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MAY 1, 2021
23
Let’s Remove Stigma! Words CAN Hurt
Why is brown skin considered “dirty” by some non-brown people?
Why is talk about sex considered “dirty”?
Why is a positive urine analysis called “dirty”?
Finally, why do we associate dirt with negative things?
In fact, “dirt” is soil. We grow many foods in soil. Without soil, we would
all die sooner or later. At one time, all of our tilixam knew “dirt” only as part
of our Grandmother Earth. There is nothing dirty about our Grandmother
Earth. She keeps all of creation healthy by allowing the plants to grow within
her soil. We cannot live without oxygen. We cannot live without foods. We
cannot live without the medicines.
Great! So can we all agree that dirt is not a bad thing? Sadly, there are those
ashamed of their beautiful brown skin because as a child, kids teased about
their “dirty skin.” There are people who were told as kids to “stop talking
dirty.” Those adults may have uncomfortable feelings or may refuse to talk
about sex. So many things can happen as a child that you do not realize can
affect you as an adult.
Finally, to our people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, using the term
“dirty UA” can bring out negative feelings. Addiction is a disease! Diabetes
is also a disease. If a diabetic tests positive for sugar or protein in their
urine, we certainly do not say, “You have a dirty UA!” Yet, we continue to
use the term to describe urine that indicates the presence of certain drugs.
Nowadays, it’s not even a dirty UA, a person is just told, “You are dirty or
you tested dirty.” In the same way, calling someone a “drunk,” a “junkie”
or “crazy” is harmful. Better to see them as a human being who needs help.
Stigma is an attitude, belief or behavior that discriminates against people.
A few words with lots of stigma attached to them are dirty, drunk, junkie,
homeless, user, addict, clean and sober. As Native people, we can make the
change to remove the stigma. If you hear someone talking about a “dirty UA,”
remind them that it is not dirty it is just positive for certain substances. A
“junkie” is a human being who has a disease called addiction. Stigma pre-
vents many people from seeking behavioral health services where addiction
treatment can be found.
Think about words that you might have heard that have stigma attached.
As Native people, we have experienced discrimination and stigma as a peo-
ple. Let’s end stigma on the Rez! Let’s change our words so we do not harm
others or prevent them from seeking help.
If you or someone you know has a substance use disorder or a mental
health need, please call the ye?lan tilixam haws at 503-879-1389. The ye?lan
tilixam haws is also known as the Helper Person Office. There is no stigma
attached to this office; we simply want to help. 
3.25.21
Elder Voices Supporting the Covid Vaccine
“Here at Makah, my aunt tested positive for
COVID, she is the eldest in our tribe. Also, our
only Doctor at our clinic tested positive for
COVID, and he has been battling it for well over
a month. With that in mind, my choice was easy,
to vaccinate in order to make our little village
[be] that much more safe.” -Nate Tyler, Makah
Tribal Council.
“We need to help protect Our
People from dying. So, if they do
become exposed [to COVID-19],
with a vaccine, we do not have to
lose them.” -Delegate from the Upper
Skagit Indian Tribe, THD, Marilyn Scott.
“I was not hesitant [to get the vaccine] at all. I was more
fearful of NOT getting the vaccine. We got the vaccine at
Chemawa and they were so helpful, friendly, and efficient.
They made you feel good. They answered questions before
you asked.”
Did you have any side effects? “I was lucky, I was
good. I’m 81 years old, so I don’t know why. Only a little
arm soreness.” -Marie Sagaberd, Lummi & Quinault Elder.
“I have been a nurse for 40 years. I am very
pro-vaccine, for myself and others. And, I do it
for my Tribe, the Makah. I was not concerned
at all. I know the vaccine had been through
trials for safety and efficacy.”
What would you tell others? “I would
[tell them] of my positive experience, I would
assure them it is safe. And, I remind them of
the possible effect of getting COVID – severe
illness or even death.” -Terri Markishtum,
Makah Elder and nurse.
“For me, I knew it was a decision
between life as I know it now, or the
possibility of being on a respirator and
possibly dying alone and struggling for
that final breath. As a 69-year-old, my
side effects were extremely mild. I
was a little bit sleepy the next day, but
that was gone by the afternoon.”
“Overall, I considered this a good
experience. It brought back hope for
the future. I wish everyone would
choose life and science by getting this
vaccine.” -Harriette Cheeka, Makah
Elder.