News and Information for the Native American Community
6/14/07
NAHC Celebrates Groundbreaking & Construction of the Seven Directions Project
D'Shane Barnett
On Thursday, June 14th, 2007 the Native American Health Center, along with the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, celebrated the first phase of construction of the Seven Directions project.
In attendance at the celebration were Kimberly Reed, Director of the U.S. Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund in Washington D.C., Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, and more than 200 local community members.
Seven Directions is a new facility being constructed just two blocks from the current Oakland clinic location. The building will house a state-of-the-art medical and dental clinic, an outdoor community ceremonial space, and 36-units of affordable family housing.
The project is the result of almost a decade's worth of planning and work on the part of the Board and Administration of the Native American Health Center (NAHC).
Years earlier, when asked about the future of the clinic, the community stated that it was important to them not only to have access to high quality health care, but that housing be established for those people who have a difficult time finding a place to live in the East Bay. It was also requested that any new services take into account cultural traditions of Native American people.
The 21,000 sq. ft. building will include two totem poles, an outdoor water-wall, a native plant garden, a mosaic story pole, a Native American-themed marquee and several other aspects that will truly make this building a reflection of the local Native American community.
It was a very ambitious idea to include housing on the upper levels of the clinic, but that idea became a reality when NAHC approached the East Bay Asian Local Development Corp. (EBALDC).
Lynette Lee, Executive Director of EBALDC, chose to listen to the idea and partner with the clinic to find a way for this project to include housing.
There were several obstacles along the way, but NAHC was able to depend upon the support and encouragement of some wonderful local and state leaders, including Ignacio de la Fuente, President of the Oakland City Council, and Senator Don Perata, President Pro Tem of the California senate.
We will have more capacity to offer traditional practitioner services, and we will create a building that lets the entire East Bay know that Native Americans are alive and well in Oakland.
As explained by Karen Harrison, RN, Oakland Clinic Manager, "The attention that is given to one of the most important aspects of our lives as Natives - our spirituality - will be at the forefront. The healing will begin to happen as soon as we walk into the building. A sense of ownership will be instilled in the patients and clients."
The true meaning of Seven Directions, though, is the provision of high quality health and wellness services for our future generations - to make sure that the next generation has the tools and resources to be as healthy as they can possibly be. Martin Waukazoo, CEO of the NAHC, "I see the next generation that's coming up, they are going to be a healthier and stronger generation."
Grand Opening for the new facility will take place sometime in the Fall of 2008. The total cost of the new clinic is $14 million dollars. $11.6 million have already been raised, but the NAHC only has until next Fall to raise the remaining $2.4 million. It is a daunting task, but with the support of the community it can be done.
