|
|
 |
Owyhee Service Unit |
A Basque heritage in the midst of Indian legends. Wildlife teeming in dense forest and
sagebrush land. A country of ranches and distant towns. Spanning from northeastern and central
Nevada to southwestern Idaho and western Utah, this is Western Shoshone Indian land.
The Shoshone Indians
The Shoshones at one time occupied the Northwestern territories. Evidence of their wide-ranging
lifestyle is the river named after them in Wyoming. The majority of the Indians located in
this Service Unit are Western Shoshone Indians.
Although many people think Indians still live in teepees, most members of the Shoshone,
Paiute, and Goshute tribes are contemporary in their choice of housing, the clothes they wear,
their speech, and lifestyle.
|
|
Services
|
|
• General Medical
• Dental
• Nutrition
• Public Health Nursing
• Mental Health
• Substance Abuse
• Health Education
• Environmental Health
• Social Services
• Emergency Services
|
|
Traditional skills, such as beadwork and leather crafts are abundant in this region. As you get to know the residents here, you will meet some elders who still practice old customs and use their native language. This rich culture makes your work a challenging and fascinating experience.
Owyhee
The Owyhee Service Unit is located on the Duck Valley Reservation, which overlaps Nevada and
Idaho. The size of our territory is quite large, and we serve about 3,140 Indians on nine
reservations and colonies.(A colony is a reservation within an established city.) Due to the
considerable distance from our other Service Unit communities, our hospital primarily
provides care to the Duck Valley residents.
Housing is available in Owyhee and basic supplies can be found at the small grocery store.
To the south, Elko, NV, is about two hours away and offers a much greater selection of goods
and services, as well as excellent Basque restaurants. To the north, in Idaho, are Mountain
Home and Boise. They are a two and two-and-a-half hour's drive, respectively, and provide a
big-city array of products and entertainment.
This gives you the opportunity to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the Humboldt National Forest.
Blaze a new cross-country ski trail. Backpack, ride a horse, or four-wheel deep into the woods.
Head south to the Ruby Mountains, the Alps of Nevada, with peaks that rise more than 11,000 feet.
Fish in your choice of two dozen alpine lakes. Tour a turquoise mine at Battle Mountain.
If you have a passion for the great outdoors, you will love living here.
Owyhee Hospital
Your presence will provide many people with essential health care. Staffed by three physicians,
one physician's assistant, and one dentist, this 15-bed JCAHO-accredited hospital provides direct
medical, dental care, and emergency services. Contract health care services from hospitals and
clinics in nearby towns are also coordinated.
Southern Bands Clinic
This 40-hour outpatient facility is staffed by one physician and one physician's assistant. It
primarily serves residents from the South Fork Reservation, Battle Mountain, Elko, and Wells
Colonies. Monthly field clinics are provided at Battle Mountain, Ely, Duckwater, and Goshute.
Community Health Services
In isolated communities, transportation and employment are often scarce. We must reach all the
people to promote awareness of our programs. Included are public health nursing, social services,
mental health, nutritional, substance abuse, health education, and environmental health programs.
As precious natural resources slowly dwindle, it's refreshing to know a region like this still
exists. You can take pride in applying your knowledge and skills. You will be joined by people
who share the same concerns. |
Phoenix Area Indian Health Service
Two Renaissance Square • 40 North Central Avenue • Phoenix, AZ 85004-4424
|
|
