Dentist brings skills to Hupa Indians

  • Published
  • By TSgt Dan Oliver
  • 932 AW
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Lt. Col. (Dr.) Harvey Small, his two-week annual tour of duty to an American Indian Reservation, was both a privilege and an adventure. Colonel Small volunteered for the duty and brought his dental skills to the Hupas, who reside on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation. 

The reservation, located in northwestern California, has the Trinity River nearby. (In the Natinook language, Hupa means “The Place Where the Trails Return.” 

“My tour there was a rewarding humanitarian experience.” The Hupas, he said, were warm and hospitable people. 

During a typical day, Colonel Small treated 7-8 patients. The 932nd reservist performed a range of dental and orthodontic procedures to include fillings, crowns and one root canal. 

After duty hours, Small would ride his 9-speed bike, hike the mountain trails and take photos. The reservation covers 144 square miles and is surrounded by mountains covered with pine, fir and hardwood trees. 

“The scenery was spectacular – it’s a fairly isolated place. You are surrounded and in awe of Nature,” he said. 

He was also able to partake in Hupa culture, such as visiting traditional Hupa homes and sampling certain ceremonial dishes. Colonel Small was invited to have a bowl of acorn soup on one occasion. 

“Yes, and it had good texture. But, it tasted like paste to me,” he smiled. 

Colonel Small was impressed with the Hupas work ethic. Not surprisingly, they work in harmony with their surroundings, he said. Besides timber work, there is organic farming and several nurseries. 

Today the Hoopa Reservation is California's largest and most populous reservation. It is home to more than two thousand members and maintains the largest accumulation of tribal funds in the state. Much of its current prosperity is due to the post-World War II lumber boom, which created an abundance of well-paid jobs. 

Overall, Colonel Small felt he accomplished a lot personally and in his professional military career. “I was able to practice dentistry in a different setting to Native Americans who were grateful,” he said. Personally, riding his bike in mountain areas will help prepare Colonel Small for his next event. – The upcoming RAGBRAI, a well-known bicycle road race. The event is held annually in Iowa.