American Indian Healing Center
Groundbreaking Ceremony

September 13, 2002

Construction began in summer 2003 on the new facility we are building at 50-68 Julian Avenue, and this excerpt from the speech of Board of Director's President Ron Rowell (Choctaw/Kaskaskia) at our Groundbreaking Ceremonies in September 13, 2002, captured the spirit of our collective pride and excitement.

"Halito! Pezhoo! Micha aiokpanchi. Good morning honored elders, Mayor Brown, friends, and family! What a glorious day! Thank you Grandfather! You do not get to this point without a lot of support from good friends and neighbors, and I want to express the deep heartfelt appreciation of the Board of Directors to the foundations, corporations, and government agencies who have supported, and continue to support our mission to renew the lives of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians who are trapped by drug and/or alcohol abuse. The list is very long, and I will not read it, but please take the time to honor those who stood by us, believed in us, and supported us all these years.

I want to especially thank Mayor Brown because, had it not been for his support, this project would have been infinitely more difficult, perhaps impossible, to undertake. Mr. Mayor, yakoke fiehnah, thank you very much. Let me also thank two individuals, Ray Moisa and Court Gross, for their outstanding commitment to see this project through with their considerable technical skills.

More than anything, let me express the Board's profound gratitude to, and respect for, Helen Waukazoo, who came to the Bay Area in 1960, as a Federally relocated young Navajo woman. Fresh from boarding school, where she had been taken by the government from her family on the reservation, she came to Friendship House in 1962, and committed her life to turn the lives of addicted American Indians around. It takes only a quick glance at the letters Friendship House receives from its alumni, to understand how important her work has been. It is a privilege to have worked with you, Helen, and to have shared your successes and disappointments over these many years. You have never once wavered in the almost 20 years we have worked together. You are an inspiration not only to this generation, but also to generations to come. Blessings on your parents and your grandparents, and on the Navajo people.

The staff of Friendship House over the years has been the backbone of the operation. These are the faces our clients see day after day, those who support and challenge, shoulder the pain they confront, and move on. The ones who feed our clients nourishing food, transport them to traditional ceremonies, and listen to their stories in the small hours of the night. The Bay Area Native American community is truly blessed because of all of you.

Let me also take time to thank my fellow Board members whose commitment, caring, good humor, and affection has meant more to me than you can know. Nothing I have done in my life has given me greater joy than to be in your company.

To our elders, thank you for preparing the ground for this success. We recognize all that you have done to help preserve and protect our heritage in spite of enormous obstacles. We are humbled by your sacrifices and the sacrifices of our ancestors to bring us to this day. May the Creator continue to bless and keep you.

To our youth, thank you for your energy and your enthusiasm. Even though we set out on the road with shaking knees and lots of doubt, you can hardly imagine how far Friendship has come since 1984, the year I joined the Board. My message to you is that ir you care for your vision, if you are willing to take the journey, if you accept that you must sometimes take two steps back and one step forward, if you keep your eyes fixed on where you are going, and if you love your people, you will succeed. We have done this for you and for the generations after you. We need your energy, your ideas, and your playful spirits. Please join us. We will help you learn from our experiences so you can climb even higher, and we will learn from your young vision.

Now one chapter is closed and another begins. Aho."

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