CHARLEVOIX – When the Charlevoix County Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council conducted a survey of more than 800 local students in grades 7-12 about their biggest concerns, the results showed a desire to increase acceptance and belonging and to reduce school-related stress.
In an effort to help support vulnerable student populations throughout Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District – in particular indigenous youth and English Language Learners (ELL) – the YAC awarded $6,250 to the ISD to fund “Indigenous Comfort Kits.”
“These kits will include cultural materials supplied by a generous gift from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Behavioral Health Department,” said Alicia Schlehuber, Char-Em ISD Behavioral Health Coordinator, who applied for the grant on the ISD’s behalf. “We will collaborate with a cultural advisor in the use of and implementation of the kits.”
The cultural materials will be supplemented with totes, native-themed coloring books, color pencils, yoga cards, stuffed animals and books – all of which provide culturally significant and related tools and resources to help connect students to their culture, Schlehuber added.
Deleta Smith, Cultural Coordinator for the LTBB Health Department, explained that the kits will contain some medicines used in traditional Anishnaabek practices, including sweet grass, cedar and sage for particular purposes.
“Wiingushk, sweet grass, is life in its purest form. Wiingushk is representative of the hair of our Mother Earth. When braided, it symbolizes strength bringing together the mind, body, and spirit. Just like our own mother, it brings gentleness, love, and kindness,” Smith said. “Cedar is used to cleanse and purify oneself both internally and physically. Sage is used to prepare for ceremony and is said to be the strongest of the medicines as indicated by its strong scent. These medicines are living beings and are given freely to all people to enhance and help sustain every-day lives.”
Randall Koch, Behavioral Health Manager for the tribe, said including teachings and traditions in communicating with tribal youth, through the kits and other avenues, are important for helping to bring balance into their lives.
“Trauma is prevalent throughout our community, but Indigenous people also carry the trauma of their ancestors. Utilizing culture offers a means of healing the person, their ancestors and ndanwendaaganak – ‘all my relations,’” said Koch. “In addition, the seven grandfather and grandmother teachings of love, humility/forgiveness, respect/integrity, wisdom/sharing, honesty/kindness, bravery/protection, truth/trust guide the processes of therapy as they emphasize the values and character necessary for mno bimaadiziwin – ‘living a good life.’”
Reaching the English Language Learner population
While Northern Michigan has a significant Native American population, the number of English Language Learners residents is smaller, but increasing. “ELL” refers to those students and residents whose primary language is not English, and whose English proficiency, or lack thereof, creates a barrier to learning.
Schlehuber said in rural areas where ELL populations are not large, it is important to remember their social, emotional and mental health needs as well.
“Anything we as educators can do to ease ELL and immigrant students’ transition into schools and communities, promote strong relationships with educators and peers will lessen the challenge of learning new cultural norms,” said Schlehuber. “Addressing emotional wellness fosters cooperation, clear communication, and conflict resolution. Additional benefits include stress management, motivation, self-efficacy, and confidence to seek and offer assistance when it’s needed.”
The grant allows for the purchase of books for new, incoming and current ELL students that pertain to social and emotional wellness in their native languages, and books that reflect their culture along with cultural games and puzzles.
“Being a newcomer to our schools can bring with it stress and anxiety for students who do not speak English. It can be challenging for teachers and staff to communicate with students about their feelings. Feelings charts in other languages will be part of the kits for students and staff to utilize,” said Schlehuber. “Having these kits on hand and ready for schools when a new ELL student enrolls will greatly improve the sense of belonging and acceptance for these students, including their emotional well being.”
Not only will the kits benefit the students, but local school staff members as well.
“These kits will provide opportunities for staff to learn about, understand, and respect other cultures and traditions, which directly correlates to acceptance,” said Schlehuber. “We are grateful that the young members of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation share our vision for inclusivity and sensitivity to all our student populations. Their support for this project is immeasurable.”
Schlehuber said items for the kits will be purchased soon, and she expects to start distributing them in spring 2024. She will work directly with schools on distribution.