Health
by Darla Richardson
 
 
 
 
 

The Learning Experience

    This class allowed for a unique experience in that we were able to hear what individuals thought about their community, and the issues in that community, from community members themselves. It allowed for a broader, more in depth, understanding of issues that you read about in articles and texts, giving it a more personal touch, and allowing one to see more of the human side and implications of these issues that are often lacking in texts of fact. It also allowed one to catch a glimpse of how issues in the state of Oregon, such as Measure 28, effect communities other than one's home community. Some of the major issues taking place in Siletz, Newport, Toledo, Lincoln City and with the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz have to do with shortfalls in funding that the state of Oregon is facing which has implications for education, employment, health care, social services, as well as many other areas. These problems not only have implications for these areas currently, but also will have drastic impacts on the future.  These communities, as well as the overreaching community of Lincoln County, affect each other and form links and ties that are sometimes complicated and difficult to understand, but they are what make these communities.
 
 



Theme

    The Native approach to health is a triumvirate encompassing the body, mind, and spirit. The following addresses the information acquired from stakeholders and readings regarding two of those three, the body and mind, as they apply to the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz, and the neighboring communities of Newport, and Lincoln County.

Social Health

Issues
    The main social health issues that face the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz today are those of mental health, and more specifically post traumatic stress disorder related to lifestyle, drug and alcohol abuse, higher drop out rates among high school and college students, underemployment as well as unemployment, and funding of social service programs. These are issues that do not arise solely due to being members of the tribe, but rather these issues stem from rural location, and are issues faced by most rural communities in Oregon.

Programs
    In an effort to address the social health issues above the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz have many programs available to Tribe members, as well as other Native Americans. The tribe's status of Self-Governance allows the tribe to use federal funding for programs directly, and in the area they feel it is needed most as opposed to being under the supervision of federal agencies. “ ‘We have a vested interest, and we have the knowledge of what our needs are, ’ said Judy Mushchamp, health director for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz.” (Robert Ulrich. “The Oregonian”, Indians Do Better Job Than Feds. July 19, 1995) Social programs provided by the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz are available to tribal members in 11 Oregon counties including Lincoln, Tillamook, Linn, Benton, Lane, Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Multnomah, and Clackamas and Washington Counties in Western Springfield. In addition to the services provided to tribal members in these counties, the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz have 3 offices located in Portland, which serve individuals in the Portland areas of Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, Salem, which serve those individuals residing in the Salem Service Areas of Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, and Springfield which offer programs to meet the needs of tribal members, and other Native Americans, residing in these areas. All of the social service programs that are offered by the tribe focus on the strengthening of families and culture, by instilling, teaching, and educating, so that individuals feel pride in their background.

Jennifer and Lisa interviewing Nancy McCrary (Tribal Social Services)

Social services provided by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz in the 11 counties mentioned above include:

Specific social service programs that are offered in the Portland Area Office include: Specific social service programs that are offered in the Salem Area Office include:     In addition to these programs, there are parallel social service programs offered in Newport by the Community Services Consortium (CSC) that tribal members can also use. However, the problems that are faced by the CSC include a waiting list for employment training, thus indicating that there is more need than availability. This problem stems from budget cuts. The CSC have programs that are equipped to serve more people, however, there is not enough funding to do so.

Peter and Aimee interview Marie Jones (Community Services Consortium)
 
 

Physical Health

Clinic
     The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Community Health Clinic is located in Siletz, Oregon, and is a vital part of the entire community serving Native Americans and non-Native Americans on a fee-for-service basis, accepting Medicare, Medicaid and the Oregon Health Plan. The clinic has approximately 3,700 patients a year, in a 50-50 ratio of Native Americans and non-Native Americans. The clinic is also an essential part of the community because the nearest hospital is in Newport. The clinic's approach to medical care is a holistic one considering both the whole individual, as well as the community. This explains the integration of traditional healing and Western medicine, if a patient so desires.

Darla and Lana interviewing Judy Mushchamp (Tribal Health Director)

Issues
    The biggest health issue faced by the health clinic is the request for services. Services that are available are limited due to lack of resources, such as funding. The lack of funding is forcing the clinic to shift from a preventative approach to medicine to more of a triage approach. In addition, the cut in funding of the Oregon Health Plan is making it more difficult to treat some patients. In an effort to increase funding the tribe lobbies, letters are generated to the legislature.

Services


 

Thank you to all of the stakeholders who were willing to share their knowledge with us.
 
 

The class and the stakeholders.


Stakeholders (from upper left going clockwise):

Stakeholders not pictured:


Links:


 

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