Tribal and Cultural Health

At United Indian Health Services, Inc. (UIHS) we understand that reconnecting to one’s culture is a vital part of the healing process. Our dedicated Tribal and Cultural Health department is committed to seamlessly integrating cultural elements into the medical system, fostering a holistic approach to well-being.

At UIHS, we believe that a strong connection to one’s culture enhances overall well-being. Through these initiatives, we strive to create a healthcare environment that honors and integrates the diverse cultural tapestry of our community.

Our Initiatives

Cultural Presentations for Staff Training

Our department conducts insightful cultural presentations for staff training, covering a range of topics from addressing historical trauma to understanding Native American communication styles. By enhancing cultural competence, we aim to provide more inclusive and effective healthcare.

Arts and Basket Collection

We take pride in curating museum displays that showcase the rich cultural tapestry of our community. Our collection includes a variety of baskets and traditional cultural items, preserving and celebrating our heritage.

Annual Arts and Craft Fair

Each year, we bring together local Native artists and the community through our annual UIHS Arts and Craft Fair. This event provides a platform for artists to showcase their work and offers the community unique winter gift-giving opportunities. This event is held on the first Saturday in December, if you would like to be added to our mailing list as a vendor, please contact the Tribal Public Health Department (707)825-5070.

May Gay Tolh Kwe Summer Camp

Each year in July we offer a summer camp for American Indian youth that is an immersive and culturally focused experience. Summer Camp is held at Sue-meg State Park and serves youth ages 9-11. Campers are introduced to local cultural traditions and have the opportunity to participate in many activities that promote and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.  In addition to the 50-80 youth that attend the camp, it also creates 28 summer jobs for adults and teens.  UIHS programs such as Potawot Community Food Garden, Diabetes, Health Promotion and Education, Community Health Care, Suicide Prevention, and Traditional Tobacco–provide educational lessons throughout the camp.

Ku’wah-dah-wilth Restoration Area

Of the 40-acre Potawot Health Village, twenty acres of restored and natural area is a conservation easement, dedicated forever to enhance and protect the wetland meadows located here. It is a place for cultural education, wildlife habitat, recreation, traditional American Indian agriculture, food production, and spiritual meditation. The restoration area is known as the Ku’ wah-dah-wilth, which means “comes back to life” in the native Wiyot Indian language. The name describes the revitalization of the wetlands, forest, and grasslands, and the effect this has on the local Indian community. 

The Potawot Health Village is located in a coastal prairie that was once known as Gudinih. It was a low-laying wetland that was dotted with stands of “willow, salmonberry, alder, spruce thickets, and brush”. Potawot, the Wiyot Name for the Mad River, meandered along the northern boundary of this coastal prairie on its way to the ocean. During heavy rainfalls, the river overflowed its banks southward into the prairie.

Prior to 1850 there was a large bend in Potawot, which flowed within a half mile of the UIHS Health Village site. Four Wiyot villages were known to have existed along both sides of the “big bend” in the river and were within a mile of the Health Village. The names of the villages suggest the type of environment that existed in the area prior to the arrival of pioneers. Gudinih was a part of a district that was actively used and managed by Wiyot Indians. The area was noted as a feeding ground for elk, mountain lions, and grizzly bears, as well as a place for gathering plants for food and fiber.

After Euro-American settlement, 40-acres here became the Nay-Rieiro Farm and was cultivated to produce grain and potatoes. In the 1920’s Danish dairy farmers grew clover and oats on the land. Cattle grazed the site until UIHS purchased the property in 1997.

For a self-guided tour, you can obtain a copy of the UIHS “Growing Healthy Communities” tour booklet which describes many features of the restoration area. Developments are currently being worked on for an updated tour.

Ish-took Basket Garden & Textile Garden is located within the Ku’wah-dah-wilth Restoration area. 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 Indian of Northern California. The one-acre garden serves as a place to gather basket materials, provides an outdoor classroom to learn about basketry, and serves to demonstrate the importance of managing the land to ensure an abundance of basket plants. This garden also allows
for UIHS to address the impacts of pesticides on weavers, gatherers, and users.

Basketry is an essential element of the local American Indian culture. Fine durable plant materials are gathered, prepared, then woven into baskets and made into tools for both utilitarian and ceremonial use. Baskets are living and are to be used respectfully.

Ku’ wah-dah-wilth has approximately 2 miles of walking trails that meander around the wetland, uplands, basket and textile garden, 2-acre organic food garden, and through the meadows and orchards.

Our Traditional Land Management Specialist diligently oversees the Ku’wah-dah-wilth restoration area. This sacred space includes a local family house and sweat house, a dance house, and a plains-style Inipi, providing a serene environment for cultural reflection and connection.

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.

We have our Lifeblood from this Mother Earth, and so does the tree.

The Trails are made of the Lifeblood of the trees, honor it as you walk on it knowing that it is giving you renewed life and strength.

Plants along the Trails have great healing powers in them and the people have used them for generations.

Learn from them and accept their gifts to you.

We have a powerful Earth Mother.

Thank you creator for this land, we are one with you.

“A poem presented by Juanita Samuels at the October 2004 Potawot Health Village Trail Dedication”

UIHS Trail User Safety Guidelines

  • Trails are open During Daylight Hours only.
  • No Dogs.
  • Avoid Walking Alone.
  • Due to reported rabid wildlife sightings in the area, do not approach wildlife.
  • Do not touch dead animals or droppings on the trails, as they may contain infectious diseases.
  • If you see a mountain lion do not run, act large, make noise, and throw rocks, and pick up small children.
  • Do Not Feed the Wildlife
  • No Roller Sports.
  • For your Safety Stay on the Trail.

To report unlawful activity call UIHS at (707)825-5000 or 911.
UIHS promotes alternative methods of managing the land without the use of pesticides such as burning.