Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions

Nenana Wellness CoalitionAGENDA 

October 27, 2009

 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, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. We had 15 participants today, including: Kat McElroy, David Poppe, Beverley Joseph, Miles and Irene Martin, Bonnie Reed, Virginia Young, Rebecca and Bill Troxel, Terry Thompson, Mike Smith, Walter & Andrea Tommy, Tim Horn and Merrily Verhagen. We enjoyed Shepard’s Pie, mixed greens salad, mango chutney,  raisins, walnuts and sliced cheese and Ritz crackers and chocolate cake for lunch. 

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

 

PRAYER: Was lead by Beverly Joseph, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There were two modifications requested.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN Link at www.railbelt.com and submitted electronically to the WIN e-list. David pointed out that they were sent as a docx file; Kat will attempt to rectify as this format is problematic for older computer systems.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No new guests this date.

           

 

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

 Sober Housing: David Poppe reported that he has most of the building materials for the floor on site. The structure will be 12 x 20 foot with a four foot overhang porch. He has hauled in lumber and plywood for walls and roof; he needs to get the insulation. The structure will sit on 4 X 12 inch timbers atop a foot of gravel and thus will be about two feet above the ground level, so hopefully not be inundated during the next flood. Mike reports that the Verhagens are planning a work party next Saturday, November 7^th. David affirms he will have all building materials at that time. Bill Troxel said that anyone interested in breakfast before the work party is welcome to attend the pancake feed that morning at the radio station between 7 & 9 A.M.  Hallowe’en: WIN at large discussed the festivities this year. A flyer went home with the school kids this week announcing a Hallowe’en event at Clear Air Station on Thursday. There will be bowling, a haunted house and trick-or-treating. Drivers are reminded that to come on base one needs a valid license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Friday will be the Nenana City Public School Hallowe’en event at the school gym which is a fundraiser.  This begins at 6 P.M. and is scheduled to end at 8. Then Saturday night, at the Nenana Conference Center (old Corner Bar building), the Verhagen family is hosting Hallowe’en family event, from 6 to 8 P.M. Health Fair:  We still need a site coordinator. Tim has not yet heard back from Phyllis at Health Fairs of Alaska in Fairbanks to see if our proposed March 27^th date would be good. Someone suggested asking Kristi if she would be willing to act as site coordinator. Merrily will ask her.  Envisioning Wellness: Tim called Nita Marks during WIN toi see if she would be available to present next month. Nita said the 17^th of November would work for her. Andrea Tommy will make a flyer to advertise this Envisioning Wellness presentation. Mikes Martin volunteered to post the flyers. The title of this even will be Knowing Your TFYS. It was suggested that the flyer include an explanation that TFYS stands for Tribal Family Youth Services for those who are unaware of the meaning of this acronym. Kat is scheduled to present on Wellness and The Medicine Wheel December 1^st.  

WELLNESS THOUGHT: We must all stand together or surely we shall all hang together. Abraham Lincoln.

 

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

David: The cow is milking. The quail are still visiting. We got our first egg from the chickens, most of whom moved into the chicken coop with our first snow. Hurray!

 

Kat: Bonnie reminds us that the AA group is supposed to do their annual birthday meeting and community dinner at the end of November. We will tentatively schedule it for Sunday, November 29^th, 6 P.M., at the tribal hall.

 

Tim: Jr. high school basketball team plays Cantwell at home today at 4 P.M. Come support the little scrappers.

Spaghetti dinner, a fundraiser, October 29^th, 5 P.M. at NSLC, with their annual pumpkin judging contest. Come vote for your favorite pumpkin and support a good cause.

Don’t forget to Fall Back one hour Saturday night.

November 6^th and 7^th there is a basketball tournament at Anderson; then the 13^th and 14^th will be the annual Nenana Ice Cream Classic at Nenana School.

The community Thanksgiving lunch is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 24, at the school.

 

Bonnie is in the process of getting out the monthly Senior Newsletter.

 

Rebecca: Next Freecycle tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 12^th. They have been talking about co-sponsoring monthly Friday night movie nights at the Nenana Conference Center.

It has been suggested they do a community Thanksgiving dinner as well, maybe in conjunction with a movie or karaoke.

Community Church will sponsor caroling again this year, probably on the evening of Sunday, December 20^th.

Christmas Eve they will do a reading of the Christmas story.

 

Merrily: December 22, Tuesday evening, they will have a Christmas gathering at the Conference Center, a Christmas play, with musical numbers, and a Christmas recipe exchange.

 

Walter: Glad it snowed finally.

 

Terry: Doubly glad it snowed.

 

Irene: Triple that. Got to go on her first snow machine ride.

 

Miles: The Alaska Made group representative, Bill Webb, emailed Miles, inquiring about organizing another Alaska Made workshop in Nenana. They would like to schedule it for March. It would be free and would include workshops in photography, marketing, and how to acquire Alaska Made status for your handcrafts or hand-made products.

