Kina (Together)
Welcome to Kina!
There is nothing more inspiring than learning new things and sharing ideas together. This philosophy sparked the beginning of Kina’s projects and continues to guide our growth. Much of what we do has been shaped through collaboration with local partners, ensuring that the voices of those involved remain central to what we create.
Kina’s work is grounded in community wisdom and diverse ways of knowing. Since 2016, our partnerships have developed programs that open the world of learning and discovery to young learners. Over time, these efforts have expanded to include a wide range of projects designed to spark curiosity, nurture a love of learning, and bring families together in the process. Alongside exploration in science, our programs highlight the importance of healthy eating and nutrition, oral health, and the power of vaccines—connecting everyday wellness with lifelong learning. Our hope is that this passion for discovery will last a lifetime and be carried forward to future generations.
One of our goals is to encourage today’s learners to explore knowledge and use it to address challenges around them. We are committed to removing barriers so that learning remains accessible to all. Our programs are rooted in community settings, making them easy to reach and welcoming to participants.
In addition to learning-focused projects, we provide resources that support overall well-being. These include materials on nutrition, oral health, and vaccines, all available at no cost. By connecting learning with everyday health practices, we aim to help families build strong foundations for lifelong wellness.
The Kina team invites you to explore our site and discover all that we have to offer.
Educational Activity Books
Oral Health
Autumn’s First Visit to the Dentist, Pre K-K Activity Book: An Ojibwe/English Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe/English for Pre Kindergarteners and Kindergarteners, focusing on Oral Health.
Project Director
Shannon RedBrook, Oglala Lakota
Illustrator
Jordan Rodgers, Oglala Lakota
Education Content Expert
Bonnie Dalin
Education Content Expert
Rachel King, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians & Dine
Culture and Language Advisor
Erik Redix, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe
Created through the generous support of: Medica Foundation
Autumn has a Healthy Smile, 1st-2nd Grade Activity Book: An Ojibwe/English Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe/ English for 1st and 2nd grade children focusing on Oral Health.
Project Director
Shannon RedBrook, Oglala Lakota
Illustrator
Jordan Rodgers, Oglala Lakota
Education Content Expert
Bonnie Dalin
Culture and Language Advisor
Erik Redix, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe
Created through the generous support of: Medica Foundation
Autumn and Biidaash Take Care of Their Healthy Smiles, 3rd-4th Grade Activity Book: An Ojibwe/English Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe/ English for 3rd and 4th grade children focusing on Oral Health.
Project Director
Shannon RedBrook, Oglala Lakota
Illustrator
Jordan Rodgers, Oglala Lakota
Education Content Expert
Bonnie Dalin
Culture and Language Advisor
Michael Zimmerman Jr., Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Culture and Language Advisor
Erik Redix, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe
Created through the generous support of: Medica Foundation
Mino-Zhoomiingweniwin - Healthy Smile
Brush and Floss for a Mino-Zhoomiingweniwin (Healthy Smile)- coloring page
Biidaash miinawaa owiijiiwaaganag nandagikendaanaawaa ezhi-biinidoonewaad (Learning about Oral Health with Biidaash and Friends) An Ojibwe/English Comic Book
This is a comic book in Ojibwe/English, focusing on Oral Health.
Project Director
Shannon RedBrook, Oglala Lakota
Illustrator
Jordan Rodgers, Oglala Lakota
Education Content Expert
Bonnie Dalin
Culture and Language Advisor
Michael Zimmerman Jr., Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Created through the generous support of: Medica Foundation
Gegishkaagejig gaye Wibidi-ganawendamowin / Expectant Mothers & Dental Hygiene
Project Director
Shannon RedBrook, Oglala Lakota
Illustrator
Jordan Rodgers, Oglala Lakota
Education Content Expert
Bonnie Dalin
Culture and Language Advisor
Michael Zimmerman Jr., Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Created through the generous support of: Medica Foundation
Power of Vaccines
Power of Vaccines
This is an informational handout in English geared for youth with information about vaccines and how they work presented in a "question and answer" format.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Grandma's Words of Wisdom: Social Distancing
This is a flyer in English geared for youth with information about social distancing for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grandma's Words of Wisdom: Facemasks
This is a flyer in English geared for youth with information about facemasks for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grandma's Words of Wisdom: Handwashing
This is a flyer in English geared for youth with information about handwashing.
