United Indian Health Services

02/07/2026

UIHS is seeking interested Indian Community Members in serving as potential Candidates to be members of the UIHS Board of Directors.

Potential Candidates must meet the criteria for membership as an Indian Community Member and must reside in and around the UIHS Voting Area within one of the following:

- Area 2: In and around Orick, Trinidad, McKinleyville, and Blue Lake - Seeking a Primary Delegate and an Alternate Delegate for a (3) three-year term (June 2026 – June 2029)

- Area 4: In and around Hoopa and Willow Creek - Seeking a Primary Delegate and an Alternate Delegate for a (3) three-year term (June 2026 – June 2029)

- Area 5: In and around Weitchpec, Johnsons, and Orleans – Seeking an Alternate Delegate to fill the remaining (1) one-year term of a (3) three-year term (June 2026 – June 2027)

All interested Indian Community Members may obtain a Declaration of Candidacy packet at https://uihs.org/board-elections or call (707) 825-4121 or (707) 825-4136. You may also receive a Declaration of Candidacy packet by visiting Potawot Health Village or at your local UIHS clinic.

The completed Declaration of Candidacy form and Candidacy Statement must be delivered by certified mail to the address below, postmarked no later than March 11, 2026, or hand delivered to Potawot Health Village Administration front office by close of business on March 11, 2026.

Mail to: UIHS Election Committee, P.O. Box 4238, Arcata, CA 95518

02/07/2026

United Indian Health Services would like to invite our community to join together in a supportive talking circle to honor and grieve the loss of a beloved member of the community. Please come in a good way as we hold space for healing and connection.

All relatives and community members are welcome to come share, listen, and receive support.

Please join us on Tuesday, February 10, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
at the Klamath Clinic, 241 Salmon Avenue, Klamath.

And on Wednesday, February 11, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
at the Weitchpec Clinic, 1150 CA-96, Weitchpec.

02/07/2026

Dear Dr. Coyote; My Father died a young man from a heart attack. What can I do to help prevent that from happening to me?
Signed, Still Kicken’

Dear Still Kicken’; February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular or Heart Disease is the number one killer of people in the United States. Some factors that increase your risk of contracting heart disease are smoking, stress and unhealthy eating habits. The fact is that the impacts of heart disease are, for the most part, completely avoidable.

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients have been shown to have double the incidence of coronary heart disease then the rest of the population. According to the American Heart Association cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death of AI/AN.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000773

You can make some small changes in your life to reduce the risk of heart disease. Here are some heart healthy tips from healthline.com: https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-heart-tips
• Manage excess body fat
• Include fiber into your diet
• Make time for breakfast
• Eat fish and nuts
• Limit your salt intake
• Reduce your saturated fat intake
• Drink tea
• Eat dark chocolate

Another way of combating the risk of hearts problems is to increase your daily exercise and reduce stress as much as possible. Walking is the easiest form of exercise. Aim for 10,000 steps a day (most phones have a pedometer app). Keeping active will make your heart happy.
Signed, Dr. C Who Starts His Day With A Long Walk

For more information please see:
VIDEO: The American Heart Association-Life's Essential 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMsTLXiyQWc

VIDEO: A Dietitian's Guide to Heart-Healthy Meals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBtRkjXSMmk

VIDEO: 3 Exercises to Improve Heart Health
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNUq_rCtbxQ

https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/heart-disease-and-american-indiansalaska-natives

http://www.americanheart.org

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/american_heart_month.htm

02/06/2026

Our Diabetes Awareness program is hosting a Healthy Eating for Diabetes interactive class series. Registration is due by February 16, 2026! Please contact Irina Smith at 707-825-3998 for more information.

02/05/2026

UIHS would like to extend its deepest sympathies to all those affected by the recent loss of a beloved champion for our local communities. Caring professionals and support staff are available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, to connect with you. Please call or stop by to schedule an appointment with UIHS Behavioral Health: (707) 825-5060.

We will continue to be available for our community throughout this difficult time.

For after-hours support:
Call, text, or chat anytime with professionals at: 9-8-8
If you do not have cell reception, you can also chat with a professional online anytime at: www.988lifeline.org

02/04/2026

TOT Celebrating Mid-Winter Holidays

Groundhogs Day has come and gone with Punxsutawney Phil the furry weatherman seeing his shadow so according to legend we have six more weeks of winter to contend with. It is safe to say however, that the sun is staying up longer and warmer days are just around the corner.

“Gong hei fat choy” Happy new year at least for the Chinese and others that follow a lunar calendar. This festival marks the end of the long winter season. It is also traditional for families to clean their house, in order to get rid of any bad fortune and to get ready for arriving good luck. There is also the giving of money in special red envelopes.

