Therapeutic Poetry Program for Indigenous People Living with Dementia
The Therapeutic Poetry Program for Indigenous People Living with Dementia is a community-driven program developed in partnership with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Minnesota. Supported by the Alzheimer’s Association (Award #AARFD-23-1151307), the project uses community-based participatory research (CBPR) and Indigenous methodologies to explore the potential effectiveness of poetry as a culturally meaningful and safe approach to improving the well-being of Indigenous older adults living with dementia and their families.
This pilot program included eight one-hour poetry sessions facilitated by two community poets. Three Elders living with dementia and their family members participated in the sessions, listening to and co-creating poems inspired by themes that were meaningful to them and connected to Anishinaabe culture, identity, family, and life experiences. The study team conducted interviews and participant observations before and after the program to better understand participants’ experiences and the program’s impact on their well-being and daily lives.
Preliminary findings are encouraging. The program was shaped by community interests and needs and was facilitated by community members. The team is completing the analysis with the Fond du Lac Community Advisory Group and outcomes are expected to be published in 2027.
A key outcome of the project is the poetry anthology Giminjimendaan Ina Gaa-Inakamigak? (Remember When...?), which brings together the poems co-created by Elders and their families during the program. The anthology was printed and copies were distributed to the participating families and community members, creating a lasting record of their shared experiences, knowledge, memories, and cultural reflections. A PDF version of the anthology is available below.
The project is led by Dr. Antonio Paniagua Guzman, Principal Investigator and Senior Research Associate at the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team (MK-MDT). The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa oversees the project through its Institutional Review Board and Community Advisory Group, and Dr. Kristen Jacklin, Executive Director, and Mr. Rick Smith, Elder in Residence, at MK-MDT. The study team is currently working on expanding this program to other Indigenous communities in Minnesota and elsewhere.
Media Coverage: Due to its relevance and impact, the program has received media attention, including an article published by CNN highlighting the project. Read the article here: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/health/indigenous-poetry-dementia-wellness