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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2022)
8 NOVEMBER 1, 2022 Smoke Signals ‘Health care takes a lot of vision and planning’ CELEBRATION continued from front page needed to take care of each other. Now, we’re in the midst of planning a new public health building and also opening Great Circle Recovery in Portland.” Rowe, a Tribal member, called it “an honor and privilege” to serve the Tribe in her current capacity. “I’ve worked in health care for a long time and being here working for my Tribe, caring for my own people, is so powerful,” she said. “Leading this team has been un- real. … When the Health Services Department first started, it wasn’t what you see today. It was far from what you see today. At the begin- ning of Restoration, we had three employees – Cheryle Kennedy, Tresa Mercier and Bonnie Tom.” Tresa Mercier, who is the Tribe’s longest-serving employee with 38 years of service, worked as the health clerk. Tom was the Com- munity Health representative and Kennedy, who has served as Tribal Council chairwoman for more than 15 years, was the first director of the Tribal Health Department, starting shortly after 1983’s Res- toration. Rowe thanked Tribal Council, the executive team and facilities for their support over the years. She also thanked the 25th anniversary event planning committee. “Today, we celebrate this build- ing and the programs we have, but also celebrate a vision,” Rowe said. “The building was brought to life by a visionary who was dedicated to health care in Indian County. I want to thank Cheryle Kennedy for being a role model for greatness.” After being gifted a necklace by Rowe, Kennedy thanked the crowd of 125 for attending the event. “It’s a pleasure to be here today,” she said. “Thank you for being here and coming to celebrate. I want to express my gratitude and thank- fulness to you all. Health care is for all of us.” Kennedy recognized Tribal Coun- cil members in attendance, which included George, Lisa Leno and Brenda Tuomi. Former Tribal Council chairwoman and key Res- toration figure Kathryn Jones Harrison also attended the event. cation over the years and George talked about the meaning of the center’s original logo and anniver- sary logo. George recalled being a member of the first Health Committee and the long hours and days that went into plan- Photos by Kamiah Koch ning the current The Tribe’s eldest Elder, Kathryn Jones Harrison, 98, Health & Well- was one of the attendees during the 25th anniversary ness building. celebration of the Health & Wellness Center held in the “Cheryle did a Health & Wellness Center’s atrium on Friday, Oct. 21. She CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is also one of the Tribe’s key Restoration figures. study to look at the health status of our Tribal Kennedy said that in her mind, members and the first Health Com- she is still the young woman who mittee that was here, there were excitedly climbed atop a tractor many hours we would meet. … We to sift the first mound of dirt that would go out and knock on doors would someday become the current and do hands-on surveys to get Health & Wellness Center. the answers to our mental health “Health care takes a lot of vision and physical health needs to get and planning,” she said. “My inter- the funding to build this facility,” est in health care came from the he said. natural remedies found in plants George also pointed out various that my grandmother instilled in artistic features on the interior, me when I was really young. My such as the bronze masks created grandma also taught me that with- by Northwest sculptor and mixed in you, you have the ability to heal media artist Lillian Pitt, a member yourself. There are also spiritual of the Warm Springs Tribe. connotations to healing. George created both the original “So today, when I can look around and 20th anniversary Health & the facility, I remember what a Wellness logos. Spirit Mountain is thorough enjoyment it was to be at the center and the four figures involved even when there was noth- surrounding it with hands inter- ing. … The point is that all of us twined represent Elders, adults, have a purpose in life and nothing youth and children. The feathers is impossible. You can take that on the figures represent the five little seed of curiosity and push it main Tribes and the triangles on forward. So, I don’t take credit for the outer ring represent the num- building this because I believe that ber of programs offered in 1997. comes from Creator to us, and we Lines on the inner ring represent act on them.” the number of employees when the Kennedy also recalled that when clinic opened. health services first began in the “We wanted the health center Depot building, there was only a to represent the medicine wheel sheet to separate an exam room and the healing that would come from the waiting area. through this,” he said. “It’s an hon- “But we didn’t give up (on our or to be part of 25 years of healing, dream),” she said. “When you have and all of the hard work that has an idea, there’s an element of belief gone into this. Our members and that this can happen. All of us can our community are better for it.” take that seed today, go out and The Health & Wellness Center plant it, and much more will be was originally designed to house achieved.” the medical and dental staff, sup- Afterward, Tresa Mercier was port services and wellness, and recognized by Rowe for her dedi- counseling, which included drug, mental health services and voca- tional rehabilitation. New services made possible with a larger build- ing were optometry, pharmacy, medical lab and radiology. Since its opening on Sept. 8, 1997, the Health & Wellness Center has seen planned expansions. In De- cember 2010, a 4,000-square-foot addition was opened that added six more work stations to the Den- tal Clinic and 2,000 square feet to the Medical Clinic, in addition to Native-themed flooring. The Tribe also recently received a $500,000 federal grant to help expand the Behavioral Health wing to meet increased demand for services. Construction began in 2018 and was completed in late January 2020. The 4,125-square- foot addition provides staff with eight additional offices that provide increased privacy for patients. Additionally, The Tribe is build- ing a 10,000-square-foot public health building near the clinic that will include epidemiology services, exercise classes, social activities and vaccination clinics. It also will have a demonstration kitchen and outdoor salmon pit and gathering area. The project is being funded by an Indian Community Develop- ment Block Grant and American Rescue Plan Act monies. During the event, attendees en- joyed a meal provided by Hawaii Five-o-Three as well as cupcakes and commemorative cakes. The last speaker was motiva- tional Indigenous hip hop artist and dancer Supaman (Apsaalooke Nation). Later in the evening, he performed a free show for Tribal youth in the gym. “I’m a flute player, hip hop artist, husband and father,” he said. “It’s an honor to be back in this commu- nity. As an artist, I use music to spread messages of hope, resiliency, sobriety and suicide prevention. … We all have the ability to choose our reaction to negative situations and to create ripples of good medicine.” The event ended with Krehbiel and several other people carrying in a nine-person canoe he had been working on to unveil at the 25th anniversary event. “Ten more days and it will be complete,” he said. “When I was asked about what we could do to help heal our community, I thought about a canoe. Once you get out on the water, it’s always a good day. This is not so much to have on canoe journey as it is to get our commu- nity on the canoe. Hopefully, we’ll put a sail on it and get you guys sailing, too.” The event ended with Rowe in- viting attendees to inspect the canoe and take some of the many giveaway items that filled it. “This is our canoe, so we invite you to come up and experience it,” she said. Health Services Executive Director Kelly Rowe acknowledged the Tribal leaders who supported the Health & Wellness Center through its 25 years of operation during the 25th anniversary celebration.
