Eat Better, Move More, and be Tobacco-Free

This is not just a mantra the Osage Nation Communities of Excellence says, but they put it to practice as well. Thursday evening, October 2nd, they held the annual Healthy Harvest Dinner and award ceremony. At least 87 or more were in attendance for a night of music, recognition, and celebration; dining on food local and healthy. Deb Echo Hawk of the Pawnee Nation Seed Preservation Project was the honored speaker.

Wild Country Meats of Hominy donated 90% lean ground beef. Chris Gabriel, an owner of Wild Country Meats, was last year’s Business Health Champion for passing a tobacco-free and e-cigarette free business policy.

The majority of the vegetables—turnip greens, radishes, banana peppers, tomatoes, and okra—were purchased and donated by Tom Trumbly of Allred Patch. Squash from the Osage Cultural Center garden was also served, and this was grown by Ta-Wa AmeriCorps staff: Bruce Tiger, LaTonya West, Tom Trumbly, Nikhazi Supernaw, Nataska Rouse, and AmeriCorps Program Coordinator Katelyn Rulo; some Anishinaabe friends provided manoomin, wild rice from Wisconsin.

This year’s menu included: Chef Gail Boe’s Red Lentil Soup with sour cream and lime sauce (lentils help reduce blood pressure when part of a regular diet); Chef Electa’s Wild Rice medley; split pea soup; blackened turnip greens; soups, vegetable and vegetable with beef; classic brown beans; and honey squash. There were also Nutrient Kabobs made of cantaloupe melon balls, strawberries, and green grapes. A variety of Cornbreads of Excellence were also available: jalapeno, plain, broccoli, pepper, and bacon crumble. Desserts were pumpkin soufflé and pecan sandies. The volunteer sous-chefs were Geneva Horse Chief Hamilton and Rebekah Horse Chief; volunteer hostesses were Mary Ramirez and Sharon Cross.

Live guitar and banjo music was supplied by AmeriCorp member Bruce Tiger and community volunteer Lewis Bernard. Four students with the Wynona Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) attended: Liana St. John, Shaylea Howell, Samantha Hamilton and Jayme Ingram. SWAT Youth are trained in exposing Big Tobacco and Tobacco Education to empower local school communities.

Congratulations:

Elaine Hight and Ross Mashunkashey (Rising Star Advocates for Healthy Living); Jacquelin Boulanger (Community Health Champion); McCord Public School (Champion of School Health); Fi Davis, Osage Nation Food Distribution Program (Champion of Senior Health); Osage Nation WIC program (Champion of Children’s Health); and Theresa Flowerette, RPN and Acadia Family Clinic (Champion of Business Health). Each recipient was given a few moments on the microphone to share the things that inspired them to take care of their mental, physical, nutritional health. The evening was peppered with gardening and Osage language trivia questions and promotion of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline.

Information provided by Electa Redcorn.