The mission of the Ginew/Golden Eagle Program is to help American Indian youth strengthen and develop life skills which will give them the knowledge to make healthy choices.

The goals of the Ginew/Golden Eagle Program are:

• To strengthen the self-esteem and sense of identity of American Indian youth by offering cultural activities;
• To decrease the risk of alcohol and substance abuse by American Indian youth by offering chemical awareness education involving talking circles, drug awareness education sessions, and chemical free activities;
• To increase the academic success of American Indian youth through educational programming; and
• To increase the physical well-being of American Indian youth by offering recreational activities and health education.

The Ginew/Golden Eagle Program is a year-round after school program serving American Indian youth ages 5-18. Located in the Minneapolis American Indian Center, the program follows a 23-unit, culturally-specific curriculum. The curriculum is designed to highlight and enhance the resiliency of American Indian youth.

Golden Eagle participants may be eligible for transportation to and from the program if they live or attend school within the program’s transportation boundaries. A free hot meal is provided for each participant each time she or he attends the program.

Health education and physical fitness are key to being healthy. The Ginew/Golden Eagle Program gives youth participants the opportunity to become involved in sports through sports teams, open recreation in the gymnasium, and through guest speakers/teachers.

The Ginew/Golden Eagle Program’s Indian Youth Study Time is an after school tutoring program open to all Golden Eagle participants. Youth work with America Reads tutors from the University of Minnesota and community volunteers to complete homework and enhance their academic skills.

Other academic enhancement programs are the Summer Reading Program with Americorps*VISTA, the LDA Learning Center collaboration for school success, and Challenge to Achieve, an annual incentive program offering monetary awards to youth for good grades and attendance.

The Minneapolis Native Path to Wellness is a five-year, comprehensive, community-based project designed to raise the wellness of Minneapolis Native youth and their families. The plan will increase the wellness in our community through a Native Family Community Council, Intergenerational Sharings, a Cultural Learning component, a Family Support Network, a Systemic Change Initiative and a Wellness Marketing Campaign.

The Youth Intervention (YI) program of the Ginew/Golden Eagle Program works with youth ages 9-18. Youth who have problems with truancy, who are involved in the judicial system, who have completed a chemical dependency program, and/or who have dropped out of school may work with our Youth Intervention staff.

Contact Infomation

Ginew/Golden Eagle Youth Program
Main Number 612-879-1708
Program Director 612-879-1765
Administrative Assistant 612-879-1764
Participation Coordinator 612-879-1708
Youth Activity Coordinator 612-879-1734
Education Coordinator 612-879-1721
Volunteer Coordinator / VISTA 612-879-1757