Back on December 1, 2005 Salish Kootenai College celebrated the First Annual World Aids Day celebration on campus with a series of guest speakers, poetry readings and a luncheon.

In the three days leading up to World AIDS Day, video screenings on HIV/AIDS were presented during lunch hours in the Three Wolves Cafeteria Conference Room.

The Salish Kootenai College HIV Prevention Task Force has set up a program that provides Free & Anonymous HIV Testing.

Anyone can call for an appointment at 406-275-4920

This service is provided by the Salish Kootenai College, Nursing Department, John Peter Paul Building, Room # 104,52000 Hwy 93, PO Box 70, Pablo, MT 59855.

THE HEALTH FAIR KICKS OFF AT SKC
By Jordan Espinosa

On Oct. 19, 2005, the SKC Health Fair began at 9:00 a.m. to create awareness and understanding about various health issues that we face in this valley. Students were encouraged to not only show up but to invite friends and family outside the school to learn about the health issues. Two of the most visited booths set up were the Substance abuse and HIV prevention booths. “We don’t have a massive HIV problem in the valley yet,” said one of the booth workers, “but our valley has all the signs and symptoms that point to a massive outbreak, unless we raise the public’s awareness on this now.” The substance abuse display gave information about programs to help people of all ages get on their feet and help them get through any addictions that they might face. “The most common addictions out here in Lake County are alcoholism and methamphetamines,” said Lena Rea, one of the volunteers at the booth. “Most of the abusers we have in our group therapy sessions are among the 14-16 age group.” Several other booths were set up to talk about topics covering tobacco prevention, dental assistance, healthy eating, and programs such as the Bone Marrow Program, and the Crime Victim Advocacy program. Several attended the fair, visited many of the booths, and earned themselves a free lunch. Several of those attending commented that they hope to see the health fair come around again.

SKC BASKETBALL SEASON UNDERWAY
By Jordan Espinosa

It’s a new year for the SKC Basketball teams, and a lot of changes have occurred for the basketball program here, which started Sept. 26th, at the college. Head Coach, Juan Perez, wants to let the community know about what is going on for the college’s teams. “What I want is to educate the community about our program here. I’m really proud of it and the people involved here,” said Juan Perez. “Because I feel it’s important for our community to be able to get out there and support our players when they go to these games. The players are able to take more heart when they see that they have support outside their teammates.” This will be the first time the basketball team has had a scheduled conference for both women’s and men’s teams at all, with a whopping 28 games for the women’s team and 29 games for the men’s team. “This will be the busiest season we’ve ever had, as well as being our first scheduled season,” says Coach Perez. “Our ultimate goal is to play at the AIHEC Basketball Championships, and win it again.” SKC is one of the few Native American colleges that schedules time to play other teams, so the team, as well as the coaches, feel they’ll be more than ready to take first at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium basketball tournament again this year. “Right now, to get ready for our games, we have to use the Two Eagle High School’s facilities, and it doesn’t always work out well for us, especially if they have a home game. We can end up missing a number of practices because of that,” said Perez. SKC currently has its own gym under construction, just on the other side of Joe’s Jiffy Stop in Pablo, complete with a weight room, and a number of extra classrooms. Until then, fans can go to the Ronan Event Center to see their team play and win. For more information about the men’s and women’s basketball teams at SKC, contact Head Coach Juan Perez at 275-4978.