Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OK -Health concerns and problems related to medical issues were the focus of a community meeting held at the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Salina Clinic Tuesday night. The meeting was hosted by CNO District 6 Tribal Councilors Stephanie Wickliffe and Johnny Keener, two people Principal Chief Chad Smith called front runners in the race to get a budget by deadline.

Long lines and extended waiting periods were some of the concerns voiced by area tribal members about the health clinic which sees more than 30,000 primary care visits each year. Interim Executive Director Shawn Terry reassured those in attendance that such problems were of utmost priority, but would take some time to deal with.

"We were able to get on stable and sound financial footing," said Smith. "It was a monumental task." The new budget will allow the completion of the Salina clinic, which was put on hold when the former administration began construction of a new EMS facility in 1998. "It was poor planning," said Smith. "We have a large health care budget but the EMS building was started and the foundation had been laid."

A $900,000 foundation had been poured by the time the new administration took office. Smith said they have sound, extensive health care plans in development, placing the biggest issues first. More personnel are being hired to handle the increasing number of patients at the clinic.

Although the clinic does handle a handful patients who require home care, they leave the choice of care to the patient’s discretion. One worry that patients were sometimes turned away, without concern for immediate need, was voice by an elderly man. Terry assured the audience that any problems they might encounter could be taken directly to him.

"I’m always here and usually up front staying in contact with the staff. Just call me or let me know if you have concerns and I’ll follow up on it," Terry said. "You do have a voice."

Some other issues were raised at the meeting as well. Smith said the process in of establishing a car tag program for Cherokee Nation is in progress. A study is being done of other tribes’ legislation, and the Nation’s approach could be compatible with those, but it would probably be approximately four months in the future. "We want to do it right," Chief Smith said.

The CNO also has five marshals on duty, beginning Saturday, Oct. 30. That number will expand to 11 next month. The BIA had been in charge of law enforcement for the Nation for the past 18 months.

Deputy Principal Chief Hastings Shade briefly addressed the issue of culture. Shade said he was seeking certified teachers to bring the Cherokee language into the communities and schools.

Wickliffe and Keener have also scheduled a College Day at the Salina High School cafeteria, Saturday, November 13, 1999. For more information, contact Gina Blackfox, phone: 1-800-995-9465.