PRESS
RELEASE
POC:
CRST Public Relations
Rock
LeBeau
(605)964-8308
For
immediate release August 02, 2005
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) welcomes visit
by Senator Thune
(pictures
below story)
Senator Thune arrived on Cheyenne River at 6:00
p.m. on Aug. 2, 2005. He was greeted by the Cheyenne
River Sioux Tribal Public Relations Office. Senator
Thune was accompanied by Matt Zabel, Chief of Staff.
The purpose of Thune’s visit was to respond
to an invite from Chairman Frazier to see for himself,
the Health care needs on Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
According to the ‘Report to the People’,
in Jan. of 2005, Health Care for our Tribal Members
is a priority set by the Tribal Council. Chairman
Frazier said, “Senator Thune’s visit
and discussion on our Health care needs will help
him understand our situation so he can better advocate
for us in Congress.”
At Chairman Frazier’s recommendation, it
was arranged for the Indian Health Service staff
to visit one-on-one with Senator Thune, focusing
on Health Care. The Public Relations Office arranged
a tour of the facilities with ample time to speak
to the employees.
During the tour of the CRST Hospital; Senator
Thune was greeted by Vern Donnell, (I.H.S. Chief
Executive Officer and Dr. Sophie Two Hawks, I.H.S.
Service Unit Clinical Director. Mr. Donnell and
Dr. Two Hawks then introduced Senator Thune to
their staff as they toured the hallways of the
I.H.S. Through out the tour, many topics were brought
to Senator’s attention. Senator listened
intently as the staff talked about all the healthcare
needs and explained the various reasons why CRST
required funding for a new hospital.
Chairman Frazier explained the history of the
CRST Hospital. When the Oahe Dam was built and
old Cheyenne Agency was flooded back in 1958-59,
everything was relocated to Eagle Butte. One major
result of the Oahe relocation, was the loss of
the hospital at Cheyenne Agency so the Corps. agreed
to rebuild a new hospital in Eagle Butte which
we still use in its present location even though
it is about 45 years old. The Tribe has experienced
problems because the hospital was built by the
Corps, not the Indian Health Service. Due to this,
I.H.S. would only provide funds for the CRST hospital
at 46% of need which is unacceptable. The complexities
of all these problems have created barriers, but
the Tribal Administration has persevered in moving
ahead with plans for the new Hospital.
“Unless we get additional funding in our
budget, we will barely make it” stated Dr.
Two Hawks. “It’s tough, we can do all
that we can with what we have available, but it
still isn’t enough,” stated Vern Donnell.
The Eagle Butte Hospital currently has at least
one to two transfers a day out to other facilities
in other towns for ultra sounds, tests, Births,
and other medical needs.
Since 2001, CRST no longer has OBGYN and a Birthing
Unit. The population of our people is increasing
and the cost is increasing because of policy shifts
to Contract Health care and transporting patients
away from the Reservation. Due to this Policy shift
by the Dept. of Health & Human Services, the
I.H.S. hospital in Eagle Butte is providing less
local service. Now, People have to be transported
by referrals to hospitals in Pierre, Rapid City
and other places for health needs. In case of complications
such as an unborn baby with a slow heart beat or
any other emergency, we are unable to assist them
at the Eagle Butte Hospital. Chairman Frazier has
been adamant that we restore full services to the
Eagle Butte Hospital and are able to handle these
emergencies locally; otherwise, we cannot prevent
them from turn into tragedies. Rapid City Regional
Hospital is 180 miles away and our sick are being
sent on this long trip in order to receive care.
This is why the CRST has mandated the new hospital
include OBGYN and a Birthing Unit and other medical
resources to provide medical care here on the Reservation.
“If we had adequate funding for staff, we
could be available on evenings and weekends to
assist our people in the clinic. The people feel
that if they wait out the day and come in the evening
to the emergency room they will be seen faster,
but this results in long hours and extra staff
throughout the evenings,” continued Vern
Donnell. The CRST has outlying communities and
some people wait until they are deathly sick to
come and be seen, which is sometimes too late.
