March 15, 2008
Kwigillingok Community Health Aides to be recognized: Gail Janice Daniel, Gladys “Bonnie” Atti, Daniel Clark Sr., Christine Andrew. Not pictured: Lucy Martin, former Kwigillingok Health Aide who will also be honored on Appreciation Day.
Kwigillingok to hold Appreciation Day March 29
by Adolph Lewis
The Native Village of Kwigillingok is honoring their local Health Aides as first recipients of the annual "Appreciation Day." Arthur Lake, Village Administrator, suggested the event recognizing local citizens for their positive service contribution to the community.
The Community Health Aides are the biggest contributors in the community anywhere in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, but you don't hear much about their responsibility. Although the Health Aides are public employees, their work is very private. Furthermore, the law prohibits them from talking about what they do inside the clinic.
As big a responsibility as the Health Aides have, you don't hear much about what they do in the community. For instance, Kwigillingok is a very small community and word gets around fairly easily, but any health-related matter does not get around. Much of the time, people never know what happened to so-and-so unless the family asks for prayer support, "Do you know what happened?" "Qaillun piat?" We never know.
The daily health routine seems like a small task to ordinary people. You don't think of how much the Health Aides give professionally. One never realizes what kind of stress they go through daily from patients, especially from a know-it-all patient. Some patients visit the Health Aide with a high expectation of being helped as soon as they walk inside the Clinic. We don't stop to think that Health Aides do get tired.
We never learn to appreciate how much the Health Aides give until we experience a traumatic situation. The Health Aides give more than what they are capable of giving: medical care, counseling, and emotional support.
On behalf of the Native village of Kwigillingok, we want to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Bonnie, Chris, Dan and Janice for being there for us when we need you. You seemed and still seem tireless when you're called for assistance.
Kwigillingok will celebrate "Appreciation Day" Saturday, March 29, at 3:30. The awards ceremony will be followed by a community potluck at the school gymnasium.
