The first cohort of Nursing Assistant students from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe recently completed three months of study offered by Central Lakes College at Mille Lacs Health System. Front from left, are Darian Kegg and Maria Powell, and back from left are Sara Rice, Rose Wind, and Naomi Jourdain. They were in a three-credit CLC course that attracts dozens of aspiring health professionals each year and provides the required basis for immediate employment as well as career advancement in nursing and other health-related work. A $24,700 HealthForce Minnesota diversity grant for career training in healthcare enabled CLC to collaborate and customize training in the Mille Lacs Lake community. “This is an opportunity to encourage American Indian students to see themselves working in the health care profession and providing health services to our Tribal members,” said Mary Sam, CLC Director of Diversity and Student Affairs. Students graduating from this cohort and the high school cohort which is in process currently, will have the opportunity to participate in a Home Health Aide course beginning in June.
