Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:The Coeur d'Alene (CDA) Reservation Extension Program serves apopulation within the 345,000-acre reservation established in 1873 in Northern Idaho's Kootenai and Benewah Counties. Our target audience includes both Native and non-Native residents, with a primary focus on youth and adults in the communities of Worley, Plummer, Tensed, and DeSmet. The most recent U.S. Census data from the American Community Survey (ACS) shows a total population of 7,498 residents for the 2023 5-year period with 2600 CDA Tribal members of whom mainly reside on the reservation. Changes/Problems:The Coeur d'Alene (CDA) Reservation Extension Program is currently navigating significant organizational changes that present both challenges and opportunities for growth. Most notably, we continue to face a critical vacancy in the Associate Professor/FRTEP Agent position, which has remained unfilled throughout the entire 2024-2025 year despite continuous search efforts and multiple failed searches. Ongoing Recruitment Challenges: The search for the FRTEP Agent position has proven particularly challenging, with failed searches occurring throughout the entire 2024-2025 reporting period. Despite continuous recruitment efforts, we have been unable to identify and successfully hire a qualified candidate who possesses the necessary combination of academic credentials, cultural competency, and commitment to community-based work required for this specialized position. The unique requirements for serving tribal communities, including cultural sensitivity and understanding of reservation contexts, have made recruitment especially difficult in the current academic job market. Despite this challenge, our program has successfully maintained comprehensive programming that reached 2,779 participants through 196.5 program hours during 2024-2025, demonstrating the dedication and capability of our current staff. Adaptive Strategies: To address this ongoing challenge, we have implemented several adaptive strategies: Enhanced Temp Help Support: We successfully hired a temp help position to assist with programming and community outreach efforts, providing essential operational support Expanded 4-H Specialist Role: Our 4-H Specialist has taken on expanded responsibilities, successfully managing multiple program areas while maintaining program quality Community Partnership Leveraging: We have strengthened community partnerships to help sustain programming during this transition period Professional Development Focus: Continued investment in professional development for existing staff to enhance capacity and expertise Future Staffing Plans: For the upcoming reporting period, we plan to hire an additional staff member or second temp help position, bringing our total staff to three team members until a permanent Extension Educator can be successfully recruited and hired. This enhanced staffing structure will provide better program stability while continuing the search for qualified permanent positions. Recruitment Support Needs: We urgently need institutional support to address this ongoing staffing challenge through: Enhanced recruitment strategies that reach qualified candidates familiar with tribal community work Competitive compensation packages that can attract and retain high-quality candidates Flexible hiring approaches that recognize the unique qualifications needed for reservation-based positions Professional development opportunities that can help build the pipeline of qualified candidates for future positions The UI Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension Program remains committed to providing quality, culturally relevant programming that supports youth development and community empowerment on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation. Our ability to maintain comprehensive programming throughout 2024-2025 despite this obstacle demonstrates the resilience and dedication of our team and the strength of our community partnerships. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The 4H Specialist demonstrated significant professional leadership and commitment to ongoing education throughout 2024-2025. Professional development activities included attending the National NEA4H Positive Youth Development Conference, the 2025 CYFRAR Conference in Kentucky, and other applicable training that enhanced programming capacity and expertise. Additionally, the Specialist demonstrated leadership within the broader extension community by teaching three classes to youth at the Idaho State Teen Association Convention in June 2025, sharing expertise and best practices with young people across the region. Community leadership was exemplified through the Specialist's service as a board member for the Plummer Library, attending regular board meetings throughout the year and contributing to community governance and educational infrastructure development. This role strengthens connections between extension programming and vital community resources while ensuring that tribal perspectives are represented in local educational planning. Throughout 2024-2025, our team maintained its commitment to ongoing education and professional development through participation in relevant conferences and training opportunities. We delivered the Idaho 4-H Know Your Government Curriculum, incorporating innovative approaches to civic education that served both 8th and 9th grade participants throughout the academic year. Our involvement in the Juntos program required sustained professional engagement, delivering comprehensive programming to Lakeside 8th graders three times per week in Plummer, Idaho, throughout the academic year while continuing intensive support for Lakeside High School's 9th grade cohort two times per week. This demanding schedule required ongoing professional development to maintain program quality and effectiveness. The addition of a temp help position provided essential support for programming and community outreach efforts, enabling the 4H Specialist to maintain the breadth and quality of educational programming while participating in professional development opportunities. This staffing support was crucial for sustaining comprehensive year-round programming delivery. Professional development has been a constant focus, with team members participating in relevant training opportunities that enhance our capacity to serve tribal communities effectively. These professional development experiences have included specialized training in youth development, community engagement methodologies, and culturally responsive programming approaches. Throughout the year, we engaged in comprehensive community outreach activities that required ongoing skill development, including community forums on student activities, distribution of informational materials, face-to-face contacts, and personal communications that maintained strong community connections and ensured programming relevance. These professional development opportunities have significantly enhanced our team's capacity to deliver high-qualityprogramming that effectively addresses the needs of our youth participants and the broader community. The combination of national conference participation, regional leadership roles, and local community engagement demonstrates our commitment to professional excellence while maintaining strong community roots and cultural responsiveness. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension Program has implemented a comprehensive dissemination strategy to ensure that our results and activities reach a wide range of stakeholders and communities of interest. Our approach combines digital outreach, print media, and direct personal engagement to maximize the impact and visibility of our work. Digital and Social Media Outreach: We maintain an active presence on social media, particularly through our UI Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension Facebook page. During the summer months, we post updates weekly, increasing to almost daily during peak activity periods such as the Farmers Market season. This regular communication keeps our community informed about ongoing projects, upcoming events, and recent achievements. Our social media presence serves as a dynamic platform for engagement, allowing us to share time-sensitive information and interact directly with our audience. During the 2025 Farmers Market season, we leveraged our digital platforms to promote the One Sky One Earth Farmer's Market, which operated every Thursday from June 5 through August 14. Weekly posts highlighted featured vendors, seasonal produce, and special events. Our program's website, hosted through the University of Idaho, receives annual updates providing comprehensive overviews of our yearly accomplishments, ongoing initiatives, and future plans. This resource serves as a valuable reference point for stakeholders, partners, and community members seeking in-depth information about our program's impact and direction. On an annual basis, we contribute articles to the UI Extension Trends publication, sharing our most significant achievements and insights with a broader audience within the extension community and beyond. Word-of-mouth communication remains a vital component of our dissemination strategy, particularly within tribal communities where personal relationships and trust-based communication are highly valued. We engage in direct personal communication through face-to-face interactions, phone calls, and participation in community events and meetings. We utilize traditional print media through the distribution of informational flyers and materials that announce upcoming programs, share achievements, and provide educational resources. These materials are distributed at community locations, schools, tribal offices, and during community events. Community dissemination occurs through direct programming that brings families and community members together for educational and informational purposes. Family nights, including our Middle School Family Winter Workshop that engaged 37 community members and STEM night family events that brought together 76 participants, serve as important venues for sharing program results, outcomes, and future opportunities. These face-to-face gatherings allow for immediate feedback, questions, and community input while building stronger connections between extension programming and community needs. We maintain regular communication with key partners through collaboration meetings with Lakeside Middle School, ongoing partnerships with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Education Department, Natural Resources Department, and Food Distribution Program, and participation in community governance through Plummer Library Board meetings. These partnerships create multiple channels for information sharing and ensure that program results reach stakeholder groups. Through this multi-faceted dissemination strategy combining digital platforms, traditional media, direct personal engagement, and community events, we ensure that our results, achievements, and ongoing activities are communicated effectively to all relevant communities of interest. This approach recognizes the importance of both modern communication methods and traditional relationship-based communication within tribal communities, fostering ongoing engagement, support, and collaboration essential for continued program success. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the upcoming reporting period, we will expand our programming capacity through strategic staffing improvements while maintaining our core programs and essential services. We plan to hire an additional staff member or another temp help position, bringing our total staff to three team members until an Extension Educator is hired. This enhanced staffing structure will enable us to maintain program quality while expanding our reach and impact across all goal areas. We will implement new weekly programming that includes middle school and high school art and life skills workshops running once per week from 3:00pm-4:30pm. These workshops will integrate creative expression with practical life skills development, addressing critical developmental needs for adolescent participants while providing consistent weekly engagement opportunities. A major new initiative will be the Teaching Garden located at the Tribe's Natural Resources building. All necessary materials have been purchased and the garden renovation process is underway. This permanent outdoor classroom space will provide year-round educational programming opportunities focused on agriculture, traditional food systems, nutrition education, and environmental stewardship. The Teaching Garden will serve as a hands-on learning laboratory that integrates traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary practices. Foundational programming including the Juntos program for 8th grade students and continue delivering the Idaho 4-H Know Your Government Curriculum to 9th grade students at Lakeside and Coeur d'Alene Tribal School 8th graders. These programs have demonstrated measurable impact on academic success and civic engagement, making their continuation essential for youth development outcomes. Our commitment to developing emerging leaders will continue through participation in premier leadership opportunities including State Teen Association Convention (STAC), Know Your Government (KYG) programming, and National 4-H Ignite conferences. Additionally, we will facilitate participation in the Idaho Northern District ILEADS Leadership Camp in the Fall, expanding our youth's access to regional leadership development opportunities and peer networks. The 4-H Specialist will continue serving as theOne Sky One Earth Farmers Market Manager, building upon the successful 2025 seasonMarket operations will focus on essential functions while maintaining youth involvement and educational programming components that support both economic development and agricultural education goals. The Think Make Create (TMC) Lab program will be maintained with strategic scheduling to ensure continued STEM education access. While operating on a focused schedule, the program will continue to provide hands-on technology and engineering education across multiple locations including schools and community centers. Our Native community development efforts will prioritize maintaining and strengthening existing partnerships with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Education Department, Natural Resources Department, Food Distribution Program, and local schools. These collaborative relationships are essential for ensuring culturally responsive programming that addresses tribally-identified priorities. Professional development will emphasize essential training opportunities and online learning that enhances programming capacity without requiring extensive travel time away from program delivery. This approach ensures continuous improvement while maintaining consistent community presence and programming availability. Community engagement will be maintained through regular social media updates, targeted outreach activities, family engagement events, and continued participation in community governance through board service and collaborative meetings. Our 4-H Specialist will continue gathering feedback from current participants to inform programming improvements and ensure community relevance. With improved staffing capacity, we will focus on developing systematic approaches to program retention, documentation, and knowledge transfer to ensure program continuity as we work toward hiring a permanent Extension Educator. This planning will include creating comprehensive program protocols and community partnership frameworks that support long-term program success. These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to providing quality, culturally relevant programming that supports youth development, community engagement, and food sovereignty on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation while building organizational capacity forgrowth and impact.