In the Kwakiutl tribe, of the Pacific Northwest, this time of year they hold the Tseka ceremony. This includes a dance wearing strips of cedar bark and having elaborately carved masks intended to evoke the presence of “spirit beings.” Their midwinter ceremonies also include feast where they served salmon, salal berries, cranberries, huckleberries, blackberries, soapberries and crabapples. Some of the traditional serving dishes of the were so beautifully carved that they have become collectible and can now be seen in museums.

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is also celebrated at this time of year. It is part of Carnival season and is marked by street parties and feasting that occurs before the fasting and time of quiet prayer that occurs during the Christian period of Lent. This celebration is marked with parades and public late-night festivities with tens of thousands of plastic beads being given out to remember the event.

Hinamatsuri-Also known as Girl’s Day or Doll’s Day, this Japanese holiday is celebrated by displaying Hina dolls and eating traditional foods such as rice wine and rice cakes. Customers frequently purchase Hina dolls, girl’s dresses and other gifts for girls like play makeup and jewelry.

Holi Festival- While originally a religious holiday in India, this festival has taken on a new meaning. Complete with its colorful powders and message of joy and unity, Holi is known as the “festival of colors” or the “festival of love" and has spread from India across the Western Hemisphere.

No matter how you celebrate spring the world is starting to show signs of greening up for the arrival of a colorful spring season.

For more resources go to:
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/spring-celebrations

https://www.care.com/c/what-to-teach-kids-about-spring-holidays/

https://simplifytheholidays.org/spring-holidays

02/04/2026

Learning the warning signs of youth su***de can help prevent an attempt ... Keeping open communication with your child and their friends gives you a chance to help and support them when needed.

Here are more steps that can also be taken:

~ Keep medicines and guns locked, away from children and teens. Don't let the child know the combination to a safe or where the key is located.
~ Get your child help for any mental wellness or substance use problems.
~ Listen to your child. Take the initiative. Something as simple as saying: "You seem sad. Would you like to talk? Maybe I can help." These simple statements will let them know you care and you are aware that something is not right. Simply listen and try not to criticize.
~ Help your child understand that asking for help is showing strength. It is the most brave thing a person can do.
~ Show interest. Find out what's happening in their life. Ask about social media activity, what they enjoy and dislike, and what's important to them.
~ Stay connected. Take the time to enjoy each other in a non-stressful environment. A walk with you, even if much of it is in silence, can be comforting to your child.
~ Become informed about youth su***de. Resources include the public library, local support groups, and the Internet.
~ Know the warning signs for depression (Feelings of sadness, hopelessness or loneliness).
For more information visit: Teen Su***de | Johns Hopkins Medicine:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/.../conditio.../teen-su***de

Learning the warning signs of youth su***de can help prevent an attempt ... Keeping open communication with your child and their friends gives you a chance to help and support them when needed.

Here are more steps that can also be taken:

~ Keep medicines and guns locked, away from children and teens. Don't let the child know the combination to a safe or where the key is located.

~ Get your child help for any mental wellness or substance use problems.

~ Listen to your child. Take the initiative. Something as simple as saying: "You seem sad. Would you like to talk? Maybe I can help." These simple statements will let them know you care and you are aware that something is not right. Simply listen and try not to criticize.

~ Help your child understand that asking for help is showing strength. It is the most brave thing a person can do.

~ Show interest. Find out what's happening in their life. Ask about social media activity, what they enjoy and dislike, and what's important to them.

~ Stay connected. Take the time to enjoy each other in a non-stressful environment. A walk with you, even if much of it is in silence, can be comforting to your child.

~ Become informed about youth su***de. Resources include the public library, local support groups, and the Internet.

~ Know the warning signs for depression (Feelings of sadness, hopelessness or loneliness).

For more information visit: Teen Su***de | Johns Hopkins Medicine:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/teen-su***de

01/31/2026

Dear Doctor Coyote; I have a history of heart disease in my family. I am trying to eliminate as many fats as I can from my diet. I have heard something good about these air fryers. What do you think of them? Signed, Wanting Unclogged Arteries.

Dear Unclogged; Cardiovascular, or heart, disease is the number 1 killer of people in the world. Air fryers can be a healthy way to cut out fats from the cooking process. Studies show that by reducing the oils you use you also get a beneficial drop in calories. This can be up to 80% for air frying versus deep fat frying.

