Bimaadiziwin - A Healthy Way of Life

Principal Investigator: Renee Pardello

Project Description: The Bimaadiziwin- A Healthy Way of Life Project partners the University of Minnesota Extension with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Band) to develop a cross-generational project that combines FRTEP Project Type One to address food security on the Reservation and adopt sustainable agricultural practices and Project Type Two to help the Band revive agricultural traditions; support scientific, agricultural and health literacy among youth; and foster relationships between youth and elders on the Reservation. Extension's principal investigator (PI) on this project is Renee Pardello, Assistant Dean and the Co-PI is Shirley Nordrum, Extension Educator. The goal of this Project is to improve the health and well-being of the Band's members by securing indigenous food supplies, reviving traditional Anishinaabe agricultural practices and protecting the Reservation's natural resources. The following activities are designed to accomplish the Project goal: 1) Establish demonstration gardens for youth, families, and community members to learn about small scale agricultural practices and students to conduct applied research and service learning projects and also by establishing a heritage seed bank that meets regional needs of drought tolerance, short growing seasons and frost adaptability. 2) Develop a field guide of natural resources indigenous to the Reservation, leading seasonal culture camp for youth, family and community members, providing continued technical assistance to Tribal wastewater professionals, facilitating wastewater roundtables, and conducting a Wastewater Professionals Certification Program Feasibility Study.

Project Years: 2013-2018 

Funding Source: National Institute of Food and Agriculture