Luana Reyes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luana Reyes
|
|
|---|---|
Reyes in 2000
|
|
| Born | February 20, 1933 |
| Died | November 5, 2001 (aged 68) |
| Occupation | Health care administrator |
Luana Reyes (born February 20, 1933 – died November 5, 2001) was an important American Indian leader. She worked as a health care administrator, helping to improve health services for Native American communities.
Luana Reyes was known for her work at the Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB). From 1972 to 1982, she led this organization. Under her guidance, it grew from a small group of five people to nearly 200 staff members. The SIHB became a great example for other health centers serving Native Americans in cities.
Later, she worked for the federal Indian Health Service. This is a large government agency that provides health care to Native Americans. She eventually became a deputy director, helping to manage this huge organization with 14,000 employees.
Just before she passed away in 2001, Luana Reyes received a special award. It was called the Presidential Rank Meritorious Award. This award recognized her amazing work and leadership.
Contents
Luana Reyes' Early Life and Family Background
Luana Reyes was born in Portland, Oregon. Her mother, Mary Christian, was from the Sin Aikst (Lakes tribe). This tribe is part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation. Her father, Julian Reyes, was from the Philippines. However, he lived much like a Native American.
Luana's mother's father was Alex Christian, known as Pic Ah Kelowna, meaning "White Grizzly Bear." Her great-uncle, Chief James Bernard, was also a Sin Aikst leader.
Growing Up on the Colville Reservation
Luana spent most of her early childhood on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington. In the mid-1930s, her parents moved near the Grand Coulee Dam construction site. They opened a Chinese restaurant there.
Her parents separated in 1939 and later divorced. Her mother eventually married Harry Wong, who had been their partner in the restaurant.
Education and Early Career
From 1940 to 1942, Luana and her older brother Lawney attended the Chemawa Indian School in Oregon. Luana was a very good student. She graduated at the top of her class from Okanogan High School in 1951.
After high school, she moved to Tacoma, Washington. She lived with her mother and worked in a department store. For the next twenty years, she worked in different private companies. She lived in places like San Francisco, Hawaii, and Seattle.
Leading Health Care for Native Americans
Luana Reyes made a huge difference in health care for Native Americans. She took over from her younger brother, Bernie Whitebear, at the Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB).
Transforming the Seattle Indian Health Board
When Luana became executive director, the SIHB was very small. It had only five staff members. Over the next ten years, she changed it completely. The SIHB became a full-service health center. It had a large budget and more than 190 health professionals.
During this time, she also helped start the American Indian Health Care Association. This group is now called the National Council on Urban Indian Health. It helps many Native American health organizations.
Working for the Indian Health Service
After her time at SIHB, Luana worked for the federal Indian Health Service. This agency is located in Rockville, Maryland. She held several important jobs there.
She became the director of headquarters operations and chief financial officer. Eventually, she rose to be the deputy director of the entire organization. This meant she helped lead a team of 14,000 people.
Luana Reyes' Family and Lasting Impact
Luana Reyes had one daughter named Kecia, born in 1985. Her family was also very involved in Native American activism and arts.
Her Brothers' Contributions
Her brother, Bernie Whitebear (1937–2000), was a well-known activist. He not only started the SIHB but also co-founded the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. He also helped create the Daybreak Star Cultural Center.
Her older brother, Lawney Reyes, is a talented artist. He is a sculptor, designer, curator, and writer.
A Lasting Legacy
Luana Reyes' hard work and leadership are still remembered today. There is a special award named in her honor, called the Luana Reyes Leadership Award.
Also, a building in Rockville, Maryland, is named after her. It is called the Reyes Building. These honors show how much she contributed to improving health care for Native Americans.
