talamotte

I have two close friends who have both recently been diagnosed as being positive for HIV. Does anyone know if there are native support groups where they can get help? I would greatly appreciate any ideas or resources that I can forward on to them.

bahnisiain

i will check around for you. i work with HIV folks regularly, i think one of them may know of someplace.

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River Spirit

Ditto. What geographic area are these folks in? Might help us get them contacts easier.

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"The Cleveland Indians are going to change their name. They don't want to be known as a team that perpetuates racial stereotypes. From now on they're just going to be called the Indians." - Native Comedian Vaughn Eaglebear, Colville/Lakota

talamotte

First let me thank you both for your quick responses. This appears to be a hard subject for a lot of people to face. There are apparently a lot of stigmas attached to this disease which shows no signs of going away. We come from the Northern Oregon area. Bless both of you for trying to help.

River Spirit

I've got a call into them, but you might want to check with them directly. Also, check the Chemawa Clinic in Salem. I am also checking with someone that works with the VA in Portland...stay tuned....

Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center

1-800-775-0095

or 503-879-2236

9605 Grand Ronde Road

Grand Ronde, OR 97347

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"The Cleveland Indians are going to change their name. They don't want to be known as a team that perpetuates racial stereotypes. From now on they're just going to be called the Indians." - Native Comedian Vaughn Eaglebear, Colville/Lakota

River Spirit

Please check with the following about support groups:

Portland Area/Indian Health Serice
1220 SW Third Ave, Rm 476
Portland OR 97204
503-326-4138

Warm Springs Health and Wellness Ctr
1270 Kot-Num Rd
Warm Springs OR 97761
541-553-2482

National Tribal Prevention Network
527 SW Hall, Suite 300
Portland OR 97201
503-228-4185

if I found out more specific info, about specific groups I'll post it but a call to any of these organizations would be a good start.

Good luck!

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"The Cleveland Indians are going to change their name. They don't want to be known as a team that perpetuates racial stereotypes. From now on they're just going to be called the Indians." - Native Comedian Vaughn Eaglebear, Colville/Lakota

Plenty Fox

Contact Dr. Joseph Stone the head of Behavioral Medicine at Grand Ronde Health and Wellness Clinic (number in message up above). He is Blackfeet thru and thru--family from Browning--and can refer folks to any kind of support group. Good guy! He is a specialist on Post-Colonial Stress Disorder...that what the establishment bases alot of our behavioral problems/ personality disorders or addictions on, the coming of the White man, boarding schools...yada yada...

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Damme ape’semmai, "Andabichidaiboonee’ gimmadu’i.Wihyu memme hainjinee’ nahandu’i. Enne wizha sudei’ tsaangu mabizhiahkande," mai.

The Creator said, "A foreign race of white people will come, who will become your friends. You should treat them well."

The Creator sure had a strange sense of humor!

talamotte

Thank you again, I have passed on all these messages and I greatly appreciate your help, all of you. Blessings.

AngelFeather

Oki Talamotte,

I had a brother that pased away from AIDS bak in 1996. I am not really aware of Native support groups in particular but you may want to contact you local health center on your reserve or if you live in a big city call your local HIV/AIDS connection and they may be able to point you in the right direction. I know how hard it is to watch a love one suffer and it is great that you are there for your friend. If you feel stronlgy and do not find a Native support group in your area maybe you could be the one to get the ball rolling and start one up. I know at the moment many Native reserves are having a hard time dealing with the epidemic and sum reseves have even kicked people off becasue of it. The word needs to be spread that more and more of our people are dying of this deadly disease and we can no longer afford to turn our heads and ignore it.
If you would ever like to talk I would be happy to talk with you naybe we can help each other. I still think of my brother daily and miss him very much he was my best friend . Peace be with you and your friends as you travel this hard road.
AngelFeather

rainwoman

I talked with the outpatient manager at NARA-NW. They don't have a support group presently but if folks will contact her she will set one up. She has set them up and is very aware of confidentiality issues and assures me that she will set it up so that even the person's counselor would not know the person was going to this support group. They are in the Portland phone book under Native American Rehabilitation Association--NW