Elders' efforts result in building for kids

By Mary Stamp

The NATIVE Project, which started in 1985 as the Indian Youth Leadership Program, expanded over 35 years into providing medical, dental and behavioral health, a pharmacy, wellness, patient care coordination and prevention services for Natives and Non-Natives in a building at 1803 W. Maxwell.

On March 21, The NATIVE Project dedicated its new Children and Youth Center at 1907 W. Maxwell, moving the children's and youth behavioral health, the drug and alcohol treatment and the culture and prevention programs across Elm St. from the health clinic into a new four-story building that opened on Feb. 18.

"This building is for our children and all the community's children," said Toni Lodge, CEO and one of the founders of The NATIVE Project, at the dedication held in the center's ceremonial room, named to honor the late Kalispel tribal elder Francis Cullooyah.

A canoe in a showcase in that room—made by Dr. Shawn Brigman of the Spokane Tribe—and other canoes in the building symbolize to kids who come that they are on a journey, Toni said.

This building, designed based on kids' suggestions, is a place for kids to talk to someone and be in community.

"When we welcomed the first patient, there was zero debt on the $11.6 million it cost to build the facility," she added, so the building will be passed on debt free as a place for Native children and all children to heal and have fun when they come for therapy.

Half the funds were from the Indian Health Service (IHS). Rick Mueller, director of the Urban Indian Health Program at IHS from Washington, D.C., spoke of their commitment to advance Native children's health and wellbeing. He honors The NATIVE Project for its decades of commitment to culturally informed healing and growth. He said the building incorporates art showing animals and indigenous symbols to "create a space for mentoring future leaders, challenging stereotypes and addressing economic disparities."

"It's the first time the IHS has provided half the funds to build an urban Indian clinic," he said.

The second largest funding source was The NATIVE Project's reserve funds. Other funds were from the Washington State Legislature via the Department of Commerce, the City of Spokane, HRSA, Inatai Foundation, Spokane County Commissioners, Empire Health Foundation, the Kalispel Tribe and Innovia Foundation.

City Council President Betsy Wilkerson, who was a key speaker at the event, said, "It's a vital sanctuary of hope rooted in Native culture for all young people. The NATIVE Project is about our community's rich diversity, offering programs that allow youth to explore their cultural identities."

The architects for the project were Womer & Associates, the project manager was Wenaha and Associates, and the contractor was Halme Cascade General Contracting Co., of Medical Lake. Womer and Wenaha are a Native-run companies.

Toni said the building is also the result of the prayers and work of elders and ancestors. She explained that the seven stones in The NATIVE Project logo represent seven generations, and the four feathers represent the four directions.

"The logo represents the past supporting the present while we plan for the future," Toni said.

Francis was one of the elders inspiring the project. He died last August. His sister, Shirley Blackbear, and daughter, Marie Cullooyah, spoke at the dedication, describing Francis as a humble, giving, smiling, teaching man who was always learning and always helping people.

On a video taken near the end of his life, Francis told youth experiencing hard times that others had experienced worse situations. He encouraged them to help others, and to respect, love and learn from other people. He said, "That's why the Creator put us here."

Toni said the impact of The NATIVE Project's programs is evident in the fact that one third of the current staff were in its programs as children and now as college graduates are giving back as leaders.

The NATIVE Project is now accepting appointments for children and youth behavioral health visits with patients from the ages of five to 18 years of all ethnicities. They accept most insurances.

For information, call 325-5502 or visit nativeproject.org.