 meteorologist on severe weather safety. Elder lead activity talked on cultural aspects of safety. We also had hands-on activities focusing on teambuilding and safety, including developing family plans in an emergency situation. Haskell Indian Nations University hosted the 11th Annual ANA on 06/2-5/2008. During this event Haskell Extension hosted a Kids Camp and Youth Hostile for the participant's children. We activities included: Campus & Cultural Center tours, God's Eyes project, swimming, bull roar project, golf driving range, ribbon work project, buzz toy project, stickball, kickball, and dinner at Curtis Hall. On July 5-9th we co-hosted the 2008 American Indian Culture Camp with Heart of America Indian Center and the Kansas City Rotary Club. This year's theme was Building Your Community. We enlisted the help of 25 volunteers throughout the week. We served 78 youth with a positive camp experience through the use of guest speakers, workshops, and cultural activities. Topics included wilderness survival and the importance of volunteerism to your community. We hosted a conference in partnership with the IRS/Wage & Investment Division on 07/15-16/2008 on our campus. The theme of this conference was Coming Together to Strengthen Communities. We had 40 participants and rep. from Tribal colleges and communities. IRS presented enhancement and development of free tax preparation strategies/programs, utilizing volunteers/ college credit opportunities for students, strengthening resources and partnerships, funding opportunities, and financial education opportunities. We partnered with Healthier Haskell events for area youth: swimming, football Frisbee, sand volleyball, softball, tennis, badminton, kickball and basketball. We also sponsored a cookout for all participants on 06/23/ 2008. The Extension Office is hosting a self defense seminar and Tae Kwon Do demonstration on campus 09/6-7/2008 PRODUCTS: DVD and Cd's were produced for distribution to the families of the children that participated in the 2007 Cultural Summer Camp. The DVD's featured a slide show of digital photos of activities, teaching, arts and crafts and native dancing. A group of Native students and their families have and will continue to acquire native skills and practice traditions gained with their involvement in the Native dance group. Among the skill acquired are leadership, team building and responsibility to their art and environment. Students and family members will have a lasting knowledge of regalia making and care of the heirloom they have made or acquired as part of the cultural classes. The heirlooms are things they pass on to peers, siblings and children of the community. They are the future resources in the community and the knowledge they posses. OUTCOMES: We had a booth at Haskell Fall enrollment to present the Volunteer Center to new, returning and transfer students. We positioned the Volunteer Center as an avenue to job shadow and to volunteer for Extension programs and community partners. We will create a volunteer resume for the student to use in employment or graduate school admission. We emphasized the opportunities the experience would open up for the student. We also explained the importance of community and the positive impact they would have on our native youth. We have had applications pouring into our office and many have already signed up with our Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentor program. The Disaster Camp, Working Together for a Safer Tomorrow volunteers were our Native Elders. 30 elementary school students had the opportunity to listen to presentations from the Lawrence Police Department, Douglas Fire and Medical, and local meteorologist on the definition of an emergency situation and how to react in emergency situations, especially if they are home alone. After each speaker an elder gathered the children and told stories of their childhood and what the native ways were in handling different crisis, the cultural aspect to the actions that should be taken, and how their ancestors viewed emergencies. The children were very interested and felt pride for a culture so rich. ANA Kids Camp outcome of was positive for the visiting and local youth. It was the first Native Youth Camp hosted by Haskell located on campus. The children and their parents have requested that we host a longer cultural camp in Lawrence next year. We had positive feedback from the parents regarding how much fun and educational our classes were. However, we learned that we need smaller groups and have them divided by age. According to the age groups we need activities accordingly. We also discovered that we need two volunteers per group. We have set policies into place that will be handed out to each parent at registration. The 2008 Culture Camp was a success. We had 58 campers attend and 23 Counselor In Training (CIT's) that assisted the 25 senior staff. For the younger campers the focus was on community service and the importance that volunteers programs play in their community. They had mini service projects, guest speakers, and crafts relevant to their native culture. The CIT's were taught outdoor survival skills such as starting a fire with no matches or lighter, cooking outdoors, knot tying, etc.for half the day. We then switched their focus to being better counselors, what it means to be a leader. IRS Coming Together To Strengthen Communities Haskell has been asked to host again. The participants were given the opportunity to develop a great network of partners/mentors, utilize the tools and resources that were distributed, and think about possible strategies to implement and/or enhance the programs that already exist in your schools or organizations. A contact list was handed out to each participant's so that further communication could take place. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Talking Feather Newsletter Tae Kwon Do Flyer Summer Activities Flyer ANA Kids Camp Flyer Moccasin Class Flyer Osage Ribbon Work Class Flyer Basket Weaving Class Flyer Haskell Extension Volunteer Center Postcard IRS Save the Date Safety-Disaster Camp Flyer 2008 American Indian Cultural Camp Flyer FUTURE INITIATIVES: Haskell Volunteer Center's goal is to have a full functioning student-staffed Volunteer Center dedicated to helping fellow students, staff, and faculty find volunteer opportunities on and off campus. The Haskell Extension Volunteer Center will be representatives to serve in the search for a service match. They will be trained to explore what interest may be and how it is best suited for the volunteer. Our staff will be very involved with service themselves and will serve as wonderful resources for both individual student groups and organization. Some of the services we aim to provide are a weekly listserv of upcoming and ongoing service opportunities, monthly service projects throughout Lawrence,individual service consultations, support for planning group service projects, serving student organizations and contacts and resources to over 300 Kansas City and Lawrence based community agencies, an interactive and informative website and a monthly newsletter to let you know what's going on and who has been involved. Whether a volunteer seeker is looking for a one time opportunity or a continuous service experience, Haskell Extension Volunteer Center will be the only place on campus to serve these needs. CEU's We are also in the planning phase of a Haskell Extension CEU (Continuing Education Units) program partnered with the University of Kansas. We hope to provide continuing education classes for not only our Haskell students and surrounding native community, but all residents of the city of Lawrence and surrounding counties. This certification will be professional development and life long learning experience. Our goal is to contribute to postgraduate professional education, workforce development, distance learning, and quality of life for Native Communities.
Impacts
The Volunteer Center will provide Haskell Indian Nations University students and community members a positive impact in a more efficient and organized manner. We have community partners that will give our volunteers opportunities to earn job and life experiences. Each volunteer will come out of these programs better workers, community partners, and leaders. They will receive training they would not have had elsewhere. Not only will students receive an education while at Haskell Indian Nations University, they will leave with the skill to be civic leaders in their communities. The CEU program is impacted to jumpstart students into higher education. Our goal is not only provide students and community members with an education but to provide them with a native cultural education. Our focus will be native language, arts and crafts, and native pedagogy classes. Each participant will receive a certificate of completion and most importantly a better knowledge of the history of Native peoples and what the future will bring. We hope to build this program to contribute to a graduate level program.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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