Red Scaffold, Cherry Creek on the west end and
Swiftbird and White Horse communities on the East
End do have Community Health Representatives which
still isn’t enough to meet the needs of the
field clinics. “The price for medication
is also high. It isn’t your routine sniffles
and colds that we are dealing with on Cheyenne
River; we need all around improved service” stated
Dr. Two Hawk.
Another topic was the amount of beds the hospital
currently has. There are numerous beds that are
not being used because of lack of staff and no
flexibility to use them for our elderly. Our Elderly
are forced to go to Nursing Homes off the Reservation
where we are slowly losing them. The wishes of
our Elderly are to be home on the reservation to
pass away but because there is no place for them
here, they languish away from home. Chairman Frazier
explained, “this is why the Tribe has battled
so hard to get out own Nursing Home here on the
Reservation. The CRST is building an Elderly Village
which should be in operation in the next couple
of years, but until then, this is one of the problems
that persist for our Elderly.”
Looking at the structure, space, color, environment
of the hospital, Senator stated, “A few years
ago I toured the Sisseton Wahpeton hospital and
I thought that hospital was out dated, this hospital
is really out dated, it is time to upgrade and
build a brand new Hospital.” Chairman informed
Senator Thune about all the effort the CRST has
put into getting a new hospital. “In 2003,
CRST wrote proposals and was awarded $ 2.3 million
for site planning and preparation. In 2004, CRST
again developed plans and received an additional
$ 5 million for facility design and utility preparation,
but there are many complications to the final development
of the Hospital. One of the major difficulties
impeding progress is our water issue. We can not
build a new hospital with no water.” Chairman
Frazier said, “I realize you (Senator Thune)
are aware of this because we have been in your
office several times and talked about it. We know
you are working with the CRST on the water problem
and for that we thank you.”
The tour came to a close with a gathering in Vern
Donnell’s office for raspberry tea, meat
cheese and crackers. The staff at the hospital
was honored to meet the Senator and grateful for
the sincerity he showed for our people. Senator
Thune displayed genuine concern during his discussions
and meetings with the employees. He thanked them
for their commitment and dedication to the people
of Cheyenne River.
Senator Thune expressed his gratitude for the
doctors and pharmacist who were recruited to work
in our rural area. Chairman Frazier discussed with
Senator Thune the need to recruit and retain well
trained doctors and Healthcare staff on the reservation.
Chairman Frazier told Senator Thune, the Tribal
administration is doing everything possible to
bring in funding to keep professional staff at
the Cheyenne River Hospital.
Roger Mayerson a contract pharmacist was introduced
to Senator Thune. Roger stated, “My contract
is ending soon and I wouldn’t mind making
South Dakota my home, it is a remarkable state.” This
brought a look of happiness to the Senator’s
face to see first hand that the staff is sincere
in their work to provide for the people’s
health. It was also a further incentive to push
for funding so professional staff could remain
to continue to serve the CRST. Senator Thune expressed
his gratitude for the doctors and pharmacist who
were recruited to work in our rural area.
Immediately following the tour, Senator Thune
and Mr. Zabel met with Chairman Frazier in his
office to recap the meeting and tour. First and
foremost, Senator Thune asked about the status
of the Water Project. Chairman Frazier brought
the Senator up to speed adding that there will
be a groundbreaking soon for the construction of
the road to the proposed water intake site.
After a long discussion, Chairman Frazier commended
Senator Thune for his assistance and team work
with Senator Johnson and Congresswoman Herseth. “Together
you are sending funding down to Cheyenne River
to our people and we are thankful for this and
we use every cent. As a team, you are unbearable
for CRST and SD.” stated Chairman Frazier. “Now
the work continues on our hospital and other needs
for CRST.”
Photo: Left to right: Wayne Garreau, IHS Security;
Marietta Little Thunder, Vern Donnell, Jonnah Watt,
Ethelen Jewett, Jayme Longbrake, Jessica Kennedy
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