 

Beverley: Passed out brochures from the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. They are available to do home visits.

Also, she will be attending a class for lay ministers in Fairbanks on Monday evenings and needs a ride to town on Mondays. Merrily said her sons drive up every Monday morning.

St Mark’s church will be conducting prayer circles at the church every Tuesday, 6:30-7:30. There will be an All Saints service Sunday at 11:15 A.M., fellowship to acknowledge those who have passed.

  

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

 

 

ADJOURNMENT: 1:30 P.M.

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMIINUTES

October 20, 2009

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, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

We had 11 in attendance today, including: Walter & Andrea Tommy, Rebecca Troxel, Kat McElroy, Terry & Art Thompson, Merrily & Merry Verhagen, Miles Martin, and (the late, alive, but late) David Poppe.

 

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

 

PRAYER: Was lead by Terry Thompson, followed by PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There were no modifications.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN link at www.railbelt.com and emailed to members of the WIN e-list.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: There were no guests today.

           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

 

Sober Housing—Kat McElroy reported that the Native Council delivered eight loads of gravel to the building site this weekend. Milt Haken brought the Cat over and spread the gravel, to make it level. David Poppe needs to dialogue with Joe Verhagen about the building plan which calls for a 12 by 20 foot structure with a 4 foot overhang porch. It will be a dry cabin and use a small wood stove as a heat source. Next on the agenda is to develop the supply list. We are really pushing the season for construction, due to multiple delays over the summer and in to the autumn, so it is good to see this small progress. People continue to approach us to volunteer time and money for the project. We estimate 3 to 4 thousand dollars for building supplies.

 

Hallowe’en —Merrily Verhagen showed us a flyer they have made to advertise the Family Hallowe’en Party they are having at their place (the space next to Kristi’s Cuisine) October 31^st, 6-8 P.M. There will be trick-or-treating around the hotel rooms. Snacks will be provided. Costumes are encouraged, not required; nothing too gruesome, scary or otherwise inappropriate, please. There will be games for adults and teens. Volunteers would be appreciated, especially to pass out goodies from behind the hotel doors; you may call Ester Smith to volunteer at 832-5215. They are inviting people to bring carved pumpkins to show off.

 

WELLNESS THOUGHT

Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.”

 

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Walter: He got an e-mail from Robert Charlie, an overview of what they envision for Four Mile camp. Our youth today have lost their sense of identity; Walter wants to bring back cultural ways. The Cultural/Heritage camp at Old Mito has been successful; Four Mile would be year ‘round and more accessible.

 

Miles reported that the library board has made a positive report regarding Darcia’s efforts to work with youth. There is an opening on the library board.

 

Maryellen: The phone number for tobacco cessation assistance has changed. It is now 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669). Maryellen will need numbers of new people joining the wellness coalition for her quarterly reports. Also, she is inviting us to brainstorm with her how to get from informal to formal policies around tobacco use in our community. An example she uses is the recent move at the Senior Center to move the smoking area from in front of the building to over by the side so people entering and exiting the building do not have to walk through the smoking area. She also mentioned an online site for cessation smokeless tobacco users. She will email the URL for Kat to include in the minutes.

 

Rebecca: Is pleased to announce she and her family are happily receiving DSL through Alaska Communication Services.

 

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

 

ADJOURNMENT: 1:45 P.M.

Nenana Wellness Coalition

MINUTES

October 13, 2009The 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, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

There were 19 in attendance today, Including: Bonnie Reed, Brian and Gabrielle Blair, Maryellen Robinson, Rebecca & Bill Troxel, David Poppe, Donald Charlie, Virginia Young, Jenny Irwin, Irene Martin, Bill & Kennedy Packee, Terry & Art Thompson, Kat McElroy, Merrily Verhagen, Tim Horn, and Andrea & Walter Tommy. We had pasta and meatballs marinara with Ritz crackers, sliced cheese, sliced apples and home-made fudge for lunch.

 

WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By Tim Horn

 

PRAYER was lead by Mr. Walter Tommy, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: No changes to the agenda.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Submitted last week per usual: posted at www.railbelt.com on the WIN link and sent electronically to the WIN e-list.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

 

Dance Presentation: Nenana Student Living Center cultural dance group, also known as The Frybread Shakers, did a spirited 20 minutes dance presentation for us. They have been rehearsing at the living center and their good work effort shows in their energetic performance, which was much appreciated by the audience.

