OKMULGEE – The Okmulgee Indian Community Center (OIC) has started line dance classes every Thursday from 6 pm to 8 pm. Classes are free and open to the public. According to the OIC chair of the Healthy Living subcommittee, Jeremy Tecumseh (Mvskoke), the classes offer many benefits for citizens.
Tecumseh shared that the classes are scheduled every Thursday for the next two months, depending on the number of participants. Tecumseh also teaches Mvskoke and Seminole youth wrestling in Okmulgee County and has also helped elders get active and exercise. He hopes to interest everyone in between, so he can help build a healthier tribe.
“I’m a certified personal trainer, and this aligns with what I do. What I enjoy is that the majority of the people that show up are our elders, which is why I really push the walking and the chair volleyball. For our elders, it is helping them lead a healthy life at later stages, which is very important,” Tecumseh said.
“Health is something that has fallen off within our tribe and all tribes. Obesity and diabetes, which stem from non-exercise, have really affected our people. I’ve made it my life’s mission since I’ve changed my life around and got sober, to kind of lead that charge with our tribe. I feel like this is a stepping stone towards that by being able to help the elders,” Tecumseh said.
The line dance class is also part of other healthy living programming at the center- they do exercise classes, walking classes, and chair volleyball. For more information, contact OIC at 539-321-0068. Tecumseh is also available on Mondays from 9 am- 12 pm and Tuesday-Friday from 10 am-1 pm.
