Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recognizes Lac du Flambeau community (both the Tribe—Waaswaaganing Anishinaabeg—and Lac du Flambeau Public School) in Wisconsin for transforming community health and forging partnerships for change

Courtesy of Lac du Flambeau Public School

The Lac du Flambeau Community is one of eight winners  of the 2015 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Prize celebrates the strides communities have made to ensure good health flourishes for all. Announced today at RWJF headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, the Lac du Flambeau Tribe and LdF School will receive a cash prize of $25,000 in recognition of its commitment to building a Culture of Health.

The Lac du Flambeau community is being recognized for leveraging its unique strengths and rallying community partners around a shared vision of health. Efforts include a focus on honoring the traditional cultural belief systems that address physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects of health. Examples of these efforts are the Zaagiibaaga – Healing to Wellness Court, restorative justice for chemical dependent adults and for underage youth alcohol consumption; promotion of Ojibwe language and culture within the community and the Lac du Flambeau Public School; substance abuse prevention through hosting family activities, renovating and maintaining Thunderbird Park; a partnership with the Parent Network on Education community group; and a Community Based Residential Facility recently constructed and slated to open in November 2015 for treatment of drug and alcohol addiction.

Brian Jackson of the LdF School’s Cultural Connections program, talks about what the RWJF Culture of Health Prize recognition means to Lac du Flambeau: “Being recognized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation means the Lac du Flambeau community can continue to walk in a good way and be proud of coming together on another successful project. In turn, we can be seen on a bigger stage, from a national perspective across not only Indian country, but the nation as a whole.”

“This year’s RWJF Culture of Health Prize winners are inspiring examples of communities that are weaving health into everything they do,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, RWJF president and CEO. “These eight communities, and our 12 previous winners, are connecting to like-minded people across the country to build a Culture of Health movement fueled by bold ideas, collaboration, and solutions so that everyone will have the opportunity and means to live the healthiest life they can.”

Waaswaaganing Anishinaabeg (Lac du Flambeau) was selected from more than 340 prize applications across the country. The other seven winning communities are Bridgeport, Connecticut; Bronx, New York; Everett, Massachusetts; Kansas City, Missouri; Lawrence, Massachusetts; Menominee Nation, Wisconsin and Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

On hand in person in Princeton, New Jersey, to accept the award on behalf of the LdF community will be LdF School Ojibwe Language and Culture Instructor Wayne Valliere, LdF Tribe Family Services Coordinator Florence Ninham, LdF Tribe Community Health Nurse David Poupart and LdF Tribe Constitution Committee Chair Richard Jack.

In celebration of the award, the Lac du Flambeau Public School invites you to attend the award announcement tomorrow, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m., in the school’s auditorium.