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension Program achieved substantial outcomes across positive youth development, agriculture and natural resources, and native community development through comprehensive programming that reached 2,779 total participants through 196.5 program hours delivered throughout the 2024-2025 year. Positive Youth Development Achievements: Our youth development initiatives demonstrated measurable success in academic support and leadership development. The Juntos program provided sustained academic success support across multiple classrooms, contributing to improved 9th grade attendance rates that increased from 82.11% in the 2nd trimester of 2023-2024 to 88.13% in the 1st trimester of 2024-2025. Leadership development programming achieved exceptional outcomes, with 5 delegates attending the Idaho 4-H Know Your Government Conference and 1 delegate successfully interviewing and accepting a competitive position on the 2026 Steering Committee. Additionally, 2 youth attended the State Teen Association Convention (STAC), with 1 youth successfully interviewing and accepting a highly competitive Steering Committee role for both 2026 and 2027. STEM education initiatives engaged audiences through Success Center embryology projects reaching 40 participants, Drone workshops engaging 39 participants across 3 sessions, rocket launcher design and build workshops, and STEM night family events bringing together 76 participants. Career exploration programming included Theatre Career Exploration field trips for 15 participants and Know Your Government Reporter workshops reaching 10 participants. Community service learning was emphasized through 2nd Harvest activities engaging 259 participants across three sessions and multiple STAC workshops featuring practical skills development and community service. Agriculture and Natural Resources Achievements: The One Sky One Earth Farmers Market served as our flagship program, generating $10,049.90 in total sales while serving 883 customer contacts and engaging 199 youth participants throughout the 11-week 2025 season. The market supported local growers with vendor participation ranging from 5-13 vendors per week, creating economic opportunities while strengthening the local food system. Farmers Market educational programming reached 928 contacts with information aboutagriculture, entrepreneurship, and local food systems. Agricultural education programming included gardening workshops engaging 22 participants ingrowing practices, soil health, plant identification, and harvest techniques. Environmental stewardship was promoted through the Coeur d'Alene Salmon Release Celebration & Water Awareness event, where Extension operated a STEAM booth engaging 113 participants in salmon restoration and preservation through integrated art and science education. Outdoor recreation and environmental appreciation programming included Trail of the Coeur d'Alene bike ride sessions engaging 49 participants across 5 separate sessions and Lakeside Middle School CDA Trail bike rides involving 19 participants. Native Community Development Achievements: Community engagement initiatives successfully addressed tribally-identified priorities through strategic partnerships with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Education Department, Natural Resources Department, Food Distribution Program, and local schools. Programming reached community segments, with 928 contacts through Farmers Market educational initiatives promoting local entrepreneurship and economic development, while 1,497 contacts were reached through youth development programming building leadership capacity for future community stewardship. Family and community education initiatives expanded programming reach beyond youth to engage entire families. The Middle School Family Winter Workshop engaged 37 community members, while Juntos family engagement presentations reached 13 participants. Critical health education was delivered through WSU Mentorship sessions including Fentanyl Awareness education reaching 44 participants. Cultural preservation and community strengthening were integrated throughout programming, with MMIW 12 relay activities engaging 20 participants in cultural awareness and community solidarity. Educational access and post-secondary awareness were expanded through the College & Career Fair for both Lakeside and Tribal School students, reaching 235 participants. Community leadership was demonstrated through active participation as a board member for the Plummer Library with regular board meeting attendance, and professional development included teaching three classes at the Idaho State Association Convention in June. Integrated Impact: These accomplishments demonstrate successful integration across all three goal areas, creating comprehensive programming that honors tribal values while building practical skills and leadership capacity. The sustained year-round approach addressed community needs through culturally responsive programming that strengthened both individual capabilities and collective community resilience, establishing a model for effective extension programming in tribal communities.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The Coeur d'Alene (CDA) Reservation Extension Program serves a diverse population within the 345,000-acre reservation established in 1873 in Northern Idaho's Kootenai and Benewah Counties. Our target audience includes both Native and non-Native residents, with a primary focus on youth and adults in the communities of Worley, Plummer, Tensed, and DeSmet. As of 2020, the reservation population was 7,567, with 2,557 enrolled CDA Tribe members, of whom 1,040 reside on the reservation. Notably, 40% of CDA Tribal members are under 18, compared to 25% nationally. The community faces significant socioeconomic challenges, with a 36% poverty rate for American Indians on the reservation (2015-2019) and an overall reservation poverty rate of 17.1% (2020). Educational disparities are evident, with Lakeside High School, the sole public high school, reporting a graduation rate of 58.6% in 2016-2017, well below the state average of 79.7%. Lakeside Jr/Sr High School's student body is diverse, with 47.7% American Indian, 22.7% white, and 20.5% two or more races. To address these challenges, our program collaborates with CDA Tribal School (K-8), Lakeside Elementary (K-6), Lakeside Jr/Sr High School (7-12), CDA Tribe's Early Childhood Learning Center, Gizmo, Idaho 4-H, and local homeschoolers. We provide culturally relevant, place-based, research-driven curricula in healthy