Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

Club Members on the Right Track
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale – Lehi and Red Mountain Branches in Arizona have had a lot to celebrate as two Club members recently won special awards. Nichelle won a $2,000 National Money Matters Scholarship Award! Money Matters was created with the Charles Schwab Foundation as a financial literacy program designed specifically to help teens (ages 13 to18) expand their knowledge of money management and learn the skills that lead to financial independence and well-being. This fall she will attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College majoring in sports medicine. Ciera has been selected as the state of Arizona’s MLB S.T.A.R. Award winner! The Major League Baseball S.T.A.R. Award program is designed to recognize Boys & Girls Clubs members for their participation and achievement in sports, fitness and social recreation programming. Now, her essay will now compete at the regional level. Congratulations Nichelle and Ciera!

Congratulations to Boys & Girls Club Graduates!

The Boys & Girls Club of Tahlequah would like to recognize and congratulate all their members who are graduating from Tahlequah High School.

Six of those members are youth leaders at various Club units and are pictured here.

BGC and AmeriCorps Help Mountain Bluebirds
Four Club members at the Boys & Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation & Lake County in Montana worked with AmeriCorps volunteers to donate their time and energy to a local Mountain Bluebird population restoration project. They helped sort and stack the pallets of cedar boards used to build the birdhouses. The project prepared the assorted boards for the next step in bluebird house production. The boards used for the houses will eventually be taken to an assembly area in Ronan where they will be cut to size and fitted together into Mountain Bluebird houses.

Idaho Youth has a Bright Future Ahead
A Club member from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lewis Clark Valley – Lapwai Unit has been the center of attention recently. In addition to claiming the title of Youth of the Year for the state of Idaho, she was also named a Gates Millennium Scholar. Learn more.

Wiyot Tribe Opens 2nd Native Club in California
In March 2008, the Wiyot tribe celebrated the opening of the second Native American Boys & Girls Club in California. Read more.

Oceanographer Visits Arizona Club
Club members from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community recently attended an imagination inspiring Immersion Presents event at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. The Club was able to communicate via telepresence with scientists from the University of Rhode Island. They also enjoyed a visit from Dr. Robert Ballard, the discoverer of the Titanic and PT-109. Click here to read more.

USDA Under Secretary Visits Kids Cafe in Boys & Girls Club
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Nancy Montanez Johner traveled from Washington D.C. to Mesa, Arizona to tour two Kids Café sites operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. In addition to touring the Lehi and Red Mountain clubhouses located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Under Secretary met with the children to share information on nutrition education while they enjoyed their healthy snack and evening meal. Click here to learn more.

DEADLINE EXTENDED! Scholarship Opportunity for Native Youth
Last year, Reconnecting the Circle began with its 2006 National High School Essay Contest. The question posed to high school students was; “Why is reconnecting the circle with Native Americans important today?” High school students (grades 9-12) from tribal, public, private and parochial schools throughout all 50 states were invited to participate. Student writers were a cross-section of Native American and non-Native students. Ten students were awarded a scholarship of $2,500 each. The 10 winning essays represented an array of viewpoints, experiences and knowledge held by Native American and non-Native high school students about Indian Country. Inspiration for the essays came from multiple sources including textbooks, the Internet, movies, hearsay and pure experience. The essays explain what reconnecting the circle means to each writer and the stories are pieces of a bigger conversation about all cultures and all people.

This year, Reconnecting the Circle is inviting high school students to participate in the 2007 National High School Essay Contest. The NEW deadline is Monday, January 21, 2008. . For more information on Reconnecting the Circle and this year’s question please visit their website at www.reconnectingthecircle.com or email them at info@reconnectingthecircle.com.

A Night of NASCAR

In Fall 2007, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale- Lehi Branch hosted over 150 people for a night of NASCAR fun! The Club’s Continuum Team and the Lehi Branch staff worked together to bring an array of NASCAR related activities to the Club. Three NASCAR teams brought their cars and interacted with Club members and their families. Club members were able to sit in the cars and have pictures taken at the Gatorade Victory Lane booth. Miss Arizona, Nicole Turner, also added some sparkle to the event. She emphasized the need to "drive with care," at her booth; her platform for the year. Club members also participated in remote control car races, tricycle races, wagon races, and a hotwheels racetrack competition. The evening ended with door prizes that included remote control cars, NASCAR jackets, hotwheels, and other NASCAR related items. The Lehi Branch thanks Blessing McAnlis and Chris Henningson, both from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale’s Continuum Team, for creating a special night at the Club.

Halloween Happenings

The Boys & Girls Club of Duluth- Lake Vermilion Unit in Minnesota held a Halloween Party on October 26, 2007. The Club served over 150 kids during the celebration. Staff members facilitated a wide variety of activities for the youth including: bean bag toss, duck pond, milk bottle throw, tattoo parlor, coloring contest, football throw, a donut eating contest, and a costume contest. At each station the youth would earn stickers that they could later exchange for a prize. The DJ began playing music and the dancing fun extended until after 10:00 pm. The youth continue to talk about the great time they had at the party and they can't wait to do it again.

Halloween at The Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale-Lehi Branch in Arizona was celebrated a day early with various carnival-themed activities and treats. Club staff members were in charge of overseeing various activity stations. Activities available included: mummy wrap, pin the tail on the black cat, pumpkin bean bag toss contest, apple pass contest, and balloon sweep. Two of the biggest highlights of the entire evening were the Sugar Cookie Decorating Contest and the Haunted House that was built by the Keystone Club and other teen members under the guidance of the Teen Staff. The night capped off with a door prize give-a-way. All members left with black cat treats and pretzels topped with marshmallows.

