Smoke Signals
February 1991
pages
Nanitch Sahallie
Employee of the Month -
Lara Jo Bigelow
By Brent Merrill
Facing up to the fact that you need treatment for a
drug dependency can be a very hard thing to do. It can
be even tougher if you are an adolescent.
Only the adolescent can know what is going through
their mind when they arrive at a treatment center for the
first time. When a drug dependant youth arrives at
Nanitch Sahallie Treatment Center in Keizer, Oregon
the first person that they come into contact with is,
Intake Specialist, Lara Jo Bigelow. Little do they know,
she will become their friend very quickly.
"Lara Jo has a real knack for getting through to Native
American youth. She has walked in their shoes and she
knows how they feel and she knows how to talk to
them," explained Monte Ring, the center's Clinical
Manager. "The most important thing is that the youth
that come here feel they can trust her. Lara Jo is one of
the finest therapists that I know."
When Lara Jo first comes in contact with a client it is
her responsibility to take them through the intake
process. "I try to establish a good first rapport with the
client so they can be as comfortable as possible. We try
to let them know what treatment is about." She feels it
is important that the client understands what is happen
ing to them. "What it comes down to is educating and
explaining to these young people the processes involved
and why we do the things we do here. I also let them
know what will be expected of them."
Bigelow has seen the type of life that alot of these kids
are trying to get away from. She grew up on the Sioux
Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. Trying not
to become emotionally involved with the young people
who come to the treatment facility has become almost
impossible for this traditional woman. "My job is about
being able to care for these people. To me they are my
grandchildren, nieces and nephews." explained Lara Jo.
"I feel responsible for them as a Native Elder. I believe
these youth are the future of my people so I do get
involved and I am emotionally dedicated."
Lara Jo's accomplishments and abilities have become
well known in the local field of dependency. "She is a
professional in the strangest sense of the word," said Jo
Anna Rogers. Rogers is the Director of the treatment
program. "She knows her job, she knows chemical de
pendency, she knows treatment, and she is very well
skilled and self taught on the intake process. She is one
of the best things to happen to this facility."
Accepting praise and commendations has always come
hard for Lara Jo because of her traditional upbringing.
But, she has finally realized that she can have a tremen
dous impact on the lives of young people. And that the
satisfaction that comes with helping Native youth is a
good feeling.
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January's employee of the month at Nanitch Sahallie is Intake Specialist Lara Jo Bigelow.
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Jeanne Larson on the job at the treatment center.
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