Monthly Mission Moment – Healthy Lifestyles

The Healthy Lifestyles department is a team committed to promoting healthy living across the Choctaw Nation. Through multiple programs and projects, the team works hard to provide information, raise awareness, and make positive changes in the health and wellbeing of Choctaw tribal members.

The Healthy Lifestyles team has been working with the MPOWER public health grant, which is a grant guided by the CDC and State Health Department.

“The main goals of this grant are to prevent commercial tobacco use and promote the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline for cessation,” says Tammie Scott, Tobacco Control Program Coordinator. “During this five-year contract, our team has been raising awareness of the dangers of vaping among children, encouraging Chahtaprenuers across the reservation to commit to a “No Tobacco in the Workplace” policy, creating Hoshonti trainings for CNO associates, hosting events, and more.”

One project under this grant that the team has recently completed was the Shukvt Issa, which translates to “Stop Smoking.”

“For this project, we called for volunteers to help pick up cigarette butts to raise awareness of the impact that tobacco trash has on the environment,” says Tammie. “Events such as these demonstrate the Chahta spirit by promoting comradery and reminding each of us that it is all of our responsibilities to protect and maintain our land.”

Yakoke to the Healthy Lifestyles department for the great work they do to fulfill the mission of the Choctaw Nation: “The Choctaw Proud, ours is the sovereign nation offering opportunities for growth and prosperity.”