living, STEAM, and natural resources through in-school and after-school enrichment. Our efforts reach approximately 511 students, representing half of the 3-18 age population, with additional impact on adults who implement these programs at home, creating a ripple effect throughout the community. Changes/Problems:The Coeur d'Alene (CDA) Reservation Extension Program is currently navigating significant organizational changes that present both challenges and opportunities for growth. Most notably, we are facing critical vacancies in two key positions: the Associate Professor/FRTEP Agent and the STEM Coordinator. The departure of our Associate Professor on April 26th, 2024, presented a substantial challenge to our program. However, due to her foresight and proactive approach, we have been able to maintain program continuity. Prior to her departure, she: Provided comprehensive documentation and information about ongoing projects and initiatives Facilitated direct connections between our team and key contacts at ION and other funding organizations Strengthened our relationships with critical community partners While her absence is keenly felt, the thorough handover process she implemented has allowed us to continue our work with minimal disruption. This experience has underscored the critical importance of robust succession planning and knowledge transfer protocols, which we are now working to formalize across all key positions in our office. The vacancy in the STEM Coordinator position further compounds our staffing challenges. This role is crucial for maintaining and expanding our STEM initiatives, which are vital to addressing the educational disparities in our community. These staffing gaps come at a time when our programs are more essential than ever. With the persistent educational challenges faced by our youth, including low graduation rates and high poverty levels, the need for strong, culturally responsive educational support is critical. Our program plays a vital role in bridging these gaps, providing much-needed enrichment and support to Indigenous youth and the broader community. We are actively seeking to fill these positions with qualified individuals who understand the unique needs of our community. However, finding candidates with the right combination of academic credentials, cultural competency, and commitment to community-based work presents a significant challenge. In the interim, we are redistributing responsibilities among our remaining staff and leveraging our community partnerships to ensure that our core programs continue uninterrupted. We are also exploring innovative solutions, such as enhanced volunteer engagement and cross-training initiatives, to maintain the quality and reach of our programs. We urgently need support to address these staffing challenges. Additional resources would allow us to: Offer competitive salaries to attract and retain high-quality candidates Implement more robust training and mentorship programs for new staff Develop a comprehensive succession planning strategy to mitigate future transitions Expand our community outreach to identify and nurture local talent for future roles By addressing these staffing needs, we can ensure the continued success and growth of our program, which is crucial for the educational and social development of youth on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Our project has provided numerous opportunities for training and professional development, enhancing our team's skills and knowledge to better serve our community. Throughout 2023-2024, we continued our commitment to ongoing education and networking. We delivered the Idaho 4 H Know Your Government Curriculum and piloted the new section, Tribal Government, and attended the Idaho 4-H Know Your Government Conference in February 2024, providing valuable insights into civic engagement and leadership for youth. Our involvement in the Juntos program remained strong, We also delivered Juntos programming to Lakeside 8th graders, meeting three times per week in Plummer, Idaho, throughout the academic year and continued with Lakeside High School's 9th grade cohort two times per week. Professional development has been a constant focus, with team members regularly attending University of Idaho Professional Development for Extension Quarterly Trainings from 2022 through 2024. These sessions keep us updated on the latest extension methodologies and research. To better support our community's mental health needs, the Extension Associate Professor/FRTEP Agent participated in Traumatic Stress Institute Risking Connection Webinars in November 2023 and February 2024, building on previous training in this area. Our commitment to food sovereignty and traditional practices was reinforced through our attendance and development of the NW Food Sovereignty Coalition Youth Day in October 2024 and the NW Inter-Tribal Food Sovereignty Summit Youth Track in March 2024. These events provided valuable insights into Indigenous food systems and sustainable agriculture practices. Throughout the year, we engaged in various community outreach activities, including community forums on student activities, distribution of informational flyers, face-to-face contacts, and personal phone calls. These efforts helped us maintain strong connections with our community and ensure that our programming remains relevant and accessible. The Extension/FRTEP Agent attended the FRTEP Annual Conference from September 7-10, 2023, while the UI CDA Reservation Extension Associate Professor/FRTEP Agent attended the NAE4-H YDP Conference in October 2023, co-taught a workshop on the 4-H Create Art Now Curriculum. These experiences allowed us to contribute to the broader extension community. These diverse professional development opportunities have significantly enhanced our team's capacity to deliver high-quality, culturally relevant programming that effectively addresses the needs of our youth participants and the broader community. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension Program has implemented a comprehensive dissemination strategy to ensure that our results and activities reach a wide range of stakeholders and communities of interest. Our approach combines digital outreach, print media, and personal engagement to maximize the impact and visibility of our work.We maintain an active presence on social media, particularly through our UI Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension page. During the summer months, we post updates weekly, increasing to almost daily during peak activity periods. This regular communication keeps our community informed about ongoing projects, upcoming events, and recent achievements. Our social media presence serves as a dynamic platform for engagement, allowing us to share time-sensitive information and interact directly with our audience. Our program's website, hosted through the University of Idaho, receives annual updates. These comprehensive updates provide a detailed overview of our yearly accomplishments, ongoing initiatives, and future plans. This resource serves as a valuable reference point for stakeholders, partners, and community members seeking in-depth information about our program's impact and direction. During the summer months, we leverage our digital platforms to promote the One Sky One Earth Farmer's Market, which operates every Thursday. Weekly posts highlight featured vendors, seasonal produce, and special events, helping to drive community participation and support local agriculture. On an annual basis, we contribute an article to the UI