Indigenous Peoples Task Force

Hiv counseling and testing - this program offers free hiv rapid testing at our main office and the housing community center. Pre and post test counseling and referrals are provided with incentives. This program provides integrated hiv testing, counseling, and referrals per year. In harm reduction, there were 464 people tested for hiv. Harm reduction also distributed 30,355 clean syringes in exchange for used syringes, 959 fentynal test strips, and 923 xylazine test strips. The program distributed 339 vials of muscular injections and 1,000 of the nasal spray.

Ikidowin acting ensemblejanuary 2024: family carnival at all nations church. The ikidowin families attended a carnival of games developed by 12 youth. The games included education on e-ciggs, traditional tobacco, and atod. Games included: pick a duck, bean bag toss, basketball on a door. April 2024: an old performance "our songs have power" was revisited and revised for a performance at the national native philanthropy conference in downtown minneapolis. There were more than 300 audience members. The performance included strong singing performances of multiple traditional songs. June 2024: there was not a traditional summer program in 2024. But a group of 6 to 12 actors met regularly to prepare for spoken word performances at the mdh e-cigg prevention youth summit and the national tribal tobacco conference. Three ikidowin staff (and alumni) jennifer, janet, and nathan began a 2 year-long arts professional development internship with pangea world theater. July 2024: the ikidowin ensemble worked intensely on the gala fashion show performance and making clothing. New in 2024 the fashion show included 2 dance performances a contemporary country music dance and a traditional two-step. This year the ensemble had a costume change to reflect the two types of dances. 2024 featured 2 young dancers 7 years old! Seven ikidowin actors traveled to washington dc to perform at the samhsa native connections regional site visit conference. The performance of "our songs have power" was polished and further developed. This was a very impactful performance for the audience of native people across the us (alaska, oklahoma, nevada, michigan, new mexico, and many more) and very impactful for the actors too. August 2024: the ikidowin group participated in the return to first medicines conference. They performed "our songs have power" in duluth as part of the "mino bimaadizi science and medicine far". 3 of the ikidowin staff are participating in an internship program at pangea world theater. One is interning on office management for theater, two are focusing on directing. These are two year internships, where they spend mondays and fridays learning the craft and shadowing pangea staff.

Mayanidoowahdak odena housing: 14-unit permanent housing program for families living with hiv operated as leasehold cooperative. The housing project incorporates aspects of tribal/community living allowing residents to share resources, tasks, and household chores tomaximize their energy and live their lives with dignity.