The Reduce Tobacco Abuse Program (Division of Indian Work) is recruiting Native American youth to help with an advocacy project to make Minneapolis parks and recreation areas tobacco free.

With your help, we can:

1.   Assess the Minneapolis community. You will find out who makes the decisions and what types of recreation facilities exist.

2.  Develop the policy request. Take the information you’ve gathered and create a policy request that tells decision makers what you want them to do!

3. Build policy support. Educating community members and decision makers about the issue will help them understand your point of view! You can write letters to the editor and attend community events to distribute materials.

4. Collect cigarette butts at your community’s recreational facilities to use as evidence.  Show decision makers the problem firsthand!

5. Present policy request to decision makers. Participate in your local community government by attending a park commission or city council meeting!

6. Help implement the new policy. Educate your community about the new tobacco-free policy, and look for ways to spread the tobacco-free sports message!

Food, drinks, and incentives will be provided. Trainings times and dates (All times 4pm- 6pm) March 19 April 2 & 16 May 7 & 21 June 4 & 18. This is a collaboration effort from youth programs within Minneapolis and the Tobacco – Free Youth Recreation (Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota).

Most group sessions will be held at Northpoint Health & Wellness 1313 Penn Ave N Minneapolis , MN . Other sessions will take place at the Division of Indian Work building.

Questions or to request a registration form contact:

George Spears

Program Coordinator

Reduce Tobacco Abuse Program

“The Most common way people give up their power

is by thinking they don’t have any” (Alice Walker)

Division of Indian Work

1001 East Lake Street

Minneapolis, MN 55407

Office: (612) 722-8722 ext. 376

Fax: (612) 722-8669

gspears@gmcc.org

http://ournativecircle.org/node/493