Community Wholeness

Community is not merely physical space; it is formed with shared values, traditions, cultures, and practices of the people within. A communal sense of wholeness –spiritual and physical well-being- depends on holding up and respecting these elements in all decisions. It is critical that we cultivate this wholeness; pass it along to younger generations; and foster respect, honor, and understanding among all people.

Community Voices
• “My vision for community is to see that our children will be able to grow up in a healthy way, with no violence, no failures in our academics. I see the day when our elders will once again assume the position of wisdom, leadership and strength. I see the day when our community will one day return to the natural strengths of our culture, our language, our music, our sacred ceremonies – the ways that our people have kept alive for years. This is my dream; my work and I will support it.” – American Indian community member
• “I think we need to find holistic approaches to meeting the needs of our clients and community; that we address all things of wellness in a spiritual way. We need to address bringing back more cultural ceremonies, teachings, beliefs and values free of spiritual and political exploitation.” – American Indian community member
• “[We need] more accessible community activities that are related to a variety of areas – culture and other things, health and wellness, creation, exercise, etc. (Youth) need supportive, chemically free, safe places to go, not just after school, with interesting things to do.” – American Indian community member

Implementation Strategies
Vision: American Indian people are spirituality nourished; value their cultures and traditions; pass these practices on to younger generations; and foster respect, honor, and understanding by all people

Strategies:
o Create places for ceremonies, both indoor and outdoor
o Provide support for places of worship, prayer, thanksgiving
o Increase the availability of spiritual training
o Develop the means to increase understanding of American Indian spirituality in medical facilities, schools, and organizations
o Provide opportunities for youth and elder interaction to enable the passage of spiritual and cultural traditions to youth
o Foster respect for and dialogue with all spiritual beliefs
o Create a regional American Indian Cultural Center/Museum/Performance/Arts Center
o Support and expand opportunities for native language learning and speaking
o Develop culturally-based opportunities for intergenerational interaction/learning, namely youth, parents and elders
o Position the Minneapolis American Indian Center as a prominent cultural center with activities and events
o Create permanent pow-wow grounds in the Cultural Corridor neighborhood
o Develop American Indian-owned restaurant(s) featuring traditional native foods
o Increase the number of art galleries and the amount of artist studio space available for American Indian artists
o Support the development and location of stores featuring authentic Native products
o Create a planetarium for indigenous cosmology and star knowledge
o Develop active American Indian programming in local public schools
o Ensure American Indian cultural identity is evident on Franklin Avenue through:
• Design
• Businesses
• Public Art
• Murals
• Gateways
• Streetscape and signs (including digital signage)
o Develop an urban American Indian assets conference
o Create and implement American Indian tours of Twin Cities, i.e. sacred sites tour

Vision: American Indian people live healthy lifestyles and have access to high-quality and affordable health care

Strategies:
o Promote integration of native health and wellness into the urban lifestyle particularly in regards to youth
o Ensure there are sweat lodges available within the community
o Develop a culturally-based neighborhood healing center
o Develop a 21st century American Indian health care business model and system with an emphasis on wellness, healthy lifestyles, and preventative care that is portable between urban and reservation communities
o Ensure access to affordable and high-quality health care
o Develop training opportunities for health care careers
o Ensure a high-quality, affordable community clinic is available in south Minneapolis
o Expand the availability of healthy food options at restaurants and grocery stores
o Develop a fitness center and health and wellness classes geared towards American Indian people
o Increase community connections to metropolitan hospitals and medical facilities:
• Collaborations between community, community clinics, pharmacies, and other non-native medical facilities
• Create pathways to job opportunities
o Develop a Native Liaison positions to the urban health care facilities
o Maintain and expand accessible drug and alcohol treatment options and after-care
o Increase the availability of healthy cooking and lifestyle classes
o Develop Indian-specific youth and adult sport activities and leagues
o Advocate for a healthy urban environment and the removal of environmental hazards such as lead paint, air pollution, ground contaminants
o Advocate for equitable enforcement of building codes to ensure safe dwellings

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