Indigenous Poetry Sessions Offer Healing for Dementia Patients in Minnesota
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation is hosting poetry sessions for those living with dementia and their families. These sessions aim to foster self-expression and social engagement, drawing from Minnesota's Indigenous traditions to cultivate memories and reflections.
The Alzheimer's Poetry Project, led by Antonio Paniagua Guzman of the University of Minnesota, has been using poetry to enhance the quality of life for people with dementia for over two decades. Roger Smith, a former police officer, serves as the community-based researcher, recruiting participants and conducting interviews.
Victoria Smith cares for her 88-year-old father, Les Northrup Sr., who lives with dementia. Les can be forgetful, frustrated, and repetitive, but the poetry sessions have been beneficial. The sessions draw from Ojibwe language, practices, and community, helping participants connect with their cultural heritage.
The University of Minnesota is working to rebuild trust with Minnesota's Indigenous communities, having faced a history of systemic harm. The poetry project is a step towards this, providing a culturally sensitive approach to dementia care. However, details about the funding and organizers of this initiative on the reservation remain unclear.
The poetry sessions on the Fond du Lac Reservation are a unique way to support those living with dementia and their families, fostering cultural connection and self-expression. The University of Minnesota's involvement signals a commitment to rebuilding trust with Minnesota's Indigenous communities, despite the lack of clarity on funding and organizers.
