Smoke signals., August 01, 1992, Image 1

tULL
. DC.
Srnot-.p Mtirkih.
THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF OREGON ft Jugust 1992
w ' J
NORTHWEST AREA INDIAN HEALTH BOARD MEETING
HELD IN NEWPORT
The Northwest Area Indian Health Board Meeting was
held in Newport, Oregon July 14, IS, and 16 to discuss
Native American health issues from all over the Pacific
Northwest. Representatives from Northwest tribes were
present to hear speakers and discuss health issues. Grand
Ronde Health Program representative is Cheryl
Kennedy.
The meeting focuses on many varied issues, including
AIDS, drugalcohol abuse, and the Indian Health
Services Budget for the next fiscal year.
The main purpose of the meeting is to exchange new
ideas in health care, learn about successful policies that
have been established in other tribes around the country,
and make preliminary decisions about how tribal health
dollars should be allocated. There is also a focus on those
illnesses which are the most serious and rampant among
the Indian population, funding for tribal students who
wish to pursue a degree in the health care field, and the
importance of pre-natal care.
Tom Austin, acting area director, gave his report on the
service budget, and how much funding could be expected
for 1993. He explained that there will be a larger budget
for next year.
"Congress allows a certain percentage increase due to
population growth, pay raises, cost of living, and staffing
for new facilities," he said. "New additions to hospitals
and clinics are expected to increase in 1993."
On Tuesday, July 15, the Yakima Nation presented a
panel of women who spoke on important tribal issues
such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, nutrition, child abuse,
mental health, and the Yakima Victims of Crime
Program. Marian Squeoch, the speaker on Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome, stressed the importance of pre-natal care and
abstaining from drugs and alcohol. She also discussed the
legal implications of drinking while pregnant.
Li .- 1 llfl CO?
- ' " ' "
TalhdahPinkham, of the Yakima Tribe,
spoke on Indian mental health
Grand Ronde Rep.-Cheryl Kennedy
A woman can now be charged with child abuss if she is
pregnant, and intoxicated on the Yakima reservation.
The next speaker was Betsy Red Bear, who spoke
about Child Placing Agencies, and how the Yakima
Tribe would like to have its own child protective
services.
Arlene Olney, a nutritionist, spoke about WIC
(Women-Infants-Children) nutrition program. This
program helps low-income women become educated
about the types of foods their children and babies need
for a balanced diet. They also educated pregnant
women on the foods that are healthiest for her to eat.
Tallulah Pinkham spoke about mental health,
suicide, and the reasons why Native Americans suffer
from mental illnesses. She explained that many
physicians are insensitive to certain issues Indians face,
and they need to be educated on how to approach
patients from an Indian perspective. She added that
Native Americans need to re-teach people to heal
themselves according to tradition. There are special
ways families heal each other in accordance to old ways
and traditional Indian medicine, and part of doing that
is appreciating our heritage.
Finally, Larina SoHappy, form the Yakima Tribe's
Law and Justice program, spoke on their Victims of
Crime program. This program directly relates to
Indian health due to the fact that many mental illnesses
are often the result of a violent crime, crime that more
often than not, takes the form of sexual abuse. Ms.
SoHappy encouraged the Indian Health Board to
acknowledge the fact that mental illness is a growing
problem, and that children of sexual abuse quite often
grow up to become abusers themselves.
"We have people with severe mental problems. We
need the money to put abused children in therapy, so
they don't abuse later in life," she said.
Some of the other issues covered at the meeting were
the prospect of technical assistance to tribes, the Tribal
Tobacco Policy Project, and the health risks of
Hanford Nuclear Power Plant.
New HeadStart Program
Opening in Grand Ronde
A cooperative effort between the Community Action
Agency of Yamhill (YCAP) and the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde will enrich the Grand Ronde
community with a new HeadStart program, beginning in
September, 1992. HeadStart is a free program for
families and their children who have special needs.
What services does HeadStart provide?
Classroom experiences that encourage social,
emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.
"Identification of medical, dental, speech, hearing, and
vision problems your child may have.
'Breakfast and lunches that provide one-half of the
daily nutritional needs.
"Opportunities for parents to be involved with their
child's education.
Social service assistance for families which helps to
improve the quality of their lives.
"Bus transportation (limited area)
"Curriculum that promotes positive self-image relative
to the culture and heritage of the Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon.
Who qualifies for HeadStart?
"Children from low-income families that are 4 years old
by September 1, 1992.
"Children from low-income families that are 3 years old
by September 1, 1992.
"Children with special needs from over-income families
may be served if room is available.
When does HeadStart begin?
Apply now deadline is August 18th
How do I apply?
Contact Cecile Kneeland
1965 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
SPECIAL 1992 POW-WOW
SECTION
SEE PAGES 5, 6, & 7