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The First Lady’s Let’s Move! in Indian Country (LMIC) Initiative brings together federal agencies, communities, nonprofits, and corporate partners to support and advance the work that tribal leaders and community members are already doing to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native children.

Let’s Move! in Indian Country Launch
On May 25th, the Office of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Initiative and four federal agencies launched Let’s Move! in Indian Country (LMIC) on the Menominee Reservation. Chairman Chevalier said “becoming a healthier community starts with our children, so I am delighted that we can address these issues in such a comprehensive way.” The Menominee Nation committed to Let’s Move! in Indian Country through the Call to Action.

“Three Sisters” Planting Event
First Lady Mrs. Obama and American Indian children spent the afternoon on June 3rd, in the White House kitchen garden using the “three sisters” traditional Native American planting technique which grows corns, beans, and squash crops in a mutually beneficial manner. Mrs. Obama said “we’re all pretty excited to continue this tradition. This is another example of a fun, easy way that we all can work together to be healthier.”

NativeVision Camp
The annual NativeVision Camp was held in New Mexico, as part of an ongoing partnership between the NFL Players Association and the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. More than 800 campers were teamed with professional and collegiate athlete-mentor volunteers. Ernie Conwell, a former NFL player said “It was eye-opening to see how some children in Native American communities are at a significant disadvantage.”

Breastfeeding Initiative Launch
The Indian Health Service (IHS) visited the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, NM on June 22nd to launch the IHS Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The goal is to certify 14 federal IHS obstetric facilities as baby-friendly hospitals by 2012 and to encourage 12 Tribal obstetric facilities to adopt this initiative. This breastfeeding initiative is designed to create a healthy start on life and help prevent childhood obesity.

MyPlate Icon
On June 2nd, First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the federal government’s new food icon, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices. Eat healthy and watch the video announcing the new food icon, MyPlate.