Project Grant 20184610028765

THIS PROPOSED PROJECT, CULTURAL RESPONSES TO HEALING TRAUMA, FIGHTING OPIOIDS, AND UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH, IS AN ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE THE YOUTH IN A CULTURE-BASED, COMMUNITY-LEVEL PREVENTION PROGRAM. THE FOND DU LAC TRIBAL COLLEGE EXTENSION PROGRAM (TCEP) WILL LEAD AND MANAGE THE PROJECT AND, WITH ITS UNIVERSITY AND TRIBAL PARTNERS, WILL EXTEND ITS OUTREACH TO YOUTH THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH THE OJIBWE CULTURE. THE PROPOSED PROJECT SEEKS TO CONNECT FOND DU LAC BAND MEMBERS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO REGIONAL RESOURCES, SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND OJIBWE CULTURE THROUGH MULTI-GENERATIONAL DESIGN. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL DRAW FROM THE KNOWLEDGE BASE AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS ESTABLISHED IN THE TCEP TO ENSURE THE PREVENTION MODEL IS CULTURALLY-BASED.THE PROPOSED PROJECT SEEKS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY-LEVEL MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RISK FACTORS, AND IN PARTICULAR OPIOID USE AND MISUSE, THROUGH INTEGRATION OF CULTURALLY-BASED ACTIVITIES TO MOTIVATE NATIVE YOUTH TOWARD HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND ESPECIALLY, THEIR COMMUNITY (IN COLLABORATION WITH THE FOND DU LAC HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION).PROGRAM GOALS: INCREASE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE IMPROVED MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; ABOUT TRIGGERS TO OPIOID ABUSE AND EFFECTS; INCREASE CONFIDENCE AND DESIRE TO AVOID OPIOID USE AND STOP USE; INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF CULTURAL IDENTITY, ADDRESS UNDERLYING CORES BELIEFS SUCH AS HISTORICAL TRAUMA TO BEGIN HEALING. REDUCE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG FOND DU LAC YOUTH, REDUCE SOCIAL ISOLATION AND INCREASE POSITIVE TRIBAL CITIZEN PRODUCTIVITY. INCREASE TRIBAL WELL-BEING, PROSPERITY AND REDUCE TRIBAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL COSTS.