The body uses fatty acids to make the fats that it needs. Fats are important for how your body uses many vitamins. And fats play a role in how all cells in the body are made and work. Some fats that are good for you are olive oil and omega 3, in salmon and nuts, and omega 6, in both corn and sunflower oil, fatty acids. Eating plant foods high in monounsaturated fats, particularly extra virgin olive oil and tree nuts, may benefit heart health and blood sugar regulation.

Air fryers work best on potatoes, chicken and for crisping up healthy vegetables. Look for one that has enough capacity to help feed your family a healthy balance of unfried foods. One that has a glass bottom can reduce the amount of potential micro-plastics produced by some air fryers.

Signed, Your Pal Dr. C Sticking To Smoked Salmon.

01/29/2026

Secondhand smoke exposure can lead to a range of health problems, including lung cancer, respiratory infections, and asthma.
The harmful chemicals in secondhand smoke can linger in outdoor spaces, posing health risks to nearby individuals.
Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems, making it crucial to take measures to prevent exposure, especially in public places where smoking is prohibited. 🚭

***coProject ***co

Secondhand smoke exposure can lead to a range of health problems, including lung cancer, respiratory infections, and asthma. The harmful chemicals in secondhand smoke can linger in outdoor spaces, posing health risks to nearby individuals. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems, making it crucial to take measures to prevent exposure, especially in public places where smoking is prohibited. 🚭

***coProject ***co

01/28/2026

01/28/2026

Wellness Workshop: Commercial To***co and Diabetes Management

The NATIVE To***co Project, in collaboration with the United Indian Health Services (UIHS) Diabetes Awareness Program, invites you to a Wellness Workshop focused on the intersection of commercial to***co use and diabetes health.

Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: UIHS Elk Valley Office, 2298 Norris Ave, Crescent City, CA 95531
Featured Speaker: Linda Peacock, Certified Diabetes Care Nurse & Education Specialist

Topics of Discussion:
How commercial to***co use increases the risk of developing diabetes.
The impact of commercial to***co on managing existing diabetes.
The numerous health benefits associated with quitting commercial to***co.

RSVP Today:
Space is limited. To secure your spot, please contact:
Sadie Spargur: sadie.spargur@uihs.org or (707)464-2919
Julisa Felix: julisa.felix@uihs.org or (707)825-5000

01/28/2026

January is National Family Fit Lifestyle Month https://nationaltoday.com/family-fit-lifestyle-month/
Start 2026 off time by getting the entire family to begin establishing healthy lifestyle habits that becomes a yearlong and lifelong commitment. Aim for 30-60 minutes of moderate activity every day. The best role models to teach children about living healthy are the adults in their lives. Choosing nutritious foods and engaging in active indoor and outdoor activities is a great way for spending time with the whole family while promoting the importance of a healthier lifestyle. A family that gets fit together becomes a much stronger and healthier unit.

Many parents and kids think of organized sports when they think of fitness. Though there are many advantages to signing your child up for the softball team, practice and games once or twice a week will not be enough to reach activity goals. In addition, parents can no longer rely on physical education in the schools to provide enough physical activity for children. There are many ways you can keep your kids moving at home:

• Incorporate physical activity into the daily routine. From household chores to an after-dinner walk, keep your family active every day.
• Allow enough time for free play. Kids can burn more calories and have more fun when left to their own devices. Playing tag, riding bikes around the neighborhood, and shooting hoops are some favorite childhood pastimes.
• Keep a variety of games and sports equipment on hand. It doesn't have to be expensive - an assortment of balls, hula-hoops, and jump ropes can keep kids busy for hours.
• Be active together. It'll get you moving and kids love to play with their parents.
• Limit time spent in sedentary activities, such as watching TV, going online, and playing video games.

When you have exhausted the possibilities at home, take advantage of local playgrounds and athletic fields. Make family fitness outings part of your regular routine. Part of helping your child commit to fitness includes being a positive role model by showing your child that exercise is important by regularly exercising on yourself.

Get your young ones involved in a team sport is a good way to increase their overall activity. If your child doesn't like soccer, basketball, or other team sports, explore other options and encourage your child to be creative. There are plenty of fun and challenging activities that your child might like more: karate, fencing, golf, bicycling, skateboarding, and tennis to name just a few.

Families who enjoy sports and exercise together tend to stay active throughout their lives. And staying fit can help improve self-esteem, help maintain a healthy weight, and decrease the risk of serious illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Get your family together, pick an activity and start on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

For more information and resources please go to:
VIDEO: Family Fitness Tips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Loi7qwCgodk

101 Tips For A More Active Family:
https://tinyurl.com/101FamilyActivityTips

https://food.unl.edu/food-calendar/january/family-fit-lifestyle-month/

https://www.lifeworksnw.org/2023/01/23/national-family-fit-lifestyle-month/