Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions

Nenana Wellness Coalition
Minutes
April 22, 2008

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.
There were seven at meeting today including Laura Vance, Maryellen Kanayurak, Bonnie Reed, Tim Horn, Miles Martin, Mike Anderson, Kat McElroy. We enjoyed moose/barley soup, pilot bread with honey butter, sliced apples and pecans for lunch.

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Ms. Laura Vance, followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

PRAYER: Was sung by Tim Horn, a prayer for the children, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: No modifications suggested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were submitted electronically by Kat Tuesday afternoon.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

Envisioning Wellnesss—WIN at large. The new PA from Nenana Native Council, Tim, said he would be willing to address our group on community wellness. The proposed dates for May will not work for him, however. Kat will attempt to arrange for him to speak at Envisioning Wellness for June, either the 17th or the 24th. Meanwhile, the woman Brent Mitchel has been working with from Cooperative Extension, Mara, says she is willing to present to us in May. The timing for this will be good so Tim Horn will coordinate with Brent to set that into motion for the 13th or 20th of May. Tim also reported on the community garden workshop they had last Friday at Nenana which involved learning how to raise red worms for gardens as well as planting six packs of seeds. She was pleased with the large turn-out, about 20 people participated. She said maybe ten people stayed on to learn about worms and how to build worm boxes or containers to use as bins to raise the worms in. Robin Campbell will have worms to reproduce and distribute. Discussion ensued regarding other future presentations. Kat will ask David Poppe if he would be willing to present on Peak Oil July 15th or 29th. Tim will ask Wes Alexander, Jr., if he would be willing to present on Alternative Energy, tentatively scheduled for August 19th. We discussed asking Vickie Moyle to present, perhaps on services available for seniors and disabled people.

WELLNESS THOUGHT: The 4 laws of change
Change is from within
In order for development to occur it must be preceded by a vision
A great learning must occur
You must create a healing forest

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Beginning May 27th, WIN will meet at the TERC for the duration of the summer.

Mike announced that the new superintendent, Eric Gephart, will begin working July 1st. The new school year will begin August 14th. There will be no community dinner at NSLC in May. May 16th is cleanup day, followed by a community picnic at the baseball park. If the weather is inclement, the picnic will be at the school cafeteria. May 18th is graduation. May 3rd is the prom, followed by the after-prom party.

Bonnie announced that the Ice Watch picnic will be Friday, April 25, at Noon by the watch tower.

Tim announced the book fair is running all week at the school library. Bingo For Books will occur Thursday, 5:30-7:00 P.M. A memorial service for John Beedle will be held Saturday, May 10th, in the gym. Lastly, she said there is a 12 day Bahai’i celebration, Ridvan (which means paradise). The 1st, 9th and 12th days are Holy Days. They will have a party May 2nd, starting at 2 P.M. They will be grilling, weather permitting. On the 29th, they will be singing at the Denali Center again, followed by a bowling activity.

Maryellen announced there will be a Game Night for Adults in Anderson, this Friday at 7 P.M. the National Guard and Railbelt will be providing snacks.

Kat announced that she enjoyed the Full Lives conference in Anchorage last week. One of the keynote speakers, named Dale Dileo, made a particular impression on the attendees, speaking to the issue of the types of segregation and discrimination people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation continue to experience. He made an impassioned argument against this programmatic segregation which gave attendees much food for thought and discussion.

ADDENDUM: Thanks to Tim Horn for catching this; the minute taker was remiss in not reporting on it. We had a long discussion at the end of WIN meeting today in regards to our strong collective desire to see more education and activities to support positive parenting in our community. Over the past couple of years we have brainstormed several strategies towards that goal. The inclusion of parenting videos in the most recent health fair would be one example of these efforts. Tim Horn reported that she has been looking into getting someone to come to Nenana to present parenting skills for parents of pre-teens. This age seems to be so particularly problematic. This led to a discussion on the general need for parenting support and encouragement, for all ages of children. We keep coming up with the idea that maybe we could help facilitate a weekly or monthly parenting session that includes childcare and a group for each age/stage involved. Kat said that Railbelt would be happy to make available someone for an ages and stages presentation. Resource Center For Parents and Children in Fairbanks has recently been funded to do outreach parenting education, Maryellen said. Nita Marks is a local resource we could call upon. We are envisioning a series of workshops that would cover a variety of parenting-related topics. We are certain that Shauna would make space available at the Head Start classroom. Kat said that she would make food or snacks of some sort available. Mike said that he, too, would be willing to help create this and to support it. He brought out a copy of the book Helping Kids Succeed, Alaskan Style, which is about the Assets Program, an approach to building resiliency in our youth, which has many good suggestions for supporting positive parenting. It was suggested that we put this issue on the agenda for next week’s WIN meeting.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION

ADJOURNMENT

Nenana Wellness Coalition
Minutes
April 15, 2008

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

There were six in attendance today: Tim Horn, Rebecca Troxel, Miles Martin, Bonnie Reed, Laura Vance and Kat McElroy. We had bean soup and corn bread for lunch.