Extension Trends publication. This allows us to share our most significant achievements and insights with a broader audience within the extension community and beyond. These articles often focus on innovative programs, successful collaborations, or impactful outcomes that demonstrate the value of our work to the wider extension network. We recognize the importance of face-to-face communication in building strong relationships and disseminating information effectively. To this end, we conduct one-on-one in-person meetings with key stakeholders, including school board members, Tribal members, and various partners. These personalized interactions allow for in-depth discussions, tailored information sharing, and the cultivation of strong, collaborative relationships. In addition to in-person meetings, we utilize Zoom and other virtual platforms to connect with partners and stakeholders who may not be able to meet in person. This hybrid approach ensures that geographic distance does not impede our ability to disseminate information and maintain strong connections with our diverse network of collaborators. Through this multi-faceted dissemination strategy, we ensure that our results, achievements, and ongoing activities are communicated effectively to all relevant communities of interest. This approach not only keeps our stakeholders informed but also fosters ongoing engagement, support, and collaboration, which are crucial for the continued success and growth of the Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension Program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the upcoming reporting period, we will adjust our goals to align with our current staffing situation, focusing on maintaining core programs and essential services. With the vacancy in the Associate Professor/FRTEP Agent and STEM Coordinator positions, our 4-H Coordinator will be solely responsible for program delivery until new staff can be hired, likely winter 2025. Our primary focus will be on sustaining the Juntos program for 8th grade students and continue delivering the Idaho 4H Know Your Government Curriculum to 9th grade students at Lakeside and possibly the Coeur d'Alene Tribal School 8th graders. The Think Make Create (TMC) Lab program will be scaled back but maintained on a reduced schedule to ensure continuing in STEM Education. Our 4-H Coordinator also serves as the One Sky One Earth Farmers Market Manager and is committed to continuing to serve in that role, focusing on essential operations and youth involvement where feasible. Our Native community development efforts will prioritize maintaining existing partnerships and professional development will be limited to essential training and online learning opportunities that doesn't require extensive travel or time away from program delivery. Community engagement will be maintained through periodic updates and targeted outreach via social media and our social media volunteer. Our 4H Coordinator will focus on gathering feedback from current participants to inform future programming once staff levels are restored.These scaled back efforts aim to maintain the most critical aspects of our programming while acknowledging the reality of our current staffing limitations. The UI Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension program is committed to providing quality, culturally relevant programming that supports youth development on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation, even as we navigate this challenging transition period.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension Program has made significant strides in fostering positive youth development and community engagement through a comprehensive approach that integrates STEM, art, healthy living, and leadership initiatives. Our efforts have yielded substantial outcomes across various domains, demonstrating the program's effectiveness and its alignment with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's priorities. In the realm of youth development, our 4-H programs have seen remarkable success. We facilitated the participation of one senior youth in the National 4-H Ignite Summit and sent eight delegates to the Idaho 4-H State Teen Association Convention, where one senior served on the steering committee. The Idaho 4-H Know Your Government Conference saw 13 delegates in attendance, with one 9th-grade student elected to serve as a third-year delegate and steering committee member for the 2025 conference. Our 4-H Teen Art Advocates program provided monthly training to two students, who then delivered literacy and art lessons at the Success Center Lakeside Elementary's Afterschool Program, fostering peer-to-peer learning and leadership skills. The Juntos Program expanded its reach to 60 students in 8th and 9th-grade cohorts, focusing on literacy, art, STEM, academic success, leadership, and mentorship. This program, part of a 5-year CYFAR grant, aims to improve academic and social-emotional success for 9th-12th grade students at Lakeside Jr/Sr High School, addressing critical developmental needs during crucial transitional years. Our summer programs continued to provide enriching experiences for youth of various ages. The Success Center Summer Camp served youth ages 4-6th grade, emphasizing literacy, art, and STEM. We organized a bike ride with youth and a Young Women's Camp for ages 13-18, focusing on generational strengths through cultural activities. These programs not only provided educational opportunities but also fostered community connections and cultural pride.Afterschool programs remained a cornerstone of our efforts, with continued involvement in the Success Center Afterschool Program and the implementation of STEM activities using the Think Make Create (TMC) Lab mobile maker space at multiple locations, including the Coeur d'Alene Tribal School, Lakeside Elementary and Middle School, Early Childhood Learning Center, and Plummer Library. These initiatives have expanded access to hands-on STEM education, reaching diverse groups of students, including homeschoolers. Mental health and social-emotional learning emerged as critical focus areas this year. We successfully delivered the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) program to 9th-grade students at Lakeside. In partnership with the Rise Above Foundation, we delivered assemblies and follow-up sessions on mental health awareness and generational strengths, addressing core social-emotional learning competencies.Our food systems and natural resources initiatives have made significant contributions to community well-being and cultural preservation. The One Sky One Earth Farmers Market continued its operation, including two youth vendors, fostering entrepreneurship and community engagement. We developed an inaugural youth day for the NW Tribal Food Sovereignty Conference, hosted on the CDA Reservation, offering activities such as fish printing, gaff hook making, and waffle making with indigenous ingredients. The Inter-Tribal Food Summit saw the co-development of a youth track, providing hands-on experiences in traditional food preparation, art, and environmental stewardship. In support of the CDA Tribe's food sovereignty and economic development initiatives, we engaged in collaborative tribal food system development with the UI College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Nimiipuu Tribe. Our participation in the Climate Smart IAMP Grant Partnership and the NW Intertribal Food Sovereignty Summit further solidified our commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and regional