November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the strength, wisdom, and traditions that shape the Wind River community. At Wind River Family & Community Health Care, every month is an opportunity to preserve Native culture while promoting wellness and healing for all. Guided by the Creator’s intention, Wind River Cares continues its mission to provide primary care, traditional healing, preventive care, and wellness promotion to all members of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes.
Preserving Culture from the Very Beginning
Programs like Beyeihi’ Home Visiting Program, which means “my home,” help families stay grounded in their roots. This culturally focused, strengths-based program supports expectant Native families and those with children aged five or younger. Through home visits and community connections, Beyeihi’ empowers parents to build strong, healthy homes where culture and care go hand in hand. The program is available at no cost to eligible patients.
Cultural education continues through the Northern Arapaho Immersion Program, where preschool children learn language and tradition directly from elders and knowledge keepers. This early exposure ensures that the Arapaho language and values remain vibrant for generations to come. Families can register for Arapaho Language Early Childcare Centers in Ethete and Arapaho.
Healing Through Culture
At White Buffalo Recovery, culture is at the heart of healing. Under the guidance of Native Connections Coordinator Cassie Underwood, participants find strength and balance through traditional practices such as sweats, beading, quilt making, and cedar gathering. Elders and knowledge keepers share teachings that help individuals reconnect with their identity and community, an essential step on the journey to sobriety. “Culture helps people recenter,” Underwood explains. “It reminds them who they are and where they belong.”
Some events are open to the community, reinforcing that healing is not only personal but collective. This is a reminder that cultural connection is a source of both recovery and resilience.
Clinic Updates and Holiday Hours
Wind River Cares will be closed on November 11 in honor of Veterans Day as we thank all who have served—past, present, and future.
They will also be closed November 27 and 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday, though the Riverton Clinic will be open on November 28th at 1 pm for extended care.
Looking Ahead
From family care to cultural education and recovery programs, Wind Family & Community Health Care continues to build on its foundation of healing and tradition. Every visit and every class reflect a shared vision to preserve Native culture while nurturing the health of future generations.
For more information about programs and services, visit windrivercares.com.
