 Indian Health Clinic opens to public (photos)
(January 2011) The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina hosted the reopening and blessing ceremony of the Indian Health Clinic (IHC) on January 6th at Native Angels in Pembroke off highway 711.(photos)
Reverend Doug Locklear began the ceremony blessing the IHC with sage, a traditional American Indian herb used to give thanks. Following Locklear’s prayer, members of Southern Sun Drum Group sang an Honor Song to conclude the blessing.
“My vision for the clinic is to use this as a stepping stone and learning tool on how to offer healthcare services so that once we receive full federal benefits we will be in a position to move forward and address the multiple needs of our tribal members,” stated Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett.
Tribal Administration stated Thursday that the need for this type of service in the Lumbee community is evident. When the clinic opened in March of 2004 they had a little over 300 patients. With its reopening the clinic now has a list of over 1,900.(photos)
“We cannot stand and wait on Federal Recognition to give us this opportunity,” said Tribal Administrator Rose Marie Lowry Townsend, “we as Lumbee people are a very progressive people, when we see opportunity we take action.”
Dr. Lowry-Townsend then recognized staff that will be working at IHC. The medical director of the clinic will be Dr. Adriana Simmons of Parkton. The clinic will also be staffed by a nurse and office manager. Members of the Tribal Council, IHC staff and Tribal Administration concluded the ceremony by cutting the ribbon to officially open the clinic. (photos)
The clinic will currently be opened on Thursdays from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and will see patients by appointment only until additional volunteers can be recruited. The IHC services any American Indian who is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, meaning a family of four can have a total income of up to $44,000 a year, while a two-member family can have a total income of no more than $29,136. For more information about the Indian Health Clinic please call, 910-521.0059.
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