Grandma's Words of Wisdom: Lunchroom Safety
This is a flyer in English geared for youth with information about lunchroom safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Clean Hands Mythbusters
As a collaboration, this informational handout was created in four different languages and geared toward youth with facts about face masks and social distancing as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whiz Kidz! Facts about COVID-19 Face Masks and Social Distancing
As a collaboration, this informational handout was created in 4 different languages and geared toward youth with facts about clean hands, gloves, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These facts are presented in a "true or false" format.
Germs! Germs! Germs! A Kid's Quick Guide to Stopping COVID-19
COVID-19? Answers for Kids
Healthy Eating and Nutrition
Minwanjige, Mino-bimaadizi (Eat Well, Live Well): An Ojibwe/English Kindergarten Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for kindergarteners focusing on healthy eating and nutrition.
SOLD OUT!
Minwanjige, Mino-bimaadizi (Eat Well, Live Well): An Ojibwe/English 1st-2nd Grade Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for 1st and 2nd grade children focusing on healthy eating and nutrition.
SOLD OUT!
Minwanjige, Mino-bimaadizi (Eat Well, Live Well): An Ojibwe/English 3rd-4th Grade Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for 3rd and 4th grade children focusing on healthy eating and nutrition.
Minwanjige, Mino-bimaadizi (Eat Well, Live Well): An Ojibwe/English 5th-6th Grade Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for 5th and 6th grade children focusing on healthy eating and nutrition.
Math and Science
Gikinawaabi Noopimiing (Learning by Watching Nature): An Ojibwe/English Kindergarten Science and Math Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for kindergarteners focusing on science and math.
Migizi Anishaa Gikendan (Eagle having fun while learning): 1st-2nd Grade Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for 1st and 2nd grade children focusing on math and science.
Migizi Gikinawaabi (Eagle Learns by Observation): 3rd-4th Grade Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for 3rd and 4th grade children.
Asigi'idiwag Nanda-gikendan (Coming Together to Learn): An Ojibwe/English 5th Grade Science and Math Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for 5th graders focusing on science and math.
Gikendaasowin Minwaabadad (Knowledge is Useful): An Ojibwe/English 6th Grade Science and Math Activity Book
This is an activity book in Ojibwe and English for sixth graders focusing on science and math.
SOLD OUT!
Autumn’s First Visit to the Dentist
Autumn has a Healthy Smile
Autumn and Biidaash Take Care of Their Healthy Smiles
Meet the team
Shannon RedBrook, MS, is a Kina Community Outreach Associate and the lead staff on several projects that build partnerships with local communities. She is a skilled scientist with more than 10 years of experience. In addition to her work with Kina, Shannon serves as a research assistant in an immunology lab, contributing to studies on Lyme disease. In this role, she guides and trains new employees as well as students from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical research programs. She has also taught biology at a local two-year college. Beginning in Fall 2021, Shannon will pursue a doctoral program in education at the University of Minnesota while continuing her full-time position with the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus.
Jordan Rodgers graduated from Harbor International High School in Duluth, Minnesota, in 2017 and later attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Since 2017, she has illustrated a variety of educational resources, including activity books that integrate STEM and nutrition learning, as well as COVID-19 education and awareness materials. Jordan has also illustrated five children’s books published through Black Bear and Blueberries Publishing. More recently, she has collaborated with the Masonic Center at the University of Minnesota to illustrate a mental health comic book. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys video games, astrology, and musicals.
Connect with us!
We are always available if you have questions for us. Contact us at [email protected]