In the Spirit of Medicine

Our kids tend to do what we do. Don’t let smoking be one of them.

"In the four days following his funeral, we were told Frank's spirit would be made whole again. He has taught his lessons and now he goes to join his ancestors and loved ones free of the worldly disadvantages he had here."

I thought about our current political climate. There is no middle ground. Somewhere are the answers we need to move forward as a people and ultimately, as a planet.

All our generations exist in us and one day our ancestors will carry us home.

"One of the women at the bar told him, 'You Finlanders don't have the guts to shoot yourselves.' That was the last sentence he heard."

Did I properly honor his sacrifice?

Health matters - The Native Report on WDSE

My son sat with my wife next to Ed. Irina stood at the head of the bed next to him.

Someone in recovery gave him a vest and a bustle to wear and he started dancing as a traditional dancer at powwows. “It took me a long time to remember some of the things those old people tried to tell me and finding my traditions again saved me.” George has been a traditional dancer since then and his dance outfit was given to him over time by friends and sometimes by dancers who were too old to keep dancing and wanted their regalia to stay in the powwow circle. “When I dance, every step is a prayer for healing for all Indian people.”

She took both of my hands in hers and looked straight into my eyes. I could see the strength and resolve of many hard years looking back at me. “"Young man, Dr. Vainio. You have been so kind to me and I know you just want to help, but I have everything I need. I'’m going to a better place, so don'’t you worry about me."” I had to leave the room at that point and went out to the top of the parking ramp. I looked out over the new day with the sun sparkling on the Puget Sound and the Olympic