‘A great day’: Helena Indian Alliance celebrates grand opening of Leo Pocha Memorial Clinic

Phil Drake

Nearly 80 people celebrated the grand opening of the Leo Pocha Memorial Clinic on Friday, a 4,000-square-foot expansion of Helena Indian Alliance facilities that will provide primary health care and outpatient medical care.

“It’s a really beautiful morning,” emcee Thomas Limberhand said to people sitting under a large tent.

Later he noted: “It seems like today is a scary time out there, losing loved ones left and right. Let’s think about them this morning.”

The celebration, which opened with with the Magpie Dummers and Singers, included Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins, representatives from several tribes and the offices of Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester, and an appearance by Roselyn Tso, Indian Health Services national director.

“I am so proud of you and the work you do out here for Indian Country,” said Tso, who’s been in her federal role for 11 months and is a member of the Navajo nation.

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She said it was important to lift up Indian Country and was impressed by the progress made by the Helena Indian Alliance.

“I know it was not easy,” Tso said of opening the new clinic.

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