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Health center construction

to begin soon

NEW TOWN The construction of the Elbowoods Memorial Health Center in New Town is expected to begin shortly, said Jim Foote, project manager.

Marion Trucking and Construction Co. of Dunseith is the general contractor "and they're 'ready to roll,' as Terry Marion says," Foote said Tuesday.

The Dunseith firm, owned by Terry Marion, was awarded a $13.5 million contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build the new health center, which will be constructed north of Fort Berthold Community College.

Comstock Constructon Inc. of Wahpeton is the subcontractor for the project, Foote said.

The health center will replace the existing Minne-Tohe Health Center west of New Town. This is the first phase of the construction project and a second phase will add programs not included in the first phase. When construction is completed, the facility will be turned over to Indian Health Service. The facility is scheduled for completion in later 2011.

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NEW TOWN When the groundbreaking events were held in New Town Oct. 24 for the new Elbowoods Memorial Health Center, North Dakota's congressional delegation and the project manager each received a gift of a vest designed and made by artist Jackie Bird.

Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, Rep. Earl Pomeroy and Jim Foote, who has been the health center project manager since 2005, each received a vest. The vest was a gift presented to them by Marcus Levings, chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes, on behalf of the tribes for the work that the congressional delegation has done to obtain the funding to build the new health center and to Foote for his work as project manager.

Levings recalled that Conrad had admired a vest that Levings was wearing during a visit to Washington, D.C., and felt the vests would be an appropriate gift for the three congressional members and Foote during the historic day when ground was being broken for the new health center. The designs are painted on each vest.

Gift giving is a longtime tradition of the Three Affiliated Tribes for special events as a way to say thanks.

Bird, who lives in South Dakota, is the daughter of musician Gordon Bird and artist JoAnne Bird. Her father, originally from Parshall, is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes.

Jackie Bird is a singer/songwriter, hoop dancer, inspirational speaker, fancy shawl dancer, designer and artist. Bird was the featured entertainer performing hoop dancing last week for the North Dakota Indian Education Association workshop at New Town High School.

Foote said the vest "is something I will cherish forever."