OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic is committed to fostering physical activity and cultural awareness among Native American youth.
OKCIC is committed to bridging the gap by leveraging its resources to foster cultural connections and promote healthy lifestyles through a variety of seasonal programs such as TURTLE Camp, Kids in the Kitchen, Mixed Martial Arts Camp and Clinic Culture Night.
During the American Indian Boarding School era, the U.S. government enacted laws that forcibly removed Native children from their homes and placed them in boarding schools. These children were punished for speaking Native languages or practicing Native traditions and suffered severe and traumatic abuse. The abuse in these schools led to malnutrition and disease that affected Native people for generations. OKCIC is dedicated to healing this generational trauma by investing in programs that teach today’s generation the importance of preserving their traditions while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“There’s power in reclaiming one’s history,” says Rochelle Plummer, health promotion and diabetes prevention manager at OKCIC. “The clinic aims to teach children that they can live healthy, happy lives while embracing their personal and cultural identities.”
OKCIC hosts events throughout the year to provide opportunities for Indigenous youth to connect with their culture and understand the importance of healthy living, with the goal of fostering brighter, healthier and happier futures for future generations while preserving their cultural heritage.
Join us as we celebrate 100 years of Native American citizenship. On June 2, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act, granting Native Americans U.S. citizenship, a landmark moment in their quest for equality. This year marks the 100th anniversary, and our special project, Heritage Unbound: Native American Citizenship at 100, looks back on their journey with stories of their resilience, struggles and triumphs. Your donations fuel these efforts and help our reporting and projects celebrating Native American heritage thrive. Your donation helps fuel these efforts and allows our reporting and projects that honor Native American traditions to thrive.