Tribal Wellness Program soft relaunch

A larger and more comprehensive Wellness Center is still the goal for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe.
But instead of waiting for a new addition or facility to be built adjacent to the Tribal Community Center on Broad Avenue in Flandreau, Tribal and FSST Clinic officials are working together to create a space in the current Wicoicaga Otipi Community Center (WOCC) that is focused on improving overall community health and diabetes prevention.
Right now, both the east and west ends of the Center offer new health-based features. On the west end there are healthy food options available along with a gathering space for tribal members, their families, and others who are IHS eligible.
There is a new walking program thats launched as well out of that space along with an area for education about healthier lifestyles, especially diabetes prevention.
On the east end of the WOCC, new weights and cardiovascular equipment such as exercise bikes and treadmills temporarily occupy the space previously held by the Dakota Language After School Program.
The past month has been a soft launch of the space and programming, but coordinators hope that after January 1, 2024, more tribal members and their families take advantage of what the resource center has to offer.
I think its important we create a space for people to just live a healthier lifestyle, said Gabrielle Flute Player, the new Diabetic Cultural Coordinator. Flute Player, who played basketball throughout her college career, recently returned back home to Flandreau. She has lived in the community since 2001, is a Flandreau Indian School graduate and a member of the Spirit Lake Nation in Fort Totten, North Dakota.
This is where I grew up, though, and I see it every day. People just havent had that space to get healthier and get that support. Were encouraging them to come back and be active, to make healthier choices and ask questions.
FSST recently received an IHS grant to expand its diabetic wellness program. Because the Clinic is more for acute care and clinic visits, tribal officials chose this route to try and encourage members to focus on a healthier lifestyle.
In addition to the walking program, which runs Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and Noon, there is also a steps challenge.
The previous wellness program and gym disappeared along with other programs in the early stages of the Native Nations medical marijuana business startup and as the nation went into lockdown during the pandemic. Talks have been ongoing about how and where to rebuild a gym and wellness center and wellness and preventative programs since.