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Laura Vance followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

PRAYER: Was lead by Bonnie Reed, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There was no call for modifications.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were submitted electronically last week by Kat with one typo spotted by Keri Frazier and corrected.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: There were no guests today.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

Envisioning Wellnesss—WIN at large. By all reports the presentation by Brent Mitchel last week was favorably received. There were 19 participants and a lively exchange of information and ideas. Tim said she thought it would be a good idea to ask someone from the tribe if they would be willing to speak at a future Envisioning Wellness, perhaps Edna Hancock or Mitch Dementieff. . Miles suggested that we ask one of the new PA’s from NNC clinic. Kat agreed to contact the P.A.’s and see if one would be willing to make himself available. Tim suggested May 13th or 20th as good dates. Kat also said that David Poppe would like to speak to WIN about Peak Oil. Discussion ensued regarding that issue. It was agreed that it could be useful to have this as a topic for Envisioning Wellness.

Community Gardens—Kat McElroy brought in a flyer from NNC announcing a change of venue for the UAF/Cooperative Extension workshop on seed starting which was slated to be at the YERC on Friday, April 19, but has been relocated to the tribal hall. She encourages everyone to attend. Brent Mitchel has two acres of garden space available at the former TCCC campus which he is encouraging people to utilize. He took David Poppe on a tour of the hundred acre plot behind the TCCC compound which they have been discussing putting under cultivation. Brent says that mayor Mayrand seemed amenable to utilizing this space for community garden. David would like to try some grains including rye, barley, and quinoa (a grass seed from Peru that has a high protein count and a low glycemic index). It would be important not to put any more acreage under cultivation than people actually have the time and interest in tending and harvesting. Rebecca went online and looked into the Fairbanks Farmers Market. She found out that they charge a yearly fee of twenty dollars and then take a ten percent cut of each day’s sales. She would be very interested in vending there. Tim suggested that she call Bill Spencer and Virginia Young as they had both mentioned last week that they don’t have the time or wherewithal to vend twice weekly at Fairbanks Farmer’s Market.

WELLNESS THOUGHT
I have begun everything with the idea that I could succeed, and I never had much patience with the multitudes of people who are always ready to explain why one cannot succeed. I have always had a high regard for the man who could tell me how to succeed. —- Booker T. Washington

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
There will be a memorial service for John Beedle Saturday, May 10th, at NCPS in the gym. Susan at the school is asking anyone with photos of John to allow her to use them for the service. Tag then with a sticky note with your name to assure they get returned to you and bring them to her at the school.
The Ice Watch Picnic is April 25th at Noon by the watch tower.
The Book Fair will be at the library at NCPS April 21-25, 9:30A.M.– 6 P.M. Family Reading Night will be the 24th, 6-7:30.
Community Clean-up Day is May 16th.
The prom will be May 3rd, graduation is May 18th.
The last day of school is May 23rd.
Bonnie announced that the Seniors will be asking people for a ten dollar donation when they make van trips to Fairbanks in the future, due to the steep increase in fuel prices. If this is a hardship for anyone, they can make arrangements with Vickie.
Miles said he is trying to get the Chamber of Commerce to commit to a meeting time/date.
Kat announced she will be in Anchorage for the next 3 days attending the Full Lives conference. Full Lives is a two-day statewide motivational, educational, and networking opportunity for direct service staff providing support in developmental disabilities, behavioral health, and senior services.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION

ADJOURNMENT: 1:30 P.M.

Nenana Wellness Coalition
AGENDA
April 8, 2008

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.
There were a total of 19 in attendance today including: Gayle Rayme, Maryellen Kanayurak, Diane Jensen, Buck Allen, Judy Jensen, Steve Gavora, Todd Adams, Bill Spencer, Virginia Brown, Loree Fields, Tim Horn, Rebecca Troxel, David Poppe, Kat McElroy, Laura Vance, Shauna and Brent Mitchel, and Miles Martin. We enjoyed a lunch of baked salmon and halibut with yams & asparagus, spinach salad, sliced apples and peanuts.

WELCOME by this week’s chairperson, Tim Horn, followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

PRAYER was led by Rebecca Troxel, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS. There were no modifications to the agenda.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were submitted electronically last week by Kat with no noted changes or corrections.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

