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Maidu Dancers and Traditionalists were among those who sang, danced, drummed, told stories and blessed the new clinic over the weekend for the Chapa-De Indian Health Program.
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ENLARGE
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As health care costs skyrocket and western Nevada County residents face life without jobs or health insurance, they can turn to a beautiful new facility in Grass Valley.
The new Chapa-De Indian Health Program clinic, slated to open in Grass Valley in November, will accommodate low- and middle-income patients of any race or creed.
Native Americans and others showed off the new clinic during three days of festivities over the weekend at the facility on East Main Street at Sierra College Drive.
“It will bring more access to health care,” said Susan Navarro, director of the clinic’s behavioral health and the alternative medicine area where chiropractic, acupuncture and massage will be offered.
The 29,000-square-foot building also will house Chapa-De’s administration, dental clinic, records department, women’s health area and general medical services in a unique design using eight 12-sided round sections.
The new Chapa-De Indian Health Program clinic, slated to open in Grass Valley in November, will accommodate low- and middle-income patients of any race or creed.
Native Americans and others showed off the new clinic during three days of festivities over the weekend at the facility on East Main Street at Sierra College Drive.
“It will bring more access to health care,” said Susan Navarro, director of the clinic’s behavioral health and the alternative medicine area where chiropractic, acupuncture and massage will be offered.
The 29,000-square-foot building also will house Chapa-De’s administration, dental clinic, records department, women’s health area and general medical services in a unique design using eight 12-sided round sections.
The round, spacious, light-filled areas were created on the advice of Nancy Jane Henchell, according to Chapa-De CEO Carol Ervin.
Henchell was Chapa-De’s program advisor and worked for the program for 25 years before she died three years ago. Her research discovered a history of a healing vortex in Grass Valley that she wanted to capture with traditional Native American round buildings.
“She said lots of circles were needed for a healing vortex,” Ervin said Sunday as Maidu dancers performed and the public toured the facility. “We faced the door to the east to let the power come in.
“It really has a special feeling,” Ervin said. “When you go in, you can feel the energy, and people need to feel good about where they go for health care. It’s an important part of healing.”
The clinic honors Henchell and long-term board member the late Viola “Vi” Hamil, who helped purchase the 12-acre property for the $11 million building.
Henchell was Chapa-De’s program advisor and worked for the program for 25 years before she died three years ago. Her research discovered a history of a healing vortex in Grass Valley that she wanted to capture with traditional Native American round buildings.
“She said lots of circles were needed for a healing vortex,” Ervin said Sunday as Maidu dancers performed and the public toured the facility. “We faced the door to the east to let the power come in.
“It really has a special feeling,” Ervin said. “When you go in, you can feel the energy, and people need to feel good about where they go for health care. It’s an important part of healing.”
The clinic honors Henchell and long-term board member the late Viola “Vi” Hamil, who helped purchase the 12-acre property for the $11 million building.
“We’re hoping to open for patients at the first of the month,” Ervin said. “We’re awaiting our certificate of occupancy from the city.”
Construction on the project began in July 2007, five years after rumors of an Indian casino and traffic worries held it up. The clinic will take the place of two small offices Chapa-De now runs on East Main Street and Joerschke Drive in Grass Valley.
The Indian health care program is headquartered in Auburn. It brought a plan for a 42,000-square-foot clinic before the city in 2002, but the plan was scaled back.
Chapa-De also had to pay for a new right turn lane on East Main to handle traffic going onto Sierra College Drive.
The clinic takes all Medical and Medicare patients, third-party insurance and has a sliding scale for payments for those who qualify.
The clinic is not affiliated with any HMO.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
Construction on the project began in July 2007, five years after rumors of an Indian casino and traffic worries held it up. The clinic will take the place of two small offices Chapa-De now runs on East Main Street and Joerschke Drive in Grass Valley.
The Indian health care program is headquartered in Auburn. It brought a plan for a 42,000-square-foot clinic before the city in 2002, but the plan was scaled back.
Chapa-De also had to pay for a new right turn lane on East Main to handle traffic going onto Sierra College Drive.
The clinic takes all Medical and Medicare patients, third-party insurance and has a sliding scale for payments for those who qualify.
The clinic is not affiliated with any HMO.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
