Tribal Tobacco Policy Roadmap: White Earth Nation Promising Practices

Background:  American Indians in the Northern Plains have a smoking prevalence that is more than double that of non-Indians in the states of MN, SD, ND, NE, and WI.  Although tobacco control legislation has been implemented in each of these states, tribal communities, as soveriegn nations, are not required to comply with state laws such as those designed to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS).  Health program leaders and advocates from the White Earth Nation (WEN) in MN have been concerned with the high rate of tobacco-related chronic disease prevalence and mortality for more than a decade.  WEN community members suffer from significant disparities in mortality due to cancer and heart disease.  Additionally, nearly 40% of 12th grade students report having used tobacco products in the previous 30 days, and approximately 60% of adults report being current smokers.

Tribal Tobacco Policy Roadmap:  Beginning in 2000, the WEN Tobacco Control Program began convening a grass-roots coalition called ISHKONON I’U BIMAADIZID, which means Save that Life in the Ojibwe Language.  It was recognized that no SHS laws or policies existed in the community, including areas where children congregated and/or played.  Over the last fourteen years, WEN has made significant strides in developing and implementing Tobacco Control Policies and SHS ordinances.  The process included community education and organizing to influence community leaders to promote tobacco control.  In 2009, after over 140 years, the WEN Annual Pow-Wow became commercial tobacco-free.  The Roadmap offers a template for other tribes committed to reducing tobacco use and its impact on chronic diseases.