Throughout the year and depending on the needs of the community, a number of special projects put on by UIHS take place. Such projects target the American Indian community as a means to build job training skills, build upon cultural knowledge, and provide opportunities for community interaction.

Such special projects are focused around art, culture, environment, and food security.

Examples of Special Projects UIHS has supported to date include:

UIHS Traditional Resources Program provides a number of community events and workshops that support UIHS's efforts for promoting community wellness. Such opportunities enable our community to particpate in educational programs that connect health to the environment, community, and culture. Keep your eye's out for upcoming events, workshops, and classes.

 

Soap Root Brush Making Class

The Traditional Resources Program releases a bi-annual newsletter known as Kaw-Ka-Now (meaning “woodpecker” in the Yurok language) which focuses on programs that involve art, culture, environment, and healthy foods. Past Newsletters are available below and if interested in an electronic subscription to this newsletter, please contact eric.johnson@crihb.net or watch for new editions on below.

Need Content!

1.    Art Collection

2.    Basket Collection

3.    Cultural Competency

4.    Potawot Health Village Architecture

a.    Walk of Elders

b.    Plank house design

c.    Gathering Room

Through-out the 20-acre Ku' wah-dah-wilth Restoration Area there are a number of educational displays describing various aspects of the wetlands as well as the Ish-took Basket and Textile Garden. There is also the "Growing Healthy Communities" Self-guided Tour booklet (attached below) that is available at the adminstration desk at Potawot Health Village.

Take a breather at one of the benches along the trail and read about the site.

United Indian Health Services, Inc. recognizes the importance of traditional beliefs, practices, and ceremonies in the healing of the body, mind and spirit. UIHS understands that “all things” contribute to the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the individual, the family, and the community.

Traditional philosophies of local tribes centered around the belief that wellness is achieved through the balance of “all things” in our lives. UIHS encourages a climate of respect, responsibility and acceptance in which traditional beliefs are honored.

Ku’ wah-dah-wilth has approximately 2 miles of walking trails that meander around the wetlands, uplands, basket and textile garden, food garden, and through the meadows and orchards. The Walking Map below illustrates the walking routes and their distances.

The Life Blood of the Tree

This land has been dedicated to the people for healing.

We are standing on a special area of healing as our trees have many healing powers.

The roots are firmly planted in Mother Earth, bringing her water and milk to nourish her.

The Ish-took (meaning “to pick flowers or stems” in the Karuk language) Basket and Textile Demonstration Garden has been planted with hazel, beargrass, alder, spruce, willow, woodwardia ferns, maidenhair ferns and soap root to demonstrate plants used in basketweaving by American Indians of northern California.

To date restoration efforts in Ku' wah-dah-wilth (meaning “comes back to life” in the Wiyot language) have included the enhancement of five acres of seasonal wetlands and ten acres of wet meadow, and eight acres of reforested upland areas that have been planted with over 9,000 native trees, berries, shrubs, medicinal herbs and basketry plants.