Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2009)
Smoke Signals 5 MAY 1,2009 Cancer Coalition meeting heDd in Grand Ronde By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer The Northwest Tribal Cancer Co alition filled the Community Center lunch room on Monday, April 20, with cancer survivors, their supporters and many service providers in one of the group's best-attended meetings. The coalition heard Jacqueline Left Hand Bull (Sicangu Lakota), admin istrator of the Northwest Portland Area Health Board, tell how she lost four friends to cancer this year alone. They heard Kathleen Marquart (TlingitHaida), a physician's assis tant on the Health Advisory Commit tee for the Grand Ronde Head Start program, describe how two of her Alaskan uncles, diagnosed with colon cancer, refused to travel south for treatment and died of their diseases. "Cancer is very devastating," said Stella Washines (Yakama), chair of the Cancer Coalition, "but it can be the home of miracles, too." One of those miracles, according to Grand Ronde cancer survivors, is Grand Ronde Tribal Cancer Naviga tor Jasen Henderson. Last year, Tribal Elder Lottie Child was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the thorax and given two months to live by her doctor. She lost her job at Spirit Mountain Casino and her medical insurance, and then she lost her house. The final indignity, said her daughter-in-law, Cory Farmer, was her long, beauti- fife r " I i m ' - f Jp'Jf ...J . Photo by Ron Karten Grand Ronde Tribal Cancer Navigator Jasen Henderson presents a Tribal blanket to McMinnville Internist Scott Gibson during the April 20 Northwest Tribal Cancer Coalition meeting held in the Tribal Community Center. Gibson cares for most Tribal referrals for gastrointestinal cancer. ful hair. "I had a lot of pride," Child said. "I didn't want help." But when she turned to Henderson for whatever he could do, he became her "angel." "When I lost my job, Jasen got me insurance," Child said. "When I lost my house, Jasen got me into Elder housing." "I'm only as good as my best resourc es," Henderson said, but he wants everybody to know that resources VouGlh) Canute CDnafo Every Wednesday 4- 5 p.m., Youth Education Building Contact Lisa Leno at 503-879-1471 or Travis Mercier at 503-879-2143 for more information. TRADINCatthi R JXE R V, I A Gathering of Native American Businesses &TRIBAL ENTERPRISES WWW.ONABEN.ORO REGISTER TODAY! p Cn v -:r pR STERLING SAVINGS BANK t'iT U H are available to help. He said that increasing awareness and educa tion, and providing a wealth of contacts are functions every bit as important as emotional support. When Henderson started as navigator at the beginning of 2008, community member Jurhee Ackerman had been diagnosed with cancer two years ear lier and had been wait ing a year for help. "We had 90 percent of her bills eliminated," Henderson said, who advocated for her be fore the state of Oregon to obtain health insur ance. He was success- ful, and that "basically changed her life," Hen derson said, "because the insurance made her eligible for treatment." During the meeting, Henderson honored McMinnville Internist Scott Gibson with a Tribal blanket for his dedication. Eighty percent of Grand Ronde gastrointestinal referrals go to Gibson, Henderson said. Gibson reminded the group that his office does not turn away "anyone who needs gastrointestinal services, regardless of ability to pay." "When I started practicing," Gibson said, "there was very little to detect colon cancer early. Today, it is the third most common cancer killer." The mortality rate for cervical cancer, on the other hand, has plum meted in recent years. "It is very rare," he said, "to have end-stage cervical cancer today." Golf tournaments and mother daughter luncheons are among the ideas they've brought to the Klamath Tribe, said Christa Runnels, a health educator in southern Oregon. Each session has something special for the men and women attending, but the message about cancer prevention and education come along with the fun. Grand Ronde Tribal member and 2008 Native Flutist of the Year Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach start ed the meeting with his music. He is working with Henderson to reprise the success of his "Seven Rabbits" CD with its healing stories for young patients. 2009 Tribal Marketplace dates May 1-3, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 8-10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 5-7, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 3-5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 10, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Elder Honor Day Aug. 7-9, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 14-16, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Powwow Sept. 4-6, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 2-4, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 6-8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 4-6, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dates subject to change due to conflicting Tribal or SMC events. Located across from Cedar Plank Buffet. For more information, call Dakota Whitecloud at 503-879-4240. 2 009 Winter General Council & Community Membership Meetings Thii ycur the community memberthlp meetings Mertril in Jnur)- end were tomliinvtl with the General Council meeting lit Portland mid liutfeiie, veil in Or nil Hun tie. The font of the meeting will lit un the Urn ft :)( .Strategic "Inn. May 17, 20M iMi liiil (ill CtaanlM VmIIii Rlmhiit Hittl (Dtitkitti Rub; ititktid ifRtttnriit BW,) JI?JN,W.iij )7 Bcii. Orcgn Wll Tli 11 Tribal atretegle He will be edeated by mid-July betid iiMitumi reeeieed et the eemmvali ratetiftg end title eammeat received tbteagb tbe meil Ceramerite Item lbe meeilei Ill lie eed la prererleg great etelleailen (e.g. ICIiaa, ANA), Par addltleael lafetmetlea, eell the Pleaelag ft Ureal tieaertmeal el (It!) Iff. ItM. If e Ub la melt la eeatraeel art Ibe atretegle Plea ar Tribal rierlllee aleeee riie la Mr. Rim Rager. Pleealeg Ureal treaeriraeat, Un Reade Tribe, till Oread Reade Reed, Oread Raadet OR ? Ad treated by George Vaktet
