[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S4219]]
                 2004 NATIVE FAMILY WELLNESS CONFERENCE

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor an outstanding collaboration taking place between organizations 
of the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the neighboring town of Wagner--the 
Native Family Wellness Conference. This 3-day initiative is the result 
of the tireless work and cooperation among the Boys and Girls Club of 
the Yankton Sioux, Brave Heart Society, Canku Teca Treatment Center, 
and the Indian Health Service's Wagner Service Unit. In particular, I 
want to commend Faith Spotted Eagle, Jenny Noteboom, and Amy Schwenk-
Doom for their leadership in this effort.
  As we know all too well, the lack of quality health care in Indian 
Country is having a devastating impact on the health of far too many 
Native Americans. The availability of only ``life or limb'' treatment 
in our IHS hospitals has heightened the importance of health and 
wellness education in Native American communities, and I applaud the 
initiative demonstrated by this collaborative in developing the Native 
Family Wellness Conference.
  The great leader Sitting Bull once said: ``Come, let us put our minds 
together and see what kind of life we can make for our children.'' The 
Native Family Wellness Conference embodies Sitting Bull's hope for the 
future by teaching children, both Native and non-Native, about the 
importance of health and wellness in both their cultural heritage and 
personal future.
  Children and families will have the opportunity to learn about the 
effects of diet, drug abuse, and exercise on personal and family 
wellness during a series of breakout sessions on April 29 and 30. Those 
who participate in the sessions will be invited to join a fun run/walk 
with the Lakota Olympian Billy Mills and a concert by the band Brule of 
Lower Brule.
  Billy Mills and his organization, Running Strong for American Indian 
Youth, have dedicated almost 20 years to providing Native Americans 
with the tools needed for survival and to build self-esteem and self-
sufficiency. Billy Mills' participation in this conference demonstrates 
the importance of this collaboration, and I also want to thank him for 
his dedication and commitment to the health and well-being of Native 
Americans.
  In recent months, countless organizations from the Yankton Sioux 
Tribe and Wagner have joined in support of the Native Family Wellness 
Conference. The Bureau of Indian Affairs police department, Fort 
Randall Casino and Hotel, Indian Health Services Diabetes Project, 
Native American Community Board, Lewis and Clark Mental Health 
Services, Marty Indian School, Wagner School District, Wellmark 
Foundation, the Yankton Sioux Tribe's Business and Claims Committee, 
Tribal Health Program, Healthy Start Program, Housing Authority, Tribal 
Courts, and Tribal Youth Program have also contributed their time and 
talents to the conference. These organizations and their members are to 
be commended for their involvement in this important event.
  Our children are our greatest resource, and the Native Family 
Wellness Conference is a great investment in the health of our future 
generations. That is why I am proud to honor this outstanding effort.

                          ____________________