UIHS Traditional Health Statement
United Indian Health Services, Inc.(UIHS) recognizes the importance of traditional beliefs, practices and ceremonies in the healing of the body, mind and spirit. Traditional Health involves "all things" which contribute to the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the individual, the family and the community. It includes those traditional values, knowledge and beliefs which exist in all of us. The primary goal of our local Indian communities is to have balance of "all things" in our lives. UIHS encourages a climate of respect, acceptance and utilization in which traditional beliefs are honored.

Arts & Culture Programs
Activities include:

Traditional Gathering Trips (seaweed, mussels, Indian tea, acorns)
Community Events
Art Exhibits and Basket Displays
Basket and Textile Classes
Support Community Language Classes
Host Native Children's Authors Festiva
May-Gay-Tolth-Kwe Summer Camp
Annual Harvest Celebration
Annual American Indian Art & Craft Holiday Sale
Cultural and Environmental Education presentations for local schools
Tours of the Potawot Health Village and the Ku' wah-dah-wilth Restoration Area

Ku' wah-dah-wilth Restoration Area
The 20 acre restoration area is known as Ku' wah-dah-wilth which means "comes back to life" in the Wiyot language and describes the revitalization of the site's natural resources. The effort to restore the land at the Village has its roots in a cultural philosophy that assumes the health of a community and their environment is integral to the health of an individual. The work at Ku' wah-dah-wilth demonstrates this connection.
Restoration work has included creating wetlands, planting native plants that have traditionally been used for food, fiber and medicine, and developing public access and educational programs. The land around the Village provides many opportunities for people to learn about ecology, the traditional use of native plants, and a healthy lifestyle. The site has walking trails, interpretive signage, a basket garden, and is a venue for many cultural and environmental activities. Most importantly, the restored landscape around the Village is intended to be a comfortable place for UIHS clients, and a place that fosters the healing of the mind, body and spirit.

Potawot Community Food Garden
Located within Ku' wah-dah-wilth is a two acre Potawot Community Food Garden which provides the UIHS family with fresh organically grown produce. The garden grows many varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers on the rich flood-plain soils of Potawot. This produce is offered to the UIHS community through a twice weekly produce stand, through the Kay Woi Gathering Basket program, and through special events within the UIHS community. This garden also provides opportunities for the UIHS community to learn about small scale food production and demonstrates ecological agriculture by nourishing the whole community, human and nature alike. The Potawot Community Food Garden is supporting and promoting healthy living by reconnecting the American Indian community of the Northcoast with the source of their food.

To find out more about how the Potawot Community Food Garden is growing a healthy community, please go to the Nutrition section.