CMC revives powwow

With hands on hips some not-so-traditional ACH Warriors try to copy traditional dance moves at the powwow put on by Coulee Medical Center Thursday. The Gathering of Wellness event was attended by six area schools, including Coulee Hartline, Almira, Wilbur, Nespelem and Lake Roosevelt Schools. Behind them in traditional regalia, Shoshannah Palmanteer, CMC's senior director of clinic operations and development, who was asked in 2015 to develop the powwow, dances with them. Last week's event was the first time since the covid crisis canceled it in 2020 that the powwow has continued. - Scott Hunter photos

Below - Ramona Hicks, Kelly Hughes and Shoshannah Palmanteer dance at the Gathering of Wellness Powwow and Health Fair at Coulee Medical Center Sept. 19. Hughes is the new CEO of the hospital, succeeding Hicks, who is chief nursing officer and credits Palmanteer with reconnecting her with a forgotten part of her own heritage. She hired Palmanteer in 2015 with a need to connect with Colville Tribal members. Palmanteer started the powwow then. Last week, Palmanteer and Hicks were both honored for their leadership with a traditional gift of wool blankets