MCN Reintegration Program celebrates opening of wellness and activities center

HENRYETTA, Oklv. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program (RIP) held a groundbreaking ceremony for its upcoming wellness center on its Henryetta campus on Wednesday, July 24. The morning event featured remarks by RIP Director Tony Fish and Outreach Coordinator Mark Harjo. Muscogee (Creek) National Council Representative Charles McHenry gave the invocation, and Principal Chief David Hill and Second Chief Del Beaver also spoke at the event.

The new 6,000-square-foot facility will feature a multipurpose court, a weight and cardio room, a storm shelter, a TV room and additional office space. According to Harjo, the center was long overdue and the opening was the culmination of four years of dedicated work by Fish and his staff.

During his remarks, Deputy Chief Beaver praised the plans and acknowledged the work and time invested in the program. He said, “I thank Tony and his staff for believing in the vision of this program because it is needed. And they are giving a voice to people who don’t have one. They are giving an opportunity to people who many just want to push aside and say, ‘Not here. We don’t need those people here.’ We are turning people into citizens who want to give back to the community, who want to provide for their families. And that is a gift in itself, giving someone an opportunity to provide for their families. That’s all we want to do, take care of our families.”

The mission of the MCN Reintegration Department is to protect the public by providing quality reintegration services to Mvskoke citizens and to reintegrate positive citizens into the community. RIP provides services to on-reserve Mvskoke citizens who have served up to two years in prison for felony convictions.

In an interview with Mvskoke Media, Harjo described the services the program offers. “Among the things we do for our clients, we help them with food, clothing, housing, getting their driver’s license, maybe getting a GED, finding a job, figuring out what’s the best path for those individuals to reintegrate into society so they can be self-sufficient once they leave here or just leave our program.” The center also has gardens and a greenhouse on the residential campus.

According to Harjo, the planned wellness center will add an extra level of support for program participants as it will incorporate all aspects of wellness. She said, “This was a huge need to not only help them exercise but also relieve mental stress. I know a lot of people go to the gym to improve their mental health. It’s something I do. You have to address all aspects of wellness, not just provide a residential, vocational employment program.”

Following the opening ceremony, lunch and cake were served at the RIP facility. For more information on the MCN Reintegration Program, please visit RIPor contact Mark Harjo at 918-549-2632.