HENRYETTA, Oklv. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program (RIP) held a groundbreaking on Wednesday, July 24 for their upcoming wellness center at their campus in Henryetta. The morning event featured remarks by RIP Manager 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-plus-square-foot facility will feature a multipurpose court, a weight/cardio room, a storm shelter, a TV room, and additional office space. According to Harjo, the center has been needed for some time and the groundbreaking was the culmination of four years of devoted work from Fish and his staff.
During remarks, Second Chief Beaver gave the plans high praise and acknowledged the work and time put into the program. He said, “I appreciate Tony and his staff for believing in the vision of this program because it’s needed. And you’re giving a voice to people that don’t have a voice. You’re giving an opportunity to people that many just want to keep to the side and say, ‘Not here. We don’t need those people here.’ We’re turning people into citizens that want to give back to the community, that want to provide for the families. And that’s a gift in itself, to give an opportunity for somebody to provide for their families. That’s all we want to do, to take care of our families.”
The mission of the MCN Reintegration Department is to protect the public by offering quality reentry services to Mvskoke citizens and re-invest positive citizens back into the community. The RIP offers services to Mvskoke citizens within the reservation who are up to two years post-imprisonment on felony convictions.
Speaking with Mvskoke Media, Harjo described the services the program provides. “Some of the things that we do for our clients, we help with food, clothing, housing, getting their driver’s license, maybe getting a GED, finding a job, finding out what’s the best path for those individuals to transition back into society so they can make it on their own once they leave here or just exit our program.” The center also has gardens and a greenhouse on the residential campus.
The planned wellness center will add an additional level of support for program participants, according to Harjo, as it will incorporate all aspects of wellness. He said, “This was just a big need to help with not just them working out, but just also as a stress reliever mentally. I know a lot of people go to the gym to help with their mental health. It’s something I do myself. You’ve got to hit all aspects of wellness, not just provide a residential career employment program.”
After the groundbreaking, lunch and cake were served in the RIP facility. For more information on the MCN Reintegration Program visit RIP, or contact Mark Harjo at 918-549-2632.
