The Pink Shawl project is raising awareness of breast cancer among American Indian women.

The project was started three years ago by Indian women in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area. They produced pinked shawls that they wore to powwows and produced a DVD about breast cancer.

Once other Indian women heard about the project, it began to spread. The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and the Southcentral Foundation in Anchorage, Alaska, have expanded the program to include other cancers. In Alaska, the women made pink kuspuks, a traditional dress.

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Traditional shawl gets an update to promote cancer awareness (AP 11/6)

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