1988-02-03 Char-Koosta News

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A news puSCication of the Salish and %gotenai bribes
of the Jtathead Indian 'Reservation
Chief Charlo of the Salish VOLUME 16, NUMBER 37
THE COLDEST MONTH
Chief Koostatah of the Kootenai FEBRUARY 3, 1988
Chairman says he's seriously thinking about running for U.S. Senator
Tribal Chairman Mickey Pablo says he's seriously considering challenging John Melcher for the job of U.S. senator for Western Montana this year. He has several weeks before the filing deadline in March to make the decision.
One of the things he has to mull over is the fact that he'd have to resign as a member of the Tribal Council in order to have the time to campaign. He's now beginning his second year as Council
chairman and his fifth year as the representative of the Camas Prairie/Hot Springs district
One result of his candidacy, he said, is that Indian issues would be put before the general public in the state and before legislators in Washington, D.C. Mel-
cher hasn't been doing well in that respect at all, he feels.
If Indian people would register to vote and then get out and do so, they'd have enough influence to put their chosen candidate into office, he believes.
$1.5 million to finance medical training at SKC
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Salish Kootenai College has been approved to receive a $ 1.5 million grant through the Title III program, announces SKC Title III director Mike O'Donnell.
The money, which will be distributed over a five-year period, will be used to update the college's administrative record-keeping system through the use of computers, develop fundraising abilities, and introduce the Health Professional Degree program to the college curriculum.
The Health Professional Degree program is made up of three options for students who are interested in a medical profession. First, is the combined Licensed Practical Nurse/Associate Degree in Nursing program (LPN/ADN). This program offers a one-year LPN certificate and an optional two-year ADN.
O'Donnell explains that the college
will have to apply to the State Board of Nursing in order to implement the program. "If it's approved," he said, "the very earliest the LPN/ADN program can begin is Sept., 1989." He says it's a very difficult process, but they're very optimistic that it will be approved.
The second part of the Health Professional program is a three-year Physician's Assistant Training Degree' program. Third, is the development of a two-year Tribal Health Administrator's Associate Degree program. The latter program would train students to administer a health department
The $1.5 million grant will also provide for a Management Informations System, which will be an integrated computer system that will serve as the database for all of the college departments. 4This will free people up to do more things and will be more efficient," (Continuos on page two)