The youth of Mashkiki Ogichidaag "Medicine Warriors" are challenging all American Indian agencies in the Twin Cities to adopt commercial tobacco-free policies at their worksites. The program says it will help support the agencys’ transition in several ways: youth can provide an educational presentation to encourage the policy change. They can provide assistance drafting new policy language to fit individual agency’s cultures. And they can supply signage once the new policy is in place. They plan to have an event in September for American Indian agencies to tell them about the challenge.

Mashkiki Ogichidaag teaches American Indian youth about the adverse health affects of commercial tobacco abuse and promotes traditional uses of Native tobacco for prayers, gift-giving, blessings and medicinal purposes. For more information contact Program Coordinator Leya Hale at 612-722-8722, ext. 317, or email: lhale@diw-mn.org.