Chickaloon health clinic opens

Chickaloon Views-by Patricia Wade

Health Clinic C'eyiits

Hnax opens

For many years our Sacred Burial Grounds in Sutton were illegally bought and sold. We worked as hard as we could to acquire that land so we could care for the graves, and the last Stickman family members could be buried there. My heart used to be heavy as I drove by those graves, because we weren't even allowed to step on that property to offer a prayer. We had to just drive on by.

Several years ago we purchased that land, thanks to the hard work and negotiations of many people.

The building and surrounding area was a big mess and truckloads of garbage had to be removed. Our housing department and tribal members cleaned up the area and remodeled the building that was originally a church.

The name of the new clinic is C'eyiits Hnax, which means Life House. I see this as a way we are honoring our ancestors by opening a healing center in the building.

Teen center

to open

Further bringing life to the area will be our teen center in the upstairs portion. One of our tribal artists, Dimi Macheras, has painted a Shaman on the wall, and there will be healthy snacks and a juice bar for the young people. It will be a non drug and alcohol club with counselling available for our youth. It is scheduled to open June 20.

Dancers perform in Kenai

The Ya Ne Dah Ah Dancers sang and danced at the Dena'ina Festival on the Kenai Peninsula last month. Pauline Hobson explained that it is important to learn and teach a Native language because it helps to learn one's culture, it keeps one's culture alive and it helps to find one's place in the world.

Donita Peter, Sondra Stuart and Kari Johns spoke about our language program and what kinds of things Chickaloon Village has been doing. They answered questions from villages that would like to do the same thing, create their own school. There was a very good response from people.

Eagle comes to school

Alex Carter from the Bird Treatment Learning Center brought a golden eagle to Sutton Elementary School and the children were able to get up close and have their pictures taken with the bird. Wellness Coordinator Shelah Slade helped put on a small Pow Wow the last day of their school. Uncle Walter, Chief Marie, and Diane Little Eagle attended and the children took turns playing the drum.

Meeting scheduled

Next Chickaloon Village Council Meeting is at 9 a.m., June 25, at the Sutton government building.

Patricia Wade is editor of The Chickaloon News.