food sovereignty. Traditional ecological knowledge programs, such as the Water Potato Traditional Plants Hike and Water Potato Week Celebration, educated students on local flora and fauna, emphasizing the cultural significance of native plants and first foods. These initiatives, combined with our management of the One Sky One Earth Farmer's Market and community garden initiatives, have served over 1200 adults and youth annually, generating approximately $10,000 in revenue for local vendors. Our commitment to Native Community Development is evident in our involvement in cultural education and policy. The UI CDA Reservation Extension Associate Professor/FRTEP Agent served on the Idaho State Board of Education Social Studies K-12 Review Committee, contributing to the development of culturally responsive social studies standards for Native American populations in Idaho. This work ensures that future generations will have a more inclusive and accurate understanding of Native American history and culture in the State of Idaho.Regional collaboration has been a key aspect of our success, as demonstrated by our presentation at the Intertribal Ag Council NW Summit and our co-development of the Inter-Tribal Food Summit youth track. These partnerships have allowed us to share knowledge, resources, and best practices across tribal communities, amplifying our impact and fostering inter-tribal cooperation. The integration of cultural elements into our STEM, art, healthy living, and leadership programs has created a holistic approach to youth development that honors traditional knowledge while preparing students for future challenges. Programs like Culture is Prevention (Art Therapy) have provided innovative ways to address mental health and cultural preservation simultaneously. Our efforts in economic development support and climate change adaptation, including our work with the UI College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and our engagement in the Climate Smart IAMP grant partnership, demonstrate our commitment to addressing long-term challenges facing Native communities. These initiatives not only support current needs but also build resilience and capacity for future generations. In conclusion, the Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension Program has demonstrated significant accomplishments across multiple domains, from youth development and education to food sovereignty and cultural preservation. Our integrated approach, combining traditional knowledge with modern educational techniques, has yielded measurable outcomes in academic success, leadership development, mental health awareness, and community engagement. By addressing the interconnected challenges facing Native communities, we have created a comprehensive support system that honors tribal priorities while preparing youth for future success. The continued funding of this program is essential to maintain and expand these vital services, ensuring the long-term well-being and prosperity of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and its youth.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/schitsuumsh-reservation
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
https://www.facebook.com/OneSkyOneEarthFoodCoalition/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
https://www.facebook.com/UICdAResExt/
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The University of Idaho (UI) currently supports three FRTEP programs on reservations, the Coeur d' Alene (CDA), Nez Perce and Ft. Hall Tribes. This program report is of the FRTEP program on the Coeur d' Alene Reservation. The Coeur d' Alene Reservation was established by Executive Order in 1873, and is comprised of 345,000 acres of timbered mountains and agriculture lands in the Panhandle of Northern Idaho in Kootenai and Benewah Counties. The Coeur d' Alene program was first established in 2001 and has demonstrated programmatic impacts in the areas of positive youth development, STE(Art)M including agriculture and natural resources education as well as community and economic development. The primary CDA Reservation population centers include the communities of Worley, Plummer, Tensed, and DeSmet. 7,567 in 2020 people live on the CDA Reservation. The enrolled population of the CDA Tribe is 2,557 members, of whom 1,040 live on the reservation. The CDA Reservation Indian and non-Indian residents, youth, and adults are the direct target audience. Forty percent of CDA Tribal members are under the age of 18, compared to 25% of the similar U.S. population (Coeur d'Alene Tribe Enrollment Office Data, 2022). The CDA Tribe and reservation community face a 36% poverty rate for American Indians (ACS Census Bureau, 2015-2019). The overall poverty rate for the reservation including non-Indians is 17.1% (US Census Bureau, 2020). Despite evolving partnerships rallied around education on the reservation, low academic achievement persists, with Lakeside High School, the only public high school in the Tribal community, achieving only a 58.6% graduation rate in the 2016-2017 school year, in comparison with the statewide graduation rate of 79.7% (Idaho State Department of Education, 2018). Underperformance according to the Idaho State Board of Education 2022 data, ranks Lakeside Jr/Sr High School as one of the worst schools in Idaho where the population is 47.7% American Indian, 22.7% white, and 20.5% two or more races. In 2015, 2018, and 2021, the CDA Tribe surveyed students on the reservation from. The Communities That Care (CTC) survey is a nationally used survey, developed by the CDC to gauge youth risk and protective factors. The survey guides the community to provide for a better future for CDA Reservation youth. According to the most recent CTC Survey in 2021, youth consider community disorganization as the biggest risk factor they face. Students noted that protective factors provided by schools consistently outranked those provided by community or family. This was across the board for both middle and high school students. Risk and protective factors that were directly related to community consistently ranked worst. The UI CDA Reservation Extension partnership with CDA Tribal School grades K-8, Lakeside Elementary K-6, Lakeside Jr/Sr Highschool 7-12th, CDA Tribe's Early Childhood Learning Center, Gizmo, Idaho 4-H, and the local homeschoolers have addressed these disparities by serving youth with in-school and after-school enrichment with research-based curricula that is culturally relevant and place based in areas of healthy living, STEAM, and natural resources. Total student populations served are estimated at 511 students which is half of the population between ages 3-18 that have been served through extension programming throughout the year with adults 18 and over gaining knowledge in these program areas to implement at home thus creating a ripple effect in our community. The University of Idaho (UI) currently supports three FRTEP programs on reservations, the Coeur d' Alene (CDA), Nez Perce and Ft. Hall Tribes. This program report is of the FRTEP program on the Coeur d' Alene Reservation. The Coeur d' Alene Reservation was established by Executive Order in 1873, and is comprised of 345,000 acres of timbered mountains and agriculture lands in the Panhandle of Northern Idaho in Kootenai and Benewah Counties. The Coeur d' Alene program was first established in 2001 and has demonstrated programmatic impacts in the areas of positive youth development, STE(Art)M including agriculture and natural resources education as well as community and economic development. The primary CDA Reservation population centers include the communities of Worley, Plummer, Tensed, and DeSmet. 