 

Assistive Technology for the Vision Impaired presented by Bill Packee of the Fairbanks chapter/National Federation for the Blind, who was accompanied by his son, Kennedy, and his assistance dog, Rio. He told us that he was wearing many hats in his presentation today. He is in the business of helping people to access assisted technology. Basically this is providing devices to aid reading, talking, and learning, for people who are experiencing a wide variety of disabilities. Part of this consists of evaluating people who may be blind or visually impaired, deaf/blind, or true deaf, to find what will best assist them. Other disabilities include mobility issues, attention issues, and learning disabilities. “Independence,” he said, “ Is our goal. Independence through technology, through education and training and through employment.” He told us a bit about being blind himself, the adjustment he had to make to his vision loss. His wife is deaf/blind; she is teaching him tactile sign language, which he said we might notice him using as he spoke to us today, “So I can practice learning this,” he explained.

Another hat he wears, he was recently elected president of the Alaska chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. NFB has information for people who are losing their sight and provide networking and organization for people who are visually impaired. There are two active chapters in our state: Anchorage/Kenai and Fairbanks. It is his goal to build a Juneau chapter so as to be able to have direct access to the governor and to lobby the legislature. He directed those interested in learning more about this organization to their web site http://nfbak.org/#aboutnfbak where there is information about their activities in the Fairbanks area, across the state of Alaska, and nationally.

Mr. Packee said that assistive technology does not need to be expensive and high-end to make a huge difference for people who experience some disability. He showed us examples of very simple devices including a talking watch, a Braille watch, elastic shoe laces that only have to be tied one time (for people with fine motor control issues), and magnifying glasses that can enlarge print as much as ten times. He said that there are magnifying glasses that are built into a flexible arm stand so they can adjust to any need, leaving one’s hands free. He said that people can use a blind compass and that there are even talking GPS’s. “There is no reason for people to say, ‘I can’t. I’m blind. I’m wheelchair-bound. I’m deaf, or learning disabled. There’s no reason with the technology we have available.” He demonstrated a program called Jaws which will read computer screens. His has adjustable speed and voice, to allow himself access to any information on the internet or downloaded files.

There are cushions for wheelchairs, portable lights, even fans, laptops, any of which can hook into a battery pack, for comfort, and assistance. He showed us software programs for people with learning disabilities that are word predictive and have automatic spell check/correct built in. Another would highlight text to help readers with attentional issues. There is a program called Super Nova which can magnify the screen, isolate various items on the screen, or read aloud the text.

He demonstrated a device that will read blood samples for the diabetic, called Prodigy Voice, a blood glucose monitoring system designed for the blind and people with low vision. He sees it as his mission to inform people about the assistive technologies available to them and to assist people in accessing same. He said Alaska has a huge population of people who have vision issues and unfortunately are unaware of the resources available to them. Access Alaska has a deaf/signing luncheon each Tuesday in Fairbanks, 11 A.M. through 1 P.M. There is a VIP (Visually Impaired People) meeting the first Tuesday of each month.  

Lastly, Bill said that Federation for the Blind has a Face-book page that is open to anyone interested in friending them.

 

WELLNESS THOUGHT: Inch by inch, row by row, that’s the way our gardens grow.

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS.  

Bonnie: There will be a community dinner tonight (Tuesday) at the Nenana Student Living Center, 5P.M.

Rebecca: Free-cycle, Saturday, 5 P.M., at George Hall. Everyone is invited. She’ll be making soup. Pot luck for those who have something to bring. There will be a movie and pop corn. Everyone is invited.

Book Fair at the school all week, in the library. Don’t forget Bingo for Books Thursday night in the Pit.

Merrily: The Verhagens will be hosting a family friendly Hallowe’en celebration next door to Kristie’s Cuisine. They will be setting up the ping pong table and will have food treats and games.

 OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS /QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None                                                                         

ADJOURNMENT: 1 50 P.M.

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES 

October 6, 2009

 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, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.There were 17 in attendance today, including:  David Poppe, Kat McElroy, John Grimes, Bill & Rebecca Troxel, Miles & Irene Martin, Tim Horn, Mary & Wes Alexander, Brian & Gabrielle Blair, Terry & Art Thompson, Merrily Verhagen and Walter & Andrea Tommy. We enjoyed tamale pie, pasta salad, cucumber salad, mixed fruit and nuts, Ritz crackers and sliced cheese and sliced apples for lunch. 

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

 

PRAYER: Was lead by Brian Blair, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There was one addition to the agenda.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were taken by Bonnie last week; they will be forwarded to Kat by Tim to post.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No new participants this week.

