‘Health’ Archives
MOVING TOWARDS FORGIVENESS: Reflections by a Dakota Language CHAT member upon seeing the documentary “Dakota 38”
As a part of the ”˜Dakota CHAT, we were inclined to show our fellow CHAT members a piece of history that no longer is disaOur showing was very powerful as well as emotional for all that were present for the showing of the documentary Dakota “38” plus 2. I especially want to give thanks to the CHAT members who were present to see a piece of history long over due in our daily discussions involving Indigenous peoples everywhere. Our event became an intro into a realm of forgiveness! The depiction in the movie was intense as well as moving as we seen euro-centric humans as well as indigenous humans come together in a scene not exactly familiar! Tears were undeniable, a new appreciation began to fill the room as we “all” understood the message at hand and that was ultimately “love”. Sharing it, exploring it, and accepting it. All of this brought to us by a beautiful man with a vision, Mr. Miller. (more…)
Dakota Language CHAT
The Dakota Language Revitalization CHAT continues to full fill its commitment to the well being of the Dakota peoples through spiritual, cultural, language and educational ways of life that are inherit to the Dakota nation. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were more than seven thousand speakers of the Dakota language located in over 24 different reservations, reserves, homestead settlements in Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. All of these speakers who called their homeland Mnisota ”shining lakes” and what is now called by settler society as the state of Minnesota, were all descendants of the original Dakota”'s who inhabited this area since time immemorial. The tragic consequences of the Dakota wars of 1862 lead to the Diaspora of the Dakota nation from their original homeland. Subsequent to the events of 1862 and the creation of the reservation system; the governments of Canada and [...]
Health Care Access
The BYI partners with Portico Healthnet, an organization that assists uninsured Minnesotans access affordable health care and coverage. Portico works to improve community health by enrolling uninsured individuals into Minnesota Care, Medical Assistance and other public programs. Those who are ineligible for public programs are enrolled in the Portico Coverage program. A full-time English-Spanish speaking Community Health Worker is stationed at Andersen Community School in the Backyard to facilitate access to Portico services. In 2011, 436 residents accessed health insurance through public programs. An additional 116 residents were able to access primary and preventive care services through the Portico coverage program. Due to a partnership between Portico and the BYI, Backyard residents have immediate access to the coverage program. There is typically an 18 month wait period for the program.
