MSU launches health project for Northern Cheyenne students

LAME DEER, Mont. – Recently, Madeline “Maddy” Metcalf, from the College of Nursing, Montana State University, Bozeman met with a group of Northern Cheyenne grandmothers in a consultation process to explain the purpose of a new oral/general health program developed by MSU in conjunction with Northern Cheyenne Tribal Board of Health. In the developmental stages, the project has received some grant funding with the goal of implementing the program into schools at Busby and Lame Deer on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.

As part of the project, Maddy, the project outreach person has been meeting with a wide variety of educators, tribal officials and community members. “We are asking you to tell us, what do you want us to do for you to improve oral and improved general health among students on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation,” she explained.

Metcalf had requested that the Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC) Cultural Resources Center convene a group of traditional Northern Cheyenne grandmothers of a consultation session. “We also want to learn more about traditional medicines and doctoring to see if this information can be incorporated into the new program,” she said.

The Grandmothers who were invited and attending, enjoying a nice luncheon and “surprise” gift card included: Patricia Rowland, tribal member, and retired Community Health Worker for 42 years; Donna Gonzales, tribal member, CDKC instructor and former Headstart teacher for decades; Rhoda Bullcoming, traditional grandmother; Josephine Firecrow, current Cultural Resources staffer and retired elementary school teacher for 40 years; Lenora Wolfblack, former tribal health employee and current Cultural Resources staffer; Mina Seminole, Cultural Resources Center historical researcher, former

Tribal Finance Director and Tribal Housing Director; Elrena Whitedirt, Northern Cheyenne historical and cultural advisor; and this writer.

In a roundtable discussion, Metcalf explained that the project aims to provide more on-site early health care at the schools emphasizing medical; primary health care; oral health care; ear infections ,etc. “While we have initial funding for one year, the goal is to make it sustainable,” she stressed.

The grandmother group was very forthcoming with recommendations while also sharing reflections about the traditional health care they experienced as children and young people.

Mina Seminole was quick to mention “We have no optometrist here at the I.H.S. Clinic. Is there anything you can do about that?”

Metcalf suggested their project could look into optometrist volunteer time.

Gonzales also pointed out “We have a lot of children who come into the classroom with physical problems,” she noted “And often little or no resources to assist them.”

Firecrow agreed and shared some reflections learned from her forty plus years as an educator at Lame Deer School. “Some children leave their glasses at school so they won’t get broken or lost,” she recalled. “I had students without glasses who had to be seated up front so they could see the board; others who just simply could not cope, screaming, in fetal positions etc., but nowhere to send them for help.”

Rowland also mentioned that contrary to opinion, glasses are not free which hinders some tribal members from getting them. Rowland specialized in working with kids who had hearing, vision and dental problems. “The quality of glasses is very important to young people,” she noted. “Especially for self-esteem.”

Bullcoming thanked Metcalf for meeting with the Grandmothers. “It is a good idea for MSU to come around,” she said. “As a grandmother to children with special dental needs, we find Billings very costly. There is no or little technology here at home.”

Bullcoming also explained the traditional use of materials used regularly for flossing; the use of sweats for baths, not just ceremonial purposes; yucca for shampoo; sand for scrubbing; cedar for purification; “bitter root” for tooth pain and red paint for sunburn.

Firecrow who had the privilege of being raised by Grandparents in a very remote part of the reservation, mentioned other traditional matters: the use of warm rocks to ease pain; being very careful with knives as a cut could easily develop into a dangerous infection and the importance of always rinsing your mouth. “We didn’t get sick very often, and if so, were doctored at home,” she recalled. She also stressed the lack of dentists at the I.H.S. Lame Deer Clinic. “It can take weeks or even months to get an appointment,” she said. “By then a small problem can turn big.”

Metcalf explained that she had been told the Tribe is looking into a dental plan for tribal members, news that the group of elders did not meet with confidence.

Wolfblack one of the last speakers concurred with the remarks of her fellow grandmothers adding that Bull Durham tobacco was sometimes used on cuts, the only thing available. “It was safe to be with Grandparents,” she recalled. “They shared many teachings with our safety in mind.”

This writer noted that tooth decay and diabetes, two contemporary health problems were not prevalent among the Cheyenne prior to the Reservation period, primarily due to diet (at that time: lean meats, berries, very little sugar or salt) and exercise. “They say that Doctor Pepper has killed more Indians than Custer. Dietary training and an emphasis on exercise should also be parts of the project.”

In closing, an ancillary health problem was discussed: transportation. “Getting to Billings, Hardin or Sheridan for health care other than I.H.S. is simply not realistic for many of our people who lack either vehicles or funds for that, they concurred. I.H.S. waits to ‘refer’ to other specialists when it becomes an emergency and sometimes that is too late,” they told Metcalf.

As with many grants, the lion’s share of the present one-year opportunity will be spent on planning, securing additional funding a priority. Metcalf assured that the project has the full support of MSU; the Tribal BOH; tribal leaders and an organization called the Institute Review Board. “We value your input, recommendations, and support and will keep you posted on how this comes along,” the MSU outreach worker promised the Grandmothers at the meeting close.

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennevoice1@gmail.com)

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