Wolf & Owl Remember

Wolf & Owl Remember is a charming and delightful story of a Native American child's journey of discovery and wonder through the natural world. The story will entertain both children and adults, while reminding readers of our responsibility to future generations.

Author Antoinette “Toni” Sarcinella of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale collaborated with illustrator Joseph Wolves Kill to produce this lovely storybook. A portion of proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs Native American Endowment.

The book retails for $12.00, but reduced pricing is available when ordered direct:

1-10 copies $10 each
11 or more $9 each

Please forward purchase requests to wolfandowl748@aol.com.

In September, Nike announced they had made the first shoe designed for American Indians. Nike hopes the shoe will help encourage physical fitness in Native people. The Air Native N7 fits the shape of an American Indian foot. It will be available only to American Indians, tribal wellness programs, and tribal schools nationwide. All profits from the sale of the shoe will be given back to health programs for tribal lands. “Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans,” said Sam McCracken, Manager of Nike's Native American Business. “We are stepping up our commitment...to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness.”

The shoe is designed with a sunrise to sunset to sunrise pattern on the tongue and heel, feather designs inside, and stars on the sole of the shoe. Nike has been involved with tribal communities for many years, supporting tribal athletic teams and events. The company also donates shoes, clothing, and equipment to Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country. Read more about the Nike Air Native N7.

Dr. Charles Grim Recognized at Congressional Breakfast
On September 19, 2007 during Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Congressional Breakfast, Rick Goings, Board President and CEO of Tupperware, recognized a long-time friend to Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country, Dr. Charles Grim. Dr. Grim has served as the Assistant Surgeon General and Director of Indian Health Service since 2003. He is a native of Oklahoma, and a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. In 2003, the Indian Health Service joined partners, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), FirstPic, Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), and Nike, Inc., to initiate a prevention program aimed at reducing the onset of diabetes among Native American youth. The program – On the T.R.A.I.L.to Diabetes Prevention – is an innovative combination of physical, educational and nutritional activities. Through IHS and Dr. Grim’s support, 45 Clubs have implemented the program, serving over 3,000 youth. More than $4.3 Million has been provided to make this endeavor possible. Dr. Grim will soon retire from his job with Indian Health Service and will be returning to Oklahoma. BGCA did not want to miss the opportunity to recognize him for all of his valuable achievements. Dr. Grim was presented with a plaque in honor of the efforts he has made on behalf of Indian Country youth. Dr. Grim accepted the plaque and thanked Boys & Girls Clubs of America and FirstPic, Inc. for all they do for Indian youth. He stated that it has been an honor to work on such an important and necessary program. Thank you Dr. Grim for everything you have done!

NABI Night with the Phoenix Mercury
NAILBA game

On Sunday, August 26, youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Valley—Sacaton & Komatke Branches (Gila River) and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Lehi & Red Mountain Branches (Salt River) attended NABI Night with the Mercury. NABI generously sponsored tickets which were distributed to Club members and their families for the WNBA semi-finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm.

Thank you NABI!

Club Member in Finals of National Photography Contest
Peaceful TImes

Club member, Rainboe of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale – Lehi Branch was selected as a national winner of the ImageMakers photography contest. The contest, a culmination of the ImageMakers photography program, enables youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through visual arts. Photos are submitted for five categories including color process, black and white process, alternative process, digital and photo essay. The top photographs in each of four age groups and five categories are selected as national winners. Approximately 900 local Clubs participate annually.

Rainboe’s photo, “Peaceful Times” was also featured on the Circuit City website as a finalist for the company’s Take a Shot photography contest.

New Kids Cafe Opens in Minnesota

The Boys & Girls Club of Leech Lake Area just celebrated the Grand Opening of the first ConAgra Foods Feeding Children Better Kids Cafe in north central Minnesota. The Kids Cafe will be located in the Cass Lake Unit of the Club providing meals and snacks to children five days a week and the Deer River and Walker Units offering healthy snacks daily to youth. “We are grateful to have the added support form ConAgra and Second Harvest in providing additional healthy options for our area’s young people, giving kids the opportunity to say yes to something is essential to positive youth development,” said Tuleah Palmer, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of the LLA, “Our Kids Cafe has added invaluable quality to our programs; we’ve increased our daily teen involvement, we are educating children about nutrition and reinforcing positive decision making around healthy lifestyles and our Kids Cafe has increased family and community involvement. Food brings us together, no matter our backgrounds.” The Club’s new Kids Cafe, coupled with the T.R.A.I.L. program has created want for healthy lifestyles at the BGC of the Leech Lake Area.

Salute to a Master and Mentor
Each year, the Academy of Boys & Girls Club Professionals recognizes a select few Club leaders as Masters & Mentors during the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference. Ron Gurley, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Green Country and Chairman of the Native American National Advisory Committee was selected as one of the recipients of this year’s awards. The Academy bestows recognition to BGC staff for continued professional growth and development that demonstrates the highest levels of competence and performance within their jobs. Candidates are nominated by the National Training and Professional Development Advisory Committee based upon one or more of the following:

During his acceptance speech, Mr. Gurley quoted Black Elk, ”Grown men can learn from little children, for the hearts of children are pure.” Another leader of Native Clubs, Ramon Elias, Chief Professional Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley was also inducted in the 2007 Class. Ramon oversees 10 traditional units and 2 Native American units which serve the Gila River Pima & Maricopa Community.