Poetry as Preservation: Honoring Indigenous Elders

The collaborative work of the University of Minnesota’s Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is a profound example of health research that honors cultural tradition. The Therapeutic Poetry program for Indigenous people living with dementia, initiated and led by Antonio Paniagua Guzman, PhD, a senior research associate, offers more than just therapy for tribal elders living with dementia and their family caregivers; they are a vital act of cultural preservation.

Drawing on the deep Ojibwe tradition of oral storytelling, these sessions use poetic prompts to cultivate memories, allowing elders—the keepers of knowledge, community stories, and rituals—to express themselves and feel heard. As a Band member and facilitator notes, storytelling is how the Ojibwe people have always taught and connected.

This model is absolutely vital given the significant health disparities faced by American Indian elders, who have higher rates of cognitive impairment. By securing a $183,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Association, the project demonstrates a commitment to community collaboration over knowledge extraction—a crucial step in rebuilding trust after the University’s history of harm.

The sessions offer participants a moment of joy and engagement, transforming memories into moving collective poems. As a key community partner and former tribal council member observed, the sessions may not cure dementia, "But for that short period of time, it brings joy to them." The Memory Keepers team is creating a powerful, replicable model that affirms the wisdom and ongoing value of Indigenous elders.

Please read the full CNN article, Poetry offers space for tribal elders with dementia to express themselves.