Eklutna Pow Wow Grounds

There is something profound about being on traditional sacred land to conduct ceremonies and share knowledge. The Native Village of Eklutna has such a place. The two granite knobs, which are the namesake of our tribe, are not only beautiful to look at, but they hold within them the stories of our ancestors. The knobs have served our people since time immemorial as they are just adjacent to the Knik River from which we harvest salmon, while the knobs themselves have served as our ancient burial grounds.

Eklutna Pow Wow Grounds 

Eklutna Community Clinic

I (Jessica Ross) have had the honor of serving as a Native Village of Eklutna Tribal Health board member since 2021. Throughout this time I've worked closely with other board members and other tribal health organizations such as Southcentral Foundation and Alaska Native Medical Center in discussing and developing plans for expansion and inclusive activities, such as the first annual Nut'aq'i n'u Health fair that took place in April of 2023. In May of 2023, I had the privilege of representing both UAA and the Native Village of Eklutna's interests at the National Tribal Health Conference that took place at the Dena'ina Center in downtown Anchorage from May 1st through May 5th, 2023.

Eklutna Community Clinic 

University of Saskatchewan

The reception desk in the The new health sciences building was open and three ladies were present. They explained that the clinic is open year round, but offers limited care options in the summer months as there are not as many students practicing at that time. One lady chuckled as she explained that right now they only have about four students seeing patients, whereas during the academic year they have about 72 students working at a time. I was blown away by hearing this. I thought about the stress I would endure overseeing the care of 26 patients a day, and couldn’t fathom how insane it would be to oversee the treatment of 72 patients!

University of Saskatchewan 

University of Regina

The Nanatawihowikamik Healing Lodge and Healing center was established to link the importance of ceremony and CRF in providing mental health therapy. Located on the 2nd floor of the Education Building on the University of Regina's main campus, the Healing Lodge stands out among the multiple grand lecture halls. Professor Sasakamoose shared with me her journey on the planning and building of the Healing Lodge. Although there were many obstacles having to navigate construction by Western builders while utilizing the advice of Elders who were seen as Knowledge Keepers, Professor Sasakamoose was eventually able to establish a healing space that would fulfill the CRF that she finds to be significant to her practice.

University of Regina 

First Nations University

The First Nations University is Canada's only National Indigenous owned post secondary institution with campuses in Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert Saskatchewan. They offer 15 academic programs through a federated agreement with the University of Regina. Programs include Indigenous Business and Public Administraton, Communication and Arts, Education, Health, Languages, Literatures in English, Social Work, Indigenous Studies, and Knowledge and Science. All programs have an emphasis on Indigenous knowledge and incorporate Indigenous worldviews into all curricula.

First Nations University 

All Nations Healing Hospital

Along with Western/Modern medicine, the clinic houses a spiritual healing room where patients can meet with a traditional healer during their appointments. It is here where a traditional healing can perform ceremonies on/with the patient, as well as prepare and serve the patient traditional medicines to aid in the healing process. Patients have the ability to have exclusively Western /Modern medicine, exclusively traditional medicine, or a combination of both. I stood in the spiritual room and took in a big inhale as I could not help but feel a wave of emotions rush over me. Traditional medicines are prepared right there in the room.

All Nations Healing Hospital 

Residential School Memorial

Thousands of shoes, toys and stuffed animals lined the steps of the Municipality office. Each pair representing a child who was forcibly taken from their homes to attend residential schools, schools that would beat, rape and essentially "Murder the Indian." Abusive behaviors, including medical experimentation would often go too far, resulting in the child dying. Unmarked graves are now being revealed throughout Canada and the United States where lost children died at the hands of Christians claiming to do God's work. I climbed the steps and rested my hands on the metal fence as tears streamed down my face.

Residential School Memorial