Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1994)
May 1994 Page 7 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Smoke Signals 4- Bob Ryan is new program director at Nanitch By Tracy Olson Bob Ryan has been hired as the new Program Director at Nanitch Sahallie Youth Treatment Facility in Keizer, Oregon. He is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and is a graduate of the University of South Dakota. Bob holds degrees in counseling and psychology. Although Bob has worked for many treatment facilities, he said Nanitch is the first one that has a program designed specifically for Native American youth. He said, "I enjoy helping people solve lifeproblemsand seeingyoung people change their lives. This is where the Creator has put me." As program director, Bob will be responsible for not only working with the clients, but on personnel issues, budgets and overall supervision of the program. "Young people are our future," he said. "That's why they are important to me." One of the things at Nanitch that appealed to Bob was its cultural component. He feels that it is a vital part of everyone's lives, not L Bob Ryan ! w ""- ' - - - - -.,. just Indians' or people in recovery. He feels that culture is part of how we see the world as individuals. Bob said," It's important to have a base, roots. If we don't have culture, then we can't have values, a belief system, or direction in our lives. That's why culture is especially important to our clients, and that's part of what makes Nanitch special." Bob and his wife live in Vancouver, Wash., and have six grown children. Of all the places Bob has worked, which include treatment centers in both Vancouver and Salem, he said that the basic programs are the same, but every client is different, and has different needs. He is looking forward to teaching clients of the rewards of a clean and sober life. "I want young people to realize all there is to celebrate about life. There are new ways to celebrate without the use of drugs and alcohol," he said. "When a client achieves a new outlook on life, it is very rewarding." JL Let's talk teeth... By Linda Mann, RDM An open house at the Grand Ronde Tribal Dental Clinic kicked off the Year of Oral Health last month. It was the first of many events planned this year to commemorate the Year of Oral Health. Tribal Chairman Mark Mercier, on behalf of Tribal Council signed a proclimation designating April 7 as World Oral Health Day. Our new dentist Dr. Scott van Dyken was introduced and welcomed to the clinic. International tooth-healthy snacks were served and the guests enjoyed socializing with the dental staff and joining us in celebrating World Oral Health Day. Happy Mother's Day to our new Moms and Moms-To-Be. The dental department, in conjunction with the Human Services Division will be presenting a Mother's Day Luncheon for mothers of babies less than one year old and all expectant mothers. The purpose of this luncheon is to form contacts within this age group and to provide prevention education to assist us developing healthy, happy children. There will be presentations on: The right time to call a doctor. Shaking Baby Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Preventing baby bottle tooth decay. Enrolling your baby into the Tribe. Information on tribal services. This luncheon will be held May 9 at the Grand Ronde Community Center. Child care will be provided, and please RSVP. Please call 1-800-775-0095 for more information. "Bite Into Dental Health," and oral health program for older adults, is the theme for this month's Senior Smile Week. Senior Smile Week will be celebrated May 17-19 before, during, and after the senior meal time at the Community Center. Activities will include a video called "Keeping Your Smile a Lifetime", educational sessions on caring for dentures, and symptoms of oral cancer. We will be having door prizes, activity sheets, and product give-aways. Please join us. First Annual Coastal Youth Conference focused on prevention, other issues The First Annual Coastal Youth Conference was held March 19 at the Shilo Inn in Newport, Oregon. There were about 50 students from Coos Bay, Siletz, and Grand Ronde. Many of the presenters talked about the family cycleof alcoholism and its devastating effects. The conference committee shared their experiences about growing up in alcoholic households. Some of the youth from Grand Ronde who attended the conference included Jenny Bailey, Adam Leno, and Joaquin Grant. The program included information, from a Native American persepctive, on how to lighten emotional loads faced by j .inNi.in.m.. l . m,.m.i n.n muMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmMmmmmjmmmmmmJmm A! ?V Li1; vx $ i John Fraser helps himself students in their daily struggles with alcohol and drugs. The importance of a Sundance ceremony, participating in the feather dance, wearing regalia, the hazards of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the myths about AIDS and HIV infection, and how traditional arts and crafts can curb the use of drugs and alcohol were described in the conference. The one-day meeting ended with a prayer. Many youth stated they would like to attend other awareness conferences like this, and maybe have another one that lasts more than one day and includes a pow wow. The Prevention Component of to tooth-healthy snacks. Alcohol and Drug would like to thank the following people for participating in the conference: Pauline Hicks, Bonnie Martin-Tom, Vernon Kennedy, Sacheen Little Feather, Dennis Parra, Faith Jacob, Bill Wilson, Dr. John Spence, Heather Crow-Martinez, Caroline Cruz, Selene Rialto-Lynch, Bud Lane, Pat Darcy, Margaret Provost, Duane Many Hides, Fred Rider, Tim Lakota, and Hanas Pilgrim. I
