Dialysis Center
Bringing a place to heal closer to home.
The Dialysis Center building will be strategically located within the community to provided easier access to essential treatment for patients. This proximity not only aids in their physical recovery but also ensures emotional support from loved ones, compassionate healthcare professionals, and community throughout their healing journey.
Dialysis Center: Groundblessing Ceremony
Bringing a place to heal closer to home. September 25th, 2024
On Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe held a Groundblessing Ceremony to honor the commencement of construction on the much-anticipated Dialysis Center.
Chairs placed in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away receiving dialysis. Image credit: Chloe Ortega | Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council Public Information Officer & Web Designer.
Project Summary
The Dialysis Project has had a large team along the way of former and present Tribal Councilmembers and Tribal Administration, former and present Tribal Health leadership including Kayla Grinsell who was instrumental in helping move this project ahead, and consultants like Kenny Smoker from Fort Belknap, Indigenous Pact, Inc. and Boldt Construction. Currently, the Tribal Council, Tribal Health leadership, and Indigenous Pact are the collaborating entities working together to bring this significant project to fruition in the present moment.
Back in May 2023, a few of us Councilmembers took a trip to Green Bay, Wisconsin to visit the Boldt construction company to see firsthand what kind of building they could create for our Dialysis Center. We were very impressed with a new type of building that is constructed off-site, a foundation is laid on- site and then the building is placed on the foundation. The heavy steel beam framing helps maintain its structure and is an incredibly sturdy building to house our dialysis services. The Dialysis Center will be located next to the IHS Clinic on the southeast side of the property.
On September 25, 2024, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe held a Ground Blessing Ceremony for the new Dialysis building. The building will have 9 treatment chairs and 3 private treatment rooms, for a total of 12 dialysis treatment chairs. There will also be a family education and nutritional support room along with staff support areas like a nurses’ station and reception, to round out the building’s design. A contest was also held for the community to submit their suggestions on what the building should be named. A local tribal member won the contest when she submitted the name “Améstanove,” meaning “Life Goes On” in our Cheyenne language. This truly is the heart behind the project—we want life to go on for our tribal members who are facing kidney disease, and to do all we can to help them in their fight.
In the coming year, the Dialysis Center will be needing medical staff to help deliver these dialysis services to patients. In addition, we are continuing to look for funding while we are in these final stages of construction and setting up of services. If you would like to donate to this project, please reach out to me at Nizhoni.friesz@cheyennenation.com. By donating to this project, you are making this vision of
having life-saving care so close to home for dialysis patients in our area. This has been a project so long in the making and we are excited to make it a reality. Our hope is that we are able to offer our local dialysis patients the care they need in a comfortable, culturally appropriate setting. Where they can enjoy more time with family and continue to rest and heal during their dialysis journey.
Overhead view of the proposed Dialysis Center and location beside the IHS.
Overall floor plan of the Dialysis Center.
Second floor plan of the Dialysis Center.