The Maniilaq Association is a tribally-operated health and social services organization serving the Northwest Arctic Borough and the North Slope community of Point Hope. Maniilaq has over 500 employees and is the largest employer in the region.[1][2]
 | |
 Communities served by Maniilaq | |
| Formation | July 6, 1966 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 733 2nd Ave, Kotzeube, Alaska |
Region served | Northwest Arctic Borough Point Hope |
President | Tim Gilbert |
Board Chair | Eva Kinneeveauk |
| Board | |
| Affiliations | Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium |
| R.O.R. Id | 04syg1z63 |
| Website | maniilaq.org |
Formerly called | Northwest Alaska Native Association |
Etymology
edit"Maniiḷaq" is a word in the Iñupiaq language meaning "without money", reflecting the organization's nonprofit status. It is also the name of an early nineteenth century prophet who lived in the region.[3][4]
History
editThe Northwest Alaska Native Association (NANA) was formed in 1966 to advocate for the land claims of the Native people of the northwest arctic.[5] After the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971, NANA was renamed to the Mauneluk Association to avoid confusion with the new, for-profit NANA Regional Corporation. This spelling was later changed, giving the organization its current name.[1]
In 1975, Maniilaq merged with the Kotzebue Area Health Corporation, which had been formed in 1973.[1]
Between 1980 and 1981, Maniilaq underwent a significant expansion with the construction of a new health facility in Kotzeube.[1] Maniilaq assumed management of the Indian Health Service's local hospital program on July 1, 1988.[3]
Maniilaq Health Center
editManiilaq Health Center in Kotzebue is the primary health care facility for the residents of the Northwest Arctic Borough and Point Hope. The 80,000 square foot hospital houses facilities to provide primary, emergency, psychiatric, dental, and long-term care, as well as an inpatient wing with 17 beds for recovering patients.[6]
Village Clinics
editManiilaq operates clinics in 11 outlying villages.[7] These villages are staffed by Community Health Aide Practitioners (CHAPs), who are trained in basic health assessment and can treat common illnesses or use the Community Health Aide Manual to determine the best course of action. For more complicated cases, the CHAPs communicate with Maniilaq Health Center medical staff.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "About Us". Maniilaq Association. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "Maniilaq Association". Northwest Arctic Borough School District. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Kotzebue Service Area Profile" (PDF). Indian Health Service. 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Hensley, William L. (2008). Fifty Miles from Tomorrow. Picador. p. 180. ISBN 9780312429362.
- ^ Hensley, William L. (March 28, 2000). "The Founding and Formation of the Northwest Alaska Native Association". Alaskool. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020.
- ^ Baker, Hailey A.; Kozhimannil, Katy Backes; Ibrahim, Bridget Basile (June 2023). Maniilaq Health Center: Providing High-Quality Obstetric Care to American Indian/Alaska Native People in Rural Kotzebue, Alaska (PDF). University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 7, 2023.
- ^ "Health Services Division". Maniilaq Association. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024.
- ^ "Primary Care". Maniilaq Association. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2024.