7,567 in 2020 people live on the CDA Reservation. The enrolled population of the CDA Tribe is 2,557 members, of whom 1,040 live on the reservation. The CDA Reservation Indian and non-Indian residents, youth, and adults are the direct target audience. Forty percent of CDA Tribal members are under the age of 18, compared to 25% of the similar U.S. population (Coeur d'Alene Tribe Enrollment Office Data, 2022). The CDA Tribe and reservation community face a 36% poverty rate for American Indians (ACS Census Bureau, 2015-2019). The overall poverty rate for the reservation including non-Indians is 17.1% (US Census Bureau, 2020). Despite evolving partnerships rallied around education on the reservation, low academic achievement persists, with Lakeside High School, the only public high school in the Tribal community, achieving only a 58.6% graduation rate in the 2016-2017 school year, in comparison with the statewide graduation rate of 79.7% (Idaho State Department of Education, 2018). Underperformance according to the Idaho State Board of Education 2022 data, ranks Lakeside Jr/Sr High School as one of the worst schools in Idaho where the population is 47.7% American Indian, 22.7% white, and 20.5% two or more races. In 2015, 2018, and 2021, the CDA Tribe surveyed students on the reservation from. The Communities That Care (CTC) survey is a nationally used survey, developed by the CDC to gauge youth risk and protective factors. The survey guides the community to provide for a better future for CDA Reservation youth. According to the most recent CTC Survey in 2021, youth consider community disorganization as the biggest risk factor they face. Students noted that protective factors provided by schools consistently outranked those provided by community or family. This was across the board for both middle and high school students. Risk and protective factors that were directly related to community consistently ranked worst. The UI CDA Reservation Extension partnership with CDA Tribal School grades K-8, Lakeside Elementary K-6, Lakeside Jr/Sr Highschool 7-12th, CDA Tribe's Early Childhood Learning Center, Gizmo, Idaho 4-H, and the local homeschoolers have addressed these disparities by serving youth with in-school and after-school enrichment with research-based curricula that is culturally relevant and place based in areas of healthy living, STEAM, and natural resources. Total student populations served are estimated at 511 students which is half of the population between ages 3-18 that have been served through extension programming throughout the year with adults 18 and over gaining knowledge in these program areas to implement at home thus creating a ripple effect in our community. Changes/Problems:The UI FRTEP position is now on a tenure track with promotion. The current educator was recently promoted toAssociate Professor position and the salary increase has been supported throught the University of Idaho Extension budget however for the 4H/Administrative Coordinator the goal is to reach 85% of the target salary which will put a strain on current grant budgets. The surge in funding recieved from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will end in August which supports the STEM Coordinator position which may mean that this position will no longer be funded which will bring the FRTEP program back to two positions. Some programs may need to be cut due to being short staffed. However, grant funds are being pursued to support an AgriSTEM position and to partially fund the 4H/Adminstrative Coordinator position. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Juntos delivery to Lakeside 8th Graders, 3x per week Plummer, Idaho Attended Idaho 4-H Know Your Government Conference, February 2023 Attended Idaho 4-H Northern District Pollinator Habitat Ambassador Training, February 2023 Attended Juntos National Convening, March 2023 Attended University of Idaho Professional Development for Extension Quarterly Trainings, 2022-present Attended Traumatic Stress Institute Risking Connection Webinars, November 2022 and February 2023 Attended Niimipuu HIPT Food Summit, March 2023 Attended and presented at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Mid-Year Conference, May 2023 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The UI Extension, Coeur d'Alene Reservation keeps the community updated on events, outcomes of programming, and educational opportunities through the Facebook Page for the UI Extension and One Sky One Earth Food Coalition that is updated and maintained by staff weekly.Information is shared through the tribal internal network, the University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene Reservation Extension website, email, Zoom (conference calls) meetings, and collaborations with FRTEP program educators, community forums on student activities, flyers, face to face contact, and personal phone calls. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period the UI CDA Reservation Extension program will continue to deliver positive youth development to the CDA Reservation through afterschool, in-school, and camp enrichment.Continue to partner with local leaders and educators in our community to place based projects using traditional knowledge and expertise from Coeur d'Alene tribal members. Continue to collaborate with our community partners to develop, plan, and implement programs that are centered on helping students and familiessucceed through academic success andsocial emotional wellness. More emphasis will be on adapting 4-H curriculum such as the Idaho Know Your Government Curriculum to include Tribal Government and developing a Tribal Government track at the statewide conference and the Pollinator Habitat currciulum to include Coeur d'Alene and other NW Tribal knowledge focused on land stewardship. Other areas that need further development, delivery, and faciliation of educational programs focused on families growing their own food, developing confidence in mastery in gardening and animal science, and helping new producers gain skills as food entrepreuners. Continue to develop and implement programs on food systems to increase food security and well being.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments (June 1-Present) We provide programming in the following program areas: STEM, Art, Healthy Living, and Leadership. During the 2022-2023year, the UI CDA Reservation Program has provided enrichment in a multitude of disciplines to a variety of audiences with supportfrom the Plummer-Worley School District, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Department of Education, Gizmo, Idaho 4-H, the Boys & Girls Club of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, The Plummer Library, Marimn Health, and the Coeur d'Alene Tribal School. Positive Youth Development: Program areas of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, cultural arts, and math) & 4H implementation: Success Center Summer Camp (1st-6th grade). Approx. 230 youth served Rockin' The Rez Summer Day Camp: six weeks, collaboration with Marimn Health and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Boys & Girls Club. Approx. 150-200 youth each year delivering STEM, Healthy Living, and Outdoor Survival Skills Bike Rides. Shi'wshi'wtm he hndesn (Young Women's Camp) 2-day summer camp 14 youth served Addressing overall wellness needs of female students living on the Coeur d'Alene and Niimipuu (Nez Perce) Reservation ages 12-18 focused on empowerment utilizing art therapy, culturally based activities and practices, and rites of passage. Annual Pumpkin Festival Approx. 