1988-09-07 Char-Koosta News

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A news puSfícation of the Saiish and'Kootenai Tribes
of the Jiathead Indian 'Reservation
Chief Charlo of the Salish VOLUME 17. NUMBER 16
MONTH OF THE CHOKEBERRIES
Chief Koostatah of the Kootenc SEPTEMBER 7,1988
Blue Bay Healing Center features treatment for people in transition
The Blue Bay Healing Center made its public debut Aug. 27 as around two hundred people stopped by for a barbe-que lunch, tours of the renovated cabins and a brief dedication ceremony.
The center, which began accepting clients earlier in the month, was designed to serve as a retreat and transitional therapy center for up to 20 people who are taking the initiative in dealing
with their substance-abuse problems. Family members are welcome to use the center, as well, in the hope of breaking old family behavior patterns that contribute to continued abuse.
The center's healing method, in fact, footers a family atmosphere where participants do chores (clean, cook, laundry) while they stay in the dorms or in one of the cabins. The treatment, which can take 7-to-30 days or more, includes
individual and group therapy, meditation and learning about Indian culture— singing, drumming, games, spiritual values. They're not setup for detoxification or treating medical problems related to chronic abuse, however.
A number of Tribal elders helped design the program, which features a naturally calm environment provided by 10 acres of pine trees, birds, the (Concludes on page two)
Melcher promises FIIP action in 1989
With 1988's legislative season drawing to a close, two Democratic senators spent a few hours on and over the Reservation Aug. 31, focusing their attention on the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project.
They were Montana's Senator John Melcher and Louisiana's Senator J. Bennett Johnston, who's chairman of two federal-money-appropriating committees in Washington, D.C.
The two did a fast helicopter fly-over of the Jocko water-storage system before meeting with about 200 people for an hour-and-a-half at the Ronan community center.
Johnston acknowledged that an afternoon's information-gathering wouldn't make him an expert. But the main point, Melcher said (at a brief press conference earlier in Missoula), was (Continues on page three)
Drought closes fishing holes
Kicking Horse and Ninepipe reservoirs are closed to fishing, effective Sept. 1 until further notice, due to low water levels (pursuant to the published Reservation fishing regulations, Part III, Section 3, E. 3). The public's cooperation will be appreciated.