Kina (Together)
Boozhoo! Welcome to Kina!
There is nothing more exciting than learning new things and sharing ideas with one another. This philosophy is how Kina’s projects began and still guides us as we continue to grow. Much of what we do has been designed and developed in partnership with area Native American communities. We believe that the communities we serve know what is most helpful for their members and need to be equal partners in what we offer.
Kina’s projects are built on cultural strengths and ways of knowing. Our projects began in 2016 when the first partnerships were established with area tribal communities to create programs that share the exciting world of science with children in Kindergarten to 6th grade. Since that time, we have grown to include a variety of projects that focus on providing children with opportunities that inspire a love of learning and bring families together in the learning process. By doing this, we hope that the passion for learning will continue through a lifetime and pass to those who follow.
One of our goals is to see today’s youth enter science and choose to address the needs of Native Americans. We make a special effort to remove educational barriers so that everyone can enjoy learning and exploring. Our programming is designed to be based in communities, so they are easily accessed by the community members. We also have an expanse of learning materials, including information about nutrition and wellness, all available at no cost.
The Kina project team hopes you enjoy your visit to our site and exploring all that we have to offer.
Interested in Ordering?
Activity books and COVID-19 resources found on this page are available at no cost in both downloadable and printed versions. They can be ordered using this form.
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.
Grandma's Words of Wisdom: Social Distancing
Grandma's Words of Wisdom: Facemasks
Grandma's Words of Wisdom: Handwashing
Grandma's Words of Wisdom: Lunchroom Safety
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
As a collaboration, this informational handout in was created in 4 different languages geared for youth on easy ways to stop the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19? Answers for Kids
As a collaboration, this informational handout is geared for youth with answers to common questions about COVID-19.
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.
Minwanjige, Mino-bimaadizi (Eat Well, Live Well): An Ojibwe/English 1st-2nd Grade Activity Book
Gikinawaabi Noopimiing (Learning by Watching Nature): An Ojibwe/English Kindergarten Science and Math Activity Book
Migizi Anishaa Gikendan (Eagle having fun while learning): 1st-2nd Grade Activity Book
Migizi Gikinawaabi (Eagle Learns by Observation): 3rd-4th Grade Activity Book
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
MEET THE TEAM
Anna Wirta Kosobuski, EdD is a Bois Forte Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe) band member. Dr. Wirta Kosobuski has worked at the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus since 1995. Her entire medical school career has centered on developing science enrichment programs for Native American students of all ages. Many of these projects have been developed and are carried out in partnership with area Native American communities.
In 2013, Dr. Wirta joined the Department of Biomedical Sciences as an Assistant Professor after several years as the Associate Director of the Center of American Indian and Minority Health. In her faculty position, Dr. Wirta Kosobuski creates a wide variety of educational opportunities and resources for Native American youth including science programming, science activity books and nutrition and wellness activity books. In response to the worldwide need for accurate information about COVID-19 and its life-changing impacts, she has led the creation of a series of COVID-19 resources, many of which are available in English, Somali, Hmong, and Spanish.
Contact Dr. Wirta at awirta1@d.umn.edu
Shannon RedBrook, MS, Oglala Lakota, is a Kina Community Outreach Associate. Shannon is the lead staff on several Kina projects that include partnerships with area tribal communities. She is also a skilled scientist with over 10 years of experience. In addition to Kina, Shannon is a research assistant in an immunology lab where she helps conduct studies on Lyme Disease. As part of this role, Shannon guides and trains new employees as well as underrepresented, including Native American, students in biomedical research programs. She has also taught as a biology instructor at a local 2-year college. In Fall 2021, Shannon will begin a University of Minnesota doctoral program where she will earn a PhD in education. While she does this, she will maintain her full-time position with the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus.
Contact Shannon at samentye@d.umn.edu
Rachel King-Siert, MEd is an enrolled member in the Red Lake Nation of Northern Minnesota and Navajo Nation. In 2016, she completed her Masters in Education - Youth Development at the UMN - Twin Cities with a focus on experiential learning and learning through community. Over the years she has worked with several organizations in the area of academic outreach and curriculum development in diverse communities. Rachel has been working on several STEM activity books with Ojibwe culture and language infused with the curriculum of the books. She will also be working on a distance learning project with Nett Lake Elementary School, developing hands-on learning activities to supplement lessons learned in their classroom. Rachel is an active member of her community outside of work time. She is a member of the Indigenous Women’s Water Sisterhood, Parent Fellow with Voices of Racial Justice, and St. Louis Park District Instructional Program Advisory Council. In addition, she loves sewing, beading and leather crafting.
Contact Rachel at king0268@umn.edu
Teague Goodsky is Two-Spirited, from Nett Lake (Bois Forte). They aspire to be a physician, and they are raising two wild wolf pups disguised as children. Teague grew up on the powwow trail and danced shawl, and now they are learning jingle. They have an undergraduate degree in English, and they still write poetry when they have spare time. Teague enjoys usurping and subverting people who take themselves very seriously, and they tutor math and science subjects while finishing the prerequisites for a medical school application. They enjoy comic books, pop-punk music, and creating science lessons from random things around the house. Their Native community is what inspires them to continue learning and pursuing higher education. They are continually grateful to be able to have access to thousands of years of scientific knowledge, passed down through their traditional teachings.
Contact Teague at goods115@d.umn.edu
Jordan Rodgers, Oglala Lakota, graduated from Harbor International High School, Duluth, Minnesota, in 2017. She also attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design for a year. She has been working with Dr. Anna Wirta Kosobuski since 2017 illustrating a variety of educational resources including Ojibwe-English K- 6th grade STEM and nutrition activity books and COVID-19 education and awareness materials. Jordan has also illustrated five children's books through the Black Bear and Blueberries Publishing. She enjoys video games, astrology, and musicals.
Contact Jordan at jrodgers@d.umn.edu
We are always available if you have questions for us.