Wy-Kan-Ush-Pum Mobile Clinic Calendar

In March of 2020, One Community Health (OCH) began formally prioritizing the unique healthcare needs of Native People living along the Columbia River and outlying communities. 

Providing culturally appropriate care for the health and wellbeing of Native People here along the river is especially important because local tribal communities are far from many Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities on the reservations.  This vulnerability created by a lack of access to tribal healthcare is also increased by the fact that many of these communities are without potable water, electricity, transportation, or access to food. 

To better understand and address the long-standing health disparities for Native People here in the Columbia River Gorge, OCH has formed an important partnership with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) and the Commission’s four-member tribes of the Nez Perce, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.

The primary focus of OCH’s Native American Health and Wellness Team is to provide mobile integrated care to the 32 different tribal communities along the river, with a peak population reach of approximately 1,200 people during the height of the Salmon fishing season. 

We provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, connection to resources, health education, health insurance enrollment, chronic disease health screenings, oral health, and distribution of masks, hand-sanitizer, cleaning supplies, food, personal hygiene products, and clothing. The Native American Health and Wellness Team is equipped with telehealth technology to connect tribal community members with other healthcare providers at any of our primary health centers including medical providers, registered nurses, dentists, and behavioral health providers.  The team also organizes special events throughout the year to bring together community partners and provide health resources to Native People along the river.

Past events have included:

• Native American-specific COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Events

• Back to School Health Fair at Celilo Village

If interested in collaborating on a special event, please email us: nativeamericanoutreach@onecommunityhealth.org

Our long-term vision is to establish strong relationships with the tribal communities and create culturally specific pathways to medical, dental, and behavioral health care so that Native People here in The Gorge have access to high-quality services.