Monday April 6, 2009, 6:57 am
THANK YOU MARY NEAL!

HERE IS THE ARTICLE:

NEW TOWN, N.D. (AP) – The Three Affiliated Tribes were promised a new health clinic decades ago in return for land lost to the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River. They’re finally getting it.

A spending bill signed by President Barack Obama includes $17 million for a new health care facility on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Money has been authorized by Congress before but never actually appropriated.

“We’re ecstatic,” said Jim Foote, project manager for the Elbowoods Memorial Health Center. “Perseverance is the key. This council didn’t give up.”

The health care center will be built on 120 acres that the Three Affiliated Tribes own north of Fort Berthold Community College in New Town. Most of the design work is expected to be done by June, with officials awarding the construction contract later that month.

“It’s just historic,” Foote said.

The health center is to open in early 2011. It will be six times larger than the Minne-Tohe Health Center west of New Town, which has been the main medical facility since the 1960s, and will have about three times the staff. Fort Berthold Community College is to help with training, Foote said.

“My thoughts and those of the entire Tribal Council are with the many members of the tribe who are no longer with us and with our elders who fought for this facility over the past 60 years,” Tribal Chairman Marcus Levings said.

Monday April 6, 2009, 7:10 am
Wonderful..
Thanks Kat..
Gladly noted..

Monday April 6, 2009, 7:13 am

At last . . . some GOOD news!

Thanks, everyone who had a part in having this posted!

Monday April 6, 2009, 7:45 am
Happy to hear the GOOD news!

Monday April 6, 2009, 7:59 am
For an awesome trip into the world of 21st century Native Americans, please visit Kat Moasi's page! Her graphics are fantastic and so is the music.

Her page has links for connections to numerous of her groups and sites that deal with Native American issues, including animal rights and environmental concerns.

Access Kat's page by clicking on her name at the picture on this article, or by clicking on her name at the first comment above. You will enjoy your visit to her page and learn much about mondern Native Americans.

Mary

Monday April 6, 2009, 9:33 am
After 60 years It's about time !!!!

Monday April 6, 2009, 11:07 am
Thank you for the good share,Kat
Finally a wordkeeper!

Monday April 6, 2009, 1:16 pm
Well...this is a FIRST!!!

Monday April 6, 2009, 1:21 pm

Although I am proud of this -- much awaited, and long overdue -- accomplishment . . .

You must excuse me from jumping for joy and being overly thankful.

(I quietly accept the small gift.)

Monday April 6, 2009, 1:27 pm
Wonderful,Wonderful news!!! Thank you Obama for being true to your word and making this come to fruition after such a long wait.

Monday April 6, 2009, 1:31 pm
Wonderful news , it is only justice for a people ignored for so many decades ! Gladly noted :)

Monday April 6, 2009, 1:31 pm

I can hear my grandfather's disappointment.

"Sorry, Grandpa."

Monday April 6, 2009, 1:32 pm

Shame on all of you for accepting so little, and making so much of it.

Monday April 6, 2009, 1:51 pm
noted thank you

Monday April 6, 2009, 1:58 pm
This is great.

Monday April 6, 2009, 2:01 pm

I only hope that true spirits can forgive.

Monday April 6, 2009, 2:15 pm

These are the voices of my ancestors. . . They witnessed the savagery, and forgave . . . as I walked silently with my grandfather, and saw his example of quiet pride, while children "Indian whooped" while we walked to the grocery store -- and I was SO PROUD to be his granddaughter -- born on his same birthdate -- but never heard messages revering his heritage while sitting in classes speaking of "manifest destiny, portraying my ancestors as inhumane, and me sitting warm-faced and embarrassed. No, it was never explained that they lived there first, and had a right to resist. (Must as we view Iraq and Afghanistan.)"

Monday April 6, 2009, 2:27 pm
I hope this is good news. In Oklahoma, many Native Hospitals and Clinics were turned over to the Welfare Department years ago. The hospitals/clinics get paid to treat welfare recipients, but not Natives, so the Natives are put at the back of the line...as was my stepmother while having a heart attack...as were a friend's children when they were told to wait 6 months for dental care....I hope this does not turn out in the same way at all!

Monday April 6, 2009, 4:18 pm
Thank you for the information and blessings to those whp were so patient and thankful after such a shameful wait.

Monday April 6, 2009, 4:34 pm
Alas some good news.. Thansk kat

Monday April 6, 2009, 5:38 pm
Thank you Kat. Noted with appreciation and this is a good beginning-but only that...I will be looking closely at what follows this.

Monday April 6, 2009, 5:50 pm
noted. At least there is hope.

Monday April 6, 2009, 7:03 pm
i am very pleased & Noted, really not surprised Obama kept his promise, he is a man of Word.......

Monday April 6, 2009, 7:21 pm
I think it would be in this administration's best interest to be true to their word. The U.S government has quite an extensive,shameful history of broken promises and abuse.

Monday April 6, 2009, 9:46 pm
This is good to see!

Monday April 6, 2009, 10:54 pm
Certainly would be 'good' if some [all ? - no, that's asking WAY too much . . .] of the old treaty agreements (which go back to George Washington) could be honored as written.

I'm too much of a dreamer . . .

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 12:20 am
It's a good step in the right direction. Undoubtedly, much, much more needs to be done. But at least for the first time that I am aware of we have a President who is keeping his promises. I'm just glad that a promise has finally been kept to people who are so deserving and whose needs have been ignored for so long.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 4:11 am
Glad to hear it is about time!

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 6:26 am
Thank you, Kat for keeping us informed. President Obama' s inclusion of Native Americans in his spending bill is great news. Though I applaud the president's actions, my applause is for doing what should have been done years ago. Doing the right thing is something we should expect of a president, especially one as conscientious as President Obama. Thank you, Kat for your words, but most of all for your heart.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 11:00 am
This is awesome news and a long time coming, thanks Kat!

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 2:47 pm
Well Praise God. It is about time. Thank you Pres. Obama. This has been a long time coming. But they also deserve alot more things to happen. Like giving some of their land back, Paying them some of the monies owed to them etc. etc etc.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 3:22 pm
Full compensation can never be made for all the wrongs done toward our Native Ancestors, but if we start now, as with this facility, each time a need is made known, take care of it. Then look to see if other needs are there having gone unreported, and work to fix them as well. This will go a long way toward doing the right thing. Great story.

Wednesday April 8, 2009, 5:51 am
It's a start!.. What's next ... hey I have an idea ...Free Leonard! Keep going Pres Obama, there is much more to do.

Wednesday April 8, 2009, 12:20 pm
$17 million? Is that the down payment? Where is the rest of the $ billions owed to Native Americans for all their stolen lands and cultural genocide? I think it's great Obama got elected, but I think we would even be better off with a Native American president.

Tuesday April 14, 2009, 3:09 am
Not before time! Lets hope he has started as he means to go on .