Kinlani CLAN Program Funded for Second Round

Flagstaff Bordertown Dorm has once again been awarded the 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant for an additional three years. The Kinlani CLAN Program will continue some of its initiatives from the past three years in addition to new programs. New programs will focus on wellness and holistic well-being. CULTIVATE will teach students how to grow traditional Native American foods in a plot at the Colten Gardens of the Museum of Northern Arizona.  Eight students interns will be selected and paid a small stipend to participate in this 12-week program. The holistic wellness program sponsored by the residential manager and behavioral health counselor will focus on social and emotional wellness from traditional Native American approaches. Talking circles, sweat lodge, and other approaches will be utilized.

Native Cooking, Kinlani Film and the Peer Mentorship programs will continue for the next three years. The Leapsters, students mentors/ leaders, participate in training and serve as mentors to students throughout the year.  The Native Cooking class will also continue to provide students with cooking experiences to create traditional dishes with a contemporary flare.  Traditional foods and plant-based cooking is emphasized.  Students in Kinlani Film will hone their film making skills while creating short and group films.

Goal & Objective of Kinlani CLAN Program

1. Provide opportunities for academic enrichment
2. Offer students additional services, programs and activities to reinforce and complement the regular academic program
3. Offer families of students active and meaningful engagement in their children's education 

Know Your CLAN - KYC

One of the goals of the 21st Century Grant is to offer students additional services, programs and activities to reinforce and complement the regular program. Know your CLAN mini-conferences held throuhgout the year is one way FBD implements this goal. One a Wednesday, half-day, students will participate in conference style breakout session where they engage in different topics. Of those sessions held in the past, Toast Masters (public speaking), clean foods, STEM activities, and outdoor recreational activities have been offered. Culture and language lessons have also been offered as well as team-building activities offered by our Leapster (peer mentors).

Our next KYC will be held next Wednesday, November 13, 2019. One main session of two breakout session will be held. The first is our age-old tradition of butchering a sheep and preparing for a meal. Of the two breakout sessions, the first will involve the hands-on preparation of an acne cream made from Native Plants. Marina Vasquez, Mayan, will lead this session. The second session will lead students to make a traditional "blue bread" from blue corn. Students will first lean how to make juniper ash to add to the blue corn flour. The FBD kitchen staff will lead this session.

This KYC Conference is dedicated our Native American traditions and heritage as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month.