250 youth Collaboration with the UI Cd'A Reservation Extension, Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Food Distribution and 2ndHarvest Department, The Coeur d'Alene Tribal School, Lakeside Elementary, and ECLC. Water Potato Week October of 2023; UI Extension ethnobotany station, trail walk introducing local flora and fauna of Heyburn State Park. Common uses for native plants and first foods among the CDA Tribe and taught an art activity that included painting with leaves and pine needles. Approximately 200 area youth served. Think Make Create (TMC) Lab, a mobile maker space for K-8th grade, delivered instruction weekly and bi-weekly to The Coeur d'Alene Tribe Boys & Girls Club, Coeur d'Alene Tribal School Culture Day, Lakeside Elementary Success Center two times per week, Lakeside Elementary's Community Hour, the Plummer Library, and the Tribe's Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) with 40-150 youth served weekly. Success Center 4-H Afterschool (1st -6thgrade). Approx. 65 youth each year. Provide leadership, resources, volunteer recruitment/training, and education to implement 4-H projects during the afterschool program weekly. 4-H Clubs include Culture is Prevention, STEM Club, and Literacy & Art with Cloverbuds. STEM Sports in Healthy Living Club, Culture is Prevention, and STEM Club @ Lakeside's Community Hour 3x every on Fridays per month serving 30 youth Coeur d'Alene Tribe Water Awareness Week: Fish Printing Station, collaboration with Tribe's Fisheries Outreach Department. Approx. 250 youth Know Your Government fifth year completed and expanding youth interest and participation. Collaboration with Lakeside Schools, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Department of Education, and parents. Total of 8 youth delegatesin February 2023. Lakeside Mock Trial Team-30 students that went to regionals in Lewiston, ID with several awards for the 2022-2023 Mock Trial season 4H Teen Health Advocates attended the Pollinator Habitat Ambassador Training in February 2023 and worked at Success Center after school, Boys & Girls Club, the Community Garden, and provided workshops to younger students in Skillet Creations (cooking)and Pollinator Habitats bi weekly basis serving 20-40 youth. 1 Teen Advocate attended the National 4-H National Congress conference in November 2022 and 4 Teen Advocates attended the National 4-H Ignite Summit in Washington D.C. in March of 2023. Basketball STEAM program is based around the sport of basketball. Youth explore and learn more about the science, technology, engineering, art and math of the sport through a deeper immersion into the fundamentals of this favorite activity and is done in partnership with the UI Niimipuu Reservation Extension program and the Rise Above Foundation. New Assembly format with Lakeside Jr/Sr High School and CDA Tribal School to reach more youth with approximately 250 students participating monthly. Springbreak Camp 2023 with Basketball Skills and Drills, STEAM, UI Campus Tour, with approximately 15-20 youth participating daily Missoula Children's Theatre Residencies at the CDA Tribal School and Lakeside Spring 2023 with over 50 youth participating for two performances with over 100 families and youth attending both performances at each location. Family Dinners have been a huge success in partnership with Lakeside Elementary and Lakeside Jr/Sr High School where UI Extension program provides Literacy & Art and STEM Activities for youth ages K-12th Juntos Kickoff & Informational Night-October 2022, April 2023m, 10 youth and adults attended Dr. Seuss Night-March 2023 approximately 200 youth and families served Music & Art Fest-April 2023 approximately 300 youth and families served STEM Night-May 2023 approximately 225 youth and families served 4H Showcase Night-May 2023 approximately 50 youth and families served End of Year Celebration-approximately 200 youth and families predicted Lakeside & Tribal School Field Day with Rise Above and Art Projects approximately 150 youth and families predicted Juntos "Together" -4H Coordinator and Extension Educator teach 3x per week at Lakeside Jr/Sr High School with 8th graders in areas of STEM 1x/week in partnership with Gizmo,academic success 1x/week, and 4H day 1x/week. On a weekly basis youth 15-22 youth being served 3x/week. Informal Surveys from youth to guide program and activities for 2023-2024 given to 7th and 8th graders of Lakeside Jr/Sr High School YAM (youth aware of mental health); has been delayed to Tribal IRB. UI Extension has partnered with Marimn Health and area schools to promote mental health and suicide prevention amongst teen population. 4H Volunteers has increased to 2 consistent volunteers per week with 2 others episodic volunteers for larger events of field trips; totaling four volunteers for this year. Agriculture and Natural Resources In support of the CDA Tribe's initiative of food sovereignty and economic development, the coordinator worksdirectly with the UI College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the CDA Tribe, and the Nimiipuu Tribe in efforts in advancing Tribal Food System-based Economic Development in Northern Idaho. There were two food sovereignty tours in the Fall of 2023 to develop a Food Economic Feasibility Study, planning and development of a 2024 Inter-Tribal Food Summit in 2024, and presentations at the mid-year ATNI (Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians) in May 2023. Continued One Sky One Earth Farmer's Market Management (June-Sept) One Sky One Earth serving over 1200 adults and youth annually. Native Community Development The CDA Tribe was able to identify and employee the Tribe's CDFI to serve as the lead for the Native Women's Business Alliance of Idaho. Future program development will be focused on Native Youth Entrepreneurship. In support of the Tribe and school district's efforts of supporting the mental health of those living on the reservation; the educator has committed to serving on the Coeur Adolescent Support Team (CAST) to develop individual youth and family action plans for youth referred to the program. CAST includes the Tribe's Department of Education, Law & Order, Marimn Health, CDA Tribal School, Plummer Worley School District, and UI CDA Reservation Extension. The UI Extension Educator is becoming re-certified in Risking Connection (trauma informed care) to continue training community members.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/schitsuumsh-reservation
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Farella, J., Arias, J., Wilson, T., Isbell, S., & Nomee, S. (2022). Logic Model Program: American Indian/Alaska Native Champion Group of AEBC of 4-H PLWG. https://access-equity-belonging.extension.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Logic-Model-American-Indian_Alaska-Native-Champion-Group-of-AEBC-of-4-H-PLWG.docx.pdf
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Davison, S., Farella, J., Moore, J., Nomee, S., Isbell, S., & Dorado-Roble, N. (2022). Access Equity Belonging Committee. https://access-equity-belonging.extension.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/American-Indian_Alaskan-Native-First-Nations-Youth.pdf
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Toomey, M., Nomee, S., Dee, S., Ennis, N., Torress Sanpedro, A., Schoenfelder, J., Jeffries, E., & Van Brederode, P. (2023). 4-H Create Art Now Curriculum. University of Idaho.
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