           

 

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

 Sober Housing: Kat McElroy reports that the sober cabin project has been stalled due to deaths in the family. David Poppe continues clearing the building space; trees have been removed and a rough roadway put in so that equipment can access the lot for dirt work. We hope to be able to complete the structure before the deep cold. There is a resident utilizing the RV the use of which the Verhagen’s donated to the sober housing project. He and David have been weatherizing the RV as the temperature drops. Freecycle: Our next Free-cycle is scheduled for October 17^th at 5 P.M. Use of the tribal hall has been reserved. Miles Martin volunteered to start the fire early in the day so the hall will be warmed up. There will be pot luck and a movie.  Envisioning Wellness: Tim Horn has made flyers for the presentation next week by Bill Packee of the Fairbanks chapter of the National Federation for the Blind who will be talking to us about assistive technology for the visually impaired. She will email to Kat. Kat will print same at the Railbelt office and give to Miles and Irene to post around town. Tim has also completed a PSA; she faxed one to KIAM; Kat will fax to KUAC. Nita Marks will present November 3^rd on ICWA and child protection issues. Due to her sudden trip to Nevada, Kat was unable to present on the Medicine Wheel and Wellness in September; she has been re-scheduled for December 1^st. 

Community Dinners at NSLC: John Grimes opened his remarks by explaining that the purpose for having community dinners at NSLC had initially been to connect students there with elders in our community. He said that homesickness is the primary reason for student attrition for NSLC. He is open to suggestions for strategies to engage interaction between students and community members. It was suggested that students be assigned to specific tables so that community members would have a better opportunity to get to know them.  Name tags might help. Kat suggested community members stand and introduce themselves during dinner, telling a little bit about who they are, what they do, what their interests are, etc. Rebecca suggested creating some manner of family adoption program; she noted that when she and Bill have their young children with them, the NSLC students flock to meet them—perhaps because they are missing younger siblings left back home. “It is up to us to help them interact with us,” she said. Mary noted how NSLC students who came to do some volunteer work in the kitchen at Meda Lord Housing stayed afterwards to play some pool in the day room. Virginia suggested community members might stay after dinner, bring board games or other entertainment to interact with the students. Miles mentioned he brought a moose by one time which the students readily assisted in butchering; other times he has brought materials and tools to do scrimshaw which seemed well received by the kids. John indicated the community has a standing open invitation to come for dinner or to spend time with the students. He also mentioned that many of the students cannot afford to fly to their home villages for the short Thanksgiving and Spring Break school holidays. It would be good if they could spend time with families locally during those times.

John noted that there are 84 students currently enrolled at the living center; by October 23^rd they will have 88 residents there. “They are a good group of kids,” he said, “But they are teenagers. They come with a certain amount of issues: alcohol and tobacco use, academic deficiencies, etc.” He said NSLC currently has five couples working as dorm parents, which provides a good ratio of adults to students, as originally intended. He praised the staff. He predicted their good effort would be reflected in increased retention rates. He said, “Nenana is becoming a better place as a whole for these students.” He said that they turned down 30 to 35 applications this year; their application numbers are up which allows them to be more selective regarding who they bring into the program.

The next community dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13^th, 5 P.M. John invites all interested community members to attend. Briar Blair said that they could make announcements to the community concurrent to Mukluk Messages at 10:10 A.M., and 2:10 and 9:10 P.M. ( http://www.vfcm.org/kiam/ ). Tim suggested the use of flyers at the P.O., Coghill’s, A-frame, etc.

Lastly, John said that the NSLC students are currently involved in a project with Kathy Bertram, Education Director, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. to do research and collect data on climate change. She will be taking NSLC students to met Bernie Karl and tour the facility at Chena Hot Springs October 17^th.  WELLNESS THOUGHT:”A habit cannot be tossed out the window;
it must be coaxed down the stairs a step at a time.” Mark Twain 

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Merrilee: the Nenana Community Calendar is up and running. It can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/nenanacommunitycalendar/home.html

Andrea: She and Walter would like NSLC students to come for a camp-out at their place at 4-Mile. John prompted her to contact Mike Anderson or Tom Gephardt who is activities director.

John: NSLC dance troupe will be performing at International Friendship Day at Pioneer Park, 1 P.M., October 17^th.

Kat: Railbelt finished their quarterly reports yesterday, hurray! Preparations have begun for Operation Ho Ho Ho. Laura will be taking names/ages for families that would appreciate food and gift boxes for Christmas. Deadline for submitting names will be November 27^th. Volunteers are always welcome.

David: The heifer, Mara, is due to birth February 8^th. Clara is due in July. They’ve been cleaning up garden leavings which the cows enjoy munching.

Bonnie: Cosmetology students from UAF will be doing haircuts at the Senior Center Thursday, October 22. There is a charge for perms but other hair-care services are free.

Miles: Handed out flyers received from the Alaska Source Link. www.AkSourcelink.com

The city council meeting will be Thursday, 10/08/09, 6;30 at the Senior Center.

Bill: Is sad to announce that his mother will not be able to come to visit but his father, John Troxel, will be visiting.

Tim: Today is Election Day. Parent/teacher conferences Tue/Wed/Thurs at NCPS. October 12-16 will be the Book Fair at the school. Basketball game in Minto this weekend for the Nenana Junior High team.

 

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

 

 

ADJOURNMENT: 2:00 P.M.