Spring Planting & Cultivating Wild Berries—Brent Mitchel gave a brief overview of the berry project, a three year project which began last year.
TCCC in Nenana was one of five villages selected for this pilot project. (The other villages were Galena, Tok, McGrath and Ft. Yukon). The purpose is to test hybrid berry varieties in five locations of Interior Alaska.
The status of our berry project here in Nenana is uncertain as the TCCC program is not running this year. Brent is interested in seeing if there are enough people in our community willing to work cooperatively and collectively to continue this project.
The UAF berry project recommends getting the root stock into the group by May 15th. Brent said they would make root stock available to community members interested. He passed around a sign-up/contact sheet. Berry root stock should be here within 30 days. Apparently there are also fruit trees available. This engendered discussion about farming practices in the Interior.
Brent said there is a 2 acre community garden space available for use on the TCCC campus. He also noted that there is an approximately one hundred acre parcel of land adjacent to TCCC which the mayor had agreed to allow TCCC to utilize for an experimental agricultural site. There is also a commercial-sized roto-tiller available for use. It was suggested that Brent ask mayor Mayrand if that land could still be made available for use by community members.
Brent envisions establishing plants, sourcing them into the community and then developing markets for the berries as well as value-added products such as jams and jellies. This engendered a long discussion about the Fairbanks Farmer’s Market, our local Nenana summer market, the potential for produce market in the Anchorage area and various strategies for marketing to each.
Bill remarked that he has seen berries and other fruit products sell out almost immediately at the Fairbanks Farmers Market. He mentioned fresh grapes from Manley Hot Springs. He also stated that the Natural Pantry food service has been looking for local Alaskan sources for cabbages, broccoli and other garden vegetables as they want to buy locally produced foods.
Virginia spoke about some of her experiences selling eggs and fresh produce. Gayle asked about the bee populations, if they are being negatively affected as those colonies in the Lower 48. Diane wanted to know about soil tests, how can she find out if her yard is contaminated. Miles wanted to know about irrigation. There was a lively exchange of information, with different participants able to supply one another with information.

WELLNESS THOUGHT
~ Willingness ~ I cannot change what I am unwilling to face.
James Baldwin

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS: There were no updates.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting spontaneously adjourned about 1:30 P.M.

Nenana Wellness Coalition
MINUTES
April 1, 2008

The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

There were five in attendance today: Kat McElroy, Rebecca Troxel, Rob Thomason, Miles Martin and Bonnie Reed. Susan Thomason was in and out periodically. We had lunch: chicken and rice with broccoli, raisins and pecans, sliced yellow apples.

WELCOME: By this week’s chairperson, Bonnie Reed, followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT.

PRAYER: Was lead by Rebecca Troxel, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: We took school district updates out of order as Rob had to leave early for a meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There is some question as to whether Miles e-mailed the minutes from last week or if Kat received them to forward. He will check and email them again to Kat.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Bonnie introduced Rebecca Troxel. She showed us a quilt she is hand-sewing, which was much admired.

School District update: Rob says the search for a new superintendent has narrowed down to three candidates, two of whom shall visit our community. The third candidate is in Abu Duba and only available for web-based interviews. The interview committee is made up of representatives from the teachers, school support staff, administration, the tribal council, NSLC staff and community members. One of the candidates is a woman currently employed in Fairbanks; the others is a gentleman working now in Kake, Alaska. There will be a board meeting tonight (April 1st) and another on the 8th. Public process is scheduled for Monday night, April 7th, in the Pit at NCPS. There will be national testing for the next three days at the school. Lastly, Rob says that NSLC needs to replace some vehicles and the washers and dryers. Funding issues, as always, are problematic.

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

Health Fair—Still to do—Kat says that Tim has written a very good thank you letter and progress report for major health fair contributors. She emailed it to Kat for her to print off copies but it came in Publisher and Kat’s computer only has Word so Tim will reformat and email again. Short thank you notes also need to be written to all the volunteers. Kat has the sign-in sheet with their names and addresses. Tim has arranged to make thank-you bouquets of Health Fair balloons to deliver along with out Thank You’s to Doyon, Coghill’s, and the Ice Classic. Kat says Crowley Marine has indicated that they would be interested in sponsorship of our Health Fair next year.

Envisioning Wellness – Brent Mitchel will be speaking at our first monthly Envisioning Wellness WIN meeting next week, April 8th. He will be presenting on Spring planting, Arctic gardening and cultivating Alaska wild berries. He has indicated he may have root stock to share. Tim has made flyers to go around town. Everyone is encouraged to invite a friend or neighbor to attend.

WELLNESS THOUGHT
We move towards and become like that which we think. Don Coyhis

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bonnie announced that the Seniors will be going to town Thursday this week. Also that Frank Gallo has been moved into Denali Center, Birch Lane. Lastly, she reported that 14 Seniors judged the Dr. Seuss Door Decorations at NCPS: the 2nd grade class won. It was tough to judge, she said.
Kat said that Railbelt is busy finishing up monthly reports and tackling the quarterly reports. The state has initiated a new Logic Model meant to create outcome measurement data; everyone is scrambling to learn this new model for reporting purposes.
Rebecca said that she and her husband and several other couples from Nenana would be attending a National Marriage Conference this weekend in Fairbanks. She announced that their church is holding Sunday evening services at the Senior Center, 6:30 P.M. They have been viewing a series of videos called “The Truth Project.” Lastly, she said that she believes there is a Community Garden workshop at the YERC on April 18th.
Miles announced that he has some information on grants available for something called Grown In Alaska, which is money to do experimental gardening including fruit trees. Kat asked him to e-mail that information to her. We had some discussion about gardening in Interior Alaska. Miles reminded us that the community roto-tiller is available for people wanting to open up new garden spots.

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

ADJOURNMENT was at 1:40 P.M.