Vol. 14, No. 1, Fall 2000

The Mint In The Window

by Jacquelyn Ross

On a recent visit to an aunt’s house, I found myself standing in her kitchen at the sink. Her window sill held an intriguing collection of objects, and I leaned in for a closer look. On the left side, a small collection of flower pots held feathery native ferns and aromatic mint for herbal teas. On the right side was a small collection of pill bottles from the clinic, with a water glass nearby. It was a mixture of medicines from two worlds, all essential to her well-being and long life.

The past few centuries have witnessed radical shifts in our Native health systems. New people in our lands brought with them new insects, animals, plants, foods, diseases, and ideas that had both immediate and long-lasting effects. We still grapple with the consequences of these imports today. The influx of people to the Americas continues and so the effects on health continue as well.

Good health, or the lack thereof, is an ever-present topic in media and conversation. Think of the new diseases that have announced themselves over the past few years, the foods that have been deemed unsafe, or some of the shocking proposals that have emerged from the scientific community. Commercials for weight-loss programs jostle with ads for antibacterial soap and allergy medicine on television, billboards, and maybe in the pages of your favorite magazines. With all the talk about health, is anyone truly enjoying it?

This page is the beginning of a continuation of the old and worthy conversation about what makes a person healthy. You will hear a variety of community perspectives. They may not always be in agreement. From traditional and professional health practitioners, we hope to bring forth information and ideas that encompass the grace and fullness of Native life. We plan to bring you interviews and reports on positive and successful health projects, especially those concerning traditional health. Mindful that health extends beyond the physical and into mental, spiritual, cultural, and environmental concerns, we plan to bring a dynamic mix of voices and topics to these pages.

News from Native California is pleased and grateful for the support of The California Endowment, the primary underwriter of this project and several other health projects throughout the state. You are welcome to copy any information for any non-profit or educational purpose. Copies of this supplement will be sent to a variety of health clinics and tribal centers throughout the state.

Look for good news. It’s out there and it is in all of us.

Jacquelyn Ross (Pomo/Coast Miwok), editor of Vitamin A(yyy), works in Student Affairs at U.C. Davis in the beautiful Sacramento Valley. A fisherwoman and gatherer, her interest in health was first kindled by friends and relatives who have lived long and abundant lives.