A special note of appreciation to Mr. John Fitzgerald, a Volunteer, who donated his time in helping us put this Directory together. Employment - Indian Human Resource and Development Staff.. Native American Studies Programs & Educational Opportunities. San Francisco - Oakland Bay Area Native American Organizations...26 47 ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION SHEET Due to the fact that the following directory was compiled prior to the formation or moving of different organizations, we regret that of this date, a more comprehensive revision of this directory is unavailable. In order to be included in Volume II (which will be published in the near future, National and California). PLEASE complete the following form and send to us at your earliest convenience. Name of Organization Address Telephone Brief description of service provided to Indian communities in your area. NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH CENTER SPONSORED BY: URBAN INDIAN HEALTH BOARD INC. 56 JULIAN AVENUE SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94103 INTRODUCTION Summary and Background: As a group, American Indians have serious social problems. No where is the situation so grave as in the area of health needs. While the majority population of the United States enjoys a life expectancy of 70 years or more, American Indians live to an average age of 44 years. The illnesses to which they fall prey are the illnesses of poverty and medical neglect tuberculosis, alcoholism, malnutrition, prematurity, complications from childbirth. -- It should be noted that Indians still have a death rate due to accidents that is four times the national figure: A higher infant and maternal mortality rate than any other special racial or ethnic group; a T.B. rate that is still eight times that of the general population: Cirrhosis of the liver is four times as high as the general population and a diabetic rate three times the national average (Indian Health Service 1971). The fastest and simplest solution to these problems is adequate medical care of a comprehensive nature. To a people deprived of economic livelihood, such care is simply impossible to obtain. The proposed project would offer a wide range attack on the problems of delivery of health care to an urban Indian population. While the condition of the American Indian on reservations has been documented many times over, the urban Indian has received relatively little attention. We, as representatives of the Native American community in the San Francisco Bay Area, are seeking to rectify this long-term neglect. But as we try to implement self-help programs, it becomes increasingly clear that without healthy people, physically able to work and develop, we cannot succeed in our goals. We must improve the health and well-being of our Indian population or we cannot solve the educational, social and employment problems facing us. In recognition of the basic need for health services directed toward the urban Indian, an Urban Indian Health Board has been established composed of Indians in the health professions and interested non-professionals representing various Indian constituencies throughout the Bay Area. We are initiating an effort to alleviate some of the health problems of our fellow Indian citizens, through the Native American Health Center. The migration of American Indians to urban centers is a relatively recent phenomenon. Much of the increase in California's Indian population has occurred in the last decade and has been due to the influx of Indians relocated from reservations in other states to urban centers in California. Official census records show that the population of Native Americans in the State of California nearly tripled from 1960 to 1970. Census figures show an additional increase of over 60,000 from 1960 to the present. Over 190,000 Indians now reside in California. Our preliminary study shows the census figures underestimate the true population by at least a third. While 1970 Census data shows 20,000 Indians in the Bay Area, we now feel the true figure is at least 40,000. We have to date listed in our files 8,000 households of Native Americans in the Bay Area. This considering the large size of Indian families should easily support our feelings about the true census. more to say about this in March 1973, after our survey is completed. We will have The influx to the cities is clearly indicated by the following figures: in 1950, 26% of California's Indians lived in cities and towns; in 1960, 53%; today the figure is closer to 65%. Native Americans, particularly those in Urban Areas, comprise the tastest growing minority population in California. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has encouraged such migration through its employment programs began as the Relocation Program in 1957. The intent of the Program is to relocate Indians and their families to urban areas where economic opportunities are considered to be more plentiful than on the reservations. Often BIA programs contain provisions for training in various vocational centers in the city as well as placement services to aid in obtaining jobs for the new arrivals. In addition to those who come to the city on BIA relocation, an equal number of Indians come on their own. Generally, this latter group consists of persons who came to join members of their families who had been previously settled by the BIA. In the summer of 1969, one small survey in Oakland found nearly 50% of the families had a relative living in the household who had just arrived from the reservation. (Rosenthal, 1969) It is important to note the poor conditions on the reservation which have a 40 50% unemployment rate, a median income, they were forced to leave the reservation and move to where the jobs were. While the intent of the Bureau programs has been to facilitate the adjustment of relocatees, the extent of aid offered has not been equal to the need. In the early days of the program, nearly two-thirds of the migrants found the move too difficult and returned to the reservation. Although the return rate appears to have slowed down, there remains serious adjustment problems for those who stay in the city. One study noted that the return rate is now 50% and that of those who stay, only 69% have jobs. (Hurst, 1969) Too often, training programs are inadequate, placement opportunities are scarce, and economic assistance is short-lived. The result for the majority of American Indian families is the familiar -cycle of unemployment, poverty, and despair. When these problems are coupled with an often high rate of alcholism, the plight of the urbanized Native American is one of grave concern. Perhaps the most glaring instance of such a plight is in the area of health needs. We as members of the American Indian community in the San Francisco Bay Area, recognize the health problems of our fellow Native Americans. Most of our reservation Indians are accustomed to full health care through the programs set up on reservations by the Public Health Service. While these programs may be criticized on some levels, the fact remains that tree care is available through the clinics under the provisions of the Indian Health Service. In the city, however, Indians are considered to be on the same status as other urban residents. This situation is very often not understood either by the Indians or by the Agency personnel whose duty it is to serve them. Thus when the typical Bureau support runs out at the end of six months, the newly arrived migrant finds himself in the contusing situation of belonging neither here nor there. If any of our families has a medical problem, we are told by the Bureau that aid is no longer available. If an Indian is unemployed (as is the case more often than not), he is advised to seek aid from the County Welfare services. However, many officials in these agencies remain under the mistaken assumption that Indians are not eligible for county aid since we are supposed to be served by Federal (Bureau) programs. The Indian in trouble is thus placed in medical limbo. |