Smoke signals., September 01, 1996, Image 1

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O Groundbreaking for the
Grand Ronde Health and
Wellness Center takes place on
the cusp ofPow-wow weekend.
By Tracy Dugan
"All the land and everything mentioned in the
treaties.. .we're getting it now. But we've already
paid in advance." That's what Vice-Chair Kathryn
Harrison told an audience of about 100 visitors and
friends who came to witness the groundbreaking
ceremony of the new Health and Wellness Center.
A comprehensive health care facility has been a
long dream of many tribal members and leaders in
Grand Ronde, not only because of the need for ser
vices, but for future generations of tribal members.
Cheryle Kennedy, Human Services Division
Manager, was instrumental in the realization of this
dream, and has been working on the clinic project
since its inception. She has been working for the
Tribe for more than ten years, and remembers what
life was like before the Tribe was restored.
"Today, we take one step forward in fulfilling
the dream of the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde," she said. "It took the efforts of many
people and the support of Tribal Council to realize
this vision."
"The Elders made many sacrifices during all
those years when the Tribe didn't have any money," said
Cheryle. "All the while, they knew one day we would be
claiming our dream."
Cheryle assembled a clinic design team who were respon
sible for deciding on the architecture and visual layout of
the Center. The team included many staff members and
other consultants who spent the better part of the year de
ciding what one of the first tribally-funded clinics in the
nation would be like. Appropriately, the architect designed
it in the shape a medicine wheel, with four separate wings
for each component of the Human Services Division.
The Center will benefit all Grand Ronde tribal members,
Native people, and people who reside in the Grand Ronde
community. It will be equipped with ambulance service,
x-ray technologies, and a pharmacy. The Family Action
Program, Prevention, and Chemical Dependency programs
will all be housed in the Center.
The groundbreaking ceremony featured speeches from
many of the people who had a significant part in the project.
The architect, Frank Whelan said, "I want to thank the clinic
design team for their forbearance. We all shared a common
goal, and I am convinced this will be the best facility in
Indian Country."
Other guest speakers included Tom Seidl, a member of
the design team.
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The Tribal Health Committee and HSD staff arranged for Cheryle Kennedy to break ground on
the site of the Health and Wellness Center via backhoe.
He said, "What makes this project so unique is the fact
that it grew from the community. The Grand Ronde com
munity was heavily involved in shaping this project."
Perhaps more than other tribes in Oregon, the Grand
Ronde Tribe is cultivating a relationship with local gov
ernments and involving itself with community development
projects and meetings to keep people informed of how the
Tribe intends to grow in Polk and Yamhill Counties.
Last year a survey was mailed out to all Grand Ronde
residents asking them to communicate their feelings about
having a 29,000 square-foot full-service clinic in the area.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Non-Indian
residents of Grand Ronde currently must travel to Dallas,
Salem, or McMinnville even for minor health care needs.
In about a year, that will no longer be necessary. The fact
that this Health and Wellness Center will be open to them
as well as tribal members is representative of the Tribe's
desire to work for the best interests of all people in the
community. The Tribe was not obligated to make this kind
of commitment, and recognizes that when the quality of
life of Grand Ronde residents is improved, everyone in the
community benefits.
Another key player in the design and negotiations of the
Center is Dr. Tom Austin, a retired physician, who worked
for the Tribe as a technical consultant. During his speech
he said, " A sense of community and respect for each other
is what helps these types of projects develop a foundation
to work with."
Finally, Cheryle invited Karen Harvey, the finance of
ficer for Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to
say a few words. Karen complemented the Tribe on its
commitment to helping Indian people who aren't necessar
ily members of the Grand Ronde Tribe, citing Nanitch Sa
hallic as an example.
"We want to extend our warm congratulations to the Tribe
on their achievement," she said. " Your dedication to health
improvement is appreciated by many tribes throughout the
Northwest."
Finally, everyone gathered to the site of the Center, where
a backhoe was waiting for Cheryle to turn over the first
shovel of ground. Members of Tribal Council, the Tribe's
executive officer, and members of the Health Committee,
who each took a turn with shovels. Cheryle was presented
with gifts of appreciation before lunch was served.